The American Association of Poison Control Centers ranks household cleaners as the leading source for acute human exposure to toxic substances.

Caustic household cleaners, pesticides, paint removers, and other products that contain toxic ingredients, also damage the environment through their production, use, and disposal.

You can make the difference and save money by using these environmentally friendly cleaning remedies.

All-Purpose Household Cleaner
1-quart warm water
1-teaspoon liquid hand soap
1 squeeze of a lemon
Good for a multitude of jobs including countertops, floors, walls, rugs & upholstery.

Furniture Polish
1-pint mineral oil
1 squeeze of a lemon

Drain Cleaner
1-cup baking soda
1-cup salt
1/4-cup cream of tartar
Pour 1/4 cup of mixture down drain once a week.

Clothing Stain Remover
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4-teaspoon cream of tartar
Create paste, spread over stain, and allow to dry.

Carpet Stain Remover
Baking soda or Club Soda
Rub baking soda or club soda into carpet and vacuum until stain is removed.

Mirror and Window Cleaner
1-tablespoon rubbing alcohol
1/2-cup white vinegar
1-quart water
Newspaper
Apply solution with spray bottle and dry with newspaper.

Silverware Cleaner
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Scrub silverware with toothpaste. Rinse with warm water.

	Cover the bottom of the oven with baking soda.
	Spray with water until very damp, and keep moist by spraying every few hours.
	Let set overnight.
	In the morning, scoop out the baking soda and grime and wipe well.

Paint Remover for Your Hands
Use vegetable oil instead of paint thinner to remove paint from hands and skin.

For more tried and true safe solutions for household cleaning, read Berthold-Bond's book, Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living. (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

Go to www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/src/toxrate.htm for the Environmental Protection Agency's toxicity rating scale of products.

WASTE DISPOSAL

Improper disposal of hazardous household materials like solvents, cleaning products and insecticides, is a leading source of toxic pollution.

DO NOT POUR OIL OR ANY OTHER HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS INTO STORM SEWERS OR GARBAGE CANS.

You can make the difference by following these guidelines for properly disposing of hazardous household materials:

	Keep products in original containers.
	Do not mix products.
	Label and date material not in original containers, provide product category, such as pesticide or cleaning product.
	Take the lid off paint and let it dry out before disposing.
	Contact your local recycling coordinator for hazardous waste collection sites.
	Before transporting make sure lids are tightly sealed.
	If leaking, place in a large plastic container and pour a non-flammable absorbent, such as kitty litter, around the product to absorb leaks.
	Place products upright in cardboard box and secure to avoid tipping in transport.
	Transport products in the trunk of your vehicle.
	If you have to transport them inside your vehicle make sure there is adequate ventilation.