Contrary to popular belief, municipal wastewater treatment plants are not equipped to handle many toxic chemicals! As such, many of the chemicals that we use in our homes may pass through the treatment plant and discharge directly into lakes and rivers! This may eventually make the water bodies unusable for drinking, recreation, farming and industry and harm aquatic life.

There are many simple and economical things we can do every day to help protect the lakes and rivers of HRM, as well as the harbour. Properly dispose of products such as paints, solvents and vehicle fluids. Remember that while it is important to properly dispose of hazardous or toxic chemicals, it is good practice to use less to begin with or even better, none at all. Here are some recipes for non-toxic household products that you can make at home, using ingredients you may already have:

• Baking soda and water
• 1 part Baking Soda, 2 parts white vinegar, 4 parts warm water.

• Natural liquid soap, phosphate free products.

• Borax.

Drain Cleaner

• Use plunger or mechanical snake. Flush drain weekly with boiling water.

Glass / Window Cleaner

• Equal parts of white vinegar & water. Store in a clean  pump spray container.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• Paste of Borax & lemon juice. Let stand then scrub.

Scouring Powder

• 1 Cup White Vinegar & 2 litres warm water
• Baking Soda. (It's non abrasive)

Rug Cleaner

• 2 Cups cornmeal, 1 Cup Borax; sprinkle, leave for an  hour, then vacuum.

Oven Cleaner

• Mix paste of Baking Soda, salt, water.

Coffee Stains       

• Moist salt.

Grass Stains

• Rub with glycerin soap.

Ink Spots

• Cold water, 1 tbsp. Cream of Tartar, 1 tbsp. lemon juice

Mildew                          

• Equal parts salt & white vinegar

Oil Stains

• White chalk rubbed into stain before washing

Carpet & Upholstery Spots  

• Club Soda. (*Treat immediately!)

Water Marks

• Toothpaste

Wine Stains         

• Salt

Brass

• Dip a clean rag in vinegar, dust it with salt, rub the brass. Polish with a clean cloth.

Chrome

• Apple cider vinegar.

Copper

• Lemon juice & Salt.

Furniture / Floor

• 1 part lemon juice, 2 parts vegetable oil. Apply. Rub in. Wipe clean.
• Rub with a cloth dipped in cool tea.

Shoe Polish

• Banana peel.

Silver

• Place in container with 1 litre warm water, 1 tbsp. Baking Soda, 1 tbsp. salt, 1 piece of aluminum foil.
• Toothpaste.

Stainless Steel         

• Olive oil.

• Simmer cloves and cinnamon in boiling water.
• Leave opened box of baking soda in room.
• Set out a dish of vinegar.

• Pour 1 cup white vinegar into the final rinse water.

• Blend 6 cloves crushed garlic, 1 minced onion, 1tbs. dried hot pepper and 1 tbs. pure soap in 1 gal. hot water. Let sit 1-2 days; strain & spray on plants.

• Apply vinegar to exposed skin.
• Eat lots of garlicky food.

Should you have any questions or comments, please direct inquiries to the Pollution Prevention Office.