Today I want to talk about homemade substitutions for cleaning products that are safe, non-toxic and cheap.

Most houses in today's world are full with chemicals that are toxic and pollute the environment. Many of these cleaning products can be replaced with homemade formulas that are more environmentally conscious and cheaper.  

Things that you will need

Baking Soda: Cleans, deodorizes and softens water

Soap: Unscented soaps or bars that are biodegradable. Avoid soaps that contain petroleum distillates.

Lemon: Effective against most household bacteria.

Isopropyl Alcohol or Ethyl Alcohol: Disinfectant.

Cornstarch: Cleans windows, polishes furniture, shampoos carpets and rugs.

Sodium borate or Borax: Cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.

Tennis balls: Throw 2 or 3 tennis balls into the dryer you are drying comforters, fluffy coats, pillows, or anything else that could use a good fluffing. Tennis balls can also help any laundry load dry faster.

White Vinegar: Cuts grease, deodorizes, removes mildew great to use in rinse cycle on laundry and dishwasher machine.The acetic acid in vinegar kills viruses, germs, bacteria and mold. It also dissolves tough mineral deposits and stains like those found in sinks, toilets and tubs.

Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.

Cleaning formulas

Laundry Detergent: Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads. Commercial natural, biodegradable laundry detergents are also now available online and in select stores.

Fabric softener: a half-cup or so of vinegar in the rinse cycle softens clothes. To reduce static cling, dampen your hands, then shake out your clothes as you remove them from the drier. Line-drying clothing is another alternative.

Dryer: Place 2 tennis balls into your dryer along with wet clothing. Run normal cycle.

Bleach for white clothing: If you want to whiten your whites, pour about a cup full of hydrogen peroxide in with your laundry along with your normal washing detergent.

All-Purpose Cleaner: Create your own all-purpose cleaner by filling a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. Then, shake up the mixture, and you're ready for your next cleaning spree.

This is inexpensive, it has no harsh chemicals, is an effective sanitizer, effective stain remover and safe for most surfaces.

Do not use on marble

Test on a small area before using on finished wood surfaces or tile

As with any cleaner, you should avoid all contact with the eyes and prolonged contact with the skin

Tennis Balls: Use them to remove scuffs on floors by placing a tennis ball on the end of a broom so it’s always handy.

To keep flies away when you are outdoors cover a tennis ball in Vaseline and hang it from a tree.

Dishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard.

Dishwashing Soap: Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not themselves harmful, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs.

Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)

To disinfect kitchen sponges, put them in the dishwasher when running a load.

Air Freshener and deodorizers: Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.

Houseplants help reduce odors in the home.

Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. 

To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water. 

Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.

Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.

Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove. 

Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.

Sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming it deodorizes carpets.

To deodorize a garage or basements set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hours

Mold and mildew: Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower. You may also try white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby.

Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.

For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.

For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.

Chopping block cleaner: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe.

Coffee and tea stains: Stains in cups can be removed by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. To clean a teakettle or coffee maker, add 2 cups water and 1/4 cup vinegar; bring to a boil. Let cool, wipe with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly with water.

Drain Cleaner: For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain. 

Lime Deposits: You can reduce lime deposits in your teakettle by putting in 1/2 cup (125ml) white vinegar and 2 cups water, and gently boiling for a few minutes. Rinse well with fresh water while kettle is still warm.

To remove lime scale on bathroom fixtures, squeeze lemon juice onto affected areas and let sit for several minutes before wiping clean with a wet cloth.

Marks on walls and painted surfaces: Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse.

Stainless steel: clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar, or olive oil. For stainless cookware, mix 4 tbs baking soda in 1 qt water, and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a clean cloth. For stainless steel sinks, pour some club soda on an absorbent cloth to clean, then wipe dry using a clean cloth.

Oil and Grease Spots: For small spills on the garage floor, add baking soda and scrub with wet brush.

Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. 

Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue.

Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag.

Sticky things like price tags on tool and stickers on walls: Sponge vinegar over them several times, and wait 15 minutes, then rub off the stickers.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.

Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)

Wallpaper Remover: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water, apply with sponge over the old wallpaper to soften the adhesive. Peel of the lifting paper and reapply the mixture to stubborn patches. Open the room windows or use a fan to dissipate the pungent vinegar smell.

Window Cleaner: Truth is I have tried a lot of different formulas but the one that has worked the best is

1/4 c. rubbing alcohol

1/4 c. white vinegar

1 Tbsp cornstarch

2 c. warm water

Tip: For extra-shiny, streak-free mirrors only use the black and white newspapers, not the colored ones. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying.

I you have tried different versions of these cleaning formulas share them with us!!!