Toxic Alternatives

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Alternatives to Traditional Cleaning Products

You can minimize environmental impacts and protect your pocket, by using the following simple household alternatives to harmful products:

Product Household Alternative
General cleaner
  • Mix baking soda and vinegar.
  • Combine lemon juice with borax paste.
  • Dissolve baking soda in hot water for a general cleaner.
Surface cleaner
  • Mix 1 quart of hot water, 1 tsp. vegetable oil-based soap/detergent, 1 tsp. borax and 2 tbsp. vinegar. Vinegar is used as a mild acid to cut grease, borax is used as a water softener, especially good with hard water, to prevent soapy deposits.
  • Mix 1 cup of vinegar in 1 quart of warm water.
Degreaser
  • Make a paste of lemon juice and borax.
  • When shopping for degreasing products, look for water-based products or citrus-based degreasers.
  • Avoid products that contain methylene chloride (known to cause cancer in laboratory animals).
  • Do not use gasoline to clean marine parts. Gas contains benzene (carcinogenic to humans),that, upon evaporation, causes air pollution.
Dish cleaner
  • Use vegetable oil-based soaps/detergents.
Window cleaner
  • Dilute one cup of white vinegar with 1qt. water.
Floor cleaner
  • To clean vinyl tile and linoleum, use 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup of washing soda (in laundry section of most supermarkets), in 1 gallon of warm water, or one cup vinegar in 2 gallons of water.
  • Remove scuff marks on linoleum with toothpaste.
Fiberglass cleaner
  • Use a paste of baking soda and water.
Aluminum cleaner
  • Mix 1 tbsp. cream of tartar in 1 quart of hot water.
Brass cleaner
  • Use Worcestershire sauce, or paste made of equal amounts of salt, vinegar and water.
Copper cleaner
  • Use lemon juice and water, or paste made of equal amounts of lemon juice, salt and flour.
Chrome polish
  • Use apple cider vinegar to clean; baby oil to polish.
Hand cleaner
  • Apply baby oil or margarine, then clean with soap and water.
Head and shower
  • Clean frequently with a mix of baking soda and water; brush thoroughly. Sprinkle baking soda around the rim of the toilet.
  • To clean and deodorize the head, try a mix of 1/2 cup of borax per 1 gallon of water.
Stainless steel cleaner
  • Mix baking soda or mineral oil for polishing, vinegar to remove spots.
Scouring Powders
  • Instead of scouring powder, try using baking soda.
Rug/Upholstery cleaner
  • Sprinkle on dry corn starch; vacuum.
Teak cleaner
  • Use a biodegradable soap to remove the dirt and salt water.
  • Instead of bleaching teak, try using a mild power soap and scrub with bronze wool.
Fiberglass stain remover
  • Use a paste of baking soda and water.
Mildew removers
  • Scrub mildew with borax and water using a nylon scouring pad.
  • Try scrubbing mildew with a vinegar and salt paste (equal parts), if problem is not severe.
  • Try vinegar full strength, then rinse.
  • To inhibit mold and mildew, wash area with 1/2 cup borax /1 gallon hot water.
Wood polish
  • Use olive, walnut, or almond oil.
Drain opener
  • Dissemble or use plumber’s snake.
  • Or flush with a mixture of boiling water, one-quarter cup of baking soda and one quarter cup of vinegar.
Paint Products
  • Avoid paints containing methylene chloride and trichloroethylene (TCE) (suspected carcinogens); benzene (known to cause cancer in humans); 1,1,1- trichloroethane (TCA) (irritant to eyes and tissues); xylene (toxic to drink or breath); or toluene (known to cause birth defects).
Wood Preservatives and stains
  • Do not use old products that contain pentachlorophenol (PCP) (suspected carcinogen), creosote, tributylin oxide, or folpet.
  • Water-based preservatives are available that can seal wood and protect it from water rot.
  • Use water-based stains.
  • Use finishes derived from natural sources, such as, shellac, tung oil, and linseed oil.


*While baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and vegetable oils are far less harmful than bleaches, scouring powders and detergents, they can still be toxic to aquatic life. Use all cleaning products sparingly and minimize the amount discharged into the water. Never dispose of any cleaning products down the thru-hull drain; dispose of them on shore!

These alternatives have not been tested by either the California Coastal Commission or the California Division of Boating and Waterways. They are offered as suggestions. The sources that were relied upon to develop these suggestions are cited below.

  • Center for Marine Conservation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, “Tips to Keep Your Boat in Top Shape.”
  • Flynn, A. A. and Rory E. Kessler. 1992. “A Consumer Guide to Safer Alternatives to Hazardous Household Products.” Take Me Shopping. Department of Planning and Development, Santa Clara County, p. 33.
  • HometownAnapolis.com, Boat Cleaning Tips, 2000. http://www.capitalonline.com/parks/boating.html
  • Gordon, Miriam. 1996. Marin County’s Guide to Environmentally Sound Practices in the San Francisco Bay and Delta,” Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Authority.
  • Maryland Clean Marina Initiative. 2000. “Vessel Cleaning and Maintenance.” http://www.dnr.state.md.us