Natural Disinfectant Spray

This disinfecting solution is green, easy on the nose, and very cheap! Vinegar, tea tree oil, and lemon oil all have antimicrobial properties.

1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar
10 drops tea tree oil *
6 drops lemon oil *

*Find tea tree oil and lemon oil at Central Market or a health food store. They seem a little expensive, but you only need a tiny bit, so they last forever.

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray directly on the surface to be cleaned and wipe with a paper towel or old rag (a greener option).

I use this solution wherever I would use Lysol disinfectant wipes (cleaning the toilet, washing the counter after cutting meat, etc.) I keep my old wash cloths and towels to use as rags. They are actually better for washing windows/mirrors than paper towels--much less streaky. --Sarah

Use Vinegar as a Dishwasher Rinse Aid

Thank you to my mom for this tip...

Just fill the rinse aid compartment in your dishwasher with straight vinegar. The dishes dry completely and are totally spot free.

It works just as well as Jet Dry for a fraction of the cost. In fact, my mom has been using plain white vinegar for the last month, and she says it works even better than Jet Dry.

Make Your Own Toilet Bowl Cleaner

The first thing you might wonder is: "Why?" Well, I like to make my own toilet cleaner because:

• It's very cheap
• I don't run out of it all the time like I did with the store-bought stuff
• It's better for the environment and my health
• It makes the toilet sparkle

Want to try it? Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup Borax laundry booster powder (find it in the laundry aisle)
1 cup white vinegar

1. Pour the vinegar evenly around the edges of the bowl, coating as much of the surface as possible.
2. Sprinkle the Borax all over the bowl.
3. Leave for at least two hours or overnight.
4. Brush with a toilet brush and then flush.

Very little brushing should be necessary. If you soak it overnight, you may not need to scrub at all.