Use This Instead: Borax

Borax is already found in many detergents and cosmetics.  It is also anti-fungal and can be used as a safe insecticide.  It can be added to your wash to make the detergents you are already using even more effective.  And of course many are already familiar with using borax for scrubbing dingy pots and pans.

Dissolve 1/2 cup of borax in 1 gallon of hot water, pour the solution into a spray bottle and use to clean baseboards, countertops and walls.

Delicate china can be soaked in a dishpan filled with warm water and a 1/2 cup of borax.  After soaking, just rinse and let dry.

Dishwasher smelling a little funny?  Sprinkle some borax in the bottom, let sit overnight and then wipe down with a damp sponge.  Don't worry about rinsing, that'll be taken care of with the next load.

Borax can also be used to get rid of rust stains in the toilet also.  Pour some borax into the boil, allow to sit over night, then swish a bit with the toilet brush and flush the next day.

Get more cleaning ideas from Better Basics for the Home by Annie Bond.