With companies finally waking up to folks’ organic desires, a glut of “natural” and “gentle” cleaning supplies has flooded the market. From greasy wood polishers that claim to be derived from oranges, to lavender-scented ammonia window cleaner, companies have tried to fill this niche with new products that claim to offer a less corrosive, less chemical-ridden means for us to clean our toilets. What some of us don’t know, though, is that there are gentle, effective, simple ways to clean our homes without buying into some new marketing plan. The idea of industrial cleaning in Perth is also resemble to some extent.

Here’s a list of a few plain old substances and tricks that you can use that’ll leave your house sparkling and your air cleaner – while also lessening the dent commercial cleaning products make to your pocketbook. Since none of these things interact any more violently than the volcanic bubble of vinegar and baking soda, you can be sure you won’t leave your home in a toxic cloud.

Vinegar and baking soda are a great way to clean a slow drain. Just dump a pile of the baking soda into the offending drain, dribble some vinegar down it, and wait. After a few minutes of fizzing and sputtering, take some boiling water and pour a whole bunch on down after it. This has remedied all but the most stubborn drains for me; beyond that, it’s time to buy a snake or call your neighborhood plumber. She’ll do better work than those chemical clog-busters anyway.

Any kind of vinegar (I like distilled white) can also be used as a disinfectant, or to soak out stubborn smells (though, do not use it if Kitty has an accident; she’ll be attracted to the place even more). I used it in my wet vac to rid it of the stench of puppy poo after Fido had an accident that required some steaming. It’s also great to use in your automatic drip coffee maker – dilute some in water and brew it through. Your morning cuppa will be tastier the next time. Sorry for the poo and beverage talk in the same paragraph.

Why buy expensive carpet “deodorizers” when baking soda is their main ingredient? Sprinkle some throughout your home, wait a few minutes, then vacuum up. Great for Fido smells, too. Or, sprinkle some in Kitty’s litter box to avoid cleaning it a bit longer. You may even want to add some cinnamon or crushed herbs to the mix, thereby rendering mustiness’s power useless.

Baking soda is also a fabulous gentle exfoliant and cleaner. Take a teaspoon or so, wet it a bit, and scrub your face GENTLY. This same idea can be applied to sinks, tubs, pots and pans, etc. You’ll want a big box of this.

Do you hate streaky windows and mirrors? My grandma taught me the best means to rid yourself of this forever: clean glass with newspapers and water. Could it be any simpler? Spray the glass with a bit of water (or dip a corner of the paper in a glass), scrub with the newspaper until dry and stand back to admire your work. You’ll never buy nasty ammonia again.

In the detergent aisle, you’ll find your friend Borax, marketed as a “laundry booster.” While it’s great for coaxing more out of your detergent, or for whitening whites, it can also be used as a mildly abrasive (though less mild than baking soda) means to get surfaces clean. Additionally, put a tablespoon of Borax and a tablespoon of baking soda in your dishwasher to rid yourself of commercial soaps that leave streaks and chunks all over your overfilled machine. Or maybe that’s just mine.