Retail cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Here are some more natural alternatives, from by the curriculum for Herbert W. Armstrong Home Economics.

All-Purpose Cleaner

• 2 cups rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl)
• 1 Tbsp ammonia
• 1 Tbsp mild dishwashing liquid
• 2 quarts water
  

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl. Fill a spray bottle with cleaner and store the rest, tightly sealed, in another bottle. Use with a cloth or sponge to clean bathroom fixtures, kitchen fixtures, appliances, chrome, plastic countertops and pointed surfaces, or anywhere you would use an off-the-shelf all-purpose cleaner. Afterward, rinse using a clean cloth or sponge.

All-Purpose Shiner

• 1½ cups white vinegar
• 1¼ cups water

Pour vinegar and water into 22-ounce spray bottle. Shake gently to mix. To use, spray on and wipe off.

Dusting Spray Recipe

• 1 cup filtered water
• ½ cup white vinegar
• ¼ cup fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil
• Essential oil of choice (eucalyptus, lavender, etc.)

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle. Mix well before each use. Spray and wipe with a cloth. A little bit goes a long way. (Courtesy of Hinid Romanos)

Indoor Window and Glass Cleaner

• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 1 quart water
  

Pour vinegar and water in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Spray on windows and wipe off with newspaper or paper towel.

Outdoor Window Cleaner for Cold Weather

• 3 cups rubbing alcohol
• 1½ Tbsp mild dishwashing liquid
  
• ¾ cup water

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Use on outdoor windows if needing to clean in below-freezing weather.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• 1 cup Borax (sodium borate)
• ¼ cup vinegar or lemon juice

Pour into toilet bowl. Let sit for two hours. Scour thoroughly with a brush.

Tile and Grout Cleaner

• 2 cups chlorine bleach
• 2 cups water

Pour bleach and water into spray bottle. Spray on tile and scrub with sponge or brush. Rinse with clean water. Use to remove and retard mildew.

Note: Wear rubber gloves to prevent bleach from irritating skin.

Heavy Duty Grout Cleaner

• 4½ cups water
  
• ½ cup muriatic acid

Stir acid into water for a minute or so to mix thoroughly. Apply a coat of the solution to the stained grout and let stand for up to an hour or until the color of the grout improves. Rinse with clean water.

Note: Muriatic acid can be purchased at a hardware store, home center or pool supply store. Wear protective goggles and rubber gloves to prevent burns to eyes and skin.

Faucet Cleaner

• 4 tsp table salt
• ½ cup white vinegar

Dissolve salt in vinegar. With a sponge or soft cloth, wash faucets and handles to remove soap scum, mineral deposits and stains from chrome or plastic fixtures. Rinse thoroughly and polish dry with a clean cloth.

Plastic Shower Curtain Cleaner

• 1½ cup chlorine bleach
  
• ¼ cup laundry detergent

Fill the washer with warm water and add bleach and laundry detergent. Do not use cold water, which may crack the curtain. Put the curtain and two old, bleach-safe towels in the washer. Run it through the entire cycle. Remove curtain and re-hang immediately.

Overnight Oven Cleaner

• ½ cup ammonia
• 2 Tbsp mild dishwashing liquid
• 2 quarts hot water

Pour ammonia into cup and put in the oven. Close door and leave overnight. The next day, remove the ammonia. Mix dishwashing liquid and hot water. Use a plastic mesh scrubber to wash out loosened grease and grime. Rinse with water.

Microwave Cleaner

• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1 quart warm water

Put 1 cup water into a microwavable cup and microwave until it boils. Turn off the microwave and let the water sit for 1 minute as the steam softens dried-on food deposits. Dissolve baking soda in warm water. Use a sponge or cloth to wipe the interior of the microwave to clean and deoderize.

Drain Cleaner

• ½ cup baking soda
• ¼ cup vinegar
• ½ cup salt

Pour ingredients down the drain in order listed. Let sit for 15 minutes (the mixture will bubble and gurgle). Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain.

Woodwork Cleaner

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 Tbsp white vinegar
• 1 quart warm water

Combine all ingredients in a bottle with a lid. Shake to mix. Dampen a cloth with the solution and wipe cabinets to remove grease, dirt and yellowing. Shake bottle frequently to keep the oil dispersed in the water. Dry with a clean cloth.

Lemon Oil Furniture Polish

• 1 quart bottle of mineral oil
• 1 Tbsp lemon oil

Add lemon oil to bottle of mineral oil. Shake to mix. Wipe on and off with a clean cloth.

NOTE: Lemon oil is available from herb shops or craft centers.

Oak Wood Polish

• 32 oz beer
• 2 oz beeswax
• 1 tbsp sugar

Combine all ingredients and heat. When polish is cool, apply to oak woodwork. Allow to dry before buffing to a shine with a soft cloth.

Fabric Softener

Add ¼ cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle of your laundry. Clothes will feel softer and smell fresher (they will not smell like vinegar).