Alternatives to Household Products that Can Save You Money
Posted on
September 22, 2009 by
admin
You use natural and less-toxic household products whenever possible. It’s a great way to save money and save the environment.
| Instead of: | Use |
|---|---|
| Air freshener | A small dish of vinegar or lemon juice set out in a warm area |
| All-purpose cleaner | One quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar |
| Bleach | Borax |
| Carpet cleaner | To neutralize odors, sprinkle the carpet with a mixture of one cup borax and 2 cups cornmeal or use baking soda. Let stand 1 hour before vacuuming. |
| Chlorine scouring powder | Baking soda |
| Detergent | Simple soap or phosphate-free detergent |
| Disinfectant | Ammonia |
| Drain cleaner | Plunger, followed by a handful of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar. Cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Pour in 2 quarts of boiling water, and the clod should disappear. |
| Floor cleaner | Mop floors with a mild soap solution or 1 cup vinegar mixed with 2 gallons of water. Linoleum floors can be polished by mopping with skim milk. (No, it doesn’t smell.) |
| Furniture polish | On unfinished surfaces, use natural oil such as almond or olive oil. On finished surfaces, dust with a damp cloth and wipe dry. |
| Glass cleaner | Two tablespoons of vinegar to 1 quart of water. |
| Grease remover | Baking soda paste |
| Mildew stain remover | Vinegar solution |
| Mothballs | Cedar chips |
| Oven cleaner | Pour salt on fresh oven spills, and scrape the residue off when the oven cools. Ammonia can be applied t tough stains. A pumice stick, available at many hardware stores, will also work. |
| Pest control | Make chili powder packets to keep ants out of your kitchen. |
| Stain remover | Cornstarch paste |
| Surface cleaner | Use a vinegar and salt mixture |
| Tile cleaner | Scrub areas with baking soda and a toothbrush |
| Toilet bowl cleaner | Baking soda or borax |
| Window cleaner | Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a quart of warm water. |
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture