| Instead of: |
|
Use: |
| Air freshener |
|
A small dish of vinegar or lemon juice set out in a warm area.
|
| All-purpose cleaner |
|
One quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar.
|
| Bleach |
|
Borax
|
| Carpet cleaner |
|
To neutralize odors, sprinkle the carpet with a mixture of one cup borax and 2 cups cornmeal or use baking soda. Let stand 1 hour before vacuuming.
|
| Chlorine scouring powder |
|
Baking soda
|
| Detergent |
|
Simple soap or phosphate-free detergent
|
| Disinfectant |
|
Ammonia
|
| Drain cleaner |
|
Plunger, followed by a handful of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar. Cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Pour in 2 quarts of boiling water, and the clod should disappear.
|
| Floor cleaner |
|
Mop floors with a mild soap solution or 1 cup vinegar mixed with 2 gallons of water. Linoleum floors can be polished by mopping with skim milk. (No, it doesn't smell.)
|
| Furniture polish |
|
On unfinished surfaces, use natural oil such as almond or olive oil. On finished surfaces, dust with a damp cloth and wipe dry.
|
| Glass cleaner |
|
Two tablespoons of vinegar to 1 quart of water.
|
| Grease remover |
|
Baking soda paste
|
| Mildew stain remover |
|
Vinegar solution
|
| Mothballs |
|
Cedar chips
|
| Oven cleaner |
|
Pour salt on fresh oven spills, and scrape the residue off when the oven cools. Ammonia can be applied t tough stains. A pumice stick, available at many hardware stores, will also work.
|
| Pest control |
|
Make chili powder packets to keep ants out of your kitchen.
|
| Stain remover |
|
Cornstarch paste
|
| Surface cleaner |
|
Use a vinegar and salt mixture.
|
| Tile cleaner |
|
Scrub areas with baking soda and a toothbrush.
|
| Toilet bowl cleaner |
|
Baking soda or borax
|
| Window cleaner |
|
Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a quart of warm water. |