Finding an alternative to modern household cleaning
products can be a challenge. Many of these contain harsh chemicals
and a less impactive, environment and health friendly alternative is
often sought. Below you'll find a fairly comprehensive list that we
hope you will find useful:
|
Traditional
/ Safe Alternatives to Modern Chemicals and Cleaning Products |
Kitchen: |
source |
General cleaning |
Sea
salt, lemon juice, hot water, and a few drops of orange essential
oil |
|
Fabric softener |
Add
baking powder during rinse |
|
Washing
Machine Powder |
Choose
chlorine-free and phosphate-free detergents to reduce the toxicity
of the fumes they release into the air. |
|
Dishwasher
Powder |
Microwave |
Bowl
of water with half a lemon floating in it. Microwave on high
for a few minutes. Steam softens grease and grime and lemon deodorises. |
|
Tap Limescale
remover |
White vinegar.
Put in the corner of a plastic bag which has been packed with
toilet tissue. Put over scaled up tap spout, such that limescale
is in contact with vinegar-soaked toilet tissue. Hold in place
with elastic band and leave to soak for several hours. Limescale
should easily peel off. |
|
Kitchen/bathroom
cleaner |
Borax and
lemon juice paste |
|
Drain opener |
Flexible
metal snake, a plunger, salt |
|
Bleach |
Borax, lemon
juice, sunlight |
|
Disinfectant |
Vinegar plus
3% hydrogen peroxide |
|
Disinfectant |
Ozone, hydrogen
peroxide |
|
Bathroom:
|
Kitchen/bathroom
cleaner |
Borax and
lemon juice paste |
|
Toilet
Air Freshener |
After passing
a bowel motion, light a match (flame burns off excess methane) |
|
Personal Hygiene:
|
Toothpaste |
One part
baking powder plus six parts sea salt. Tea tree oil or
calendula extract, both strong antiseptics, may be added. For
gingivitis or periodontitis, add Rathania extract |
|
Cleaners & Polishes:
|
Kitchen/bathroom
cleaner |
Borax and
lemon juice paste |
|
Window cleaner |
Vinegar in
water |
|
Glass Cleaner |
Neat
lemon juice, wipe with soft cloth. When dry, buff with dry cloth
or piece of newspaper. |
|
Floor cleaner |
Vinegar and
a few drops of eucalyptus oil |
|
Oven cleaner |
Baking
soda and water: sprinkle inside, let sit overnight and scour. |
|
Stainless
steel cleaner |
White
vinegar |
|
Brass, copper
and aluminium polish |
A
paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar |
|
Silver polish |
Baking
soda and sea salt |
|
Copper cleaner |
Lemon
juice |
|
Shoe polish |
Banana
peel (the inside) |
|
Furniture
polish |
A
few drops of olive oil plus vinegar |
|
Insect Repellants:
|
|
|
Fly repellent |
Plant
several pots with basil, which repels various insects |
|
Mosquito
repellent |
Burn
citronella oil |
|
Ant repellent |
Spray
cayenne pepper in holes. Mint pots discourage ants from
entering the house. |
|
Stain Removers:
|
|
|
Mildew remover |
Hydrogen
peroxide to remove. Borax for inhibiting growth. |
|
Stain remover |
Borax
and water |
|
Carpet spot
remover |
Sprinkle
with corn flour. Let dry Wash with fizzy water. Let dry. Vacuum |
|
|
Sources:- |
|
1.
A Healthy House by Anat Cohen, in Positive Health 1.9.02,
also greenhealthwatch edition 6.2(22). (Reproduced in Foresight
Newsletter, Spring, 2003)
|
2.
The Natural Way to Better Babies by Francesca Naish & Janette
Roberts, 1996. Random House, Australia. |
3.
How Clean is Your House? Channel 4, Wed. 21st May, 2003,
8.30pm. |
|
|
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