Wacky Wednesday - not so wacky natural cleaning tips

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Here are some not so wacky natural cleaning tips

Some of the best household cleaners come from ingredients you already have in your pantry. Whip up your own homemade cleaners that are easy on your wallet and on the earth.

Stock your cleaning caddy with these household ingredients. Many of these natural cleaning ingredients can be used on their own or in any number of DIY natural cleaning products.

• Baking soda works best on proteins, grease, and animal messes, and because it's only slightly abrasive, it can scour surfaces without fear of scratching. It's also a natural deodorizer and less expensive than commercial scrubbing powders.

• Distilled white vinegar works on alkaline substances by dissolving scale, inhibiting mold, and cutting soap scum. A mild acid, it's terrific for stains from coffee, rust, and tea. It's typically sold at a 5% concentration, but it's more effective at higher concentrations, so pay attention to the fine print.

• Hydrogen peroxide is simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H₂O₂). It breaks down into harmless oxygen and water, so it's an eco-friendlier alternative to chlorine bleach.

• Borax is an alkali that's good for cutting grease, oil, and dirt.

• Essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and lemongrass enhance a cleaner's scent. Tea tree oil is also naturally antibacterial.

• Castile soap is available in liquid or bar form and helps rinse dirt away. It's made with olive oil or a vegetable base and is available unscented or scented.

In addition to having the right homemade cleaning ingredients, a few tricks can make it easier to clean your home the green way:

• Clean containers: Store homemade cleaning products in unused, clean containers. Never use bottles that once held chemicals. To keep your family safe, label homemade cleaners when you make them, and ensure you use the right solution for the application.

• Test it: Before you spray a cleaner on any surface, test first in a hidden area to ensure the cleaner doesn't damage or mar the material.

• When to skip vinegar: Never use vinegar solutions on granite or marble, cast iron, aluminum, or waxed surfaces. The acid in the vinegar can etch, pit, and strip finishes or otherwise damage these surfaces.