Baking sodaworks best on proteins, grease, and animal messes, and because it’s only slightly abrasive, it can scour surfaces without fear of scratching. It’s also a natural deodorizer and less expensive than commercial scrubbing powders. Distilled white vinegar works on alkaline substances by dissolving scale, inhibiting mold, and cutting soap scum. A mild acid, it’s terrific for removing stains from coffee, rust, and tea. It’s typically sold at a 5% concentration, but it’s more effective at higher concentrations, so pay attention to the fine print. Hydrogen peroxide is simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H₂O₂). It breaks down into harmless oxygen and water, so it’s a more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine bleach. Borax is an alkali that’s good for cutting grease, oil, and dirt. Essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and lemongrass enhance a cleaner’s scent. Tea tree oil is also naturally antibacterial. Castile soap is available in liquid or bar form and helps rinse dirt away. It’s made with olive oil or a vegetable base and is available unscented or scented.

Clean containers: Store homemade cleaning products in unused, clean containers. Never use bottles that once held chemicals. To keep your family safe, label homemade cleaners when you make them, and ensure you use the right solution for the application. Test it: Before you spray a cleaner on any surface, test first in a hidden area to ensure the cleaner doesn’t damage or mar the material. When to skip vinegar: Never use vinegar solutions on stone surfaces such as granite or marble, cast iron, aluminum, or waxed surfaces. The acid in the vinegar can etch, pit, and strip finishes or otherwise damage these surfaces.

What You Need:

1 cup baking soda½ cup cornstarch5 drops of any essential oil

Combine the baking soda and cornstarch in a medium bowl, then add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil ($7, Target). Stir to combine the ingredients, and pour the mixture into a Mason jar using a funnel. Using a hammer and nail, punch small holes into the jar’s lid. Sprinkle the homemade deodorizer onto carpets as needed. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming up. What You Need:

2-3 oranges, lemons, and/or limes, slicedHandful fresh herbs such as basil, rosemary, or lavender2-4 cinnamon sticks1 teaspoon whole cloves

Place ingredients in a medium saucepan. Fill about three-fourths full with water; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer to infuse the house with a naturally fresh aroma. (Do not leave unattended.) The mixture can be stored once overnight: Place it in an airtight jar or container and refrigerate, then boil and simmer again the next day. Homemade Laundry Detergent:

1 bar laundry soap (We like brands such as FelsNaptha, Pink Zote, and Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap.) 1 cup borax 1 cup washing soda ($4, Walmart) 1 cup oxygen bleach

Grate bar of laundry soap; you should have about 2 cups of grated soap. (Or look for soap flakes online.) Mix all ingredients in a large container. Store in a lidded jar. Use 2 tablespoons for a light load and 4 tablespoons for a large or dirty load. Wash as normal. Homemade Rinse Aid:

1 gallon distilled white vinegar25-30 drops essential oil (optional)

Add the drops to the container of vinegar. Use ¼ cup in the rinse cycle. What You Need:

¼ cup baking soda10 drops essential oil, such as lavender1½ cups water

Use a funnel to add the baking soda to a 12-ounce spray bottle ($12, The Container Store). Add the essential oil. Fill the bottle with water and shake gently to combine. Test on a small, inconspicuous area of upholstery (such as on the back or under a cushion) to ensure it won’t leave a mark. Spray over upholstery whenever it needs freshening. What You Need:

3 cups water1 cup vodka10-20 drops essential oil

Add all ingredients to a 32-ounce spray bottle and mist into the air as needed. Note: Vodka is a favorite for homemade cleaners. It contains ethyl alcohol, a main ingredient in many store-bought air fresheners. Any kind of vodka will work, so there’s no need to spring for a top-shelf bottle. What You Need:

2 cups water¼ cup distilled white vinegar½ teaspoon dish soap

Add all ingredients to a 24-ounce spray bottle. Shake to combine. Use on windows or glass fronts of appliances. Beyond this basic recipe, you can also call on rubbing alcohol and even dish soap for alternative homemade window cleaners. What You Need:

1 gallon distilled water½ cup vinegar

Mix together distilled water and vinegar in a bucket and use to mop your floors. Note: Vinegar and other acidic cleaners should not be used on stone floors. What You Need:

¼ cup table salt ¼ cup white vinegar ¼ cup borax powder ($6, The Home Depot)

Mix ingredients into a paste and apply to the stained area. Let it dry for 24 hours and vacuum. The paste kills bacteria and acts as a deodorizer as it removes the stain. After vacuuming, clean the area with water to remove residue. Blot well with a clean, dry cloth. Always test in an inconspicuous spot first. What You Need:

3 cups of waterTwo tea bags1 teaspoon lemon juice

Boil the water, add the tea bags, and let the mix cool. Put the mixture into a spray bottle with a teaspoon of lemon juice. To use, lightly spray the mixture on a microfiber cloth and dust.