One of the three main objectives of the HHW Program is to reduce the quantities of hazardous substances being used. The Clean & Green Program is aimed at achieving this objective by providing a comprehensive list of suggestions for "alternative cleaning solutions for your home" to "environmentally friendlier gardening practices".

Here is a sampling of no-fumes, no-gloves cleaning alternatives to try...

Non-Toxic Cleaning Basics

To Clean Sinks, Tubs, Tiles
Combine 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup borax in a shaker jar. Sprinkle on and gently scrub with a soft cloth or scrubber. Rinse with water.

Clogged Drains
Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/4 cup vinegar. Let sit 15 minutes. Follow with a kettle full of boiling water,

Windows, Mirrors and Glass
Combine a 1/2 tsp. liquid soap, 3 tbsp. vinegar and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle. Use a soft cotton cloth to clean and polish.

Coffee Pot and Kettle Scale Remover
Run a cup of vinegar through your coffee pot or boil a tea kettle with a cup of vinegar. Rinse with clear water before using.

Carpet Deodorizer
Sprinkle baking soda generously over the entire rug. Let sit overnight then vacuum. For stains, mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax and 1/4 cup vinegar into a paste. Rub thoroughly into carpet and vacuum after a few hours.

Laundry Fabric Softeners
Add a 1/4 cup baking soda to the wash cycle, OR, add 1/4 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle, OR, spray cloth with vinegar and throw in the dryer to prevent static cling.

Organic Gardening Solutions

All Purpose Insect Spray
Put 1 garlic bulb, one small onion, one tbsp. cayenne pepper and four cups water in a blender . Mix until well blended, settle for 1 hour. Pour through a paper coffee filter and then add one tbsp. liquid soap. Pour into a spray bottle and use wherever bugs are a problem.

Bug Juice
Collect 1/2 cup of any offending insect and mash it up!! Mix with 2 cups of water and strain. Mix 1/4 cup of this mashed bug juice and a few drops of liquid soap with 2 cups of water. Spray on the plants that you collected the insects from.

Organic Pest Management (OPM)

OPM is an approach to pest control that combines cultural, biological, physical and certain chemical control measures to prevent problems or to keep them in check.

Contact the Recycling Board for your copy of "Clean & Green" for a full discussion of these OPM practices and principles.

A complete copy of the booklet "Clean & Green - Creating a healthy home and garden" is available from the Recycling Board.