1. Scrubbing the Toilet Bowl

You can cut down on both harmful chemicals and costs by making your own cleaners from products that are probably already in your pantry.

Many kitchen basics also serve as grease cutters, abrasives, surfactants, disinfectants, or deodorizers. For instance, acidic items like lemon juice, vinegar, and ketchup can cut grease, whether it’s on your windows or in your oven. Abrasives like baking soda, salt, and even coffee grounds can scour away crud at the bottom of pots or inside the bathtub. Coconut oil is just one example of a surfactant, which is a substance that reduces the surface tension between liquids or liquids and solids. In other words, it attaches to dirt molecules and makes them slippery so they slide off of surfaces.
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, and medicine-cabinet regulars like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and tea tree oil are common ingredients in homemade disinfectants.

To learn more about keeping your home fresh and clean without harmful chemicals, check out this collection of our 10+ favorite pantry powerhouses.

1. Salt

Salt is abrasive and absorbent, and it has disinfected properties to boot! Put its strengths to good use by sprinkling salt on fresh grease stains in the oven. When the oven cools, wipe clean with a soft cloth. It’s also great for removing stuck-on food from finicky cast-iron pans: Just add a cup or so of kosher salt and a little warm water to the pan, and scrub lightly. Dry immediately and thoroughly.

2. Lemons

The fresh scent and acidic properties of lemons can work wonders around the house. Clean wooden cutting boards by rubbing them with half a freshly cut lemon; add some coarse salt for a more abrasive, deeper clean. The lemon-and-salt trick also works well for getting rid of soap scum on shower doors: Sprinkle coarse salt on half a lemon, rub it on the shower door, let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes, scrub, and then rinse. When you’re done, toss the lemon rind in the garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.

3. Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar, another helpful acid, shines at removing stains from tablecloths or clothing: Combine 2 tablespoons cream of tartar with 2 drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or lemon essential oil. Add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste over the stain and allow it to dry before washing. Cream of tartar is also handy for getting coffee stains out of mugs, carafes, and other containers. Put a tablespoon or so of cream of tartar in a mug, add a little water to make a paste, let it sit, then rinse.

4. Ketchup

Given that tomatoes and vinegar are key ingredients in ketchup, it’s not surprising that this tangy condiment is mildly acidic—a characteristic that makes ketchup good at removing tarnish from copper and brass. Simply mix a half cup of ketchup with 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar. Spread on the copper and let stand for about 15 minutes (if heavily tarnished, up to an hour). Rinse first in soapy water and then in clean water. Dry thoroughly. Ketchup is also effective at getting rid of tarnish on cast iron.

5. Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil has plenty of uses beyond wrapping up last night’s leftovers. For starters, it helps easily remove tarnish from silver. Place silver items in a sink or pan filled with water. Add 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar or baking soda along with a few strips of aluminum foil. Let the silver soak for an hour or until it’s tarnish-free. Rinse well, and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

6. Vanilla Extract

Put vanilla’s pleasant, clean smell to work around the kitchen. For a fresh-smelling refrigerator, pour 2 ounces of vanilla extract (imitation is fine) into a saucer or a small, shallow bowl. Place the vanilla on a lower shelf and leave it for a few days. Similarly, you can deodorize your microwave by putting 4 teaspoons of vanilla and 2 cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl and heating it in the appliance. Once the water boils, turn off the microwave, let the bowl sit for 30 minutes, and then remove it. Finish by wiping down the inside of the microwave.

7. Olive Oil

That same olive oil that livens up your dressings and marinades can also energize surfaces around the house. To keep terra-cotta pots looking clean and new, coat them inside and out with a light layer of olive oil. To make leather shine, rub on some olive oil, let it sit, and then wipe off the excess.

8. Sliced Bread

The next time you have to deal with a broken glass, sweep up the larger pieces and then grab a slice of bread. Use the bread to sponge up the remaining shards and the dust-like specks that the broom missed, then carefully throw the bread away. As well, stale bread can be used to remove smudges and fingerprints from painted and papered walls. Remove the crust, roll the bread into a tight ball, and then dab it at the offending smudge.

9. Mayonnaise

Everybody’s favorite condiment really shines—literally—at cleaning. Remove water rings from finished wood by applying mayo to the stain and letting it sit for a few hours. Wipe it away with a clean cloth, then buff dry. And if your houseplants are dull and dusty, apply a little mayo to the leaves and polish them up to give your plants a healthy glow.

10. Rice

Rice is absorbent, which is why restaurants typically put a few grains in their salt shakers to prevent the salt from clumping. That absorbency also makes rice a good candidate for cleaning the coffee grinder. Pour in 1 or 2 tablespoons of rice, grind it up, and then pour it out. The rice will have captured some of the oils and residue, leaving the grinder much cleaner. Rice is also good for cleaning vases and other awkwardly shaped glassware and ceramics. Pour a little uncooked rice into a dirty vase. Add water and a little dishwashing liquid, and then swirl it around. The rice will help scour the inside of the vase, getting into those hard-to-reach spots. When you’re done, dump out the rice and water, rinse out the vase, and let it dry.

11. Cornstarch

To clean windows and leave them with a streak-free shine, add cornstarch to your homemade vinegar-and-water cleaning solution (1 tablespoon cornstarch per 3 cups of liquid). What’s more, cornstarch can clean more than just windows. A solution of 1 part cornstarch and 2 parts water makes a lightly abrasive scrub for dirty pots and pans, or sinks and tubs (it’s a good idea, however, to check the manufacturer’s care instructions on these items first).

Here’s a tip for those who love plush toys: When it’s time to freshen up and deodorize your menagerie of non-washable stuffed animals, first vacuum and spot clean them, then toss them into a large bag along with 1 or 2 cups of cornstarch. Close the bag, shake it well to coat the toys, and let sit for a few hours. Remove the stuffed animals from the bag and shake them out or vacuum them before returning them to the toy box.

12. Baking Soda

This cleaning powerhouse works its magic in every room of the house. It’s a gentle abrasive that absorbs odors and, when mixed with water, dissolves dirt. Freshen carpets by sprinkling baking soda, letting it sit for a few hours, then vacuuming it up. To clean bathroom grout, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the dirty grout, and then spray it with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water. Wait a few minutes, scrub with a brush, and then rinse.

13. Vinegar

Vinegar may be the most versatile cleaner and disinfectant around. Among its other uses, it descales coffeepots, cleans grout, makes windows sparkle, and disinfects cutting boards and countertops. You can even use it to clean your oven. To manage caked-on residue, first, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Then mix vinegar, water, and baking soda in a deep, wide casserole dish, and place it in the preheated oven for about 20 or 30 minutes, adding hot water when the water level gets low. Let the oven cool a bit, then wipe down the interior.

There are plenty of products out there that claim to do a great job with burned-on food, but most are fairly expensive. There are other options. Surprisingly, the best solutions to burned-on food in a pot or pan are all-natural and easy. The best solutions are built around the idea that heat plus abrasive substances can do the trick.

Baking Soda, Water, and Detergent

For baking pans, baked-on gunk, one of the best solutions is a mix of baking soda, hot water, and dishwashing liquid. Allow the pots and pans to soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub out the pots and pans with a plastic scrubber, double-checking the curves of the dish. If your pans are still yucky, try adding the same solution again and heating the pan on the stove until it boils. Then try scrubbing again.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Vinegar is an acid, and baking soda is an abrasive. Together, they can help you save your pots and pans. Start by boiling a mixture of vinegar and water in the pot or pan. This will loosen the burned-on food. Carefully remove the pots and pans from heat, dump out the liquid, and add baking soda. When they have cooled enough, scrub pots and pans with more baking soda and a plastic scrubber.

Alka-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer is an amazing workhorse of a product. Not only can it relieve indigestion, but it can also help you clean a surprising range of things around the house, including burned-on food. Just put hot water in your pot or pan, add about six Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let them fizz. ​The citric acid in the Alka Seltzer will start to work. When you return after an hour or so, use hot water, detergent, and a strong scrubber to clean off almost any mess.

Dryer Sheets

A strange-but-true option for cleaning grungy pots or pans is to use a new or used dryer sheet. It is not quite clear why this works, but many home-making mavens including Martha Stewart swear by the method. Simply put a dryer sheet into a pot with hot water, wait an hour, and scrub. The mess will be much easier to manage.

Prevent Pot Burns

Once you have cleaned and dried your pots and pans, it may be worth your while to invest in a good wooden spoon and a timer to avoid running into the same problem next time.

Ingredients and Preparation

All you need are to follow two natural ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon (100 drops) of French lavender essential oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
• 16 ounces of distilled white vinegar

Instructions

Add the essential oil to the distilled white vinegar.

Using a funnel if necessary, pour the mixture into a glass jar or bottle.

Shake well and label accordingly so that it’s clear it’s meant for laundry uses and not for cooking!

To use, shake the jar to reincorporate the essential oils into the vinegar and add ¼ cup to your laundry’s final rinse cycle or to the fabric softener tray if your washing machine has one. For especially large loads, add up to 1/2 cup.

Tips for Using Essential Oils

• Feel free to replace the lavender with other essential oils that are great for laundry use, such as eucalyptus, which is great for dust mites.
• Also, when purchasing scents for your laundry rinses, be sure that you are buying pure essential oils and if possible, organic ones. They are often available from natural food markets, vitamin stores, and aromatherapy suppliers.
• This is a great product to make for gifts since it’s so economical and easy to make. Create some extra fancy labels or gift tags noting the benefits and uses of the product if you give them away as gifts.
• Many vinegar brands are available for purchase in different sizes. Simply purchase a 16-ounce bottle, remove the label, add the essential oils, and re-label the bottle. What could be easier?
• If you have a jumbo size vinegar bottle and need a jar or bottle for storing your vinegar rinse, consider re-purposing a mayonnaise jar or glass milk jar.

How Does This Rinse Work?

Vinegar’s acidic properties help remove any remaining traces of alkaline detergent and mineral deposits, which results in the soft, bright laundry. In addition, the acetic acid and other properties in vinegar help naturally combat mold, viruses, and bacteria, so it is a great addition to your wash when cleaning rags or especially dirty clothes.

Lavender naturally scents your laundry and also has inherent germ-fighting properties due to its antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, and fungicidal actions. It also acts as a natural moth repellent.

You can also use this rinse to clean your washing machine. To remove mold, built-up soap scum, or mineral deposits, add one cup of this rinse to a hot-water wash cycle and run the machine empty. This is a great thing to do for periodic machine maintenance, too.

Common Sense Cautions

• It is important that you use essential oils safely. If you get essential oils in your eyes, flush with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Consult a doctor if irritation persists. If you get essential oils on your skin, wash with soapy warm water. One exception: lavender doesn’t harm the skin; in fact, it is often used directly on the skin to treat burns, insect bites, etc.
• Vinegar can irritate your eyes if contact occurs. Flush liberally with water for 5 to 10 minutes if the product gets in your eyes.
• Don’t ever mix vinegar with chlorine bleach. It will create toxic chlorine gas.

Brief History Of Vinegar

Ever since man discovered and mastered fermentation, there has been vinegar. In fact, the name vinegar derives from vyn egre, which means sour wine. The two, vinegar and wine, or alcohol, go hand in hand. Fermentation of sugars without oxygen produces alcohol, while fermentation with oxygen produces vinegar.

As long as we have been making alcohol, we have been making and using vinegar. The Greeks added vinegar to water and honey to make oxycrat. Think of it as the first sports drink.

Getting into cleaning during the plague of the 14th century, European doctors washed their hands in vinegar when seeing patients. Doctors even instructed families to wash everything down with vinegar after the plague went through the house.

This pattern repeated itself during various cholera outbreaks, where many used vinegar as a general disinfectant to minimize the spread of, or to recover from, the disease.

Vinegar has also been historically used for cleaning greasy and sooty surfaces, such as stoves and windows, as well as polishing metals.

It worked for them. Let’s see how easy it is to make it work for you.

Evergreen Scented Vinegar Recipe

Evergreen scented vinegar is surprisingly easy to make. Move aside your visions of some complicated chemistry experiment.

First, it has two ingredients: vinegar and evergreen needles.

Second, it has two instructions: mix and wait.

Not to be too glib about it, it is in fact that easy. Let’s look deeper.

Vinegar

Not all vinegar is created equal. There’s apple cider vinegar, malt vinegar, and red wine vinegar. And that is just scratching the surface. Luckily, you will need white vinegar.

White vinegar is clean, clear, and acidic enough to benefit in cleaning chores.

While you can use other vinegar, most have a slight color (as in apple cider vinegar) or are strongly colored (as in red wine vinegar). These run the risk of staining the very items you want to clean.

Therefore, stick to white vinegar. You can buy it cheaply and in bulk. We usually purchase a two-gallon set whenever they go on sale.

Evergreens

Evergreens are free, as long as they grow in your area. You can use any type of evergreen if you like their smell. In my area, white pine is the predominant species. These long-needled trees are perfect for your evergreen scented vinegar. A fist-full is easy to harvest and provides enough evergreen for a pint of vinegar.

Spruce is also common, especially at Christmas time. A cup of needles can be quickly pulled off of a few branches. Simply rub the needles “against the grain” on the stem and into a pint jar. You can even scoop up the needles that fall off your tree. Even if they are a little dry, they’re fine to use.

Making Evergreen Scented Vinegar

Now that you have your two ingredients, you are all ready to make up a batch.

Add a cup of your evergreen needles to a pint jar, or two cups to a quart jar. Next, add the vinegar.

If you want to speed up the process, heat the vinegar before adding the needles. There is no need to get it boiling. Heat to steaming then adds it to the jar with the needles.

Once you have combined your two ingredients, cap off the jar and find somewhere cool and dark.

Your evergreen scented vinegar needs to soak for 4 to 6 weeks. You can let it go longer and the scent will become stronger. Crack open the jar every few weeks to give it a smell and see if the evergreen scent is strong enough.

You can keep the needles soaking for several months. When you choose to use your evergreen scented vinegar, strain out the evergreen and transfer the vinegar to a new container.

Any dark container or clear glass container kept in a dark storage space will do. You can even store it in a spray bottle for quick use.

Cleaning With Evergreen Scented Vinegar

Evergreen scented vinegar has a place is most homes as a daily cleaner. The acidic nature of it cuts through oils, greases, and waxes. The acid removes these much quicker than using water alone. This even makes it great for soap scum!

It is this same acid that helps disinfect surfaces. The mild acid of your evergreen scented vinegar kills bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. While there are much more effective disinfectants that you should use, in times of sickness, for daily cleaning vinegar, won’t be as harsh on your household – or your nose!

Your evergreen scented vinegar will also make short work of any lime or mineral scale on faucets and drains. This works for sinks, showers, and tubs. If the scale is stubborn, soak a few paper towels or cotton towels in your evergreen scented vinegar and drape over the mineral scale. Add a few tablespoons of vinegar every 30 minutes until the scale has loosened up, and you can wipe it off.

You can add ¼ to ½ cup of your evergreen scented vinegar to the dishwater to help in cleaning dishes (rinse well afterwards). You can even cut it with equal parts of water to wash your windows.

Don’t use on acid-vulnerable material such as marble, granite, limestone, aluminum, stainless steel, and waxed wood. Over time, the mild acid in your evergreen scented vinegar can stain and even damage these surfaces.

Cleaning Up Evergreen Scented Vinegar

Cleaning and maintain a hygienic environment is not as sexy as most of preparedness. It doesn’t put food on your table. It doesn’t go boom. Quite honestly, it’s kind of boring.

Boring or not, it is no less important than food, medical supplies or security supplies. A personal environment left to its own devices will breed infection and disease. Eventually, it will catch up with you. Sickness can at best diminish your ability to function temporarily. At its worst, it can leave you permanently disabled.

Maintenance of your environment is as easy as a quick wipe down with a fresh batch of evergreen scented vinegar.

If you’re interested in making this, make sure to consult your doctor to determine which choice is appropriate for your skin type.

1. Eucalyptus deodorant

You will need:

• 1/4 cup of witch hazel water
• 25 drops of lemon essential oil
• 25 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• Spray bottle

Witch hazel flower has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as do essential oils, which help prevent the appearance of the bacteria that causes bad odors and even helps remove skin spots.

To make this liquid deodorant at home you should mix the ingredients well inside a previously washed spray bottle.

2. Lavender water and vinegar

You will need:

• 15 drops of lavender essential oil
• 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 sprig of lavender
• 1 cup of water

Lavender is known for its pleasant aroma, but it also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Vinegar also has those properties, however, if applied directly to the skin, it can cause irritation, and that is why water is so important since it will dilute the ingredients.

In a previously sanitized container, mix the water with the vinegar and the oil drops. Wash the lavender sprig well and add the flowers into the mixture. Let it sit for 10 hours before using it.

3. White clay deodorant

You will need:

• 50 g of baking soda.
• 25 ml of coconut oil
• 50 g of white clay
• 10 drops of calendula essential oil
• A glass jar

White clay helps absorb toxins from the skin and heal infections, while calendula essential oil is used in the treatment of skin lesions and as a remedy for inflammation.

Mix the ingredients until you get a homogeneous mixture. You can store the product for up to a year if you keep it in a cool, dark, and dry place.

4. Roses and flaxseed lotion

You will need:

• 1/2 cup of rose water
• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 1/4 cup of distilled water
• 1 tbsp of flax seeds
• A glass jar

Rosewater is widely used in the cosmetic world thanks to its vitamin C content, which prevents oxidation. On the other hand, flax seeds are capable of helping in the treatment of acne and of retaining hydration in the skin.

Boil the flax seeds in distilled water for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Then strain the solution and add the baking soda and rose water and stir. Store in a glass jar at room temperature.

5. Baking soda and cornstarch

You will need:

• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 tbsp of coconut oil
• 10 drops of rosemary essential oil

Baking soda has antibacterial properties and so does coconut oil, which is also anti-inflammatory and hydrating. Rosemary essential oil can be replaced by any other aroma, although this particular one gives elasticity to the skin.

For its preparation, you should mix the ingredients evenly to get a deodorant paste. Apply moderately and wait a little bit until the oil is absorbed, to retain its effectiveness.

6. Solid vanilla deodorant

You will need:

• 20 g of beeswax
• 25 g of shea butter
• 40 g of sweet almond oil
• 20 g of zinc oxide
• 4 vitamin E capsules
• 3 drops of vanilla essence

Beeswax can improve the skin’s barrier and contains a certain UV protection factor. Zinc oxide protects the skin from bacteria by eliminating bad odors, and vitamin E is known for providing elasticity to the skin.

To prepare this deodorant, melt the beeswax, sweet almond oil, and shea butter in a double boiler. Remove from the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and pour the liquid mixture into the container. You can use it once it has completely solidified.

7. Citrus deodorant

You will need:

• 3 tbsp of baking soda
• Peel of 4 lemons
• Peel of 3 oranges
• 3/4 cup sea salt
• 1 liter of water

The magnesium found in sea salt can have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, and thanks to their high vitamin C content, citrus peels have antibacterial properties, in addition to having a fresh aroma.

Cut the peels into small pieces and boil in a liter of water for 5 minutes. When finished, strain the water and let it cool. Subsequently, mix with all the ingredients to form a paste that you can pour into a container of your choice. Apply with your fingers.

8. Aloe vera deodorant gel

You will need:

• 2 tbsp of aloe vera pulp
• 1 tbsp of lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tbsp of baking soda
• 1 tbsp of rose water
• 1 tsp of glycerin

Aloe has various properties that make it one of the best natural options for healthy skin: it keeps skin hydrated and young, and it has healed, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. Glycerin is a powerful moisturizer that protects the skin.

First, mix the lemon juice with the baking soda overheat and bring it to a boil, then add the rose water and remove the pan from the heat source. Let it cool and add the rest of the ingredients. Keep the mixture in a glass jar.

9. Grapefruit deodorant

You will need:

• 5 tbsp of coconut oil
• 1/4 tbsp of baking soda
• 1/2 tbsp of cornstarch
• 20 drops of grapefruit essential oil

Cornstarch can help keep underarm skin undamaged by friction from clothing or natural body movements.

Refreshing grapefruit essential oil energizes and enlightens the senses. In addition to its delicious aroma, it has antibacterial properties.

Mix the ingredients until you get a homogeneous mixture and store in a previously cleaned glass jar. You can apply the deodorant using your fingers or with a tongue depressor.

10. Probiotic deodorant

You will need:

• 1/2 cup of cocoa butter
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 3 probiotic capsules (without refrigeration)
• 15 drops of sandalwood essential oil

Cocoa butter has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thanks to its polyphenol content, it can protect the skin from sun damage. Probiotics have antibacterial properties and have favorable effects on the skin, they are anti-inflammatory and can prevent acne.

To prepare this deodorant, melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a water bath. Remove from the heat and, when the mixture cools down a little, add the other ingredients. Pour them into a container while they’re still in liquid form, and as soon as the mixture solidifies, you can use it.

Which of these recipes would you like to try? Do you know of any other recipes that we can add to our list? What do you think of natural deodorants? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Unfortunately, manufacturers frequently modify the product’s name but not its content, expecting that simply adding the term “eco” to the label will clean the globe.

We gathered a list of organic detergent alternatives that are completely safe for both humans and the environment.

Raw potato

Potato isn’t only an excellent ingredient for cooking delights. You can quickly clean your kitchen using a raw potato. Moreover, it will help you remove dust from your favorite paintings!

Potato can replace window and tile cleaners.

How to use it:

• To clean paintings, grate 0.5 kg (1 lb) of raw potatoes, fill a pot with four liters of water, heat it, stir, and put the pot in a warm place for 24 hours. The next day, wipe paintings with this mixture. It’s important to rinse the sponge in clean water frequently and wring it well.
• Just rub windows and tiles in the bathroom with a slice of raw potato, and then wipe the surfaces with a clean and dry cloth.

Salt

This is the cheapest “cleaning product,” and it can be found in any kitchen. You can use salt in plenty of ways in your daily life.

It can be a cleaner for your kitchen, bath, sanitary ware, and even as a stain remover.

How to use it:

• To clean and disinfect kitchen sponges and washcloths, put them in a bowl with salt water.
• To get rid of unpleasant smells, apply salt diluted in carbonated water on the door and inner parts of the fridge before defrosting or washing it.
• To clean a wool bedside rug, strew it with salt, sprinkle with water, wait for half an hour, and then vacuum it.

Baking soda and mustard

These won’t hurt your wallet at all. Baking soda has abrasive properties, and mustard is an oil-repellent.

You can use these instead of dishwashing detergents and cleaners for the oven, sanitary ware, and kitchen worktops.

How to use it:

• 1 teaspoon of mustard powder with a few liters of hot water is all you need to shine even the oiliest pans.
• Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on a dirty carpet, gently rub it with a brush, and then vacuum it.

Lemon

Lemon is an excellent disinfectant that can remove oil, dirt, and soap scum from tiles. Moreover, it protects surfaces against mold growth, and it’s also a natural air freshener.

It’s a great substitute for all kitchen and bathroom detergents.

How to use it:

• Wipe the fish or meat cutting board with lemon to disinfect it and get rid of unpleasant odors.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in 400 ml of water and put it in the microwave for ten minutes on high. It will completely clean the microwave from the inside.
• You can easily remove limescale from the tap with lemon juice.

Vinegar

This is a universal cleaner to keep your home clean and fresh. Vinegar is an excellent remover of calcium stains and stale patches. In order to avoid the strong vinegar smell, just add a drop of lavender essential oil in it.

Vinegar can be a substitute for all cleaners for mirrors, windows, sanitary ware, tiles, and floors.

How to use it:

• Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to a liter of water, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and wash the windows and mirrors with it.
• Apply vinegar on tiles in the bathroom, wait for 10 minutes, and wash it away with clean water.
• To remove the old limescale from your sink, place a rag soaked in hot vinegar on top of the dirty area. After half an hour, you can easily remove the limescale with a brush and ordinary soap.
• Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a liter of water to remove white stains from the floor after home repair.

Coca-Cola or Pepsi

These can easily remove even serious dirt, as well as lime and soap stains.

It’s a great cleaner for almost everything: showers, baths, taps, sanitary ware, tiles, burnt dishes, and ovens.

How to use it:

• Boil Coca-Cola or Pepsi in a pan with a burnt bottom to make it look like a new one.
• It removes rust and corrosion from any home items.
• Pour Coca-Cola or Pepsi into the drain pipe and leave it overnight to clean it from hair and dirt.

Vitamin C

These effervescent tablets perfectly clean dirty sanitary ware without any effort from your side.

This is a substitute for sanitary ware cleaners.

How to use it:

To clean a toilet bowl from lime deposits under the waterline, throw a few effervescent tablets of vitamin C there and leave them in overnight. The next morning, you can remove the plaque with a cleaning brush and flush the toilet.

Olive oil

This is the best cleaner for even the most expensive furniture. In addition, it’s very cost-effective – you only need a couple of drops for cleaning. Olive oil also refreshes and polishes wooden surfaces.

This is a great substitute for polish and wood surface cleaners.

How to use it:

Place a couple of drops on cotton fabric to refresh and polish wood or leather furniture and parquet.
To protect wicker furniture against cracking, wipe it with olive oil from time to time.

Essential oils

Oils are the best air fresheners and excellent disinfectors. Using them, you can turn the cleaning process into aromatherapy. Oils can prevent mold and mildew growth on walls.

You can use them as an air freshener, disinfectant, wood floor cleaner, and anti-mildew cleaner.

How to use it:

• Wipe all the surfaces where bacteria can accumulate with lavender oil or tea tree oil – kitchen worktops, cutting boards, and sanitary ware.
• Add 30 drops to 5 liters of water to wash floors.
• A mixture of undiluted lemon, melissa, fir wood, juniper, thyme, mint, lavender, and fir oils dissolves a greasy spot on the fabric within 3-5 minutes.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is always within reach. It cleans almost every surface without any effort because it’s an excellent stain remover.

This is a good substitute for abrasives, tile, and sanitary ware cleaners or stain removers.

How to use it:

• A little toothpaste can clean even the oldest silverware.
• Toothpaste is able to remove ink, makeup, butter, coffee, or tea stains on carpets. Put a bead toothpaste on the stain, leave it for a few minutes, and then wash it off.
• To remove cup stains from wooden furniture, wipe them with a soft cloth along with a bit of toothpaste.
• It easily removes traces of markers and pens from painted walls.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide disinfects any surface. It can safely be used for cleaning even the baby’s room.

This is a natural substitute for bathroom and kitchen cleaners and whiteners.

How to use it:

• It has antibacterial properties, so use it to clean work surfaces, cutting boards, and different containers for food in the kitchen.
• Mix hydrogen peroxide with lemon juice to make a natural alternative for fabric whiteners.
• If you put white dishes in a bowl with warm water and 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide for ten minutes, the plates and cups will become snowy white.

Activated charcoal tablets

These can absorb even the most unpleasant smells. This is the easiest way to trap odors from the refrigerator and trash bins.

Activated charcoal tablets are a great substitute for commercial odor traps and air fresheners.

How to use it:

Put crushed charcoal tablets in the refrigerator for a few hours to eliminate unpleasant smells.

Talcum powder

This simple product is absolutely harmless even for infants.

Using talcum powder, you can clean stains from fabrics and floors.

How to use it:

• Sprinkle a fresh greasy spot on the carpet or fabric with talcum powder, cover it with a clean piece of paper, and put something heavy on top. The next day, clean the spot and beat it out.
• Use it to clean any fresh stains from the linoleum.

1. Easy Two Ingredient Fabric Softener Crystals

These fabric softener crystals only have two ingredients and they are just as good as those more expensive Downy or Gain crystals. They are really easy to put together and you just need kosher salt and your favorite essential oils.

These are great because you can use your favorite scent or mix a few scents together to create something really unique. And, you use them just like you do those store bought crystals.

Recipe/Tutorial: helloglow

2. Homemade Kiwi Lime Fabric Softener

This liquid fabric softener recipe smells so great – it will make you think you are permanently on vacation. This one has kiwi lime hair conditioner – but you could do any scent that you want.

The conditioner is what makes your clothes so super soft and the other ingredients help to remove odor and give clothes a nice fresh look. This is a liquid softener that you add to the washing machine and it couldn’t be easier to make.

Recipe/Tutorial: ourcloverhouse

3. Baking Soda Based Fabric Softener

This fabric softener recipe has essential oils, so you can choose your favorite scent. It also has Epsom salts and baking soda to remove odors and leave your clothes feeling and smelling so fresh and clean.

You toss this into your washing machine before the rinse cycle and it dissolves very well in cold water so there is no residue left over like you have with other products.

Recipe/Tutorial: everydayroots

4. Homemade Dryer Sheets

Making your own dryer sheets is really easy and you avoid any chemicals that are included in regular dryer sheets. You just mix up the dryer sheet solution and then add it to a stack of cotton cloths that you cut into squares.

Old baby diapers are perfect for making your own dryer sheets and this is one of the easiest homemade fabric softener solutions to mix up. Pair these with DIY laundry detergent to really save a bundle when you do laundry.

Recipe/Tutorial: diynatural

5. Easiest Homemade Fabric Softener

So, if you want something really easy in terms of making your own fabric softener, here is it – use baking soda. That’s really all you need to leave your clothes soft and static free and to remove any odors that maybe didn’t come completely out in the wash.

Plus, baking soda is so cheap – much cheaper than fabric softeners and it’s really all you need to soften your clothes and keep them looking great.

Recipe/Tutorial: thehomemadeexperiment

6. Repurposed Fabric Scrap Dryer Sheets

Here is another wonderful way to make your own dryer sheets and this one lets you use up those scrap fabric pieces. You always want a good way to repurpose scrap fabric and turning those pieces into dryer sheets makes so much sense.

You can store these in an airtight container for such a long time without them drying out and you use essential oils to get the specific scent that you want.

Recipe/Tutorial: viewfromthefridge

7. All Natural Homemade Fabric Softener

If you are looking to make your own fabric softener, avoiding chemicals may be one of the reasons. This all natural fabric softener has nothing but borax, baking soda and vinegar and you can add your favorite essential oils, too.

The baking soda and vinegar help to remove odors and your essential oils will make your clothes smell amazing for days. This is a really simple, really safe and healthy homemade fabric softener to use.

Recipe/Tutorial: household-tips

8. Simple One Ingredient Liquid Fabric Softener

Cleaning vinegar is the ingredient used to make this liquid fabric softener and there are many reasons why it is great for your laundry. White cleaning vinegar is great for eliminating mildew smells and it helps with hard water, too.

If you have a lot of mineral deposits in your water, the vinegar can help to protect your clothes and leave them feeling soft and smelling great.

Recipe/Tutorial: livesimply

9. Easy All Natural Liquid Fabric Softener

Sometimes the simplest things do the most work. Take this easy homemade fabric softener for instance, it just has two ingredients and it works just as well as those really expensive natural fabric softeners in the stores.

You just need essential oils and vinegar for this one and it really does leave your clothes smelling great and feeling so soft. The vinegar helps to eliminate static cling, too.

Recipe/Tutorial: theconfidentmom

10. Homemade Wool Dryer Balls

If you haven’t used wool dryer balls, you’re really missing out. These things are great for keeping your laundry soft and static free and you can make them yourself.

They also help to shorten your drying time, which saves you money and they eliminate wrinkles. Once you have your dryer balls made, you just spray them with your favorite homemade fabric softener, like a mixture of vinegar and essential oils, and toss them in the dryer to do their job.

Kitchen: Oven cleaner

This is a lazy cleaner’s dream come true. Pour ¾ cup of clear household ammonia into a small bowl, and place it in your oven. Keeping the oven off, close the door and leave the bowl in overnight. In the morning, take the bowl out and wipe down the inside of the oven with a moist paper towel or damp sponge dipped in baking soda.

Bathroom: Mould and mildew remover

This cleaner will finally get rid of icky mould from your paint and tiles. Pour ¼ cup of chlorine bleach, three teaspoons of borax, and 1.5 cups of water in a spray bottle, shaking to mix. Keeping the room well-ventilated, spray the affected area. After it sits for ten to 20 minutes, wipe mould away.

Den: Carpet freshener

This herbal freshener doesn’t just mask odours—it truly freshens up the carpet’s fibres. In a bowl, crush a large handful of fresh lavender to release the flowers’ scent. Add a cup of baking soda and mix. Using a cheese shaker or can with holes punched in the lid, sprinkle liberally on the carpet. Let it rest for half an hour, then vacuum.

Living room: Air freshener

Sprayed with a light hand, this air freshener will perfume any room with a hint of spice. Pour ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol, 25 drops of bergamot essential oil, eight drops of clove essential oil, and five drops of lemon essential oil into a spray bottle. Shake well to combine, then add a cup of distilled water and shake again for another minute or two. Let the mixture sit for a few days to let the scent mature and blend, then give a quick spritz to freshen the room.

Kitchen: Disinfectant

Replace your normal chemical spray with this natural solution. Combine the zest of an orange with three cups of white vinegar in a container. Remove the zest and strain a cup of the liquid into a clean 32-ounce spray bottle, then fill the rest with water.

Dining room: Furniture polish

Not only does this homemade furniture polish come together in a snap, but you can just spray it and forget it—no buffing necessary. Combine ¼ cup boiled linseed oil, 1/8 cup vinegar, and 1/8 cup whiskey in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spritz onto a clean cloth and wipe it on. As the alcohol evaporates, it will take the dullness away with it.

Hallway: Wall cleaner

To get scuff marks and stains off the walls without harming your paint job, combine ½ cup borax, 1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia, ¼ cup white vinegar, and a gallon of water in a large bucket. Use a clean sponge to apply the solution to the wall, going from bottom to top to avoid streaks. Finish by using another sponge to rinse with plain water.

Garden: Fertilizer

The acidity in coffee grounds makes acid-loving plants like conifers, azaleas, and rhododendrons happy. Leaving a six-inch ring between the plant’s trunk and your mulch, spread a three-inch thick mulch of the grounds (after you’ve made your coffee with them!) around the base of those plants. If you need more, many cafes will be happy to let you have theirs for free.

Laundry room: Fabric softener

This DIY fabric softener is cheaper than any store-bought version. Fill the machine with water, then add ¼ cup of baking soda, followed by the dirty clothes. During the final rinse cycle, pour ½ cup of vinegar into the softener dispenser or straight into the machine, depending on your model.

Bathroom: Toilet bowl cleaner

This homemade cleaner is powerful enough to get your dirtiest areas squeaky clean without using chlorine. Mix 2/3 cup of borax with 1/3 cup of lemon juice in a bowl. Apply the paste to the toilet bowl with a sponge and let it sit for two hours. Then scrub the borax-lemon juice mixture away and flush the toilet.

Kitchen: Cabinet cleaner

Spruce up dingy cupboards with this cleaning solution that removes dust, dirt, and odour. Combine a cup of clear household ammonia, one cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of baking soda, and one gallon of warm water in a large bucket. Use a sponge to apply it to the cabinets, then wipe up excess liquid with a clean cloth.

Yard: Weed killer

It can be tough to dig weeds out of small crevices, like between flagstones or in cracks of a footpath. Get rid of them easily by dousing the unwanted plants with boiling water. Repeat the next day if they haven’t withered. Just don’t use this method near gardens, where the hot water could kill your precious plants.

Use preventative care

Protect your white sneakers so they stay cleaner, longer. Snag a bottle of water and stain repellent at the shoe store, and spritz away before strutting around in your pristine kicks. Simply spray the repellent evenly on the surface of your shoes and let them dry overnight. Give your shoes a nice cleaning and spray session every few weeks.

Clean the soles

When your soles or the rubber detailing on your favorite pair of kicks could use a good scrub, there’s one spot-cleaning method that will slay—and it’s probably not what you think. Pick up a Magic Eraser next time you’re in the store, because it will soon become your go-to for keeping sneakers white. Simply wet the Magic Eraser with water, and rub your shoes in a circular motion to watch the melamine foam work its magic.

Don’t forget the shoelaces

Remove your shoelaces from your sneaks for a soapy bath. Fill your sink with hot water and add a few dashes of your favorite laundry detergent. Massage the laces between your thumb and index finger and watch them turn from drab to fab.

How to clean white canvas sneakers

Ready to put on your chemist hat? Combine baking soda with an equal amount of a mixture that’s half water and half hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. After making sure all excess dirt is brushed off of the canvas parts of your sneakers, apply the mixture. Let your shoes sit for around four hours until the mixture has hardened. Shake off the hard stuff and use a crumpled-up paper towel to remove the excess cleaning solution. You’ll notice your shoes are way whiter. 

How to clean white suede sneakers

Learning how to clean white sneakers that are suede can be a little tricky. Suede stains pretty easily, but you have to be careful when removing stains because the fabric is very delicate. Use a dry paper towel to blot the stain. Make sure you don’t rub it because that could spread the stain and make it worse. Then, use a soft cloth dipped in white vinegar to gently rub the stain out. If you have one, use a suede brush on the outside of the shoe once they are dry to get the original texture back.

How to clean white leather sneakers

It might sound too good to be true, but getting your favorite white leather sneakers looking good-as-new is as easy as taking a toothbrush with your favorite white toothpaste to the sootier surfaces of the shoe. Just like you would brush your teeth, scrub until you’re satisfied. Use warm water with this method to speed up the process. You can even add sugar to the toothpaste to create an exfoliant effect for any areas where filth seems to be caked on. Now you’ll never have to guess how to clean white sneakers again!

How often you should clean your white sneakers

If you want your white sneakers to always look squeaky clean, you’ll want to wash them every two weeks. Obviously, this depends on how often you wear them. Frequent cleanings can keep dirt, grime, and stains from building up. Remember, the longer you let a stain sit, the harder it will be to remove.

And Here’re some easy ways to DIY homemade cleaners at home for your white shoes

Hack #1 – baking soda and detergent 

Twitter user, @sarahtraceyy, shared before and after cleaning pictures of her white Converse shoes along with instructions on how she did it. And the best part? You probably have all the ingredients you need in your cupboard.

What you need

• Baking soda
• Detergent
• Toothbrush

Instructions

Mix 1:1.5 parts baking soda and detergent. Scrub the mixture onto your shoes with a toothbrush. Rinse and put shoes in the washing machine – just make sure you remove the laces and inner soles before washing on the delicate setting. Add some towels to the wash to balance the load and to stop the shoes from banging against the drum.

Hack #2 – Magic Eraser

Another way to get white shoes clean again, particularly if they have grippy rubber soles like Converse, is to use a little cleaning tool called a Magic Eraser. This little cube of white foam can remove almost any mark, just add water and start rubbing!

Hack #3 – baking soda and vinegar

Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and a cup of water. Use a cloth or old toothbrush to scrub your sneakers until clean. Works on leather and canvas. This method also apparently works with 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1/2 a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide/water combo. Use a toothbrush dipped in the mixture to scrub the shoes, wait 30 minutes for the baking soda to work its magic, then rinse with water. 

Hack #4 – Micellar water

Micellar water is a revolutionary makeup remover product, and it also cleans shoes! Just pop some micellar water on a clean cloth and give your white sneakers a good rub down. Works on leather, rubber and suede finishes. 

Hack #5 – Toothpaste

If it’s good enough to keep your teeth white, then it’s good enough to keep your kicks clean. Add some white-gel toothpaste to an old toothbrush, add a little water and scrub the dirty area of your leather, canvas or mesh shoes, then wipe away excess with a damp cloth. 

Hack #6 – toilet paper and water

This method is best for canvas shoes that – despite undergoing other methods of cleaning – still have yellow marks on them. Soak sheets of toilet paper with water and cover your sneakers with the paper like Papier-mâché. Leave to set and dry for 12 hours. Peel of paper and – voila! clean white shoes sans yellow marks.