Household Products |
Hazardous Ingredients |
Why They Can
Be Dangerous |
Using Safer
Alternatives |
Aerosol Sprays |
Butanol, butane, propanol |
Flammable, irratant, explosive |
Pump type sprays, brush or roll-on applicators |
Ammonia-based cleaners |
Ammonia, Ethanol |
Irritant, toxic, corrosive, (Forms gas when mixed with bleach) |
Vinegar, salt & water for surfaces, Baking Soda & water for bathroom |
Antifreeze |
Ethylene Glycol |
Toxic, especially to small animals |
None Currently; Use With Caution |
Batteries, Car |
Sulfuric Acid, Lead |
Very Corrosive, Toxic |
None currently; Use With Caution, Recycle |
Brake Fluid |
Glycol Ethers, Heavy Metals |
Flammable, Toxic |
None Currently; Use With Caution |
Disinfectants |
Diethylene glycol, sodium hypochlorite, phenols |
Corrosive, Toxic |
1/2 Cup Borax in 1 Gallon of Water |
Flea Repellent |
Carbamates, pyrethrins, organophosphates |
Toxic |
Eucalyptus leaves where pets sleep, brewer's yeast in diet |
Floor & Furniture Polishes |
Diethylene glycol, petroleum distillates, nitrobenzene |
Flammable, Toxic |
1 Part Lemon Juice with
2 parts olive oil or vegetable oil |
Furniture Strippers |
Acetone, Methylethyl Ketone, Toluene, Xylenes |
Flammable, Toxic |
Sandpaper |
Latex Paints |
Resins, Glycol, Ethers, Esters |
Toxic |
Limestone based white wash or casein based paint |
Oil-Based Paints |
Ethylene, aliphathydrocarbons, petroleum distillates |
Flammable, Toxic |
Latex or Water Based Paints |
Oven Cleaner |
Potassium / sodium hydroxide, ammonia, lye |
Very Corrosive, Toxic |
Baking Soda & Water, salt on spills that are still warm |
Photographic Chemicals |
Silver, acetic acid, ferrocyanide, hydroquinone |
Corrosive, Toxic, Irritant |
None Currently; Use With Caution |
Pool Chemicals |
Muriatic acid, sodium hypochlorite, algicide |
Corrosive, Toxic |
None Currently; Use With Caution |
Rat & Mouse Poisons |
Lead arsenate, coumarins / warfarins, strychrine |
Toxic |
Remove food & water sources, clear nests, cover holes & drains they may enter, use mechanical traps |
Roach & Ant Poisons |
Organophosphates, carbamates |
Toxic |
Roaches: Traps, Boric acid
Ants: Chili pepper / cream of tartar in pathways |
Rug & Upholstery Cleaners |
Napthalene, oxalic acid, diethylene glycol |
Irritant, Toxic, Corrosive |
Dry Corn Starch or Baking Soda sprinkled on rug then vacuumed up |
Toilet Bowl Cleaners |
Muriatic or Oxalic Acid, paradichlorobenzene, calcium hypochlorite |
Irritant, Toxic, Corrosive |
Toilet brush & baking soda, mild detergent |
Thinners & Turpentine |
n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl ketone, petroleum distillates |
Flammable |
Use water with water based paints |
Transmission Fluid |
Hydrocarbons, Mineral Spirits |
Flammable, Toxic |
None Currently |
Used Oil |
Hydrocarbons, benzene, heavy metals |
Flammable, Toxic |
None Currently; Recycle
It is illegal to dispose of oil on ground or in sanitary or storm sewers |
