· Borax: disinfectant, water softener, deodorant and desiccant; kills mold and bacteria
· Baking soda: cleans, removes stains from surfaces
· Bon Ami: (or other) non-chlorinated scouring powder
· Essential oils: deodorizer
· Hydrogen peroxide: bleach
· Lemon juice: deodorizer and bleach
· Olive oil : soluble oil for furniture
· Salt : abrasive
· Thyme : antiseptic
· White distilled vinegar : disinfectant, grease cutter
Disinfectant/basic cleaner - Mix 1/2 cup of borax with 1 gallon of hot water. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme (a natural antiseptic). Steep for 10 minutes, strain and use from the bucket or cool and store in a spray bottle OR mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 1 gallon of water.
Straight white vinegar disinfects and cleans chrome, windows, and inside refrigerators.
Mold and mildew remover - Dissolve 1/2 cup vinegar with 1/2 cup borax in 2 quarts of warm water. Mix fresh for each use. For tougher areas use a paste of lemon juice and salt, or white vinegar and salt.
Rust/surface stain remover - Rub stains with a paste made from lemon juice and table salt.
Windows and mirrors - In a spray container mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 cup of cold strong black tea OR mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with 1 quart of water.
BATHROOM
Toilet cleaner - Sprinkle 1/4 cup baking soda into bowl, add 1/2 cup vinegar, scour with toilet brush.
Basin, tub, and tile cleaner - Mix a paste of borax and lemon juice. Rub on surface; rinse and dry with soft cloth.
KITCHEN
Countertops: ceramic tile or Formica - Mix 1/4 cup vinegar in 1 gallon of water.
Dishes - Use a vegetable oil-based soap or detergent (available at health food stores).
Drain opener - Dissolve 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar in boiling water. (Caution: foams up so use a large pan) Pour down drain; flush with hot water until clog breaks.
Garbage disposal freshener - Grind ice and lemon or orange peel in the disposal.
Oven - Make a paste of baking soda, salt and water. Sponge onto stains, scrub and wipe clean.
Floors - For marks on linoleum rub with toothpaste; clean with all-purpose cleaner. For greasy floors add 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil-based soap to general-purpose mixture.
FURNITURE
Furniture cleaner - In a spray bottle, mix 1 quart of warm water with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Lightly spray on furniture and immediately wipe off with a soft dry cloth.
Furniture (wood) polish - Use lemon oil OR mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup lemon juice OR mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup vinegar. Apply to furniture with a soft cloth and wipe it dry.
LAUNDRY
Detergents - Use detergents free of chlorine bleach, fragrance, and dye. I prefer Purex ® Free Clear, or Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap, but there are several other excellent products available in grocery and health food stores, by mail or through distributors.
Fabric softener - Add 1 cup of vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda to the final rinse or put a little hydrogen peroxide onto a wash cloth and toss it into the dryer.
Bleach - Whiten and freshen clothes by adding vinegar, lemon, borax, hydrogen peroxide, or oxygen-based bleaches to the wash cycle.
Stain remover - Prior to washing, rub a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening directly into stains (with a wooden or white plastic spoon) and wash. Presoak wine, blood, or chocolate stains in club soda. Prior to washing, sponge perspiration stains with white vinegar or lemon juice.
Water softener - Add 1/2 cup borax or baking soda to the wash.
Chemical remover - Add about 1 cup of milk to the wash cycle to help remove formaldehyde and other chemicals residing in new clothes and linens.
FRESHENERS
Air freshener - Use a small bowl of cotton balls soaked in essential oil or vanilla. Boil fresh or dried mint leaves or spices in water. Mix water with lemon juice and use as a spray mist from a bottle. Let in lots of fresh air!
Carpet freshener - In a 24-ounce container mix 16 ounces of baking soda with 10 drops of essential oil (such as mint or lemon). Sprinkle lightly on carpet, let it sit for an hour, vacuum.
