Through their Clean Water Clear Choice program, the Galveston Bay Foundation has addressed the issue of hazardous chemicals found in many common household cleaning products. When disposed of improperly (such as down a storm drain, sink, or in the garbage) the chemicals can end up in local bodies of water or ground water.
So what is an alternative? The Clean Water Clear Choice program proposed 9 alternatives to these hazardous household products:
MOSQUITO REPELLANT RECIPES
--Burn citronella candles and plant natural repellents like tansy or basil near a door.
--Do not eliminate natural predators such as dragon flies or the praying mantis.
--Eliminate pools of stagnant water and use mosquito traps instead of pesticides.
ROACH REPELLANT RECIPES
--Set out dishes with equal amounts of oatmeal flour and plaster of paris, or equal amounts of baking soda and powdered sugar, or equal amounts of borax and brown sugar. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS!
--Caulk cracks; close of all gaps around pipes and electric lines where they enter the house by using screening or cement.
--Place bay leaves around cracks in room.
DRAIN CLEANER RECIPES
--Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar.
--Cover tightly for 15 minutes then flush with boiling water. Repeat if necessary.
--A mechanical snake may be needed to clear hair-clogged drains.
--For standing water, use a plunger or snake.
TOILET BOWL CLEANER RECIPES
--Sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda into bowl, add 1 teaspoon vegetable based soup, and 2 drops hydrogen peroxide, scrub with toilet brush.
--For Tough Stains: coat bowl with a paste of lemon juice and borax, let stand for 2 hours, then scrub.
--For Moderate Stains: sprinkle baking/washing soda, moisten with vinegar and scrub with brush.
GLASS CLEANER RECIPES
--Combine 1 quart of water with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or 1 to 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol; spray on surfaces and wipe clean with soft, lint-free cloth.
--Combine juice from 1 lemon, 2 cups water of club soda, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint essential oil (optional); shake well and spray on windows.
OVEN CLEANER RECIPES
Use Any of the Following Mixtures, & Scrub With a Copper Scrubber:
--Baking soda and water, keep sprinkling the soda on, scrub off.
--2 tablespoons castile soap, 2 teaspoons borax in 2 cups of water, apply and let sit 20 minutes, scrub off.
--Baking soda, salt, water (make paste) then scrub off.
--Sprinkle salt on fresh spills for easier removal.
LAUNDRY RECIPES
--Bleach Alternatives: mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 8 parts water, soak for 1/2 hour. Borax also works well as a substitute.
--Ink Stains: saturate stain with alcohol based hairspray, blot with rag. Repeat until stain is removed, launder as usual.
--Oil Stain: rub with white chalk into stain before laundering.
--Use phosphate free soap.
MILDEW CLEANER RECIPES
--Scrub mildew spots with baking soda or borax, or sponge with white vinegar.
--Scrub area with a paste of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.
--To clean mildew from shower curtain, machine was with 1/2 cup soap and 1/2 cup baking soda; add 1 cup white vinegar to rinse cycle.
APHID REPELLANT RECIPES
--Some soap sprays are effective insecticides. They must be sprayed directly on the insect in order to penetrate its body. Mix 1 teaspoon liquid soap in 1 gallon of water.
--Introduce ladybugs or lacewings, natural enemies of aphids.
--Plant garlic, chives, petunias and nasturtiums around garden, but be aware that garlic can inhibit the growth of some plants.
Information for these useful recipes was obtained from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Agriculture Extension Service, Washington Toxics Coalition, Tri-County Solid Waste District, and Lost Angeles County. Harris County provided a publication of this information to the general public. Harris County has not independently verified that these recipes provide the services listed herein.