Safer cleaning recipes just in time for spring cleaning!

The arrival of spring often brings renewed motivation to tidy, organize, and deep clean our homes. But before you head to the store to buy new cleaning products, check out our DIY cleaning recipes made from items you likely already have at home. This year, the Haz Waste Program has two new recipes to help you safely clean your home while avoiding the toxic chemicals found in some commercial products. If you need a safer option for cleaning your microwave or scrubbing your oven, take a look at these new additions to add to your cleaning toolkit. 

These new recipes are designed to be cost-effective and easy to make. We know you want to avoid using harmful chemicals and we want to ensure these recipes won’t put a dent in your wallet. With that in mind, these new recipes use simple ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemons. With these low-cost items, you have options for safer, environmentally friendly household cleaners. 

We also know that it may not always be possible to make your own cleaners. So, when shopping for household products, it’s important to take time to read the label. Hazardous products usually have words to help you identify if they are safe to use. If the label says, CAUTION, WARNING, POISON, or DANGER, these are products you usually won’t want to buy. Instead, look for products that have a Safer Choice label which indicates they are the safest in their class.    

If you come across hazardous products while tidying up your home, you can visit a collection site or Wastemobile event to safely dispose of unwanted items. The Hazardous Waste Management Program has collections sites in Bellevue, North Seattle, South Seattle, and Auburn, and our traveling Wastemobile makes stops throughout King County from February to October. Disposal is free, convenient, and accessible for King County residents and eligible businesses.

If you are just not sure where to start, email us at haz.waste@kingcounty.gov or give us a call at 206-296-4692. The Haz Line is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.