That's how I discovered the cost saving benefits of using basic household ingredients as cleaning supplies: baking soda (fantastic for cleaning tubs, sinks and toilets); lemons (natural disinfectant and, when mixed with baking soda, a terrific substitute for cleaners like Soft Scrub); vinegar (a natural disinfectant and great substitute for multi-purpose cleaners; just pour in a spray bottle either straight or in a 1-to-1 mixture with water). There are tons of the other great secrets if you really get deep into that kind of thing. I've save so much money on cleaning supplies since I made the switch, plus it's greener and and non-toxic.
I discovered these things years ago and have used them. The only brand name I will buy is Lysol...toliet & bathroom cleaner, I think that's what it's called. I think they are great products and when bought with a coupon, not that expensive.
I had a rather messy oven over the holiday one year. My problem with using over the counter oven cleaners is I am short and I have to practically get into the oven to clean it. The OTC oven cleaners are very harsh. I put on a long sleeve shirt, shower cap and rubber gloves and would scub. I had read where baking soda would clean your ovens overnight. I sprinkled the baking soda over the bottom of the oven and spritzed with water in a spray bottle everytime I thought about it, which would activate the baking soda. When I went to clean the baking soda from the oven, I wanted to shout.... Alleluia....it's a miracle!!! I couldn't believe the baking soda cleaned that oven to look just like new.
My cleaners consist of ammonia, baking soda, vinegar and the lysol products I listed above.
One word of caution, I've heard that people have poured baking soda & vinegar down the kitchen drain to deodorize and clean. I did it once and even though I ran lots of water, it clogged my drain where it made a paste and globs of it had to be pulled from the drain. So I caution you about it.
I use vinegar a lot in my wash. One it sets color and two it's a natural softner. Also if you have static cling even if you used a dryer sheet, roll up a ball of aluminum foil and toss in the wash...no more static clean.
I also keep a wire hanger in the closet just in case there is static cling, just run the hanger down the article of clothing, no more static cling.
One thing I haven't found yet is a good deordorizer for the closet. I would take dryer sheets and hang up in the closet but that only last for a short period of time.
