5 DIY scrubs to clean household surfaces naturally

You don't need to bombard every surface in your home with harsh chemicals to keep it clean. Instead, these DIY scrubs will do the trick — naturally.

You don't need chlorine bleach to clean stains off the nonporous surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom. This scouring powder is just as effective, a lot safer to use, and far more economical.

• 250 g (1 c) baking soda
• 250 g (1 c) borax
• 250 g (1 c) salt
• 1 clean 1 L (32 oz) plastic container with lid

1. Combine the ingredients in the container and mix well. Close the container tightly to store.
2. To clean a stained surface, sprinkle some of the powder onto a damp sponge or directly on to the surface to be cleaned. Scour, rinse and dry.

Use this mixture to scrub off grease and grime from your stainless steel and enameled cookware. (If you use baking soda on aluminum cookware, it may cause darkening.) You don't need pricey commercial products.

• 625 g (2 1/2 c) baking soda
• 350 g (1 1/2 c) salt
• 25 g (2 tbsp) cream of tartar
• 1 clean 1 L (32 oz) plastic container with lid

1. Mix the ingredients well, and store in a tightly sealed plastic container.

2. To use, pour two to three tablespoons of powder onto cookware and scrub with a brush or nylon scrubber that's been slightly moistened with water. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.

Here's a good all-purpose disinfectant that is as easy to use and effective as any commercial bathroom cleaner but much less expensive.

• 10 ml (2 tsp) borax
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) washing soda
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) lemon juice
• 60 ml (4 tbsp) white vinegar
• 750 ml (3 c) very hot water
• 1 clean 750 ml (24 oz) spray bottle

  1. Combine the borax, washing soda, lemon juice and vinegar in the spray bottle
  2. Slowly add the hot water, then vigorously shake the bottle until the powdered
  3. ingredients have dissolved. Shake the bottle before each use.
  Spray on tile and ceramic surfaces and wipe with a damp, clean cloth.

This homemade soft scrub gets out tough stains on surfaces that are easily scratched, including ceramic sinks and countertops, and costs just pennies per cleaning job.

• 50 g (1/4 c) borax
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) vegetable-oil-based liquid soap
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) lemon juice

1. In a small bowl, combine the borax and liquid soap to make a smooth paste.
2. Stir in the lemon juice and mix well.
3. Place a small amount of the paste onto a clean, damp sponge, apply to the surface, then rinse off and dry surface with a clean rag.

This fresh, tangy powder will leave your kitchen and bathroom tiles shiny and clean.

• 125 g (1/2 c) soap flakes
• 250 g (1 c) chalk or diatomaceous earth
• 250 g (1 c) baking soda
• 5 ml (1 tsp) essential oil of eucalyptus
• 1 clean recycled 500 ml (16 oz) jar with metal top

1. To make the soap flakes, lightly grate a bar of pure soap, such as Ivory, on a coarse kitchen grater.
2. In a small bowl, crush the soap flakes with the back of a spoon until powdered (or whirl them in a blender).
3. Mix in the chalk or diatomaceous earth and the baking soda, breaking up any lumps.
4. Sprinkle the essential oil over the surface of the powdered mixture and stir it with the spoon. Continue stirring for several minutes to disperse the oil throughout the mixture, then spoon the mixture into a screw-top jar or can with several holes punched in the lid.
5. Cover the holes with masking tape to keep the powder dry between uses. Let the mixture sit a week before using to be sure the essential oil has been thoroughly absorbed. Sprinkle surface with powder, scrub with a damp sponge and rinse with clear water. Dry with soft towel.