The coercive power of commercials led you to try several cleaning products, designed for one part of your home. Since not all formulas lived up to their promises, the outcome resulted in dozens of unused, high-priced bottles cluttering kitchen, bathroom and laundry shelves.

Something new does not deter from the ole’ standard of products you can rely on and costs pennies to make! Combining water with one other ingredient, you’ll likely create a quality cleanser that offers a smile of satisfaction every time!

Baking Soda:

Sodium bicarbonate is a wondrous powder more abrasive than soap to dislodge particles and remove stains from fabrics and fruits to kitchen surfaces. Simply sprinkle baking soda on an area in which you wish to clean, wet a sponge and start scrubbing! As most odors are acidic, the powder neutralizes to absorb and produce a clean scent.

• Sprinkle baking soda over dirty dishes, allow to sit; then, wash.
• Revitalize kitchen sponges by soaking them in baking soda and water.
• Odorous areas, such as litter boxes, carpets, mattresses, upholstery and laundry will benefit from any number of responses, from stain removals to brightening fabrics.
• Combining vinegar and baking soda will unclog a drain and remove grease from ovens.

Borax:

The mineral includes sodium’s borate and tetraborate, and a salt of boric acid. As a soft white crystal, it requires water to dissolve. Just mix two tablespoons of borax with one quart of hot water, and the result is an all-purpose cleaner. With greater concentrations of borax, you can have the means to clean mold and mildew or wash floors.

• As a rust remover, combine borax, warm water and lemon juice into a paste; then, apply!
• Borax, warm water and dish soap combined in a spray bottle can spot clean outdoor furniture!
• If urine odors cause you problems, dampen the area first with water, then rub with borax, and allow to dry. A vacuum cleaner will remove the residue.
• Save money on laundry detergents by mixing equal portions of borax, washing soda and soap flakes. Add distilled, white vinegar to each load!

Corn Starch:

In the far corner of your kitchen cupboard lies a low-cost, miracle product extracted from corn! Sprinkling on carpets and fabrics, from smelly shoes to stained clothing, will remove stains. Grease stains require time, roughly 10 hours, for complete absorption.

• Mixing one-part water with two parts cornstarch offers a non-abrasive scrubbing cleaner, applied to bathrooms and kitchen surfaces, pots and pans!

Lemon:

If you adore lemon-scented products, start using the juice for your cleaning needs.

• Squeeze the juice of half a lemon onto countertops or cutting boards; then, use the lemon to scrub away stains. Rinse with water and dry!
• Tired of stains on Tupperware? Squeeze lemon juice into a container; then, sprinkle baking soda and allow to sit overnight before scrubbing.
• Sprinkle salt onto a lemon half and apply to clean tarnished brass or copper!

Mineral Oil:

Think of all the ways you require a means to protect the wood, prevent rust or remove stains. The answer is mineral oil!

• Rub the oil over cutting boards to prevent bacteria from lodging into crevices!
• Dab onto stains an effective prewashing strategy.
• Quick application to stop squeaky doors!
• Apply to folding chairs to prevent rust!

Salt:

According to the Salt Institute, the natural mineral extends to 14,000 uses! It serves as an effective, gentle scouring agent while boosting cleaning and deodorizing.

• Pouring salt and hot water down the kitchen sink regularly deodorizes and prevents grease build-up.
• A pinch of salt cleans cast-iron!
• Need a solution for coffee stains? Combine salt with a dab of dish soap and scrub!
• Swirl an ice cube and salt in a coffee pot for easy washing!
• Worried about the excess suds in your laundry or preventing freezing if line-drying outdoors? Add salt!

Distilled White Vinegar:

Well-known for its natural, non-toxic cleaning abilities, it slices through grime and kills bacteria! Just use equal parts water to white vinegar to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

• Pour directly onto cutting boards to disinfect.
• Place the showerhead into a plastic bag, and allow it to rest overnight in white vinegar! Make sure it’s submerged!
• Use vinegar in your laundry to protect colors from fading while promoting an added softness to fabrics.
• Combine equal parts of water to vinegar solution to keep glass surfaces sparkling! Find books on the subject of naturally cleaning your home to learn more about the long list of ways you can invest in inexpensive, non-toxic products!