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Chemicals in the Household
| CHEMICAL PRODUCTS | HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS | POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES AND HINTS |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet Cleaners |
Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid Oxalic acid Paradichlorobenzene Calcium hypochlorite |
Toilet brush and baking soda; mild detergent; vinegar soak for tub and sink fixtures; avoid skin and breathing fumes. |
| Drain Cleaners |
Sodium or potassium hydroxide Sodium hypochloride |
Plunger; flush drain with 1/4 cup baking soda and vinegar; avoid skin contact and breathing fumes. |
| Bleach Cleaners | Sodium or potassium hydroxide Hydrogen peroxide Sodium or calcium hypochlorite | ½ cup white vinegar or baking soda for laundry; avoid skin contact and breathing fumes. |
| Dishwashing detergent | Chlorine Surfactants | 1 part borax to 1 part baking soda; handle all cleaning solutions with care. |
| Ammonia-based cleaners (all purpose Ethanol cleaners) | Ammonia | Vinegar and salt water mix for surfaces; baking soda and water. |
| Glass cleaners | Ammonia Naphthalene | Wash windows with 1/4 to ½ cup white vinegar to 1 quart warm water, rub dry with newspaper. |
| Fabric softener | Ammonia | 1 cup white vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda in final rinse water. |
| Air fresheners | Cresol Phenol Formaldehyde | Open box of baking soda or dish of vanilla; simmer cloves; open windows or use exhaust fans. |
| Laundry detergent | Surfactants | Avoid breathing powder. |
| Mothballs | Naphthalene Paradichlorobenzene | Cedar chips; newspapers; lavender, flowers, or other aromatic herbs and spices. |
| Rug and upholstery cleaners | Naphthalene Paradichlorobenzene Oxalic acid Diethylene glycol | Baking soda on rug, then vacuum. |
| Floor and furniture polish | Diethylene glycol Petroleum distillates Nitrobenzene Mineral Spirits | 1 part lemon oil, 2 parts olive/ vegetable oil; vegetable oil soap. |
| Furniture strippers | Acetone Methyl ethyl Ketone Alcohols Xylene Toluene Methylene chloride | Equal portions of boiled linseed oil, turpentine, and vinegar with steel wool; sandpaper or heatgun; use in well-ventilated areas or outdoors; handle all solvents with care. |
| Stains/finishes | Mineral spirits Glycol ethers Ketones Halogenated hydrocarbons Naphtha Xylene Toluene | Natural earth pigment finishes; use in well ventilated areas or outdoors; handle all dyes and paints with care. |
| Enamel or oil-based paints | Pigments Aliphatic hydrocarbons | Water-based paints if appropriate; always use in well-ventilated areas. |
| Latex paint | Mercury | Handle all paints with care. |
| Antifreeze | Ethylene glycol | Clean up all spills. |
| Automobile batteries | Sulfuric acid Lead | Bring old batteries to recycling center; avoid skin contact; wash spills with plenty of water. |
| Automobile lubricants (transmission and brake fluids, used oils) | Hydrocarbons (benzene) Mineral Oils Glycol ethers Heavy metals | Seal used oil in plastic container and bring to recycling service station. |
Notes
- The listed alternatives are offered as options and are not represented as recommended courses of action.
- Several listed alternatives are also potentially hazardous and can cause harm if handled improperly.
- Various commercial products which fall into the product categories listed here may not contain all of the listed chemical constituents.
