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Cleaning your house with low-toxic cleaners is a great way to have a healthy home. They are easy to make, effective, smell good, cost less than commercial products,
and don't pollute indoor air. These recipes are best made fresh each time in small batches, but if you do store a quantity, label your container with all ingredients. Do not mix these recipes with other cleaners.
Drain Cleaner
 1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup vinegar
boiling water
Pour baking soda down the drain first, then vinegar. Let it fizz for a few minutes, then pour down a teakettle full of boiling water. Repeat if needed. Loosens
minor clogs and helps prevent future clogs. do not use after using a commercial drain cleaner! If clog is stubborn, use a plunger or mechanical snake.
Oven Cleaner
 1/4 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons salt
hot water
Remove charred spills with a non-metallic bristle brush. Mix baking soda, salt, and enough hot water to make a paste. Apply to oven surfaces, and let stand a few
minutes or overnight. Scrub off with non-metallic scouring pad and water. Keep paste off oven wires and heating elements. Do not use on self-cleaning ovens. To prevent future stains, line oven bottom with aluminum foil.
All-Purpose Cleaner
 1 2/3 cups baking soda
1/2 cup liquid castile soap*
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons vinegar
16-oz bottle with flip-top cap
Mix
baking soda and liquid soap with fork in bowl. Add water. Add vinegar last. Pour
into squeeze bottle; if too thick, add more water. Shake well. Squirt in tub,
sink, toilet, counter, etc. Scrub and rinse.
Scouring Powder
 baking soda
liquid castile soap*
You
can use baking soda in place of your scouring powder. First, wet the area you
want to clean. Then sprinkle baking soda on and rub with a wet rag. Add a little
soap to the rag for more cleaning power. Rinse well. For toilets, sprinkle
baking soda into bowl, add a few drops of castile soap, then scrub.
Mirror and Window Cleaner
 club soda
spray bottle
Put club soda into spray bottle. Spray on surface. Rub with lint-free cloth
(such as a cloth diaper) or squeegee.
*Liquid castile soap can be found with the other soaps in most supermarkets
and drugstores. Or purchase in bulk at a food co-op.
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