Do It Yourself
(It's cheaper, safer & environmentally sound)

Natural cleaners and household products don't pollute streams and
rivers and don't poison our earth...or you.

In our kitchen cupboards are a surprising number of natural, non-chemical
alternatives to many commercial household products.  For example, to help
control ants in the kitchen, rather than spraying with a commercial
insecticide, wash countertops, cabinets and floors with equal parts of
vinegar and water or pour a line of cream of tartar where they enter the
house -- ants won't cross the line!  Here are some other helpful
household hints:

Water softener
    1/4 cup vinegar in final rinse
Oil stains
    White chalk rubbed in before wash
Glass cleaner
    White vinegar & water or rubbing alcohol & water
Copper Cleaner
    Paste of lemon juice, salt & flour, or rub vinegar & salt into copper.
Household Cleaner
    3 TBS baking soda mixed into 1 qt warm water
Drain Cleaner
    1/2 cup baking soda, then 1/2 cup vinegar
Stainless Steel Polish
    Baking soda or mineral oil for shining, vinegar removes spots
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
    Vinegar.
Coffee/Wine Stains
    Blot with club soda
Mildew Remover
    Lemon juice & salt or white vinegar & salt
Lineoleum Floor Cleaner/Wax
    Mop with 1 cup white vinegar mixed with 2 gallons of water to
    remove dull, greasy film.  Polish with club soda
Mothballs
    Cedar chips or dried lavender sachets
Drain Cleaner
    Prevent clogging by flushing drain weekly with boiling water.
    If clogged, pour 1/2 cup baking soda, then 1/2 cup vinegar
    down drain.
Air Freshener
    Leave open box of baking soda in room.  Or add cloves and
    cinnamon to boiling water and simmer.  Or use fresh flowers
    or herbs.
Flea & Tick Repellent
    Feed brewer's yeast and garlic to companion animals.
    Fennel, rue and rosemary repel fleas.  Place eucalyptus seeds
    and leaves around animal sleeping areas.
Chemical Fertilizer
    Compost.
Cooking Utensils
    Let pots and pans soak in a baking soda solution before washing.
Furniture Polish
    Mix three parts olive oil and one part vinegar and use a soft
    cloth; or mix one part lemon juice with two parts olive oil
    and use a soft cloth.
Headlight, Mirror, Windshield Cleaner
    Wipe with a damp cloth or sponge sprinkled with dry baking soda.
    Rinse with water and dry with soft towel.

11 responses total.

How about Murphy's Oil Soap?  Smells good, biodegradable, and no rinse needed.
(not on your dishes I guess)

For the lazy, you can buy Simple Green concentrate and other non-toxic
cleaning products.

This response has been erased.

I have heard that a borax solution makes a good all purpose cleaner.

I've always wanted to use these methods, but at home my mother thought I was
being lazy if I let the dishes soak.  Eventually I'll have my own apt. again
and not this hassle...
Yes, she lives in Waste Bloomfield.

Very nice Craig.....Much better than the "Beavis & Butthead .cf.......

Thanks.  Huh huh.

thankyou

Anyone know of a natural product to use to eliminate rust?

I have used baig soda with vinegar (rather more soda than vinegar) with some
success.  I followed it up with a coat of oil.

The commercial rust removers contain phosphoric acid, which I think is a major
ingredient of carbonated beverages.  Have not tried Coca Cola on rust. 
Phosphoric acid also dissolved hard-water deposits (and teeth).

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