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Cleaning Your Nest
Without Soiling the Tree

The sun is starting to peek through the gray a little more often, flowers are blooming and the grass needs mowing. For some of us it is also time for spring-cleaning. Cleaning is generally accomplished with "convenience products" which promise less effort and a cleaner, shinier fresher place to live. However many of these products contain warnings like Caution, Danger, Flammable, Combustible, Caustic, Poisonous, Toxic, Corrosive and my favorite -- Hazardous to humans.

We usually focus on the proper disposal of these and other hazardous products. That's important, but let's look closer and talk about not generating these products and saving money through the use of less toxic alternatives. Many of the toxic household cleaners, polishes and fresheners have safer alternatives that can be made from common household products such as baking soda, salt, vinegar, lemon juice, liquid soap, borax and vegetable oil. Cleaning more often so that dirt is easier to remove, plus a little extra elbow grease and the proper tools, will reduce the amount of solvents or chemicals needed.

Some alternatives to household hazardous products are listed below, but many environmentally friendly products are also available in stores. If your store doesn't carry these items encourage them to do so. In this age of information, an increased demand for less toxic products will not go unnoticed in the corporate boardroom. Read labels carefully and purchase the least toxic products. The warning labels pertain only to immediate hazards and do NOT indicate the effect the chemicals will have on chronic or long-term health or how they react with other chemicals.

The following list contains some substitutes to products that can harm you, your loved ones and the environment we all share.

Aerosol Sprays: Choose manual-pump products, liquid or paste cleaners, stick or roll-on deodorants.
Air Fresheners: Open the windows; simmer cinnamon and cloves on the stove; use natural potpourri, dried flowers or herbs.
Brass Polish: Mix ½ teaspoon salt and ½ cup white vinegar with enough flour to make a paste. Apply paste and let sit from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Wash off.
Carpet Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over carpet. Vacuum after 30 minutes.
Drain Cleaner: Use a plunger followed by ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar. Wait 15 minutes, and then pour in 2 quarts of boiling water. Use a plumber's snake for bad clogs.
Handcleaner: Rub hands with baby or vegetable oils, then wash with soap and water.
Mosquito Repellent: Burn citronella candles; plant sweet basil around patio and house.
Mothballs: Place cedar chips or lavender/rosemary/mint sachets around clothes. Store clothes clean and in airtight containers. Running the item through the dryer can kill moth eggs.
Paint Brush Softener: Soak in hot vinegar.
Pesticides: For ants, sprinkle cream of tartar, red chili powder or dried peppermint where they enter. For roaches and silverfish, use equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. For fleas, use flea combs or herbal flea powders and keep the house thoroughly vacuumed. For slugs and snails, sprinkle broken eggshells or fireplace ash around plants.
Silver Polish: Wipe silver/jewelry with toothpaste or baking soda.
Tub & Tile Cleaner: Clean with a baking soda and vinegar paste.
Window Cleaner: Mix and apply equal amounts of vinegar and water. Wipe dry with newspapers.

These alternatives represent only a partial list of what is available. For additional information or brochures on Household Hazardous Waste issues call:

DEQ at 686-7838 ext.225
Lane County Waste Management Division at 682-4120.Lane County also operates a permanent collection center for these wastes (They don't belong in our landfill.).
The OSU Lane County Extension Service at (541) 682-4243 has a wealth of information on alternatives for your yard, garden and home.
The City of Eugene Resource Referral Line of the Stormwater Management Program at 682-6002 can also provide assistance.

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