SEPTIC TANK

Prevention: Avoid putting items down your sink or toilet that bacteria cannot digest or that will adversely effect the environment. Undigestible items include grease, fat, hair, cigar and cigarette butts, filters, facial tissue, paper towels, napkins, sanitary napkins and Band-Aids.

SCOURING POWDER

The amount of chlorine in scouring powder is not significant enough to cause harm, but if you want to totally avoid chlorine or are sensitive to it follow these recipes.

Non-Chlorine Scouring Powder: Bon-Ami Cleaning Powder and Bon-Ami Polishing Cleaner are a couple examples of commercially available products.

Baking Soda or Dry Table Salt: Both of these substances are mild abrasives and can be used as an alternative to chlorine scouring powders. Simply put either baking soda or salt on a sponge or the surface you wish to clean and then scour and rinse.

SHOE POLISH

Cold Pressed Nut Oil, Olive Oil, Walnut Oil, or Beeswax: Apply oil to leather product and buff with a chamois cloth to a shine.

Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is good polish for black or tan leather shoes. Follow by buffing with a soft cloth.

Vinegar: Remove water stains on leather by rubbing with a cloth dipped in a vinegar and water solution.

Petroleum Jelly: A dab of petroleum jelly rubbed into patent leather gives a glistening shine and prevents cracking in the winter.

Vinegar: To shine patent leather, moisten a soft cloth with white vinegar and wipe clean all patent leather articles. The color of the leather may be slightly changed.

Coffee: Give black suede a facelift by applying a sponge slightly moistened with cool, black coffee. Rub in the coffee gently.

Art-Gum Eraser and Sandpaper or Emery Board: Dirt marks on suede can be rubbed out with an art-gum eraser. Then buff lightly with sandpaper or an emery board.

Vinegar and Linseed Oil: To clean leather, rub equal parts of vinegar and linseed oil into the leather and then polish with a soft cloth.

SMOKE DETECTOR (IONIZING TYPE)

Alternative: Choose a non-ionizing, photoelectric-type detector.

SPOT/STAIN REMOVER - All Purpose

Cornstarch paste: Rub the stain with a cornstarch paste and brush off when dry.

Rubbing alcohol and water: The basic ingredient for many commercial spot removers is 2 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol.

Detergent, baking soda, soap paste: Apply a paste of detergent, soap, or baking soda and water to the stain; allow the paste to penetrate a few minutes before rubbing clean and rinsing.

Borax: Dissolve 1/4 cup of borax in 3 cups of cold water. Sponge it on and let it dry, or soak fabric in the solution prior to washing it in soap and cold water.

Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol: Hydrogen peroxide or rubber alcohol. Removes blood, chocolate and other stains. Safe for all fibers, but dyed fabrics should be tested for color-fastness.

White vinegar: White vinegar: safe for all fibers, but changes the colors of some dyes. Good on cola, perspiration, pet stains and other non-oily stains, and for de-yellowing silk or wool. Also useful in removing grease stains from suede.

"Wet spotter": "Wet spotter", used to remove many kinds of stains: 1 part glycerin, 1 part liquid dishwashing detergent, 8 parts water. Store in a plastic squeeze bottle and shake well before using.

Rust

Lemon juice and salt: Saturate with lemon juice and rub with salt. If possible dry in direct sunlight, then wash.

Peeled Potatoes and Baking Soda or Salt: To remove rust from tin ware, rub with a peeled potato dipped in a mild abrasive such as baking soda or salt.

Aluminum Foil: Briskly scrub rust spots on car bumpers with a piece of crumpled aluminum foil, shiny side up. Also works well on the chrome shafts of golf clubs.

Chewing Gum

Ice: Rub with ice. Gum will flake off.

Ink

Tamp: "Tamp" (for tamping use a brush similar to a shoe polish brush, tamp the brush lightly and squarely on the stain or spot) with lukewarm glycerin.

Cream of tarter paste: Make a paste of cream of tarter and rub on the stain. Let the paste dry, then brush off. Repeat as often as necessary.

Grease

To remove grease from concrete flooring: Dry Cement: Sprinkle dry cement over grease. All it to absorb the grease, then sweep up.

Carpet

General tips on stain removal: Clean up spills as fast as you can. Blot or scrape up as much of the spill as possible, blotting from the outside toward the center. Test the stain remover on an area under the sofa and wait 15 minutes to see if it damages the carpet color. After you clean the carpet, blot it dry and weight down a small cushion of paper towels with a heavy object to soak up all the moisture. Don't panic!

General stains: Borax: Use according to label directions. Borax can be toxic if ingested.

Blood stains: Cold water or Club Soda: Sponge stain immediately with cold water or club soda and dry with a towel. Repeat as necessary.

Ink Stains: Cream of Tartar and Lemon Juice: Place cream of tartar of the ink stain and squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on top. Rub into the stain for a minute, brush off the powder with a clean brush and sponge immediately with warm water, being careful not to saturate the carpet backing. Repeat if necessary.

Isopropyl Alcohol: Be sure to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Blot rubbing alcohol onto stain.

Non-oily stains: Vinegar and Liquid Soap: Mix together 1 teaspoon or white vinegar, 1 teaspoon liquid detergent, and 1 pint lukewarm water. Apply this mixture to the non-oily stain with a soft brush or towel. Rub gently. Rinse with a towel dampened in clean water. Blot dry. Repeat this process until the stain is removed. Dry the carpet quickly using a fan or blow dryer. There is a chance that vinegar may bleach some dark, sensitive colors, so try it on an inconspicuous area first.

Soot stains: Salt: Sprinkle the area generously with salt. Allow the salt to settle for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming.

Pet stains and odors: Vinegar and Liquid Soap: Vinegar will kill the odor of urine and prevent staining if you can get to the spot right away. First absorb as much moisture as you can with dry paper towels. Next rinse the area with warm water and apply vinegar and soap solution into the stain using a clean cloth or paper towel and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with a towel dampened in clean water and blot dry. There is a chance that vinegar may bleach some dark, sensitive colors, so try in on an inconspicuous area first.

Clothes

Blood: Meat tenderizer: Cover stained area with meat tenderizer, apply cool water to make a paste, let set for 15-30 minutes and then sponge with cool water.

De-yellow silk or wool: Vinegar: Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar in 1 pint of water. Sponge with this solution and rinse. Wash as usual.

Rust: Lemon juice and salt: Saturate with lemon juice and rub with salt. If possible dry in direct sunlight, then wash as usual.

Cream of tarter: To remove rust from white washables, cover the stains with cream of tarter. Then gather the ends of the article to keep the powder on the spot and dip the entire spot in hot water for about 5 minutes. Wash as usual.

Chocolate: Club Soda, Shortening, or Milk: Soak stain with club soda before washing; or rub shortening into stain and wash; or apply milk to stain to keep from setting.

Cola: White Vinegar: Apply undiluted vinegar directly to the stain within 24 hours. Wash as usual.

Perspiration stain: White Vinegar or Lemon Juice or Aspirin: Sponge stains with a weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice, or soak the fabric in water in which 2 aspirins have been dissolved.

Collar stains: Hair shampoo: Brush hair shampoo into soiled shirt collars before laundering. Shampoo is made to dissolve body oils.

Grease on suede: Vinegar or club soda: Sponge spot with a cloth dipped in vinegar or club soda. Dry and restore nap by brushing with a suede brush.

Grease on double knit: Club soda: Sponge on club soda to remove grease from double knit fabrics.

STAIN REMOVER (SEE SPOT/STAIN REMOVER)

TOILET BOWL CLEANER

IF YOU DO USE BLEACH TO CLEAN YOUR TOILET BOWL, NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH VINEGAR, TOILET BOWL CLEANER, OR AMMONIA. The combination of bleach with any of these substances produces a toxic gas, which can be hazardous.

Baking Soda and Vinegar: Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then drizzle with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. This combination both cleans and deodorizes.

Borax and Lemon Juice: For removing a stubborn stain, like bowl ring, mix enough borax and lemon juice into a paste which can cover the entire ring. Flush toilet to wet the sides, then rub on paste. Let site for 2 hours and scrub thoroughly. For less stubborn toilet bowl rings, sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush.

TUB AND TILE CLEANER

Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda like you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly.

Vinegar and Baking Soda: To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe with vinegar first. Next, use baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Vinegar: Vinegar removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn't leave a film. Use 1/4 cup (or more) vinegar to 1 gallon water.

Baking Soda: To clean grout, put 3 cups baking soda into a medium-size bowl and add 1 cup warm water. Mix into a smooth paste and scrub into grout with a sponge or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and dispose of leftover paste when finished.

WATCH CRYSTAL CLEANER

Toothpaste: Toothpaste can be used as a watch crystal scratch-remover and polish.

WINDOW AND GLASS CLEANER - All Purpose

A few tips on window washing:

(1) never wash windows while the sun is shining on them because they dry too quickly and leave streaks;

Vinegar: Wash windows or glass with a mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth. Leaves windows and glass streakless. To remove those stubborn hard water sprinkler spots and streaks, use undiluted vinegar.

Borax or Washing Soda: Two tablespoons of borax or washing soda mixed into 3 cups water makes a good window cleaner. Apply to surface and wipe dry.

Cornstarch and Vinegar: Mix 3 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/2 cup white vinegar into 1 gallon warm water. Apply to surface and wipe dry.

Lemon Juice: Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice in 1 quart water. Apply to surface and wipe dry.

Baking Soda: To clean cut glass, sprinkle baking soda on a damp rag and clean glass. Rinse with clean water and polish with a soft cloth.

Scratches, Stains and Discoloration in Windows and Glass

Toothpaste: Rub a little toothpaste into the scratch. Polish with a soft cloth.

Dry Mustard and Vinegar: Blend 3 parts dry mustard and 1 part white vinegar into a paste. Apply paste to discolored or stained portion of window or mirror and rub until the stain disappears. Rinse well with clean water. AVOID EYE CONTACT; DRY MUSTARD CAN BE DAMAGING TO THE CORNEA.

We hope that you will want to reduce the risks to your family, and to the environment that we all share. Conducting a Household Hazardous Waste Evaluation of your home can do this. Walk through your home from the kitchen to the bathroom to the garage. Be sure to look at all possible storage places, from the floor to high shelves. Open cupboards and closets. Look to find hazardous products. Determine how hazardous they are by looking for signal words. Danger or Poison means extremely hazardous, Warning or Caution means moderately hazardous and no signal word means least hazardous. Check also that products are safely stored. Make sure the boxes and cans the products are in are not broken or leaking.

Think about where you have hazardous products. Are they where children or pets can reach them? Are they in places where they could cause fire danger (near furnace or other sources of heat)? Are incompatible products (see terms associated with household hazardous products) stored together? Look for places that could be unstable in a storm or earthquake. Watch for containers that might fall or tip over, that have tops that do not fit, or that have no tops.

The purpose of the evaluation is to find things you can change to make a safer home and cleaner environment. Consider these questions when taking your tour:

1. Which of these products can I use up according to the label, and then replace with a less hazardous or non-hazardous alternative?
2. Which of these products could be used up safely by someone else (i.e. a neighbor or a local theater group or local church)?
3. Which of these products am I not willing or unable to replace with a non-hazardous substitute?
4. Which of these products should be disposed of at the Benton County Regional Moderate Risk Waste Facility?

This is not a scientific document. The Benton County Regional Moderate Risk Waste Facility cannot assume any liability for the effectiveness or the results of the procedures or materials described. Use caution with all cleaners, solvents, pesticides, and other chemicals, and keep them out of reach of children, the mentally impaired and animals.