Eco- friendly household cleaners

1. Add three tablespoons of white vinegar to two cups of water and a half teaspoon liquid detergent in a spray bottle and shake a couple of times to get a window cleaning liquid spray. Use a sponge to clean and a moistened newspaper for the final wipe.
2. Wipe the oven with a wet cloth/sponge and spread a cup of baking soda at the bottom of the oven. Sprinkle some water on it and leave it to soak overnight. Remove the spilt grease and grime with the soda the next morning. Wipe off with a soap solution and dry with a rag.
3. Greasy stoves and counter tops can be wiped down with a sponge soaked in vinegar. Undiluted vinegar sprayed on mold is very effective, though it might smell strongly for a few hours.
4. Mix one portion of olive oil and half a portion of lemon juice in a spray bottle and shake well to make a homemade polish for wood furniture. Spray on to a cleaning cloth and spread it over the furniture. Polish and rub the surface dry with a clean cloth.
5. Sieve fine wood ash from the fireplace to use as a dry powder polish for tarnished silver articles and glassware. After working on the discolored area, wash with mild detergent and pat dry with a clean rag. Left over coffee grounds make for excellent cleaning material for greasy saucepans.
6. Setting an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors is a common trick. While replacing this box with a fresh one, the old baking soda can be used to clean drains and in dishwashers. Pour a cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt down the drain and let it soak overnight. Wash it down with 2 cups of hot water the next morning. For dishwashers, add a cup of baking soda and run the rinse cycle to clear the collected grime in the machine.

Homemade cleaning formulas are not only eco-friendly and healthier, they also cost a fraction of the price commercial cleaners.