The best way to handle household hazardous
materials is to avoid them altogether. Below are a
few recipes of less-toxic cleaning substitutes.


All Purpose Cleaner - Mix ½ cup of borax with
1 gallon of water.

Fabric Softener - Add ¼ cup of baking soda or
white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Furniture Polish - Mix 2 parts vegetable oil and
1 part lemon juice.

Silver Polish - Soak silver in 1 qt. of warm water
with 1 tsp of baking soda, 1 tsp. of salt and a
small piece of aluminum foil.

Chrome and Stainless Steel Cleaner - Dip dry
cloth into flour and rub on the surface.

Wood Floor Cleaner - Dampen cloth with a
solution of water and mild soap. Wring cloth
almost dry and wipe section by section so that no
section stays wet.

Brass Cleaner - Mix equal parts lemon juice and
baking soda to make a paste. Cover brass surface
with paste and allow to dry; then quickly wipe off.

Ceramic Tile Cleaner - Mix equal parts of white
vinegar and borax to make a paste.
Oven Cleaner - Sprinkle with water and baking
soda. Rub gently with a fine steel wool pad. Line
oven with aluminum foil.

Glass cleaner - Mix 3 tablespoons of white
vinegar in 2 cups of warm water.

Air Freshener - Place baking soda or herbs in an
open dish.

Rug and Upholstery Cleaner - Sprinkle
cornstarch, let set for 5 minutes then vacuum.

 Information courtesy of Cleveland County 
http://www.clevelandcounty.com/public/health/resources/solidwast.pdf