Alternative Products

Home Alternative Products
General purpose cleaner Mix 1/4 cup borax, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 gallons hot water and stir to dissolve; or use Murphy's Oil Soap or Citra-Solve.
Metal cleaner A dab of white toothpaste and water to make a paste. Rub on metal with damp sponge. Rinse with hot water and buff dry with soft cloth.
Furniture polish Mix 1/2 teaspoon olive oil with 1/4 cup white vinegar or lemon juice in a bowl.  Dab soft rag into solution and dust, polish shine wood furniture.
Rug cleaner Sprinkle baking soda on rug then vacuum.  Use club soda on stains; or use an alternative product such as Heavenly Horsetail All Purpose Cleaner for steam cleaning.
Toilet bowl cleaner 2-3 tablespoons cream of tartar sprinkled on area, scrub and rinse; or use 1 cup borax and 1/4 cup white vinegar or lemon juice poured into bowl.  Let rest for a few hours and then scrub with brush. 
Garage Alternative Products
Oil-based paints  Use less toxic latex paint; or use solvent-free paint when possible.
Paint thinner Let paint particles settle, then pour off clear liquid and reuse.
Varnishes and stains Look for less toxic water-based alternatives; or use pure tung oil combined with pure linseed oil; or shellac.
Antifreeze Use less toxic propylene glycol-based antifreeze
Household batteries Buy rechargeable batteries and charger or use solar powered substitutes.  Recycle chargeable batteries instead of discarding.
Garden Alternative Products
Bug sprays/insecticides For gardens, use companion planting.  Plant resistant seeds.  Pour a line of cream of tartar, red chili pepper, paprika or dried peppermint where ants are entering the house.
Weed killer Pull weeds.  Mulch garden.  Use intensive gardening techniques.  Maintain a healthy lawn by adjusting the pH to 6.5, mowing high with a sharp blade, and watering deeply when the soil is too dry.  Go bold:  More Sustainable (and Beautiful) Alternatives to a Grass Lawn https://nrdc.org/stories/more-sustainable-and-beautiful-alternatives-grass-lawn  
Flea killer Use a flea comb.  Vacuum often.  Wash pet's bedding frequently.  Give pet brewers yeast, garlic tablets or vitamin B as a preventive measure (please contact your veterinarian prior)
Moth balls Use cedar chips or dried lavender sheets
Insect repellent Do not wear scented products outdoors.  Burn citronella candles, punk or incense.  Alternative product:  Bite Blocker Organic Insect Repellent Spray
Chemical fertilizers Use compost, blood or fish meal, wood ashes.  Plant cover crop in winter such as annual rye.