Baking soda: To clean drains, add 1/4 cup followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Close until fizzing stops. Flush with hot water. To clean countertops, enamel, chrome, make a paste with water and rub, then rinse. To deodorize carpets, sprinkle, allow to sit, vacuum.Borax: To clean mildew, sprinkle 1 part Borax to 2 parts baking soda on tile. Dampen and allow to sit. Scrub and rinse. For an all-purpose cleaner, add 1/4 cup vinegar, small amount of soap and 1/4 cup Borax to a quart of hot water, spray and wipe. Borax also disinfects, deodorizes, and brightens laundry.
Isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing alcohol): To control insects on house plants, mix 1 part alcohol to 7 parts water, spray.
Lemon juice: To clean mineral build-up, tarnish and grease, use full strength. Citrus peel extracts are natural solvents and flea deterrents.
Polident: To clean toilet, drop two tablets in, allow to fizz, brush and flush.
Salt: To clean the oven, combine with baking soda and a little water. Scrub with steel wool.
Toothpaste: To clean jewelry and chrome, squirt a small amount on rag, rub, and rinse.
Vegetable oil: To polish furniture, combine 2 parts oil with 1 part lemon juice and buff lightly.
Vinegar: To whiten and soften clothes, add 1/2 to 1 cup per load of laundry. To freshen air, put some in an open dish. To clean windows: add 1/4 cup or more to a quart of water and spray. Vinegar can be used to cut grease, dissolve gummy build- up and minerals, and inhibit mold growth.
Check
your local markets for cleaning products that do
not contain harsh chemicals and recycled paper products made from "post-consumer" waste.
