What is that nasty smell emitting from the disposal…and that discolored ring around the toilet bowl?

For many it is so simple to reach for that bottle of bleach to take care of the issue. But there are alternatives to using those harmful chemicals.

Many of us know the danger of mixing ammonia and bleach as it creates a dangerous gas but bleach by itself can cause some concerns as well. If inhaled it could possibly trigger asthma or allergy attack and many people report harmful skin rashes.

If in doubt about the use of chemical cleaning materials….read the label. Too often we can’t even pronounce the words on the label. And look at the label ever so closely, there are warnings about eye and skin irritant and cautions of not mixing with other household cleaners such as ammonia and toilet bowl cleaners. So why do we use products that come with warnings and precaution statements such as: “Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals.”

Here are a few safer alternatives:

White Vinegar

White vinegar can inhibit bacterial growth and is a deodorizer. White vinegar combined with baking soda makes a cleaning solution for cookware but also clothing. You can clean glass surfaces with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and kills E. coli and salmonella.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural abrasive and can be used as a deodorizer and is usually gentle enough for any surface. It is also great to freshen fabrics. Sprinkle it on the carpeting before vacuuming or add a box to the litter box for a fresh smelling environment in the house.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is helpful in removing stains as it can be added to the laundry as a bleach alternative. Use one cup of it to brighten whites in the washing machine. Interesting also is the fact that The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized hydrogen peroxide as a useful disinfectant because it breaks down in the environment and The Agency says it poses no health issues if used according to label directions. Use caution because high concentrations of it may cause burns.

Here is just one simple recipe for safe cleaning product:

Mix. And store in a tightly sealed bottle. Can be used as spray cleaner or 2 cups of the solution added to the laundry can be used to brighten up the load.

And don’t forget nature’s oldest and no cost bleach….sunlight. So our grandmothers knew what they were doing when they hung the wash outside to dry!