Take care with chemicals. Almost three-quarters of Delmarva's coastal bays have unacceptably high chemical levels. Apply pesticides sparingly and never dispose of detergents, paints, oils, or wood preservatives in storm drains or septic systems. Also recycle batteries they are highly toxic. Try using soap, baking soda, vinegar and borax combinations to make all-purpose cleaners for your toilet, drain, oven, windows, floor, and furniture.

Substitute bay-friendly cleaners for abrasive ones. Harsh chemicals eventually reach the bays harming them and you. Use chemicals less often or rotate use with non-toxic chemical alternatives listed below.

• All purpose cleaner: add a cup of vinegar to a pail of water or mix liquid castile soap and baking soda or borax in like amounts to two-gallon bucket.
• To disinfect: 1 cup borax or sodium carbonate dissolved in a gallon of hot water.
• Wash glass with one part vinegar to every four parts water as, if needed add 3 teaspoons of ammonia.
• To deodorize carpet: sprinkle with baking soda and vacuum 30 minutes later
• Oven Cleaner mix 2 teaspoons of borax and 2 tablespoons of liquid soap in a spray bottle of water and scrub. Or try baking soda and steel wool.
• To polish furniture: mix 2 tsp of lemon oil and one pint mineral oil in a spray bottle
  Tub and tile: 1/4 cup baking soda, « cup vinegar, 1 cup of ammonia and one gallon of water
• Drain Cleaner: 1 cup of each; baking soda, salt, and white vinegar. Pour into drain, wait 15 minutes. Flush with boiling water. Use a drain strainer in each drain to prevent clogs.
• Abrasive cleaner: Rub area with « lemon dipped in borax, rinse
• Floor or furniture polish: 1 part lemon, 2 parts olive or vegetable oil
• Silver polish: soak in boiling water with baking soda, salt and a piece of aluminum
• Upholstery and rug cleaners: Clean spills immediately by blotting with club soda. Or use a mixture of one quart warm water, one teaspoon mild liquid soap, one teaspoon borax, and a splash of vinegar. In a pinch, just sprinkle with cornstarch, then vacuum.
• Copper cleaner: paste of lemon juice, salt and flour
• Stainless steel polish: baking soda or mineral oil for shine
• Mildew remover: Lemon juice (or white vinegar) with salt
• Pesticide alternative: 2.5 T-spoons of liquid soap, with 2.5 teaspoons in a gallon of water. Call Cooperative Extension Service at 410
• Surface cleaners: Mix one quart warm water, one teaspoon mild dishwashing liquid, one teaspoon borax and a splash of vinegar.
• Toilet bowl cleaners: Combine one half cup borax in one gallon of water for cleaning and deodorizing. Clean frequently with baking soda. Or try liquid castile soap, baking soda or borax and a toilet brush.
• Tub and sink cleaners: Use baking soda or a non-chlorinated scouring powder.
• Use the following toxics sparingly: degreasers, disinfectants, drain cleaners, gasoline, glue and glue solvent, moth balls, oven cleaner, paint thinners and strippers, septic tank cleaners, shoe polish, spot removers, cleaning fluid, toilet bowl deoderizer, upholstery cleaner and wood preservatives.
• Linoleum Floor Cleaner: Mop with one cup of white vinegar mixed with two gallons of water to remove dull greasy film.
• Stain Remover: Instead of powered bleach, sprinkle borax or baking soda on stains and scrub! If using bleach, select a non-chlorinated brand.
• Paint Remover: Use a heat gun to peel off paint. Lead-based paint should always be removed by professionals.

Never let these items escape to groundwater:

• Air fresheners and deodorizers
• Bleach
• Disinfectants
• Drain Cleaners
• Flea powder
• Floor cleaner or wax
• Furniture polish
• Oven cleaner
• Paint thinner
• Paint
• Spot remover
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Window cleaner
• Wood stain or varnish
• Antifreeze
• Car wax or polish
• Motor oil/gasoline
• Herbicides
• Pesticides