Safe Substitutes for Hazardous Substances

Around the House

Air Fresheners: Simmer cinnamon and cloves or place pot pourri in open dishes. Keep your refrigerator clean and stocked with an open box of baking soda. Lemon and vinegar have good deodorising qualities.

Benches and Tabletops: Use baking soda and a sponge, wipe with a damp cloth.

Bleach: Use borax and let the sun bleach your fabrics.

Carpets: Use a soap-based non-aerosol rug shampoo and vacuum when dry. For spills, sprinkle cornflour and vacuum after 30 minutes or apply club soda immediately.

Silver: Make a solution of one part washing soda to 20 part water and put into aluminum pan. Dip silver into mixture and then rinse in hot water. Dry with a clean cloth.

Tiles: Use white vinegar on a cloth to wipe down greasy tiles.

Windows: Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle.

In the Bathroom

Bath & Basin: Apply a paste of baking soda and water using a soft cloth, wipe with a moist cloth.

Mould: Wipe vinegar onto affected surfaces, leave overnight and scrub off the next morning.

Toilet Cleaner: Use non-chlorinated scouring powder, baking soda or vinegar.

Laundry

Try pure soap or soap flakes. Make your own washing powder – combine 1 cup soap flakes with 1/2 cup washing soda.

Heavy soiled clothes, use a solution of 1 1/2 tbsp washing soda in 250ml of warm water.

Hand wash linen in lukewarm water using pure soap flakes.

Hand wash silk in cold water using pure soap or soap flakes. Rinse well and allow to drip dry. Iron while still slightly damp.

Hand wash woolens in cool or lukewarm water with pure soap or soap flakes. Squeeze out in a towel and dry flat.

Choose a commercial washing powder that is phosphate free and 100% biodegradable.

Solvents/paints

Choose water-based over oil-based paint. Remember, do not tip paint down storm water drains. They only drain rain!

Household pests

Ants: Sprinkle mint, chili powder, pepper or borax across their trail.

Fleas: Vacuum regularly and sprinkle lavender or pennyroyal around infested rooms. Empty vacuum cleaner after each use. Give pets a flea comb regularly.

Flies: Keep all food and rubbish covered and clean the rubbish bin regularly.

Moths: Clean all clothes, bedding and furnishing fabrics before storing them (moths breed in dust and dirt). Store clothing in plastic bags.

Insect Repellent: Use a repellant containing natural agents such as citronella or tea tree oil.