Natural Household Cleaners

Diluted pure white vinegar does many jobs. It can: 

• clean surfaces 
• break down deodorant stains 
• deodorize 
• remove hard water deposits and soap scum 
• shine up mirrors and glass

Vinegar is great, but we need to remember that it isn’t a disinfectant. To sanitize surfaces, use a bleach solution or a store-bought sanitizing product. Find instructions on how to sanitize with bleach.

For more ideas on how to use vinegar around the home, click here:

Trusty baking soda acts as a mild abrasive. It’s also good at getting off protein and grease stains from hard surfaces like cookware. Use a bowlful in your fridge or closet to act as a natural deodorizer.

Everybody’s got some! Liquid dish detergent used at full strength can remove oil or grease stains on fabrics and hard surfaces. With a little elbow grease, it can also remove stickers from hard surfaces.  

If you want your house smelling lemony fresh, use lemons! The acid in lemon juice can reduce mineral deposits on surfaces. It’s also a natural deodorizer. When mixed with salt and steam, lemon juice can remove rust stains on fabrics.  

Not just for cuts and scrapes! Soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and use it to disinfect small surfaces like cell phones. Or, pour some on a cloth and use it to remove stickers from hard surfaces.

Sprinkle it on oil-based stains. It’s been known to absorb the excess oil. Cornstarch can soak up excess moisture in fabrics, carpets and on hard surfaces. Also, it’s a good deodorizer.