LOWA Sub Page on Tips

Alternatives to Common Household Cleaning Products

Baking Soda- Cleans and deodorizes. Good scouring powder. Softens water, increasing the cleaning power of soap.
Bleach- Cleans, deodorizes and disinfects basins, concrete, grout, sinks, tiles, toilet bowls and tubs; removes mildew and stains from carpets, clothes, concrete, upholstery and wood floors.
Borax- Cleans, deodorizes and disinfects. Softens water. Brightens all washable fabrics and costs less than bleach. Cornstarch- Removes stains, shampoo carpets and rugs, starch clothes.
Household Ammonia- Cleans carpets, copper, dishes, showers, ovens, jewelry windows and stainless steel; remove stains.
Lemon Juice- Deodorize, clean windows and other glass, removes stains from aluminum, clothes and porcelain.
Mineral Soap- Polish furniture, wax floors.
Soap- Sold as liquid, flake; powder or in bars.
Steel Wool- Removes rust, rust stains and stubborn film.
Washing Soda- (Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate) Disinfectant. Cuts grease and removes stains.
White Vinegar- Cuts grease.

All-Purpose Cleaner- Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 1 teaspoon soap and 1 quart water. Store in spray bottle. Add vinegar or washing soda to cut grease
Disinfectant- Dissolve 1/4 cup borax in 1/2 gallon hot water
Scouring Powder- Use a firm bristle brush and scrub with soap combined with either borax, table salt or baking soda.

Oven Cleaner- Clean with steel wool, washing soda and water as soon as possible.
Brass- Mix equal parts salt and flour with a little vinegar, then rub.
Chrome- Rub with undiluted vinegar
Copper- Rub with lemon juice and salt or hot vinegar and salt.
Silver or Stainless Steel- Rub with paste of baking soda and water. Soak silver in 1 quart water, 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon salt and small piece of aluminum foil.
Furniture Polish- Mix 2 parts vegetable or olive oil with 1 part lemon juice, apply with soft cloth.

Tub, Tile & Toilet- Scrub with a powdered soap and a scouring powder made of baking soda, borax or salt. Use white vinegar to loosen lime deposits.
Glass Cleaner- Mix 3 tablespoons vinegar with 1 quart warm water. For tough jobs, first wash glass with warm soapy water. Hint: for any window cleaning job, rub dry with newspapers for professional results.
Air fresheners- Instead, simply ventilate the area or place a box of baking soda in enclosed areas. Set out vinegar in an open dish or fresh flowers and herds. Add cloves and cinnamon to boiling water and let simmer.
Drain Cleaners- To keep drains clear always use a drain basket to catch hair. Pour a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup salt and 1/8 cup cream of tartar down the drain and follow with hot water. To clear clogs, use 1/4 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar, cover drain and sink until fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water.
Mold & Mildew Cleaners- Make a concentrated solution of Borax and water and clean affected areas. Baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge will also remove mold. Ventilate an area properly to reduce mold growth.

Detergent- When you first switch from detergents to soap, wash laundry once with washing soda alone to get rid of detergent residue and avoid yellowing of fabrics. After that, add 1/3 cup washing soda to water before placing clothes in machine and substitute soap flakes or powder for detergent. For more cleaning power, add 1/2 cup borax.
Fabric Softener- Add 1 cup vinegar or 1/4 cup baking soda during final rinse.
Spray Starch- Dissolve 2 teaspoons cornstarch in 1 pint cold water in a spray bottle. Shake before each use.
Moth Balls- Clean garments thoroughly before storing them since moths are attracted to dirt on clothes. Store clean woolens in cedar chests or closets, or store with gauze bags containing either cedar chips or 2 handfuls each of dried lavender and rosemary plus 1 tablespoon each of fresh cloves and dried lemon peel, to repel moths. During the year, vacuum closets regularly to get rid of moth's food sources.