Tips for Household Chemicals
Alternatives & General Storage Directions

• Keep products in their original containers, with original labels;
• Store in a cool, dry place;
• Keep products out of reach from children and pets;
• Regularly check containers, and if you find one leaking, place the leaky container inside
  another container and label accordingly;
• Store incompatible chemical products separately;
• Secure lids tightly.

• Alternatives are unknown for Antifreeze, Transmission fluids, Brake fluids, used oils
  and Batteries. 
• Do not pour automotive wastes on the ground or down a storm sewer.  Instead, recycle!
  Look in your telephone book and find a service station or reclamation center that accepts
  used oil and other auto wastes.
• Call your local city / county waste disposal department and inquire about a possible
  household hazardous waste collection day in your area.

• Enamel or Oil-based paints  -   flammable & toxic
  Alternatives:  latex or water-based paint
• Latex or Water-based paints - toxic
  Alternatives:   limestone-based whitewash or cassein-based paints, recycled content paints
• Stains / Finishes - flammable & toxic
  Alternatives:   latex paint or natural earth pigment finishes

   Always try to fully use paint products. Latex paint cans may be air dried and discarded in the
trash.  Recycle unused paint whenever possible.  

   Rust paints have no known substitute; these flammable , toxic paints should be safely stored
until a hazardous waste collection program is organized in your community.    Also, safely store
stains and finishes, wood preservatives, furniture strippers, thinners and turpentine awaiting
community collection.

• Fungicides - toxic
  Alternatives:  do not overwater, keep areas clean and dry
• Synthetic Pesticides - toxic
  Alternatives:  botanical (naturally derived) pesticides such as pyrethrum, rotenone,
  sabadilla, nicotine
• Botanical (Naturally Derived) Pesticides - toxic
  Alternatives:  insecticidal soap (such as "Safer" brand) breaks down insect's protective
  coating
• House Plant Insecticide - toxic
  Alternatives:  mixture of bar soap and water or old dishwater spray on leaves then rinse.
• Flea Collars & Spray - toxic
  Alternatives:  herbal collar / ointment (eucalyptus or rosemary) or brewer's yeast in
  your pet's diet
• Roach & Ant Killers - toxic
  Alternatives:  for roaches: traps or baking soda and powder sugar mix; for ants:  chili
  powder to hinder entry; boiling water on mounds
• Rat & Mouse Poison - toxic
  Alternatives:  live traps, remove food supply.

     Always use pesticide products only as directed on the label.    Improper application can harm
you. Overuse of any product leaves excess amounts you don't want around yourself or your
family. Please safely store waste portions of chemical products until a hazardous waste collection
program is organized in your community.  However, if you have fully used the contents, containers
of currently available pesticides may be triple rinsed and the rinse water reused according to the
instructions on the label.

• Oven Cleaners - corrosive & toxic
  Alternative:  baking soda, water, and steel wool pads
• Toilet Cleaners - corrosive, toxic, irritant
  Alternatives:  toilet brush & baking soda; mild detergent
• Disinfectants - corrosive & toxic
  Alternative: 1/4 to 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon hot water
• Drain Cleaner - corrosive & toxic
  Alternatives:  plunger or snake;   flush with boiling water, 1/4 cup baking soda, and
  2 oz. vinegar
• Ammonia & All-Purpose Cleaners - corrosive, toxic, irritant
  Alternatives:  for surfaces: vinegar, salt and water mix; for bathroom: baking soda
  & water; also: 1/2 cup of borax, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 2 teaspoons TSP (a mineral
  available in hardware stores) in 2 gallons of water (removes wax buildup as well)
• Rug & Upholstery Cleaners - corrosive & toxic
  Alternative: sprinkle baking soda on rug, then vacuum
• Floor & Furniture Polish - flammable & toxic
  Alternative:  1 part lemon juice, and 2 parts olive or vegetable oil (shake well before
  applying)
• Laundry Bleach - corrosive & toxic
  Alternatives: 1/2 cup white vinegar, baking soda or borax
• Mothballs - toxic
  Alternative:  cedar chips, newspapers, lavender flowers
• Metal Polishes - toxic
  Alternatives:  for brass and copper: lemon and salt or lemon and baking soda; for
  chrome: apple-cider vinegar; for silver: paste of calcium carbonate (a powder available
  at drug stores) and olive oil - allow to dry before polishing with a soft, white cloth.

     Always use household products only as directed on the label.     The above alternatives to
household cleaning products easily replace their toxic counterparts.  However, if you use a toxic
product, please try to fully use the contents so that only remnants line the container.   Safely store
any unused products until your community holds a household hazardous waste collection day.

     For oven cleaners, toilet cleaners, disinfectants, laundry bleaches, mothballs, and ammonia
based cleaners, empty containers should be rinsed with water.  The container may then be
disposed at your municipal landfill, while the rinse water can be reused.

     With or without excess contents, never discard drain cleaners, rug and upholstery cleaners,
or floor and furniture polishes in the trash;  safely store until a community collection.