Alternatives to Chemicals
There are safer, and usually cheaper alternatives to many products, such as the easy and effective cleaning substitutes outlined below. Click here to download our Deep Green Clean Brochure (.pdf).
- Wood polish: Mixture of one teaspoon lemon oil to one pint vegetable or mineral oil.
- No-wax floors: Vinegar and water or ammonia and water
- Wood floors: Oil soap or soap and water.
- Rug deodorizer: Baking soda, or two parts cornmeal to one part Borax (let sit an hour before vacuuming).
- Mothballs: Substitute dried lavender or cedar shavings.
- Metal cleaners:
- For aluminum, use lemon juice. Rub and rinse, or soak overnight in vinegar and water;
- For stainless steel, use baking soda paste;
- For copper, use ketchup or lemon juice and salt;
- For gold, use a warm soap and water mixture;
- For chrome, use vinegar;
- For brass, use salt, flour and vinegar mixture;
- For silver, mix 1.5 quarts of hot water, a half tablespoon of baking soda, a half tablespoon of salt, and soak in aluminum pan lined with aluminum foil, polish with cloth.
- Sink, tub and tile: Scour with baking soda or Borax.
- Disinfectants: Borax or vinegar.
- Chlorine bleach: White vinegar, baking soda, Borax, or non-chlorine bleach.
