Save with common cleaners

These cheaper alternatives to name-brand products might be in your kitchen right now.

Ammonia

Add 1 pint of rubbing alcohol to ½ cup of soapy ammonia, then add enough water to make a gallon. Pour into spray bottles, use to clean glass.

Baking soda

Use to remove stains from tile, glass, and china; clean inside the fridge; remove baked-on food from pots and pans.

Borax

A freshener and deodorizer in laundry.

Castile soap

Made from vegetable oil. For general use on countertops and other surfaces.

Cream of tartar

A mild acid that can lift stains from sinks and tubs, and remove spots from aluminum cookware.

Lemon juice

Lightens stains and removes tarnish from brass, copper, bronze, and aluminum.

White vinegar

Helps kill germs; removes some carpet stains; cleans coffeemakers and chrome. To clean wood floors, use 1 cup of vinegar per pail of hot water.