Five Substances You Need to Know About

1. Borax

Scary name, great results. Borax is a natural mineral compound which was discovered over 4000 years ago. It's a natural laundry booster, amazing on diapers and bibs, removes stains on carpets (test first folks), unclogs drains with boiling water and yes it does windows.

2. Activated Carbon
Also in use for thousands of years. The military’s use of activated carbon for gas masks help develop it for home use in water purification (it’s in your Brita) and air purification. It’s one of the only natural substances that can safely remove airborne chemicals.

3. Baking Soda.
Yep, this one you know about, but did you know that aside from science fair volcanoes, it’s great for removing product build-up on hair (1 TBS while shampooing, once a week), repels rain on a windshield (I’ll test this and report back) and can repel cockroaches and ants (put it under sinks, along basement windows and behind the fridge).

4. Vinegar
It’s great on fries and fish (malt) but vinegar can also clean the hoses and unclog soap scum from a washing machine (one cup, normal cycle, no clothes, once a month), remove coffee stains on mugs (soak overnight), prevent hard boiled eggs from cracking (about two TBS to your pot of water) and my personal quirky favorite…. will turn a chicken bone into rubber (soak in a glass of vinegar for at least three days).

5.Lemon Juice
Courtesy of my mother, a grade-school teacher who knows everything. Put a cup of lemon juice in the microwave and turn it on. It will remove odors and the steam will help loosen any gunk. Lemon juice can also be used to polish copper (use a lemon-juice soaked cloth and buff dry).