by Helium01

Created on: July 09, 2009

Harsh chemicals are bad for humans, for pets, and for the environment. Why not use a cheaper and safer alternative to clean your house than toxic cleaners you find at the grocery store?

To get rid of odors in the refrigerator, simply keep a bowl of baking soda on a back shelf and this will neutralize any food smells. Baking soda mixed with water and then heated in the microwave for a few minutes will also neutralize odors, as well as making any baked on food easier to remove.

To clean windows, simply mix some white vinegar and water together, apply to windows with a sponge and then squeegee or wipe off. Windows will be sparkling in no time! This mixture gets rid of grime, dirt, and salt. You can also mix a small amount of vinegar in to a bucket of warm water to clean sealed hardwood floors. Once you have washed the floor, you can polish it using one part vinegar and one part olive or vegetable oil; simply mix the two ingredients together and then smooth over your floors with a rag.

White vinegar can also be used to clean out coffee machines by adding one cup of vinegar and enough water to fill up the reservoir at the top. Let the machine run through as if you were making coffee with the vinegar and water solution once and then run it through twice with just water.

To get rid of rusty looking water marks at the back of the toilet, simply cut a lemon in half and squeeze the lemon juice on to the stain. Let the juice sit on the stain for five minutes before brushing it with a toilet brush. This may take a few applications and maybe both halves of the lemon, but it will get even the toughest stain out.

Lemon peels can also be thrown in to the garbage disposal after other smelly food bits, like fish, and once it has been ground up, they should neutralize the smell coming from the sink. Different types of essential oils can be used around the house, as well. Tea tree oil works to keep out pests and can also be mixed with water and used in a spray bottle to target mold spots. Mixing lavender oil and water makes a calming mixture that can be sprayed on pillows and sheets to ensure a good night of sleep or sprayed in rooms to freshen them up. Essential oils or cinnamon can be put on the stove in a pan with water and heated to disperse fragrance through the house.

Cleaning doesn't have to be harsh, harmful, or expensive. By simply using ingredients found in most homes, cleaning can become safer for every person and creature living in the house and better for the environment and save homeowners lots of money!

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