Cleaning solutions can be pricy.  There is no reason to have an individual cleaner for each room and surface.  Whether you are cleaning appliances, countertops, or floors, with just a few items you likely already have, you can keep you home squeaky clean.  These ingredients are time tested and less toxic then many harsh cleaners. Here are the 6 most affordable home cleaning solutions:

1.) Baking Soda

• This is the work horse of your home, buy in bulk for extra savings
• Shower- spray walls and floor with vinegar, sprinkle with baking soda, make a paste and scrub
• Toilet- Use instead of toilet specific cleaner- just pour 1 cup in bowl and start cleaning
• Clean drains and unclog pipes:  To keep drains running clear, simple pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain and follow with hot water. to Clear a clog: use a cup and bucket to bail any existing water out of your sink.  Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into drain, use a spatula to force it in there if you need to.  Pour 1cup vinegar down the drain and quickly cover the drain with a drain cover to force the vinegar and baking side to the clog.  Hold it in place until the fizzing stops.  Uncover and flush drain with boiling water.
• Soak pots and pans with burned on food in baking soda in water to make scrubbing easier

2.) Vinegar

• Dishwasher- Add 1/2 cup to the dishwasher and run it empty to keep it fresh and clean
• Showerheads- Grungy shower head? Pour vinegar into a plastic bag, secure it to the neck of the shower head and leave it overnight. Rinse clean in the morning.
• Windows- Mix equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth.

3.) Hydrogen Peroxide

• Simple disinfectant- Boost vinegar’s power by adding hydrogen peroxide.  Do not mix the two, first clean the surface with vinegar.  Then, spray the surface with hydrogen peroxide.  Make sure to store hydrogen peroxide in an opaque bottle as light will degrade hydrogen peroxide.
• Grout- get grout clean again by spraying with hydrogen peroxide and scrubbing with brush or sponge, let sit 10 minutes for extra stubborn stains
• Spray on countertops and cutting boards to disinfect

4.) Dish Soap

• Floors- Mix a few drops of dish soap per quart of hot water, mop and follow with clean water to remove any soap residue
• Cabinets- Mix 1teaspoon dish soap per 2 cups water and wipe down cabinets
• Everything- Really, there is no need to buy specialty cleaners.  You’ll be surprised how effective dish soap is on the toilet, shower, sink-everything!

5.) Lemons

• Remove hard water stains- Rub glass, stainless steel, or tiles with a cut lemon
• Microwave- to clean and deodorize, place 1/2 of a lemon in a bowl of water.  microwave on high for 2-4 minutes, until water boils.  Let sit in the microwave with the door closed for 10 minutes.  Wipe microwave out with a sponge.
• After squeezing a lemon for cooking or drinks, use it to do a quick scrub on thing that needs a shine, from shower glass to copper.  Then toss in the garbage disposal to freshen the drain.  now that’s multi-tasking!

6.)Rubbing Alcohol

• Stainless steel- To remove fingerprints wipe stainless steel with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol
• Remove hairspray from mirrors and tiles- wipe surface with soft cloth and rubbing alcohol
• Microfiber- spray rubbing alcohol and wipe with a clean, white sponge or cloth and allow to dry.  Rubbing alcohol won’t penetrate the fabric and evaporates quickly.