What are some alternative, safer cleaning products?

Parents and caregivers of those affected by Alpha-1 know that it is important for their children to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Because there is no magic pill we have to do all that we can to keep our children's livers and lungs healthy. Cleaning products and other household items can be dangerous to our children, and even healthy adults when not used properly. Listed below are some alternatives to standard products that you may use in your home. If making your own supplies is too time consuming there are products available made of alternative ingredients; they just might be a little more expensive and harder to find.

Avoid typical aerosol products

• Use non-aerosol products
• Deodorants - rolls-ons, creams, sticks
• Cooking sprays - cooking oils
• Shaving cream - brush and shaving soap
• Hair sprays - setting lotions, gels, pump sprays
• Cleaners - pump sprays

Air Freshener

• Leave open box of baking soda in room
• Set out dish of vinegar
• Add cloves, cinnamon, vanilla to boiling water, simmer for 5 minutes
• Use herbs or potpourri

All-Purpose Cleaner

• Mix 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, lemon juice and/or vinegar; make stronger according to the job
• Baking soda with water

Carpet Cleaner

• Use soap-based, non-aerosols cleaners
• Clean stains immediately with club soda
• Sprinkle cornstarch and vacuum
• Rub dry baking soda into grease
• Combine equal parts vinegar & water to remove winter salt residue

Disinfectant

• Use ½ cup borax in 1 gallon water

Drain Opener

• Plunger or mechanical snake
• Handful of baking soda and ½ cup vinegar, followed by boiling water
• Use enzymatic biological drain cleaner
• To prevent clogging, flush drain weekly with boiling water
• To prevent clogging, use a strainer to keep hair, lint, etc. out of the drain

Floor Cleaner

• Mop with 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons water
• Polish with club soda

Furniture Polish

• Wipe with mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon oil in 1 pint mineral or vegetable oil
• Try 3 parts olive oil, 1 part vinegar
• Try 1 part lemon juice, 2 parts vegetable oil

Grout Cleaner

• Use a toothbrush with either undiluted vinegar, 3 parts baking soda with one part water, toothpaste or denture cream

Insect Repellents

• Don't wear scented colognes, shaving lotions, or shampoos when outdoors
• Use chamomile tea as a lotion
• Burn citronella candles, punk, or mosquito coils

Metal Polish

• Brass - Worcestershire sauce
• Chrome - Apple cider vinegar or baking soda and soft cloth
• Copper - Vinegar and salt; or lemon and salt
• Pewter - Rub with fine steel wool dipped in olive oil, wash in soapy water and dry; or polish with cabbage leaves
• Silver -Soak in 1 quart warm water with 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and piece of aluminum foil; or rub with ammonia and soft cloth; or soak in buttermilk or sour milk overnight
• Stainless steel - Wash with 1 quart warm water and 3 tablespoons baking soda; rinse with hot water

Mildew/Soap Scum

• Try 1/4 cup baking soda, ½ cup vinegar and warm water

Mothballs

• Try one of the following - cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, white peppercorns, cloves, dried lemon peels
• Keep garment clean - wrap in linen or seal in paper or cardboard boxes

Oven Cleaner

• Wipe up the oven spill as soon as possible
• Catch spills under baking pan with a baking sheet

Note: If you have questions you would like us to work on, please submit them to us at questions@alpha1kids.org.