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Greening Your Cleaning

These alternatives may require a little more "elbow grease"; however the benefits are worth it - improved air quality, decreased exposure to chemicals, fewer waste disposal concerns, convenience and lower costs.

Product

Alternative

Commercial Air Fresheners

Open windows, use baking soda to absorb odors, boil cinnamon & cloves in a pan on the stove. Plants also help to remove odors from the air.

All purpose cleaner

125 ml (1/2 cup) pur soap and 4 L hot water or 60 ml (1/4 cup) baking soda/borax and 1 L hot water, to cut grease add 60 ml (1/4 cup) lemon juice.

Automatic Dishwashwer Detergent

Hand-washing with soap flakes dissolved in hot water (add vinegar to cut grease).

Bathroom Cleaners

Clean regularly with soap and hot water. For tub and tile, use baking soda with a firm bristled brush OR 125 ml (1/2 cup) pure soap, 4 L hot water with baking soda. For mould/grout, use vinegar.

Disinfectant

125 ml (1/2 cup) borax with 1 L hot water.

Drain Cleaner

Cover drains with a screen to keep out debris. Use a plumber's snake or plunger to clear drain. Pour 125 ml (1/2 cup) vinegar and 125 ml (1/2 cup) baking soda into drain. Cover tightly 1 min. then flush. Next use 125 ml (1/2 cup) salt and 125 ml (1/2 cup) baking soda and 1.5 L boiling water. Let sit several hours then flush with water.

Furniture Polish

Dissolve 5 ml (1 tsp) lemon oil in 250 ml (1 cup) vegetable, linseed or mineral oil. Apply with a clean rag.

Glass Cleaner

Add 65 ml (4 tbsp) vinegar or 15 ml (1tbsp) lemon juice to a spray bottle filled with warm water, polish.

Metal Polish

Copper - equal parts lemon juice and hot vinegar and a little salt, apply with dry rag.
Chrome - white flour on dry rag or apple cider vinegar.
Brass - equal parts salt and flour with vinegar OR worcestershire sauce.
Silver - paste of wood ash and water.

Oven Cleaner

Scrub with baking soda and steel wool or 250 ml (1 cup) pure soap, 125 ml (1/2 cup) pure soap, 120 ml lemon juice or borax and 4 L hot water. For baked on grease: mix paste of baking soda and salt and water.

Scouring Cleaner

Baking soda or paste of baking soda and soap.

Detergent

80 ml (1/3 cup) of washing soda as machine fills, put in clothes and 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) soap. For heavy soils presoak with 125 (1/2 cup) washing soda and warm water (30 min), rub soiled area with liquid soap.

Bleach

Use washing soda, borax, OR hydrogen peroxide bleach.

Get involved. Join a group like ours. The Hyde Creek Watershed Society.

Numbers to call if you see or hear of something that concerns you in the Hyde Creek Watershed:

Municipal Government

City of Port Coquitlam

604-552-4670

City of Coquitlam

604-927-3500

Federal Government

Fisheries and Oceans, Canada

604-666-6100

Environment Canada

604-666-3500

Provincial Government

BC Environment

1-800-663-9453

Article: The World Wildlife Fund is encouraging individuals to drink tap water instead of bottled water. One reason to stick to tap water is to avoid damaging ecosystems when spring water is tapped for bottling.

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