All Purpose Cleaner

Vinegar or lemon juice full strength for tougher stains, or diluted with water for regular cleaning. For more persistent stains, 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach per quart of water.

You can also try mixing 3 tablespoons baking soda with one quart warm water.

Aerosol Sprays

Use pump sprays instead of aerosol whenever possible.

Glass / Window Cleaner

Mix 1/4 cup vinegar or rubbing alcohol in one quart warm water. Wipe with newspaper.

 

 

Scouring Cleanser

Use baking soda as a paste or diluted with water (DO NOT USE ON ALUMINUM); or salt or borax sprinkled on a sponge.

Drain Cleaner

Pour 2 to 4 quarts of boiling water down the drain weekly, or pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup warm vinegar down the drain and after 15 minutes flush with boiling water. For clogged drains, use a plunger or a snake.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Pour 1/2 cup liquid chlorine bleach in toilet bowl. Let soak for 1/2 hour, then scrub with brush and flush.

Oven Cleaner

Place a dish of ammonia in oven overnight. Next day, add water to ammonia and clean interior or fill a spray bottle with equal parts ammonia and water. Spray on oven walls, close door and after several hours or overnight, wipe clean. You can also try mixing 3 tablespoons baking soda with one quart warm water. Sprinkle salt on spills while fresh; scrub.

Silver Polish

Rub with baking soda paste or soak silver in a porcelain pan for 5 minutes with a piece of aluminum foil and enough water to cover. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda per quart of water.

Copper Cleaner

Pour vinegar and salt over surface and rub.

Ant Control

Sprinkle cream of tartar across ant's path. They won't cross it.

 

Insecticide

Mix 2 to 4 tablespoons liquid soap in 1 gallon of water. Spray on foliage. Test first as soap may damage some plant foliage.

Latex Paint

To dispose of small amounts of leftover latex paint, leave the container in a well-ventilated area until the paint is completely dried out. Then deposit entire container in the trash.

 

A Few More Ideas

• Before purchasing a product, read the label carefully to make sure it will do what you want it to do.
• Buy what you need. Use it up. Throw away the empty container in the trash.
• Except for pesticides, give leftovers to a friend or neighbor who can use them up. Be sure to keep the product in its original container, with the original label and any precautionary leaflets.