Try a few of these natural homemade cleaners and you may re-think inviting Mr. Clean into your home.

Note: Borax is usually sold in boxes, near the laundry detergents or fabric softeners in the grocery store.

For more homemade cleaners, please see our article and recipes to make Homemade Surface Cleaners.

Non-Toxic Kitchen and Bathroom Floor Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
2 gallons water
2 tbsp natural liquid soap
1/4 cup baking soda
15 drops lavender essential oil
Combine the ingredients in a mop bucket, and mix. Mop your floor, then give a once over mopping of clean water.

Natural Grease-Fighting Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1 gallon hot water
1 tsp natural liquid soap
5 drops orange or lemon essential oil (alternatively use lemon juice)
Mix ingredients in a bucket and clean any greasy surface.

Gentle Sink and Tub Cleaner
1/3 cup borax
1/3 cup baking soda
10 drops lavender essential oil
1 tsp natural liquid soap (optional)
Combine in bowl. Use as you would scouring powder. Rinse thoroughly. Great for porcelain and enamel.

Appliance Polish
Try rubbing club soda onto your appliances and sinks; it cleans and polishes at the same time!

Natural Mold and Mildew cleaner
1 cup borax
2 cups water
1/2 tsp tea tree oil
Combine the ingredients. Apply to affected areas, and let sit for at least two hours. Rinse. Note: It is much easier to prevent mold and mildew than to clean it. Fungi like dark and moist areas, so let in the light and fresh air! Make sure you have good ventilation, and keep things clean so nothing icky has a chance to grow.

Toilet Cleaner
1 cup borax
1/4 cup lemon juice
Mix together. Pour into toilet and let sit (overnight is best). If toilet rings are a problem, take out some toilet water and scrub rings with a borax/lemon paste. Alternatively, scrub gently with steel wool or pumice.

Grout Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup baking soda
Combine together. The mixture should be a thick paste. Scrub the grout with a toothbrush and rinse.

Non Toxic Oven Cleaner
Spray the oven with water and sprinkle with baking soda. Leave it overnight, and scrub with steel wool in the morning.

Drain Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup baking soda
Pour all ingredients down the drain . Wait half an hour, than follow with a kettle of boiling water (taking care not to scald yourself with the steam). This works best if done often to prevent accumulation. Always remember to see if a plunger will do the trick first, and never pour grease down the sink. Strainers are great for preventing clogged drains in the first place.

Homemade Dishwasher Cleaner
1 tbsp borax
3 tbsp baking soda
2 drops of a citrus essential oil
Combine ingredients and use in dishwasher. Remember to rinse dishes first! Tip: Vinegar makes crystal and fine china sparkle!

Combatting Dried or Baked on Food on Pots and Pans
If you have a pot or pan that you know is going to use up your elbow grease, put some water and dish soap in it and simmer for about 15 minutes before washing. Alternatively, sprinkle the culprit with water and baking soda and tackle it in the morning.

Automatic Coffeemaker
Put one cup of vinegar through the coffee maker just like you were making coffee. Follow with at least two full pots of water. This should break down the build up of coffee and mineral stains, and make your coffee taste better.

Natural Kettle Cleaner
Equal parts water and vinegar
3 tbsp salt
Put ingredients into kettle and simmer for 20 min. Leave overnight, and rinse well in the morining.

Easy Blender Cleaner
Fill the blender half-way with hot water and add a touch of vinegar. Puree away.

Refreshing Fridge Cleaner
1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed if you have it)
2 cups water
1 tbsp baking soda

Cutting Board Deodorizer
Rub the surface of your cutting or bread board with lemon to remove unwanted odours. Or, you can try a baking soda paste.

Also see: Homemade Floor and Carpet Cleaners, and Homemade Surface Cleaners for more like this.

by Nikki Willhite

There is nothing like the security of a well-stocked pantry. There is a feeling of comfort in knowing that you can get along without going to the store for several months if necessary because of illness, money or other reasons.

Our food chain is so dependent on transportation, which can be easily interrupted by many things, including bad weather and union strikes, that it really pays to stock a pantry of kitchen staples to get you through in the event of an emergency.

You also save money by avoiding needless, and usually expensive trips to the store to pick up what is supposed to be “just one thing”. Everyone should store items in their pantry that they like and will eat so that food isn’t wasted. Items can be rotated so that nothing gets old. If you are new to building a pantry, you should start slow, as you do not want all your food items to reach their expiration date at the same time. If you are buying corn, for instance, when it goes on sale buy more than just one can. As long as you are rotating and using all your food, you will save money by purchasing your food items at sale prices.

Expiration dates or packaging dates are now written on most food products. These dates are always very conservative. Canned and dried items will last for many years.

If you usually eat fresh foods, have a few recipes that use your canned items on a regular basis. There are many ways to use your stored items that are especially useful when you want a quick and easy meal.

Another side benefit of storing food is that if there is a safety recall on canned goods, chances are you haven’t eaten the food yet.

Having said that, here is a list of the most common and useful items to store, which reflect the personal preferences of my family. Note that this does not include freezer items, which you may lose if the power goes out.

Suggested Pantry Shopping List

Use the following list of items to form the basis of your pantry stock, adjusting each category to suit you and your family.

Food related stock is normally stored in the kitchen, but household items can be stored in a cupboard in the bathroom or basement, or wherever is most convenient for you.

CANNED MEAT and PROTEIN
Beans, beef stew, chicken or turkey, chili, corned beef, creamed soups, powdered eggs, canned ham, milk (powdered, evaporated and condensed), peanut butter, baked beans, ravioli, tamales, tuna, salmon.

STARCH (be sure and store water)
Crackers, potatoes (dehydrated, instant or canned), hot and cold cereals, noodles, rice and rice mixes, oatmeal, pancake mix, spaghetti, top ramen noodles.

VEGETABLES
Carrots, corn, green beans, onion rings, mushrooms, peas, pickles, vegetable soups, yams.

FRUIT
Applesauce, fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, peaches, pears, pie filling, pineapple, tomato-based sauces.

MISCELLANEOUS
Fruit drinks, jams and jellies, jello, pudding, oils, salt, shortening, sugar, vegetable cooking spray, water (for both drinking and household use).

BAKING SUPPLIES
Baking powder, baking soda, brownie mixes, cake mixes, corn meal, corn syrup, flour, sugars, yeast.

CONDIMENTS
Barbecue sauce, diced green chilies, ketchup, mayonaise, mustard, pancake syrup, salad dressings, salsa.

SPICES
Beef and chicken bouillon, spices, cinnamon, garlic powder, minced onion, pepper, salt.

HOUSEHOLD
New tooth brushes, ammonia, aspirin and pain relievers, bleach, deodorant, feminine protection, kleenex, light bulbs, matches, medications, paper plates (also paper cups and napkins, in case of water shortage), razors, shaving cream, soaps and detergents, toilet paper, toothpaste, vinegar.

Pantry Storage Recipes

Here are a few quick and easy ways to use your pantry storage:

CHICKEN CASSEROLE
1 Can Chicken
1 Package Rice-a-Roni
Cook rice according to package directions. Flake canned chicken into cooked rice, and stir until warm.

TUNA CASSEROLE
4 Cups Noodles (or Macaroni and Cheese Dinner, prepared)
1 Can Tuna
2 Cans Creamed Soup
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Cook noodles until tender. Put in a casserole dish, and mix in soup, tuna, salt and pepper. Cook at 350 degrees approx 30-40 minutes.

ZESTY BEANS
Vegetable Cooking Spray
2 Cans (16 oz. each) Pork and Beans
1/4 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Tomato Sauce
1/8 cup Minced Onions
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, packed
2 Tablespoons Prepared Yellow Mustard
Spray a medium skillet with cooking spray and heat the pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Add ingredients and mix until hot.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
2 Cans Green Beans, Drained
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/4 Can Milk
1 Can Onion Rings
Mix Green Beans with soup and milk. Top with Onion Rings. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.

APPLE CAKE
1 Yellow Cake Mix
1 Can Apple Pie Filling
Powdered Eggs to equal 3 fresh eggs
Powdered Sugar
Hydrate the powdered eggs with water, and mix with yellow cake mix and apple pie filling. (Do not add extra water). Beat, and then pour the batter into a 9×13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cool.

FINGER JELLO
4 Cups Boiling Water
4 packages unflavored gelatin
1 and 1/2 Cups Jello (any flavor/flavors mixed together)
Mix the gelatin and jello together in a rectangular pan (approx 13×9). Bring the water to a boil, pour it into the jello powder, and stir until dissolved. (My family likes the bottom crunchy- so I stir less).
After it cools to room temperature, put in the refrigerator for it to harden (approximately one hour).
Eat it from the pan, or cut it into squares and put it on a plate in the refrigerator for quick grabbing.

About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money! Article first published at www.allthingsfrugal.com.

Emergency Supplies
See also: How to Make an Emergency Supply Kit for information on what to stock to get you through for three days during an emergency situation.

Learn how to make your own environmentally-friendly spray cleaners. These homemade cleaners are cheap to make yourself and always ready to use.

Natural All-Purpose Spray Cleaner
2 tbsp vinegar
2 cups water
1 tsp borax
10-15 drops tea tree oil
Combine the ingredients and put the mixture into a clean spray bottle. Shake well. Use as you would any all purpose spray cleaner. Ideal for countertops. Tea tree oil helps prevent mold and mildew.

Simple Surface Cleaner
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
Mix vinegar and water together and keep in spray bottle. This is a useful, everyday mixture to wipe down kitchen surfaces without the need for rinsing.

Non Toxic Heavy Duty Cleaner
1/4 cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 tsp borax
10 drops orange essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
Mix the water and the borax. Combine the rest of the ingredients to the mixture, and put into a clean spray bottle. Shake. Wipe surface clean and rinse. Ideal for grimy surfaces.

Homemade Glass Cleaner
1/3 cup vinegar
2/3 cup water
Combine the vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle. Use just like Windex. (If you can’t stand the smell of vinegar, club soda works well too.) Tip: Dry windows with newspapers.

Anti-Streak Window Cleaner
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol
Mix in a clean spray bottle, shake, apply and rinse. This mixture is great for windows that have accumulated build-up. If the glass is really greasy, you can add a drop or two of natural liquid soap. This cleaner should due the trick after one or two applications, and I recommend you return to a vinegar cleaner as soon as possible (due to the rubbing alcohol).

Natural Stain Remover
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp natural dish soap
1 tbsp vegetable glycerin
Mix together, shake and store in a clean spray bottle. Rub well into the stain (the sooner the better!) and wash clothes as usual.

Painted Cabinets Cleaner
1/4 cup baking soda
1 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water.
Mix ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Spray onto painted surface and rub in with a sponge. Rinse with a clean sponge dampened with water. Wipe dry completely.

For more homemade cleaner recipes, see: Homemade Floor and Carpet Cleaners or How to Make Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaners.

A Tuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm into your kitchen and make it a warm homey room to gather in. The Tuscan style incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents to create a time worn look. Although the look is of a centuries old kitchen you can achieve it without having to buy priceless antiques.

Color

The colors mimic those of the Tuscan landscape - rich golds, earthtones and even tones from the sea mingle together for this look of old Italy. Buy some majolica pottery (either new or old) and use those colors to influence your wall and floor choices. Using natural materials like stone, slate, granite or terra cotta for your flooring and countertops will help complete the look. Try some faux painting on your walls to give it the look of antique plaster.

Lighting

Think old world in your lighting and stay away from new or modern styles. Some nice antique looking wrought iron lights will be right in style. It’s OK to also have recessed lighting for your task lights, but choose your pendant lights or chandeliers carefully. Stay away from anything too shiny and stick with muted metals.

Accessories

You can buy accessories like those you might find in a Tuscan kitchen brand new today, or you can scour the antique shops to get real antiques. Look for old pottery bowls and pitchers as well as painted or antiqued wooden bowls. Majolica makes a nice addition to a Tuscan style kitchen and you can buy whole sets of this pottery new today and use it for everyday use. Use lots of decorative jars of oils with peppers and ropes of garlic, peppers and grape vines. Antique look signs with a wine motif can add to the wall decor as can wallpaper murals in the form of Italian frescos and niches. Soften it up with lots of greenery.

Furniture

You want your furniture to have an old world look. Chunky wood tables with chippy or distressed paint go nice. A distressed wooden cupboard (perhaps with chicken wire doors) can give you some extra storage and add to the look if you have the space. Display your majolica or old world pottery behind the chicken wire to authenticate the look.

Decorating a Tuscan kitchen can be a lot of fun. You can get the look with brand new accessories, or if you enjoy collecting antiques, you can scour the flea markets and antique malls for those perfect pieces. Either way, you will be creating a kitchen with charm and character.

Lee Dobbins is owner of A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can find more on kitchen decorating themes and decorating ideas for every budget.