Green Cleaning: Hazardous Product Alternatives
Recipes provided courtesy of The Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District
All Purpose Cleaner
1 tsp. vegetable-based liquid soap
A squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar
1 quart of warm water
Mix & apply. Wipe clean
Tub & Tile cleaner
1/3 cup baking soda
1/3 cup borax
1 tsp. vegetable-based liquid soap
Mix and add enough water to make a paste. Apply with sponge or scrubbie. Rinse well after use.
Oven cleaner
Small box of baking soda
A few drops of vegetable-based liquid soap
A mild abrasive pad
Sprinkle some water over bottom of oven. Cover with baking soda. Let sit, preferably overnight. Wipe with pad. After bottom is cleaned, put a few drops of liquid soap on a sponge and wash the sides and top.
Scouring Powder
1 cup baking soda
¼ cup vinegar
Mix in a small bowl and rub on surface with damp sponge. Let stand for a few minutes. Rinse well.
Glass Cleaner
1/8 cup vinegar
1 cup water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake and apply. Wipe clean.
Tile Floor cleaner
1 cup vinegar
1 pail hot water
Mix & apply. Wipe clean
Wood Floor cleaner
1/8 cup vegetable-based liquid soap
1 gallon water
Mix & apply. Wipe clean
No Wax Floors
¼ cup vegetable-based liquid soap
¼ cup lemon juice
2 gallons water
Mix & apply. Wipe clean
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Baking soda and vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then drizzle with vinegar and scour with toilet brush.
Brass & Copper Cleaners
1/2 tsp salt
½ cup vinegar
Mix ingredients to form a paste. Rub onto the brass and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with water and dry with a cloth dampened with a little vegetable oil.
