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Environmental Services Pollution Prevention

Water Quality

  • Use phosphate free laundry soap
  • Don’t pour oil or other hazardous substances down the drain or onto the ground
  • Give away unused materials
  • Use substitutes for cleaning, vinegar is great for cleaning glass
  • Dispose of products safely
  • Plant grass and trees on loose soil to help keep the soil from washing away

Pest Control and Pesticides

  • Attract birds by planting bushes and trees they like
  • Put out birdbaths and bird food
  • Protect things like purple martins, lady bugs, spiders, centipedes and miniwasps – they eat the “bad” bugs and minimize the need for pesticides.
  • Spade and hoe to cut weeds
  • Handpick weeds from your garden
  • Use a flyswatter
  • Mulch your garden to help control weeds
  • If you must use pesticides, use them safely and wisely
  • Never dump pesticides down any drain
  • Avoid the use of household pesticides

Safe Alternatives for Common Household Products

  • Ants in the house – Locate every entry point and seal with caulk. Kill visible ants with soapy water. Remove all food sources
  • Air Freshener – Simmer cinnamon and cloves
  • Aluminum Spot Removal – Use two tablespoons cream of tarter and quart of hot water
  • Bleach – Use borax
  • Brass Polish – Polish with Worcestershire sauce
  • Car Battery Corrosion Control - Use baking soda and water
  • Chrome Polish – Polish with apple cider vinegar
  • Cleaners (General Household) – Use one teaspoon of liquid soap plus one teaspoon of borax plus one squeeze of lemon in a quart of warm water
  • Coffee Cup Stain Removal – Wash with moist salt
  • Coffee Pot Stains – Soak with vinegar
  • Copper Cleaner - Clean with lemon juice and salt
  • Decal Remover - Soak in white vinegar
  • Dishwashing for Cutting Grease - Use liquid soap and vinegar
  • Drain Cleaner – Use plunger followed by ½ cup baking soda plus ½ cup vinegar mixed with 2 quarts boiling water
  • Fertilizer – Spread compost
  • Furniture Polish – Use linseed or almond oil
  • Garbage Disposal Deodorizer – Place lemons or baking soda in disposal
  • Grease Removal – Use borax on damp cloth
  • Hand Cleaner (paint/grease) – Use baby oil
  • Ink Spot Remover – Wash with cold water plus one tablespoon cream of tarter and one tablespoon lemon juice
  • Insects on Plants - Use soapy water on leaves then rinse
  • Laundry Detergent – Use basic soap, phosphate free
  • Linoleum Floor Cleaner – Use one cup white vinegar plus two gallons of water
  • Mildew Remover – Wash with equal parts of vinegar and salt
  • Mosquito Repellant – Burn citronella candles or citronella oil
  • Moths (clothes)- Clean woolens before storing; enclose cedar chips in cotton sachets
  • Oil Stain Removal – Rub white chalk into stain before laundering
  • Oven Cleaner – Wash with two tablespoons liquid soap, plus two teaspoons of borax mixed with warm water into stain
  • Paint (oil based/stain/spray) – Use water-based, non-aerosol paints
  • Paint Brush Softener – Soak in hot vinegar
  • Perspiration Spot Remover – Use white vinegar plus water
  • Pesticides – For Specific pest information contact Industrial Pretreatment at 292-9731 or your county extension agent at 321-4774
  • Pet Odor Remover - Use cider vinegar
  • Porcelain Stain Removal – Use baking soda
  • Refrigerator Deodorizer – Place open box of baking soda in refrigerator
  • Rug/Carpet Cleaner – Use club soda


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