| Most of these cleaners are things you may already | | | | surfaces. It is probably most famous for its |
| have at home and in most cases provide a safe | | | | deodorizing properties - open a box and place it in |
| non-toxic alternative to bleach or ammonia based | | | | the refrigerator or freezer to absorb odors. This |
| cleaners. Note the precautions mentioned where | | | | actually works great anywhere to fight smells |
| applicable. Once you begin using these natural | | | | including sprinkling on the carpet before you vacuum. |
| products, you'll never need or want to buy those | | | | It also leaves a nice scent if you mix with lavender |
| expensive cleaners again. | | | | flowers. |
| 1. Vinegar | | | | 4. Hot Sauce |
| This is probably one of the most commonly used | | | | Simply rub it on dulled copper, rinse with water and |
| natural cleaner, and with so many uses, you'll want to | | | | polish with a soft cloth. |
| fill a spray bottle to keep handy as well as keep an | | | | Precautions: Ensure you keep your hands away from |
| extra gallon under the sink, just for cleaning. Use it as | | | | your eyes, and rinse the object well. |
| you would an all-purpose cleaner by mixing 1 part | | | | 5. Olive Oil |
| water to 1 part vinegar and use it to clean most | | | | Olive oil has wonderful re-hydrating properties and |
| areas of your home. It cleans, disinfects and | | | | works great on dried-out wood (as long as it was |
| deodorizes safely and effectively. | | | | originally treated with an oil finish). Simply spread a |
| In the bathroom it works great in the bathtub, toilet, | | | | thin coat of oil on the wood and buff. |
| sink, floor and countertops. Try using pure vinegar in | | | | 6. White Wine |
| the toilet to get rid of rings. It works great tackling | | | | Douse a red wine stain with white wine, and blot |
| soap scum and hard water stains. For tough jobs, | | | | with a clean cloth to absorb. |
| soak a cloth in pure vinegar and apply to the stain | | | | 7. Salt |
| for an hour or so, then wipe. | | | | Salt also works well to absorb red wine (depends on |
| In the kitchen use vinegar for the all the appliances, | | | | which is handier, the white wine or the salt). Just |
| countertops, and floor. Soak hardened cleaning | | | | sprinkle on the stain, let it dry up and vacuum. Salt is |
| brushes in vinegar overnight to soften the bristles. | | | | also great for cleaning up grease spills in ovens or |
| In the laundry room, vinegar works great as a natural | | | | burners. While the oven is still warm, sprinkle salt on |
| fabric softener; just add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the | | | | the spill. If it has completely dried, then moisten with |
| rinse cycle instead of store bought fabric softener. It | | | | water before applying the salt. Once the oven cools, |
| also breaks down the detergent more effectively, | | | | scrape away the spill and wipe clean. |
| reducing soap spotting. This is a real perk for family | | | | 8. Cornmeal |
| members with sensitive skin. | | | | Cornmeal works well to soak up grease. Simply cover |
| Precautions: Vinegar is an acid and if not diluted | | | | a fresh grease stain with cornmeal, let it sit for a |
| effectively can eat away at the grout in your tile. It | | | | few hours and vacuum. |
| should also never be used on marble surfaces. | | | | 9. Mayonnaise |
| 2. Lemon Juice | | | | This delicious spread can be used for more than tuna |
| Lemon juice is also used to dissolve soap scum and | | | | sandwiches. The next time you spill water on your |
| mineral deposits from hard water. It does a great job | | | | wood furniture, leaving a water mark, apply a |
| of shining brass and copper. It works well as a | | | | generous portion of mayonnaise and let it sit for a |
| disinfectant for a wood cutting board. Simply cut a | | | | few hours. Wipe it away and allow to dry. |
| lemon in half and wipe it on the wood. Combine | | | | 10. Borax (sodium borate) |
| lemon juice with vinegar and baking soda to make a | | | | Borax is a natural substance that kills mold and |
| cleaning paste. Mix 1 cup of olive oil with 1/2 cup | | | | bacteria, and makes a great alternative to bleach. It |
| lemon juice to make a furniture polish for hardwood. | | | | also deodorizes and breaks down detergent to |
| Take a used lemon peel and put it through the | | | | improve its cleaning power. Try soaking old towels or |
| garbage disposal to freshen the drain. | | | | gym clothes in a solution of borax and water to |
| 3. Baking Soda | | | | make them smell fresh again. |
| Baking soda works great as a gentle abrasive | | | | Precaution: Borax can be toxic to small children and |
| cleanser that won't damage delicate or coated | | | | pets, keep well out of reach. |