Regular cleaning with soap and water. Hot water kills bacteria.
Keep everything dry.
Try a solution of ½ cup borax to one gallon of hot water.
Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide disinfect without leaving residue.
Drain Cleaner Recipes
Use a plunger or a mechanical snake for clogs.
Pour ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup of vinegar down the drain and let sit for 10 minutes. Flush with ½ gallon of boiling water and repeat as necessary.
Pour ½ cup of salt and ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 6 cups of boiling water. Let sit overnight. Flush with water.
Heavy duty – 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt, and 3/4 cup vinegar down the drain. Let sit 20 minutes and flush with 1 gallon hot water.
Pour ¼ cup of 35% hydrogen peroxide down the drain. Wait a few minutes, then plunge. Repeat as necessary.
Regular maintenance – pour 4 tablespoons borax down the drain then flush with boiling water every 2 weeks.
Fabric Softener Recipes and Replacements
1 cup vinegar in the final rinse.
Unscented dryer sheets rather than liquids or aerosol sprays.
Flea Control Recipes
Sprinkle 2 ounces of lavender oil extract over 2-3 quarts of rock salt. Let the salt absorb the oil. Place lavender salts under dressers, sofas, and rugs.
Dried pennyroyal works, as well.
Feed brewer's yeast or garlic to your pet.
Put peels from oranges and grapefruit, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon rosemary, and 1 pint water in a blender. Liquefy and then heat the mixture over low heat for 15 minutes. Strain liquid into spray bottle, spray on pet, and massage thoroughly into fur, avoiding the eyes.
Glass Cleaner Recipes
Fill a pump spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water.
Heavy duty - Mix 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon water. Add 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Mix well.