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Pollution Prevention

Water Quality

• Use phosphate free laundry soap
• Don’t pour oil or other hazardous substances down the drain or onto the ground
• Give away unused materials
• Use substitutes for cleaning, vinegar is great for cleaning glass
• Dispose of products safely
• Plant grass and trees on loose soil to help keep the soil from washing away

Pest Control and Pesticides

• Attract birds by planting bushes and trees they like
• Put out birdbaths and bird food
• Protect things like purple martins, lady bugs, spiders, centipedes and miniwasps – they eat the “bad” bugs and minimize the need for pesticides.
• Spade and hoe to cut weeds
• Handpick weeds from your garden
• Use a flyswatter
• Mulch your garden to help control weeds
• If you must use pesticides ,use them safely and wisely
• Never dump pesticides down any drain
• Avoid the use of household pesticides

Safe Alternatives for Common Household Products

• Ants in the house – Locate every entry point and seal with caulk. Kill visible ants with soapy water. Remove all food sources
• Air Freshener – Simmer cinnamon and cloves
• Aluminum Spot Removal – Use two tablespoons cream of tarter and quart of hot water
• Bleach – Use borax
• Brass Polish – Polish with Worcestershire sauce
• Car Battery Corrosion Control  - Use baking soda and water
• Chrome Polish – Polish with apple cider vinegar
• Cleaners (General Household) – Use one teaspoon of liquid soap plus one teaspoon of borax plus one squeeze of lemon in a quart of warm water
• Coffee Cup Stain Removal – Wash with moist salt
• Coffee Pot Stains – Soak with vinegar
• Copper Cleaner  - Clean with lemon juice and salt
• Decal Remover  - Soak in white vinegar
• Dishwashing for Cutting Grease  - Use liquid soap and vinegar
• Drain Cleaner – Use plunger followed by ½ cup baking soda plus ½ cup vinegar mixed with 2 quarts boiling water
• Fertilizer – Spread compost
• Furniture Polish – Use linseed or almond oil
• Garbage Disposal Deodorizer – Place lemons or baking soda in disposal
• Grease Removal – Use borax on damp cloth
• Hand Cleaner (paint/grease) – Use baby oil
• Ink Spot Remover – Wash with cold water plus one tablespoon cream of tarter and one tablespoon lemon juice
• Insects on Plants  - Use soapy water on leaves then rinse
• Laundry Detergent – Use basic soap, phosphate free
• Linoleum Floor Cleaner – Use one cup white vinegar plus two gallons of water
• Mildew Remover – Wash with equal parts of vinegar and salt
• Mosquito Repellant – Burn citronella candles or citronella oil
• Moths (clothes)- Clean woolens before storing; enclose cedar chips in cotton sachets
• Oil Stain Removal – Rub white chalk into stain before laundering
• Oven Cleaner – Wash with two tablespoons liquid soap, plus two teaspoons of borax mixed with warm water into stain
• Paint (oil based/stain/spray) – Use water-based, non-aerosol paints
• Paint Brush Softener – Soak in hot vinegar
• Perspiration Spot Remover – Use white vinegar plus water
• Pesticides – For Specific pest information contact Industrial Pretreatment at 292-9731 or your county extension agent at 321-4774
• Pet Odor Remover -  Use cider vinegar
• Porcelain Stain Removal – Use baking soda
• Refrigerator Deodorizer – Place open box of baking soda in refrigerator
• Rug/Carpet Cleaner – Use club soda