There are alternatives to the harmful cleaning products that most people use every day. In addition to the great products that we sell by EcoEthic and Down East you can make non-toxic and effective cleaning products from everyday items that can be found around you house

There are 5 key ingredients that serve as the basis for the non-toxic products that you can be made at home. Most of these item are available at your grocery store.

1. Baking Soda - Cleans and deodorizes. Softens water to increase sudsing and cleaning power of soap. Good scouring powder.
2. Borax - Cleans and deodorizes. Excellent disinfectant. Softens water.
3. Soap - Biodegrades safely and completely and is non-toxic. It is best to get a soap without synthetic scents, colors or other additives.
4. Washing Soda - Cuts grease and removes stains. Disinfects. Softens water.
5. White Vinegar or Lemon Juice - Cuts grease and freshens.

The following are some great examples compared to the products that we carry:

All Purpose Cleaner (similar to our Down East All-purpose cleaner)
1 tsp. borax
1/2 tsp. washing soda
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. liquid castile soap
2 cups very hot water

Add the first four ingredients to a spray bottle, then slowly add the hot water and shake until dry ingredients are dissolved. Label the bottle.

Drain Cleaner (similar to our EcoEthic Biological Drain Cleaner)
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
Boiling water

Pour baking soda down drain. Add white vinegar and cover drain, if possible. Let sit for 5 minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down drain. (The vinegar and baking soda break down fatty acids, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.) This method can be used weekly to help prevent drain clogs. Do not use this method if you have used a commercial drain opener and it may still be present in the drain. 

Floor Cleaner (similar to our Down East All-purpose cleaner)
Add 1 cup of vinegar to a pail of water.

A Stronger Floor Cleaner (similar to our Down East All-purpose cleaner)
1/4 cup washing soda
1 tablespoon liquid castille soap
1/4 cup vinegar
8 litres hot water

Mix well to dissolve washing soda

Window Cleaner
A half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar poured into a refillable non-aerosol spray bottle.
Lemon juice can be substituted for vinegar for those who cannot tolerate vinegar.

For more information about which cleaning products are less harmful visit the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia website called The Guide to Less Toxic Products