All-Purpose Cleanser: Mix ½ cup pure soap (or soap flakes) with ¼ cup lemon juice and 1 gallon of hot water

Carpet Cleaner: Lightly sprinkle cornstarch and/or baking soda over carpet, rub it in and then vacuum in 1 hour. OR Combine ½ cup dish detergent with 1 pint of boiling water, cool, whip into stiff foam and apply with damp cloth. For tough stains try using cold soda water or blot area with vinegar and soapy water.

Disinfectant: Mix 1 tsp borax, 2 tbsp vinegar and ¼ cup soap with 2 cups hot water.

Drain cleaner: Pour ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup salt down the drain. Add ½ cup vinegar and cover with stopper. Wait 15 minutes then flush with boiling water.

Dusting spray: 1 tsp olive oil and ½ cup vinegar applied with a soft cloth.

Fabric softener: Add ¼ cup vinegar to the final rinse cycle.

Floor cleaner: Combine ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup vinegar, ¼ cup washing soda and 1 gallon of warm water. Or try just ½ cup vinegar with 1 gallon of water.

Furniture Polish: Dissolve 1 tsp lemon oil in 1 cup vegetable oil and apply with clean rag.

Glass cleaner: Mix ½ cup white vinegar with 1 gallon warm water.

Laundry detergent: Mix 1 part borax with ¼ part washing soda.

Oven cleaner: Apply a paste of baking soda and water; let sit overnight; remove with soapy cloth.

Porcelain stain remover: Combine borax and lemon juice into a paste. Let the mixture sit for 2 hours and then scrub object.

Starch: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 pint of cold water.

Tub and tile cleaner: Use a firm bristle brush with baking soda and all-purpose cleanser. To clean grout use 3 parts baking soda mixed with 1 part water.

Upholstery cleaner: Combine ¼ cup liquid soap with 3 tbsp water. Rub soap mixture on furniture. Rinse with a sponge.