The vinegar and soap pads in this kit were generously donated by the following companies:

Heinz White Vinegar - Kelly Clark, Inc.

Scotch "Never Rust Wool Soap Pad" - 3M

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER - (counter tops, walls, floors, upholstery)

Combine:
1 qt. warm water
4 Tbsp. baking soda
1 tsp. lemon juice or white vinegar
1 tsp. castile soap

AIR FRESHNER

Leave open boxes of baking soda in the refrigerator and/or rooms throughout the house (keep away from children and animals). Open doors and windows for ventilation (windows should have screens to prevent insects from entering). Use flowers and herbs.

BLEACH

1/2 C. of white vinegar or baking soda for laundry or general purposes such as bleaching counter tops and sink stains.

DISINFECTANT

1 gal. hot water
1/2 C. baking soda

DRAIN OPENER

Use plunger or metal snake. Never pour grease down the drain. For maintenance, pour 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup white vinegar into the sink, let it sit for a few minutes, then flush with a kettle of boiling water.

FURNITURE POLISH

Wood: 2 parts vegetable oil, 1 part lemon juice

Put ingredients on cloth and use on wood furniture.

SILVER/COPPER POLISH

Copper: Rub with equal parts of hot vinegar (or lemon juice) and salt. Rinse.

Silver: Place a piece of aluminum foil into a bowl filled with one qt. warm water. Add 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt. Soak utensils in bowl.

GLASS CLEANER - (not for winshield wipers)

1 qt. warm water
1/2 C. white vinegar
Wipe with newspaper

MILDEW CLEANER

Keep bathrooms dry and aerated. Scrub with baking soda or white vinegar. For inhibition of mildew growth, do not rinse off. Vinegar will also remove soap film.

OVEN CLEANER

Clean as you use the oven. For ovens that are not self-cleaning, scrub with baking soda and scouring pad.

SCOURING POWDER

Use baking soda and scouring pad.

SOAP

Use Castile Soap to wash eating utensils, plates, pots, and pans.

SPOT REMOVERS

Berries - Rub with table salt and soak in cold water.

Blood - Soak with baking soda and wash with cold water.

Ketchup/Mustard - Rub with 50/50 water and white vinegar mixture, then wash as usual.

Chewing Gum - Place item (clothing) in freezer, and the gum will peel off easily. You may also loosen gum by soaking in white vingar.

Red Wine - Rub with table salt and soak in cold water.

Ring Around the Collar/Perspiration - Rub with vinegar or baking soda, then wash as usual.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER

Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda and scrub with brush. Add a few drops of lemon juice for freshness.

Note: The products contained in this kit are intended to be examples only. This does not constitute an endorsement of any brand/make by the County of Los Angeles. Be sure to test the environmental recipes in an unobtrusive place! The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has compiled the information contained in this fact sheet from a variety of sources and assumes no responsibility for the effectiveness of the suggestions.