Welcome to Gaia! ::

Oh I'll have to make a note of that one! Our washer is starting to get a little funky. My favorite little tip is a baking soda paste for a scrub cleanser, like in the sink ot tub. Works wonders on stainless steel sinks!

Vinegar, baking soda... Hm.... those are about all I use to clean my house. ^_^ I'm bleach-sensitive, and the cats outside our trailer can get to the waste-water, so I try not to use anything poisonous.

Those two in combo work miracles!

Oh! Lemon juice, too. It works like a verrrrrry mild stain remover. Great for delicates that get dirty- white lace and whatnot.

i think those are the top 3 natural cleaners actually, and of course if you make a habit of using lemons to clean, you get the added bonus of the lovely scent, plus an attractive bowlful of them somewhere 3nodding

i'm off on an info hunt now xd

Vinegar

Uses:

Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area.

It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house. Use it in the…

Bathroom - Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the flour in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.

Kitchen - Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.

Laundry Room - Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)
eek i'm definitely going to try this!

Clean the iron Pour vinegar into your iron’s water compartment and let the iron steam itself clean. Remember to flush it with water when you are done.

Unclog drains Pour boiling white vinegar down clogged drains to remove the clog.
i imagine this would unclog the whole neighbourhoods sinuses too lol

Clean the microwave Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. This mixture will loosen splattered-on food and deodorize the microwave.

Natural cleaning wipes A cloth soaked with vinegar sanitizes kitchen counters, stove and bathroom surfaces. This is just as effective as antibacterial products and does not promote resistant strains of bacteria like commercial products can. This is also a cheaper and greener way to protect your loved ones.
confused i'd not considered that antibacterial wipes would have this effect but it makes sense, vinegar all the way for me now 3nodding




Lemon Juice

Uses:

Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture. Put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.

Cream of Tartare

uses

Cleaning Burner Pans and Covered Casserole Dishes - Mix two teaspoons of vinegar and two teaspoon of cream of tartar in a small dish. Use three or four teaspoons of vinegar and three or four teaspoons of cream of tartar if you have more items to clean or if you have larger items, such as a heavily soiled casserole dish and cover.

Use a cotton ball to apply the solution to your burner pans or casserole dishes and covers (CorningWare casseroles, for example).

Let sit 10 minutes minimum(the longer you leave the better it will work)

Scrub with a scouring pad and then wash in hot, soapy water.