Other less-toxic household tips
Sustainable living › Green cleaners › Other less-toxic household tips Other less-toxic household tips
Less toxic ways to control indoor pests, clean driveways and sidewalks, light charcoal, remove rust, dry out damp areas and clean walls can help you save money and protect your family and the environment.
Pressure washing (driveways, patios, sidewalks, decks)
- Try using water only. Water pressure alone often removes dirt and grime.
- A broom is often all you need to clean hard surfaces and doesn't waste water. Sand and a push broom can be used to remove unwanted algae.
Indoor pest control
- Use a fly swatter or a rolled-up newspaper to kill flies in your house.
- Keep flying insects out with screens on windows and doors.
Ant bait
Mix 1 cup borax, 1 cup sugar and 3 cups water in a bowl. Pour the mixture into four small screw-top jars (artichoke jars are ideal). With a hammer and nail, make 4 to 8 holes in each jar lid. Place the jars in an area where you have ants, but keep them away from children and pets. This trap will catch the worker ants, but not the queen.
Blend 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar and 1 tablespoon of borax. Sprinkle the mixture in ant traffic areas, but not where children or pets might ingest it. This is not enough borax to kill the worker ants immediately--they take the mix back to the nest, where it will eventually eradicate the whole colony.
Charcoal lighter
Use a metal cylinder charcoal chimney starter or electric charcoal lighter instead of starter fluid.
Glue
- Use Elmer's-type white glue or yellow carpenter's glue for wood, china, paper and other porous materials.
- Use a glue stick or paste rather than rubber cement.
Paint
Use latex water-based paints and apply with a brush or roller whenever possible.
Paint stripper
- Use a scraper, rasp or abrasive block, heat gun or sandpaper to remove paint without chemicals.
- Use water or alkali-based paint strippers rather than solvent-based products.
Metal rust removal
Wet a sheet of aluminum foil with water. Rub just the rust with the wet foil. Be careful, as the foil will scratch chrome.
Dry out damp areas
To prevent development of mold in damp areas, use kitty litter for its moisture absorbent properties. Place bowls of it in damp areas. Replace with fresh litter every week or so. (And keep the kitties away!)
Wall and wallpaper cleaner
Dissolve 1/4 cup borax in hot water. Stir to blend. Wear gloves. Saturate a sponge with the mixture and wash walls.