Reduce the amount of toxins in your home! Exposure to toxics may be harmful to humans, wildlife, and the environment.

Healthy Hom

es

Alternatives to Toxics

BATHROOMAir Freshener Rosewater in a pump dispenser, natural potpourri, or

boiled cloves and cinnamon.Use houseplants for air purification.

Antibacterial Soaps & Cleaners

Bar or liquid soap without triclosan or other antibacterial ingredients.

Studies show plain soap is just as effective at removing bacteria and preventing illness.

Bathroom Mold Cleaner

3% hydrogen peroxide or oxygenated cleaner. See Bathroom Mold Greener Cleaner recipe.

Keep area clean and dry to prevent mildew.

Drain Cleaner Mechanical devices, such as a barbed cleaning strip, snake, or plunger. If still clogged see Drain Greener Cleaner recipe.

Avoid caustic products containing sodium hydroxide (lye) or potassium hydroxide.

Fever Thermometer Digital thermometer. Recycle mercury thermometers at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Bar or liquid soap, and/or oxygenated cleaner. See Multi-Purpose Greener Cleaner recipe.

Soap is made from vegetable oil. Detergent is made from petroleum and/or chemicals (derived from fats and oils).

Scouring Powder Baking soda. Sprinkle on area or make a paste.Tub, Sink, & Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Baking soda, liquid soap, or oxygenated cleaner. See Tub, Sink, & Toilet Bowl Greener Cleaner recipes.

Avoid products with bleach, acids, or ammonia.

Window & Mirror Cleaner

White distilled vinegar, squeegee. See Window & Mirror Greener Cleaner recipe.

Use lint free rag or sheets of newspaper to dry surface.

CLOSETMothballs Cedar blocks, cedar shavings in a paper bag, or

lavender sachet.Traditional mothballs contain potentially harmful chemicals.

FLOORINGTile & Vinyl Cleaner Damp (not wet) mop with water, add 1/4 cup of white

vinegar to one quart of water.If choosing a steam cleaner check manufacturers recommendation for your type of flooring before using.

Laminate & Wood Cleaner

Damp (not wet) mop with water, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to one quart of water.

Remove stubborn stains by hand with a microfiber cloth.

KITCHENBrass Cleaner Baking soda. Make a paste and polish with soft cloth.Oven Cleaner Baking soda or self-cleaning feature. See Oven

Greener Cleaner recipe.Place pan or foil in oven to catch drips. Clean up spills immediately.

LAUNDRYWhitener Oxygenated cleaner. Do not use on silk or wool.

LAWN AND GARDENLawn Fertilizers Organic compost; worm compost. For more information: Natural Yard Care brochure,

http://www.kitsapgov.com/sw/pdf/3512_Natural_Lawn_Care.pdf.

Weed Control Mechanical weed pullers, mulch plant beds, use landscape fabric.

For more information: Kick the Weed & Feed Habit brochure, http://www.kitsapgov.com/sw/pdf/3520_web.pdf.

Pest Control Non-chemical insect traps. For more information contact WSU Extension, Master Gardener hotline 360.337.7158, kcmastergardener@hotmail.com.

Alternatives to ToxicsChoose Notes

Be Green When You Clean

Multi-Purpose Greener Cleaner

Drain Greener Cleaner

Bathroom Mold Greener Cleaner

Window & Mirror Greener Cleaner

Toilet Bowl Greener Cleaner

Tub & Sink Greener Cleaner

Oven Greener Cleaner

Recipes for Safer Household Cleaners

1 T. soap (flakes, powder, or liquid) - not detergent

½ cup white distilled vinegar12 oz (1½ cup) water

Add the ingredients to a clean 16 ounce spray bottle. Put the cap on and shake well.

½ cup baking soda ½ cup white distilled vinegarBoiling Water

To free minor clogs and help prevent clogs, pour baking soda down the drain, then add vinegar. Let it fizz for a few minutes then pour a tea kettle full of boiling water down the drain. Repeat if needed.

Baking sodaLiquid soap (not detergent) Castile or Murphy’s Oil Soap are good options

Use baking soda in place of scouring powder. Sprinkle it liberally on porcelain fixtures and rub with a wet rag. Add a little soap to the rag for more cleaning power. Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film (baking soda won’t scratch the porcelain).

¼ cup white distilled vinegar16 oz water

Pour ingredients into a clean spray bottle. Spray on surface. Rub with a lint free rag, such as a diaper or sheets of newspaper.

1 part hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)

2 parts water

Mix hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower. Be careful with hydrogen peroxide; it can take the color out of fabrics.

1 cup baking sodaWater

Mix baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply to oven surfaces and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Use a scouring pad for scrubbing. Use a spatula to get under large food deposits. (Not for use in self cleaning ovens).

Baking sodaLiquid soap (not detergent) Castile or Murphy’s Oil Soap are good options

Sprinkle baking soda inside the bowl. Add a few drops of soap. Scrub with a toilet brush. Finish the outside surface with a rag sprinkled with baking soda. Use a pumice stone to remove hard water stains and buildup from inside your toilet. (Not recommended for sinks).

Toxic free tips for your home, workplace, and

community

Tips courtesy of WA Department of Ecologywww.ecy.wa.gov/toxicfreetips

BATHROOMAir Freshener Rosewater in a pump dispenser, natural potpourri, or

boiled cloves and cinnamon.Use houseplants for air purification.

Antibacterial Soaps & Cleaners

Bar or liquid soap without triclosan or other antibacterial ingredients.

Studies show plain soap is just as effective at removing bacteria and preventing illness.

Bathroom Mold Cleaner

3% hydrogen peroxide or oxygenated cleaner. See Bathroom Mold Greener Cleaner recipe.

Keep area clean and dry to prevent mildew.

Drain Cleaner Mechanical devices, such as a barbed cleaning strip, snake, or plunger. If still clogged see Drain Greener Cleaner recipe.

Avoid caustic products containing sodium hydroxide (lye) or potassium hydroxide.

Fever Thermometer Digital thermometer. Recycle mercury thermometers at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Bar or liquid soap, and/or oxygenated cleaner. See Multi-Purpose Greener Cleaner recipe.

Soap is made from vegetable oil. Detergent is made from petroleum and/or chemicals (derived from fats and oils).

Scouring Powder Baking soda. Sprinkle on area or make a paste.Tub, Sink, & Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Baking soda, liquid soap, or oxygenated cleaner. See Tub, Sink, & Toilet Bowl Greener Cleaner recipes.

Avoid products with bleach, acids, or ammonia.

Window & Mirror Cleaner

White distilled vinegar, squeegee. See Window & Mirror Greener Cleaner recipe.

Use lint free rag or sheets of newspaper to dry surface.

CLOSETMothballs Cedar blocks, cedar shavings in a paper bag, or

lavender sachet.Traditional mothballs contain potentially harmful chemicals.

FLOORINGTile & Vinyl Cleaner Damp (not wet) mop with water, add 1/4 cup of white

vinegar to one quart of water.If choosing a steam cleaner check manufacturers recommendation for your type of flooring before using.

Laminate & Wood Cleaner

Damp (not wet) mop with water, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to one quart of water.

Remove stubborn stains by hand with a microfiber cloth.

KITCHENBrass Cleaner Baking soda. Make a paste and polish with soft cloth.Oven Cleaner Baking soda or self-cleaning feature. See Oven

Greener Cleaner recipe.Place pan or foil in oven to catch drips. Clean up spills immediately.

LAUNDRYWhitener Oxygenated cleaner. Do not use on silk or wool.

LAWN AND GARDENLawn Fertilizers Organic compost; worm compost. For more information: Natural Yard Care brochure,

http://www.kitsapgov.com/sw/pdf/3512_Natural_Lawn_Care.pdf.

Weed Control Mechanical weed pullers, mulch plant beds, use landscape fabric.

For more information: Kick the Weed & Feed Habit brochure, http://www.kitsapgov.com/sw/pdf/3520_web.pdf.

Pest Control Non-chemical insect traps. For more information contact WSU Extension, Master Gardener hotline 360.337.7158, kcmastergardener@hotmail.com.

Using less harmful cleaning supplies will not only help to keep your onsite septic system and public sewer systems working properly, it reduces pollution in drinking wells and Puget Sound, as well as the number of chemicals in your home. When you make your own greener cleaner kit, remember to label ingredients on containers.

Commercial “green cleaning” products may contain other ingredients that aren’t necessarily less harmful. Not all ingredients in cleaning products are required on the label.

Kitsap County Public Works Kitsap1: 360.337.5777www.KitsapGov.com/sw*Check the website or call Kitsap1 for holiday or inclement weather schedules.

If the label says “Caution, Warning, or Danger”, take it to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

For more information on what is accepted go to:http://www.KitsapGov.com/sw/pdf/3343_hhw_disposal.pdf

Scrub brush

Squeegee

Microfiber cloth

Drain clog strip

Pumice stone

Liquid soap (e.g., pure

Castile Soap)

Vinegar

Baking soda

Oxygenated cleaner

Let the brush do the hard work.

Keeps soap scum off the shower when used daily after showering.

Use to clean glass, chrome or wipe wood furniture clean. Cloths work well when used dry or with tap water.

Pulls hair and gunk out of a sink.

Use to remove pan marks from sinks and toilet rings. Test on small area first.

Use as a multi-purpose cleaner on vinyl flooring, countertops, and sinks. Liquid soaps can be found in the natural products section of some grocery stores.

Cleans glass, countertop, and some types of flooring. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for your flooring type.

Use a scrub brush to clean sinks, tubs and appliances.

Use to clean toilets and boost laundry (not recommend for silk).

Household Hazardous Waste Collection FacilityOpen Thursday through Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM*

Residential customers stop by during business hours.Business customers, and residents with over 50 gallons, call to schedule an appointment.

Make your own Greener Cleaning Kit

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