10 Alternative Household Cleansers

White Vinegar

A natural disinfectant and deodorizer, white vinegar can be used as an all-purpose cleaner on most surfaces around your home. Try mixing a solution of half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle, and use it to cut grease and remove mildew and other stains from all your bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Vinegar can also be used as an effective and hypoallergenic fabric softener; add 1/2 cup to every load during the rinse cycle.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has already earned its reputation as a great natural deodorizer, but did you know it can also be used as a gentle and effective household scouring agent? For instance, to treat hardened stains on easily scratched surfaces like stovetops or refrigerator shelves, try sprinkling baking powder directly on top of the stain and scrub with a damp sponge until clean. You can also use baking soda to deodorize and remove some of the buildup from a dishwasher's interior; simply pour a cup of it into the machine and run the rinse cycle.

Lemon Juice

This natural disinfectant and bleaching agent has a variety of uses both in and out of the kitchen. To sterilize wooden cutting boards, rub the cut side of a lemon half over the entire surface of the board, then rinse with hot water. If you need to tackle a stain (on clothing or another surface), try mixing lemon juice with baking soda to make a paste and apply it to the spot; wipe away after 10 minutes. Due to its highly acidic nature, lemon juice can even be used to dissolve soap scum, hard water deposits, mold and mildew. Plus, even the peel can be put to good use; grinding the peel of an entire lemon through a garbage disposal will freshen its blades and the drain below.

Borax

Valued for its deodorizing and disinfectant properties, Borax (sodium borate) is an excellent multipurpose cleaner that's especially well suited to cleaning painted and wallpapered surfaces. For an effective floor and wall cleaning solution, mix 1/3 cup of Borax into 1 gallon of warm water, then add one tsp of liquid dish soap. To use the substance as a tile grout cleaner, combine 1/4 cup of Borax with 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 spoonful of hot water to form a paste; apply to the grout, scrub and rinse thoroughly. Borax can most likely be found in the cleaning aisle of your local supermarket.

Washing Soda

Available in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets, washing soda not only boosts the power of regular laundry detergent (add ½ cup to each load of laundry along with your regular detergent), it can also be safely used to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces, cookware, plastic appliances and concrete floors. (Do not use this substance on fiberglass or aluminum surfaces, as it may cause discoloration.) Simply dissolve 1/3 cup of washing soda into a gallon of warm water, and apply to the desired surface with either a sponge or scrubbing brush as appropriate.

Isopropyl Alcohol

Who knew this medicine-cabinet staple could have so many practical uses around the house? Use it to disinfect and clean grime from often-handled phones, computer keyboards, doorknobs and switch plates, as well as to remove dust from decorative candles (alcohol won't ruin the wick, as water might). Rubbing alcohol is also effective at combating fresh ink stains on clothing or carpets; try using a soaked cotton ball to blot away the spots. (Isopropyl alcohol may not be safe to use on all materials; do a test on a discreet area of the item before tackling larger stains.)

Cornstarch

An excellent oil absorber, cornstarch can be mixed with water to form a paste to clean grease from stovetops, vent hoods, cabinetry and other grease magnets around the kitchen. You can also use cornstarch to deodorize and refresh carpeting; sprinkle a liberal amount over rugs or carpets and wait 20 minutes before vacuuming away.

Mineral Oil

Put down the Pledge! This all-natural substance can be used to give all your furniture a good shine; use it straight, or add a few drops of essential oil or lemon juice to add a pleasant scent. You can also use mineral oil to rehydrate wooden cutting boards and prevent splits and cracks, which can harbor dangerous bacteria. Simply use a clean cloth to rub the oil into the board, working in the direction of the grain; let it absorb for several minutes, then wipe off excess oil with a clean, dry cloth.

Coarse Salt

This natural abrasive is ideal for scouring dried- or burned-on food from your cookware; it's also an effective polishing agent for copper pots and pans: Just sprinkle salt on the cut side of a lemon half and rub on the copper surface until shiny. You can also use salt to clean up fresh spills in the oven; sprinkle some on stains to absorb grease and moisture, then wipe off with a damp cloth.

Toothpaste

Good for more than polishing up your pearly whites, toothpaste can also be used to remove tarnish and restore shine to silver. Discover a water stain on your wooden coffee table? Dab a bit of toothpaste on the spot, allow it to dry, then wipe away to eliminate the mark.