In the Bathroom In the Laundry Mold and mildew cleaners Richmond Make a concentrated solution of borax and water Fabric softener City Health and clean affected areas. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda in rinse water. Healthy Homes Scrub mildew spots with baking soda or borax. Add 1 cup white vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda District Sponge with white vinegar. during final rinse. Initiative Scrub with white vinegar and salt. Use 1/2 cup borax and half the amount of detergent per wash load Mix 2 parts baking soda to 1 part borax. Sprinkle Laundry bleach on surfaces, dampen and allow to sit for a time to Use 1/4 cup white vinegar in rinse water to brighten absorb odors. Scrub and dark clothing. Keep It Clean —Safe r rinse. Substitute 1/2 cup borax per wash load to whiten Dissolve 1/2 cup vinegar and whites and brighten colors and to remove spots. Household Cleaners 1/2 cup borax in warm wa- Laundry presoak ter. Soak heavily soiled items in warm water with 1/2 cup washing soda for 30 minutes. To clean mildew from a Rub soiled areas with mild liquid soap. shower curtain, machine wash with 1/4 cup soap Stain Pretreatment and 1/2 cup baking soda; add 1 cup of white vine- Make a paste of baking soda sand water and spread gar to the rinse cycle. on stain. Wet with white vinegar. Soak in soapy water Scouring powder (Kitchen use also) Spray starch Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, add For regular fabrics, dissolve 2 tablespoons cornstarch enough liquid detergent to make a texture-like in a pint of cold water; store in a spray bottle. paste. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge or use dry Laundry Whiting Solution table salt on a damp sponge; scour, add lemon Pour 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide into a washer load of white laundry peels for fragrance then rinse well. Don’t pour it directly on your clothes. It can fade out Toilet bowl cleaner the color just like bleach does! Scrub with a solution of 1/2 cup borax in a gallon It’s a green alternative to bleach, and works just as on water for cleaning and disinfecting. well. Spay or drizzle white vinegar on stubborn rings and lime build-up and scrub or use a pumice stone. Richmond City Health District Tub and tile cleaner Lead-Safe & Healthy Homes Use full strength white vinegar on a sponge, then Initiative use baking soda as a scouring powder Rinse well 400 E. Cary Street, 4th Floor Use 1/2 cup of borax to a gallon of hot water for cleaning and as a disinfectant. Richmond, VA 23219 Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon water. Phone: 804-205-3500 Ext. 7 To clean grout, combine 3 cups of baking soda Fax: 804-371-2207 and 1 cup of warm water and scrub into the grout; www.HealthyHomesRCHD.com rinse well with water. Twitter@HealthyHomesVDH Household Cleaners All Around the House In the Kitchen Americans spend 90% of their time indoors in an Air fresheners and deodorizers Appliance cleaner environment that has become increasingly air- Place baking soda or pour white vinegar in small In spray bottle, mix 1 teaspoon borax, 3 table- tight since the 1970’s. Carelessly or excessively dishes to absorb odors. You can add lemon peel for a spoons white vinegar, and 2 cups hot water. using everyday household cleaning products can fragrance. Spray and wipe with a soft cloth. cause harmful levels of toxins to build up in- All purpose cleaner Coffee and tea cup stain remover doors. Most people use cleaning products be- In spray bottle, combine 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, Rub with moist baking soda. cause they are efficient and effective and don’t Dash of liquid soap, 2 cups warm water. Coffee maker cleaner think of them as toxic. Yet, many of the cleaners, Carpet, rug and upholstery stain remover Fill reservoir with white vinegar and turn on. bleaches and solvents we use for cleaning can be Mix 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing soap, 1 cup white vine- Repeat with water several times. dangerous if not used or disposed of properly. gar with 2 cups of water. Blot stain from the outside Clean exterior with a mixture of warm water Fortunately, there are many alternative cleaning towards the center. Repeat if necessary. and baking soda or white vinegar. agents that can be just as effective. Our grandpar- Disinfectant Decal removal ents used simple household Mix 1/2 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda in 1 gallon items like salt, baking soda and hot water. To inhibit mold and mildew, Do NOT rinse Soak in hot water, use white vinegar, or coat white vinegar for cleaning be- off. with peanut butter and let set overnight. fore many of the products on Floor cleaner Drain cleaner the market today were avail- 1/2 cup white vinegar or 1/4 cup borax in 1 gallon Use plunger. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 able. water. cup white vinegar. Wait a few minutes and pour in 1 quart of boiling water. Repeat if needed. If Some safer products that you Furniture polish this fails, use a metal drain snake available at may not be familiar with are: Finished wood—use a mild vegetable oil based hardware store. soap. Washing soda—sodium carbonate, marketed as To help keep drains unclogged: Painted wood—mix 1 teaspoon washing soda in a Arm and Hammer Washing Soda Pour boiling water down the drain once a week. gallon of hot water. Rinse with clear water. Borax—a naturally occurring mineral, marketed Metal cleaners and polishes Garbage disposal deodorizer as 20 Mule Team Borax Grind lemon rinds in disposal Brass and Copper—Paste of lemon juice and salt. Pour baking soda in disposal Vegetable oil, olive oil or based soap— Chrome—Wipe with white vinegar, rinse with water, marketed as Murphy’s Oil Soap. then dry. Refrigerator and freezer deodorizer Try out some of the safer household cleaners in the Silver—Soak silver about 5 minutes in a quart of Open box of baking soda brochure and see for yourself how effective they can warm water containing a tablespoon of baking soda, a Scouring powder (Bathroom use also) be. tablespoon of salt and a piece of aluminum foil. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, add Stainless steel—Paste of baking soda and water. enough liquid detergent to make a texture-like Window and glass cleaner paste. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge or use dry table salt on a damp sponge; scour , add In spray bottle, combine 1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, lemon peel for a fragrance, rinse well. 3 tablespoons white vinegar, 3 cups water. Polish with newspaper. .