Money Saving Talk

Alternatives to Household Products that Can Save You Money

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

Tags: Alternatives to Household Products, energy saving, frugal living, money saving plan, Opt for a healthier lifestyle and save money