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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 |
Muriatic
(hydrochloric) acid Oxalic acid Paradichlorobenzene Calcium hypochlorite |
Toilet brush and baking soda; Mild detergent; Vinegar soak for tub and sink fixtures; Avoid direct skin contact and breathing of fumes. |
| Drain Cleaners |
Sodium
or potassium hydroxide Sodium hypochloride Hydrochloric acid Petroleum distillates |
Plunger; Flush drain with 1/4 cup baking soda and vinegar; Avoid direct skin contact and breathing of fumes. |
| Oven Cleaners |
Potassium
or sodium hydroxide Ammonia |
Baking soda and water; Avoid direct skin contact and breathing of fumes. |
| Bleach Cleaners |
Sodium
or potassium hydroxide Hydrogen peroxide Sodium or calcium hypochlorite |
1/2 cup white vinegar or baking soda for laundry; Avoid direct skin contact and breathing of fumes. |
| Dishwashing detergent |
Chlorine
Surfactants |
1 part borax to 1 part baking soda; Handle all cleaning solutions with care. |
| Ammonia-based cleaners (all purpose cleaners) |
Ammonia
Ethanol |
Vinegar and salt water mix for surfaces; Baking soda and water. |
| Glass cleaners |
Ammonia
Naphthalene |
Washing windows with 1/4 to 1/2 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
Perchloroethylene 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 | ||
| 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 direct skin contact; Wash spills with plenty of water. |
| Automobile lubricants (transmission and brake fluids, used oils) |
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Notes