Household Hazardous Waste Facility: Cleaners & Indoor Pesticides
Household chemicals, such as bleach, ammonia, all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaners, scouring powders, oven cleaners, furniture polish, bug sprays, and spot removers, are corrosive and toxic. Never mix these chemicals together; when mixed, they can produce poisonous fumes.
Safe Disposal
- At the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, new or nearly new products are stored at the Public Reuse Center and given away on a first come, first served basis.
- Bug sprays that are banned by the EPA and other chemicals that are not suitable for the reuse center are shipped to an EPA-regulated incinerator.
Alternative Cleaners and Pesticides
Clogged drain opener: Pour one cup baking soda down the drain followed by one cup vinegar. Cover the drain tightly for one minute, then flush with one gallon boiling water.
General cleanser and disinfectant: Stir 1/2 cup borax into one gallon of water. This can be used to clean toilet bowls, kitchen counters, bathtubs and many other household surfaces. Keep boric acid out of reach of children and pets.
Air freshener: Open windows or place open containers of baking soda around the house as a deodorizer. You can also sprinkle baking soda on carpets, let it sit awhile, and then vacuum up to help remove odors.
Furniture polish: Use a mixture of two parts olive oil or vegetable oil to one part lemon juice.
Glass cleaner: Mix two teaspoons white vinegar with one cup warm water.
Oven cleaner: Warm oven, moisten any spills, sprinkle them with baking soda or salt, and scrub.
Floor cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with one gallon water.
Scrubbing powder: Use baking soda or borax as a scouring powder.
Roach powder: Dust a very thin film of boric acid powder or Drione on surfaces and into cracks and crevices. Boric acid is also an effective way to control ants. Keep boric acid out of reach of children and pets, and do not place on food preparation surfaces. Use non-toxic roach traps.
Ant repellent: Sprinkle chili powder around possible entry areas. Wash kitchen counters with equal parts vinegar and water. Plant pennyroyal, peppermint and tansy around your home.
Moth repellents: Use cedar chips or lavender flowers in storage areas.
Flea and tick control:
- Put a cut-up flea collar inside the vacuum bag and vacuum your carpets every day for a week. Throw away the vacuum bag each day.
- Spray your doorways with lemon juice.
- Consult your vet. Products from the vet can be less toxic than ones from the pet store.
- Treat carpets and floors with products containing insect growth regulators like methoprene or fenoxycarb.
- Shampoo your dog with an insecticidal soap or a limonene/linalool product. Use a flea comb to remove surviving fleas.
- Sprinkle brewer's yeast or garlic on your pet's food to deter fleas.
- Place eucalyptus or rosemary leaves in your pet's sleeping area.
- For best results, treat your house, your yard and your pet at the same time.
Practice Good Housekeeping: Deter insects by practicing good housekeeping. Seal cracks, keep windows and doors closed, and keep food and water in tightly sealed containers. Wipe kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves with equal parts vinegar and water.
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