Fabulous Uses for Fabric Softener
- Remove old wallpaper. Removing old wallpaper is a snap with fabric softener.
- Abolish carpet shock.
- Remove hair-spray residue.
- Clean now, not later.
- Float away baked-on grime.
- Keep paintbrushes pliable.
- Remove hard-water stains.
- Make your own fabric softener sheets.
Disposal:
- Best: Use up or give away. Rinse out empty container and recycle if the type and color of plastic or paperboard is recyclable in your area.
- Second Best: Flush household amounts of unwanted liquid detergent down an inside drain with plenty of water.
- Third Best: Hold for a household hazardous waste collection.
The most effective cleaner to make at home is a mixture of half hot water and half vinegar. You can also pour boiling hot water down your drain to help soften the fat and grease within your drains, helping it to move along down the pipes.
Bleach is a powerful, toxic substance that should be used carefully and properly, and pouring it down a drain is not a proper use. Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially release fumes, and further plug up the system. Pouring bleach down them will do much more harm than good.
Safe Disposal of Household CleanersMost liquid, gel and powder water-soluble household cleaning products can be disposed of down the drain with running water just like when you use them. Most solid products (soap scouring pads, sticks, towelettes, etc.) can be placed in the trash.
Most chemical wastes must be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program. To have hazardous waste removed from your laboratory, do the following: Store chemical wastes in appropriate containers; plastic bottles are preferred over glass for storing hazardous waste when compatibility is not an issue.
21 Jan Household Hazardous Waste. According to Elizabeth Rouan of the San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste Program,“household hazardous waste is anything that is not being used for its original purpose.” For example, unwanted laundry detergent can't go with the trash or poured down the drain; both are illegal.
Do not allow bulk spills to reach sewers or surface waterways, dispose as liquid scrap. Small, single consumer package spills may be flushed down the sewer with excess water. Empty containers can be disposed of in normal trash stream. Do not landfill liquids.
California residents and businesses can now recycle leftover paint for free at local retail stores. For locations and program details, visit or call 855-724-6809.
Examples: Washing up liquid bottles, cleaning sprays, and bleach bottles. Please Remember: Please rinse them out before recycling as left-over liquid can make other recyclables dirty. Lids and labels can be left on.
10 Easy Ways to Upcycle Empty Laundry Detergent and Bleach Bottles
- 01 of 10. Tone Up. Buying weights for exercise can be expensive.
- 02 of 10. Scoop It Up.
- 03 of 10. Weigh It Down.
- 04 of 10. Fill It Up.
- 05 of 10. Make a Tool Caddy for the Garage.
- 06 of 10. Clear the Way.
- 07 of 10. Create Sturdy Craft Templates.
- 08 of 10. Water Away.
How to dispose of hazardous waste
- Research the laws in your county.
- Read the labels.
- Schedule a home pick up.
- Find a drop off location.
- Request a mail-in recycling kit.
- Donate.
- Keep materials in their original packaging.
- Never mix products.
To dispose, you're encouraged to take advantage of any return programs. If unavailable, the sanitizer can be discarded with regular trash, however it's recommended to take it to a household hazardous waste collection or facility.
Dispose of the container appropriately into a garbage can, preferably one that's located outside the home. Be careful to keep the borax away from water sources. Borax is harmful to aquatic environments. Scrub the surfaces where the borax powder was with hot, soapy water.
USDA Agencies must manage all hand sanitizer as a Class 3 Flammable Liquid, in accordance with 29 CFR § 1910.106 and 1926.152. Regardless of whether the hand sanitizer is returned to the provider, or disposed as waste, it should not be thrown into the facility trash or flushed down the drain.
Simple Green can be headed about 105°F, but it should be used right away and disposed of – such as in a steam cleaner.
This can help prevent clog-causing buildup on the interior surface of pipes. Or, pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with two quarts of very hot water. Use a mix of white vinegar and warm water in your sink once a week to keep your drains clear.
Above all, you should never pour out perfume down the drain as this risks contaminating the waterways; instead, contact your local household hazardous waste facility for proper disposal.
Any left- over bleach can be flushed down the toilet or washed down a drain followed with plenty of water. 5. Cleaners and polishes.
Here are some simple tips to recycle more effectively at home:
- Flatten cardboard boxes so that you can fit more recyclables into your bin.
- All plastic bottles can be recycled, from water bottles to salad dressing, so put all of them in your recycling container.
- It is not just newspapers that you can recycle at home.
Spent oil-based degreasers can be hazardous. Water-based degreasers can become hazardous depending on what they are used to clean. Spent degreasers of either type should never be disposed of in the trash or poured on the ground.
Hold the bucket close to the drain to reduce the risk of splashing, and slowly pour the ammonia water down the drain. Leave the solution to sit in the drain for five minutes or longer, to help loosen any grime, soap buildup and any potential clogs in the drain.
Tip 1: Remove Stains on Walls with Soap and Water
- Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water in a medium-sized bowl.
- Dip your microfiber cloth into the solution.
- Rub the stain with the damp cloth until you can't see the stain anymore.
- Wait until the wall dries to be certain the stain is gone.
Mop water is full of germs and dirt, so the worst thing you can do is to dispose of it in a place where you're apt to drop a toothbrush. Dump it into a toilet or down your shower drain instead. Leave the air conditioning on if you're mopping.