How to Make Natural House Cleaners

The supermarket cleaning aisle is full of cleaners with harsh chemicals and noxious fumes. Some of the ingredients can be very dangerous, and a few are even deadly. Making household cleaners at home is easy with just a few ingredients gathered from the pantry. Using products that are safe for the environment can also mean saving some green. 

Baking Soda

1. Baking soda has many uses throughout the house. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and makes a good replacement for scouring powders.


2. Sprinkle baking soda on a sponge and scrub to remove dirt, grime and grease. For stuck on messes, make a paste with water and baking soda and let sit for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub it clean.


3. Baking soda is also a great deodorizer. Sprinkle on carpets, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum. You can add cinnamon or other dried spice for fragrance. Sprinkle some in the toilet to scrub rings and deodorize. For tough stains, use a steel wool pad with baking soda on it to scrub stains away.

Vinegar

1. Vinegar is a mild acid and is good for removing soap scum from shower walls and door. Depending on how tough the stains are, use the vinegar straight, or dilute with very hot water. Spray and rinse the residue off.


2. Vinegar is an excellent fabric softener. Add 1/4 cup to the rinse cycle for fresh, soft clothes and towels.


3. Soak showerheads in vinegar to remove hard water deposits. Put vinegar in a zip top bag and place on showerhead. Use a rubber band to hold it in place. Put enough vinegar in the bag to cover the showerhead and let soak until the deposits are gone. 

Salt

1. Salt can be used in the wash to help dark clothes retain their color. Use a ½-cup of salt in the wash cycle. New dark-clothes can also be soaked in cold water and salt to prevent color loss.


2. For carpet stains, pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt on the stain and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes and then vacuum.


3. Sprinkle on cook pans to absorb grease and give them a good scrub. Seasoned cast iron pans can be scrubbed with salt to avoid using detergents on them.