Skip harsh cleaning products—your pantry already has everything you need to keep a tidy home.
View the slideshow above for 30 ways to clean naturally.
More from our friends at iVillage:
Room by Room Cleaning Shortcuts
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Ketchup: Shine Your Copper
How to do it: Apply the ketchup to a rag and rub onto tarnished copper or brass cookware. Let sit for a minute, and then buff clean and rinse. The acidity of the ketchup will help lift and remove tarnish and return pots to their shiny state.
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Vodka: Keep Aphids Away
How to do it: Don’t let little aphids torture your houseplants. Wipe down plans with a water-soaked cloth. Next, soak a cotton ball in vodka (not the good stuff—save that for your martini). Gently dab leaves with the vodka for an aphid-free plant.
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Apple Peels: Clean Discolored Aluminum Saucepans
How to do it: Start by peeling two apples. Place the peels in the saucepan and add enough water to cover the peels. Bring the water and peels to boil for several minutes until the stain begins to lift. Turn off the pot and let the water cool. Discard the water and peels, dry the pan and voila!
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Mayonnaise: Remove Crayon from Wood Furniture
How to do it: Sure, the thought of slathering your household wares with mayonnaise may be less than appealing, but some people swear by it. Did your tot get a little carried away while coloring? Remove crayon marks from wood furniture by rubbing a dab of mayo on the mark. Let it sit for five minutes and wipe it away with a damp cloth.
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Leftover Wine: Keep Fruit Flies Away
How to do it: Fill a wine bottle or other narrow-necked bottle with two inches of wine. Add three drops of liquid dish soap. Create a funnels out of paper, leaving a small hole at the tip. Secure funnel seam with tape, and tape it to the top of the bottle. Leave it where you notice the fruit flies and it will quickly decrease their numbers!
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Oil and Lemon Juice: Shine Your Wood Furniture
How to do it: Mix oil and lemon juice two parts to one and use the solution to give furniture an extra polish.
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Vinegar: Clean the Microwave
How to do it: Combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup distilled vinegar in a microwave-safe mug or bowl. Microwave for two minutes and wipe clean. The vinegar helps to lift baked-on food and stains.
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Salt: Clean a Glass Coffeepot
How to do it: Fill the coffeepot with 1/4 cup table salt and a dozen ice cubes. Swish the mixture around, let it sit for half an hour, fill it with cold water and rinse.
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Salt and Vinegar: Clean Tarnished Copper
How to do it: Fill a 16-ounce spray bottle with hot white vinegar and three tablespoons of salt. Spray it onto the copper, let it sit briefly, and then rub clean. (Don’t do this to lacquered copper.)
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Salt: Pick Up a Dropped Egg
How to do it: If an egg breaks on the kitchen floor, sprinkle salt on the mess and leave it there for 20 minutes. You’ll be able to wipe it right up.
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Salt and Lemon Juice: Clean Brass and Pewter
How to do it: Sprinkle salt on to the cut side of half a lemon. Rub down the metal, rinse and buff dry. The same process can also be used to remove rust stains.
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Salt and Rubbing Alcohol: Clean Up a Grease Stain
How to do it: Got a grease stain on your favorite carpet? Try this! Mix salt and rubbing alcohol one part to four. Rub into the stain, going the same direction as the nap of the carpet. Let dry and vacuum up excess salt.
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Salt: Treat Red Wine Stains
How to do it: Blot fabric or carpet to remove excess wine. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.
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Baking Soda: Clean Children’s Toys Safely
How to do it: Combine four tablespoons baking soda with one quart of water. Use the solution to wipe off toys.
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Baking Soda: Clean Bathroom Grout
How to do it: Make a paste of water and baking soda. Using a small brush or toothbrush, rub the paste onto stained or dirty grout. Let sit for three minutes and rinse.
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Baking Soda: Clean the Dishwasher
How to do it: If your dishwasher has a funky scent, try this: Empty all dishes. Clean out the food filter. Next, fill the detergent well with baking soda and run on empty.
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Salt: Drip-Proof Your Candles
How to do it: Everyone loves the soft glow of candlelight—but not the icky stains they can leave behind when they drip on your favorite tablecloth. To prevent this, soak candles in a saltwater solution for several hours and dry thoroughly before lighting.
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Baking Soda: Clean and Deodorize the Refrigerator
How to do it: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub down the inside of your refrigerator. Rinse the sponge and wipe down with fresh water.
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Vinegar: Remove Gunk from Base of Faucets
How to do it: Soak a towel or paper towel with white vinegar. Wrap around the base of the faucet and let sit for 25 minutes. Remove towels and wipe clean.
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Vinegar: Remove Stickers, Labels and Price Tags
How to do it: Soak a cloth in vinegar and press to sticker for several minutes. Lift and the sticker should peel easily away.
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Vinegar: Remove Mineral Deposits from Shower Heads
How to do it: Heat white vinegar in large pot, but do not boil. Place showerhead in pot and allow it to soak for one hour. Remove and rinse.
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Cornmeal: Remove Dust from Silk Flowers
How to do it: Place one large paper grocery bag inside another. Place flowers inside and add two handfuls of coarsely ground cornmeal. Close bags tightly and shake vigorously.
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Vinegar: Wash the Windows
How to do it: Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and go to town!
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Baking Soda: Clean Baked-On Oven Spills
How to do it: Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Apply to the spill and let sit overnight. Wipe clean with a wet sponge.
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Baking Soda and Vinegar: Unclog the Drain
How to do it: Sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Chase with 1/2 cup vinegar and close drain (or try covering with this universal drain stop). Let the fizzing baking soda break up the clog for 15 minutes and flush with hot water.
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Toothpaste: Nix Stubborn Water Rings from Wood Furniture
How to do it: With a slightly damp, soft cloth, rub a pea-sized amount of toothpaste into the stain. Wipe off excess paste with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.
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Mayonnaise: Clean Yellowed, Dull Piano Keys
How to do it: Apply a small amount of mayonnaise to the keys. Wait two to three minutes. Wipe off and buff with a soft, clean cloth.
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Tea Tree Oil: Disinfect Your Counters
How to do it: Combine 15 drops of the essential oil with one quart of water in a spray bottle. Use as you would any disinfectant.
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Toothpaste: Remove Scratches from Acrylic Home Decor
How to do it: Buff a pea-sized amount of toothpaste into the scratches until they begin to fade. Wipe clean.
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Vegetable Oil: Prevent Rattan and Wicker Furniture from Cracking
How to do it: Use a soft, clean cloth to apply a coating of vegetable oil to furniture. Wipe off any excess for shiny, beautiful furniture.
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Lemon Juice: Disinfect and Clean a Cutting Board
How to do it: Scrub the cut side of a lemon along the board. Let sit for 20 minutes and rinse with hot water.
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