Many commercial cleaners contain caustic and corrosive substances such as chlorine bleach and ammonia. You can keep your home clean without using products that harm the environment. If you want to save money, you can mix many of your own cleaners from simple ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. Alternative environmentally friendly cleaners are also available at several local stores.

Peterborough Green-Up has a fact sheet on homemade alternative cleaners. The safest way to get rid of most toxic cleaning products you already have is to use them up. As a last resort, unwanted cleaners should be disposed of by dropping them off at the Peterborough Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 400 Pido Road.

County residents can also use the Seasonal Household Hazardous Waste Depots located near Apsley, Buckhorn, Havelock, Hall's Glen and Bobcaygeon. For details, check the list to the left or call the County at 775-2737 ext. 302.