AIR FRESHENERS
Air fresheners contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and phenol, which can cause skin irritation on contact, ranging from mild reactions to severe hives. Phenol can also cause severe reaction including convulsion, coma, and circulatory collapse. Chemical based air fresheners are highly toxic.

ALTERNATIVES
Simmer your own air freshener on the stove. Just use low heat and check them often, so they don’t boil dry. Cut two lemons into quarters then cover with cold water. For a crisp effect, drop six sprigs of fresh mint into four cups of cold water. For a delicious Christmassy smell, combine five cloves, two cinnamon sticks, and four cups of cider. This one just might make you yearn for gingerbread!

MOLD AND MILDEW REMOVERS
These products can contain bleach and the chemicals sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive that can burn the skin and eyes, and formaldehyde, a highly toxic chemical and known carcinogen.

ALTERNATIVES
For mold and mildew removal mix a solution of two teaspoon tea tree oil (available at health food stores) to two cups of water and keep in a spray bottle. Spray onto mold or mildew. Don’t rinse. The strong smell fades in a couple of days. This solution will also remove musty smells from cloth items and clothes. Soak clothes for a few hours, then wash normally. What can’t be soaked can be sprayed and then aired for a few days until the fragrance of the tea three oil subsides. For mold and mildew on non-porous washable surfaces, try vinegar or a solution of borax and water.

DRAIN CLEANERS
Common ingredients in drain cleaners include lye, hydrochloric acid, and trichloroethane. These chemicals are very dangerous eye and skin irritants. Lye can cause severe damage to the esophagus and stomach if swallowed. Hydrochloric acid and trichloroethane can damage the liver and kidneys.

ALTERNATIVES
Pour one cup of regular baking soda down the drain and follow with three cups of boiling water. Follow with a cup of vinegar if it’s still clogged. Using a vinegar directly after baking soda may work. When the two mix, a foam will bubble up out of the drain. If all else fails, you may need to purchase a plumber’s snake.

FURNITURE POLISH
Phenol, nitrobenzene, and petroleum distillates are chemicals we can do without. Furniture polish containing these chemicals is highly flammable and extremely toxic.

ALTERNATIVES
A soft cloth, a bit of mayonnaise, and a smidge of elbow grease will give your furniture a chemical free glow. Cold tea will also do the trick. Dampen your dusting cloth with the tea and polish as usual.

OVEN CLEANER
Oven cleaners have caustic chemicals and can cause severe burns to eyes and skin. Oven cleaners cause extreme damage when swallowed. And no one likes the fumes!

ALTERNATIVES
Make a thick paste with baking soda and a little hot water. Dab the mixture onto dirty spots. Wipe clean. For crusted or grime, leave the baking soda paste on overnight before wiping.

Note: When only commercial cleaners will do, limit your use and follow instructions on warning labels. Labels that say ""Poison" or "Danger" are the most dangerous, "Warning" or "Caution" are also hazardous and should always be handled with extreme care.

BLEACH
Bleach is a strong corrosive and can burn the skin, eyes, and respiratory track. Ingestion of bleach can cause pulmonary edema, vomiting, and coma. Mixing bleach and ammonia or acidic cleaners like vinegar produces extremely hazardous fumes. Bleach is an ingredient in many cleaning and laundry products—you might be surprised how many.

ALTERNATIVES
To whiten or remove stains on laundry, try hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide works extremely well for bloodstains. For ink stains, soak the item in milk overnight, then launder as usual. You can also try soaking in vinegar or make a paste of cream of tartar and rub into the stain. Borax is a less toxic alternative to try than bleach or chemical containing stain removers.