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