Safe Household Cleaners
Keeping a clean house is important for protecting your family's health, but it is also important to make sure that what you are cleaning with is not even more harmful than what you are cleaning up! Fortunately, many safe products can be used to replace the toxic cleaners. Many less toxic commercial brands are available, or you can make your own out of common household products.

Whatever products you use, make sure you store them properly. Even household products like baking soda and vinegar are harmful to children if ingested. Always store products out of reach of children or in a locked cabinet. If you do mix your own products, make sure to store them in a labeled container. In case of accidental ingestion, contact your poison control center. Having the product labeled will allow you to quickly tell the center what was ingested and receive help as quickly as possible.

Homemade Cleaners
Air Freshener:
Place bowls of vinegar or baking soda around the house to absorb odors. To make the air scented, boil some herbs in water for a few minutes and place in a bowl. Add salt to discourage the growth of fungus. MAKE SURE TO PLACE BOWL OUT OF REACH OF PETS AND CHILDREN.

Drain Cleaner:
To clear a clogged drain, pour 1/2 cup of backing soda down the drain. Add at least a cup of vinegar. It will start to fizz. Cover the drain. Finish by pouring a mixture of boiling water and salt down the drain. You may have to repeat the process a few times.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet bowl and brush. Or, add white vinegar and let sit for a few minutes, then brush.

Oven Cleaner:
Wipe residual grease away, and then scrub with a paste of baking soda and water.

Window Cleaner:
Spray window with a mixture of water and vinegar. 3 tbs. vinegar to 1 qt. water.

Kitchen Cleanser:
Use baking soda on non-scratch surfaces and a vinegar and water mixture on other surfaces.

Tub and Tile Cleanser:
Mix 1 and 2/3 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup liquid soap, and 1/2 cup water. After mixed, add 2 tbs. vinegar (adding vinegar too soon will cause it to react with the baking soda). Apply, wipe, and scrub.

Disinfectant:
Make a solution of 3 tbs. liquid soap, 2 cups water, and 20-30 drops of tea tree oil (which is a natural disinfectant).

Metal Polish:
For brass and copper, cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with salt, and rub it on metal. Buff with cloth to remove excess lemon juice. For silver, put a sheet of aluminum foil in a plastic or glass bowl. Sprinkle the foil with salt and baking soda and fill bowl with warm water. Just soak silver in the bowl and the tarnish will migrate to the foil. Dry and buff.

Commercial Cleaners
There are many brands of commercial cleaners available that offer less toxic alternatives. Read the packaging. Organic and biodegradable are generally the safest. Natural products tend to be the next safest, and conventional cleaners are the least safe. These products are available at many major supermarkets as well as at organic and natural grocery stores. Some brand names are Ecover, Earth's Best, Seventh Generation, Earthrite, Bio Kleen, Life Tree, Dr. Bronner's, and Sun and Earth. The Sun and Earth Headquarters is located in Norristown, PA.