If you’re looking for a multitasking product that you can use for everything from whitening your laundry to driving out pests, it’s time to stock up on distilled white vinegar. In the bathroom, vinegar works well on soap scum and mineral deposits, but rinse thoroughly, as it can corrode some fixtures and stone (like marble), and etch glaze on tiles. You can also try tea tree oil—2 drops tea tree oil with 1 cup water—in a spray bottle. Tea tree oil costs more than vinegar but will kill most types of mold and help prevent growth. As with all concentrated oils, it should be used with caution, as it can trigger allergic reactions if it comes into contact with skin.
Natural Carpet Stain Remover
Think your carpet is ruined? A dollop of homemade carpet stain remover can make unsightly blotches fade like magic. Pour a small amount of soda water onto a fresh carpet spill, and blot with a towel. Don’t rub, as you may mat the fibers. If the stain is set, try hydrogen peroxide: Pour some onto a clean, white cloth, then press cloth to the carpet. Wait about 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth. There should be no need to rinse.