If you decide not to make these recipes or if you are concerned about some of the products that are currently in your home, take a look at the following definitions so that you may better understand the risks inherent to each cleaner.
Toxic or Highly Toxic – This term means that the cleaner is poisonous if ingested, absorbed through the skin, or if the fumes are inhaled.
Extremely Flammable or Flammable or Combustible – This means that the cleaner will easily catch fire if it is exposed to a flame or a spark.
Corrosive – This term indicates that the product will corrode metal and eat the skin away or cause inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Strong Sensitizer – This term conveys that the cleaner may cause allergic reactions.
Danger – This means that the product could be lethal to an adult if even a the tiniest amount is ingested.
Warning – This means that the product could be lethal to an adult if any amount over about a teaspoon is ingested.
Caution – This term indicates that the cleaner could be lethal to an adult if more than about two tablespoons is ingested.
REMINDER – All of the above terms are defined as applied to an adult. If a child ingests any amount of any toxic substance no matter what words mark the label, call poison control and 911 immediately.
Ingredients
Here are some of the natural and non toxic substances that you can gather together in preparation to make any or all of the recipes that follow:
Salt – Sea salt is recommended.
Vinegar – Use distilled white vinegar unless otherwise noted.
Baking soda – This is a staple so a large box will come in handy.
Lemon juice – Squeeze it yourself or buy it by the bottle.
Rubbing alcohol – Inexpensive and found everywhere.
Liquid soap - You can make your own by saving the ends of bars of soap in jar full of water. These will dissolve into your liquid soap.
Non-chlorine scouring powder – Check the labels for this one.
Trisodium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate - Difficult to pronounce but easy to find minerals. Look for them in hardware stores.
Borax – A mineral with no toxic fumes and environmentally safe, Borax can be hazardous if swallowed.