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HazChem
Center
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾of Southeast Iowa
Safe Alternatives to Hazardous Chemicals
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HAZARDOUS
CHEMICALS IN OUR HOMES
Try these non-toxic or less-toxic
alternatives to hazardous household chemicals. While a
little more “elbow grease” may be
needed with some of these products, the benefits in terms of improved indoor
air quality, decreased exposure to chemicals, fewer waste disposal concerns,
convenience, and lower costs should make the switch an easy one.
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For this:
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Try this:
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Air freshener
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Simmer cinnamon and
cloves
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Ants
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Red chili powder at point of
entry
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Bleach
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Borax
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Car battery corrosion
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Baking soda and water
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Cleaners-general
household
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Mix ½ c. ammonia, 1/3
c. vinegar, ¼ c. baking soda in 1 gal. warm water
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Decal remover
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Soak in white vinegar
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Drain cleaner
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Plunger followed by ½ c
baking soda, ½ c. vinegar & 2 qts. boiling water
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Fertilizer
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Compost and vermicompost
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Flea & tick
repellant
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Scatter pine needles,
fennel, rye or rosemary on pet’s bed
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Flies (insects)
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Well watered pot of basil
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Floor cleaner
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1 c. vinegar & 2
gallons water
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Furniture polish
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1 tablespoon lemon oil in 1 pint
of mineral oil
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Hand cleaner for
paint/grease
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Baby oil
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Ink spot remover
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Cold water & 1 tablespoon
cream of tartar & 1 tablespoon lemon juice
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Insects on plants
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Soapy water on leaves,
then rinse
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Mildew remover
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Equal parts of vinegar and salt
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Moth repellant
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Cedar chips or dried
lavendar enclosed in cotton sachets
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Oil stain remover (clothing)
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White chalk rubbed into stain
before laundering
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Oven cleaner
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2 tablespoons liquid
soap, 2 teaspoons borax and warm water
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Paint brush softener
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Hot vinegar
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Pet odor remover
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Cider vinegar
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Porcelain cleaner
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Make paste from baking soda and
water; let set, rub clean and rinse
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Refrigerator deodorizer
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Open box baking soda
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Roach repellant
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Chopped bay leaves and cucumber
skins
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Rug/carpet cleaner
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Club soda
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Scouring powder
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Baking soda
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Slug and snail
repellant
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Onion and marigold
plants
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Tub & tile cleaner
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¼ c. baking soda & ½ c.
white vinegar & warm water
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Window cleaner
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½ c. vinegar in 1
gallon warm water
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The following links will give
you more information on disposal of:
PAINT
BATTERIES
HOUSEHOLD
CLEANERS
MOTOR
OILPESTICIDES,
HERBICIDES & FERTILIZERS
AUTOMOTIVE
PRODUCTS
MATERIALS
ACCEPTED AT THE HAZCHEM CENTER
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