| Instead Of: | Try: |
| Air Freshener | Set vinegar out in an open dish. |
| Drain Cleaner | Pour boiling water down the drain, or use a plunger or a metal snake. |
| Furniture Polish | 1 tsp. lemon oil in 1 pint mineral oil, or rub crushed raw nuts on the wood for an oily polish. |
| Houseplant Insecticides | Wash leaves with soapy water, then rinse. |
| Mothballs | Put clothes in cedar chests, or place cedar chips around clothes. |
| Oven Cleaner | Salt, baking soda, water (and elbow grease!). |
| Roach Spray | Chopped bay leaves and cucumber skins, or boric acid (sold in powdered form), or 1 part borax and 1 part brown sugar set out in dishes (these are not as effective, and the latter two may be hazardous to animals and children). |
| Silver Cleaner | Soak silver in 1 qt. warm water containing 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, and a piece of aluminum foil. |
| Toilet-Bowl Cleaner | 1/2 cup bleach. |
| Window Cleaner | 2 tbsp. vinegar in 1 qt. water |