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Choose safer, more environmentally-friendly products

The best way to reduce your family’s exposure to potentially harmful materials is to choose home and garden products that don’t contain toxic chemicals. When shopping for household products, it’s safer to read the label and choose the least hazardous products available.

Icon of bottles with the EPA Safer Choice logo and Cradle to Cradle logo

Safest

Find products with these logos on the front or back.

Please note: EPA Safer Choice products are the safest in their class, even if it says CAUTION on the label.

Icon of a bottle that does not have the words caution, warning, danger, or poison on the label

Safe enough

Select products that do NOT have the words CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER or POISON.

Icon of a bottle with the words Caution and Warning

Somewhat harmful

Select products that have the words CAUTION or WARNING.

Icon of a bottle with the words Danger and Poison

Avoid

Avoid products with the words DANGER or POISON. They are most harmful for you and your family.

a mother and son in a grocery store aisle

Six effective recipes for safer cleaning

You can save money and a trip to the store by making cleaners with ingredients you already have at home. These recipes are safer than many conventional cleaning products, which often contain harsh, toxic chemicals.

Bathtub icon

Tub and sink cleaner

  • "" Sprinkle baking soda in the tub or sink
  • "" Wet the surface with sprinkles of water
  • "" Scrub with a sponge and rinse when finished

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Drain cleaner

  • "" Pour 1/2 cup baking soda in drain
  • "" Pour 1/2 cup white vinegar in drain
  • "" Wait a few minutes
  • "" Pour boiling water down the drain
  • "" Repeat if needed

Note: Vinegar smell goes away once dry.

Toilet bowl icon

Toilet bowl cleaner

  • "" Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet bowl
  • "" Add 2 or 3 drops of liquid dish soap
  • "" Scrub with toilet brush and flush when finished

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Floor cleaner

  • "" 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
  • "" 1 gallon of warm water
  • Mix dish soap with warm water in a bucket. Mop directly onto floor

Note: Adjust recipe depending on liquid dish soap you use.

hand cleaning counter icon

Counter cleaner

  • "" 1 gallon of warm water
  • "" 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap
  • "" Mix dish soap and water in a spray bottle. Spray counters and wipe with a microfiber cloth
  • When finished, rinse cloth with hot water or put in a washing machine and air dry

Window icon

Window and mirror cleaner

  • "" Pour 1/2 cup vinegar in spray bottle
  • "" Fill the rest of the spray bottle with water. Spray and rub with a lint-free cloth or newspaper

Note: Do not apply to painted surfaces.

dad and son washing dishes
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Create safer environments

The Garden Hotline offers natural and effective solutions to yard problems and help with gardening questions. Garden Hotline services are free to home gardeners and landscape professionals throughout Seattle and King County.

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Support a green business

The EnviroStars program recognizes businesses that have taken action to protect the environment and public health. Looking for an environmentally-responsible dry cleaner, auto body shop, or other business? EnviroStars can help!

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