Hazardless home handbook
This guide provides information on common hazardous ingredients, potential hazards, responsible use and storage, proper waste management and alternatives for most common hazardous household products.
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Ingredients for less-toxic cleaners
Sustainable living › Green cleaners › Ingredients for less-toxic cleaners
Save money and protect your family and the environment by using these safe and simple ingredients to clean your home.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Absorbs odors and is a mild abrasive. Found in the baking section of the grocery store.
Glycerin
Found in pharmacies or health food stores, this water-loving liquid has antiseptic qualities and moisturizes the skin.
Hydrogen peroxide
Disinfectant. Use the household concentration (3 percent) typically found in pharmacies.
Liquid soap
Vegetable-oil-based soap sometimes referred to as castile soap. Found in most health food stores. Dr. Bronner's is a popular one.
Liquid detergent
Most dishwashing liquids are detergents. Try purchasing vegetable-oil-based soaps, which are more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based products. Vegetable-oil-based soaps can be found in health food stores. Petroleum is a limited resource (unlike vegetable oils) and its extraction and refining causes pollution.
Vinegar
Removes soap scum, grease and mineral deposits and acts as a deodorizer. Use only white distilled vinegar for most of these recipes. You can try apple cider vinegar for windows, since it has a more pleasant scent.
Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
It is slightly caustic and a great grease cutter. Don't use it on waxed floors (unless you want to remove the wax), fiberglass or aluminum. Found in the laundry section, made by Arm & Hammer.
Borax
Effective cleaner. This is a strong alkaline that is non-toxic in the quantities needed for these cleaning recipes but may be toxic in its concentrated form. Keep all borax-containing cleaners out of the reach of children. Found in the laundry section of the grocery store, it is sold as 20 Mule Team Borax.
Essential oils
Mostly used for deodorizing or scenting cleaners. Essential oils, such as mint, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and tea tree, can be found in health food stores or herbal supply shops. Tea tree oil is currently in the process of being registered as a disinfectant in this country. Non-toxic in small quantities, this oil may be toxic in concentrated forms. Keep out of the reach of children.
Tip: Be sure to put all mixtures in clearly marked containers.
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