Two common kitchen items provide a non-toxic way to clean just about everything around your house.

If you’re tired of spending lots of money on numerous household cleaners, check out all the things you can do with two cheap pantry items you probably already have on hand: baking soda and vinegar.

Baking soda

You may already know baking soda as the powerhouse that absorbs odors in your fridge, but that’s just the beginning! Here are other ways to use this common ingredient.

Cleanser

The mild abrasiveness of baking powder makes it perfect for scrubbing off stuck-on food and grime. Quickly make a paste with a 1:1 mixture of baking soda and dish soap and add a few drops of water to thin the consistency. Apply the mixture to cooked-on debris, let it sit for 10 minutes and wipe the mess away.

Laundry whitener

Brighten dingy laundry by adding a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle the next time you do a load of laundry.

Crayon remover

If your young Picasso with crayons turned your walls into a “masterpiece,” remove it by sprinkling baking soda onto a damp sponge and gently scrubbing the crayon marks off.

White ring remover

Don’t despair if there is a white water ring on your wood coffee table. Blend 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt and just enough water to make paste. Gently rub the paste over the ring until it disappears. Then wipe away the cleaner with a damp cloth and polish the wood.

Vinegar

Of course, vinegar is an essential ingredient when cooking but it does double duty as a cleaner, too; it cuts grease, deodorizes and disinfects. Here are some ways to harness its cleaning power.

Window cleaner

In a spray bottle mix 50% white vinegar with water. Use the mixture instead of commercial glass cleaner.

Microwave cleaner

To eliminate odors and loosen baked-on food in the microwave, mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the solution until it comes to boil and let it cool before opening the door. Remove the solution and wipe away  the loosened splatter.

Showerhead cleaner

If mineral deposits have built up on your showerhead, give it a soak in vinegar overnight. You’ll need a plastic bag and a twist tie to get the job done. Fill the bag with enough vinegar to submerge the showerhead. Secure it with a twist tie. In the morning, remove it and enjoy improved water flow.

Laundry B.O. fighter

Get the funk out of your workout gear by spraying sweat stains with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. Alternatively, you can let a whole load pre-soak for 20 minutes with the addition of 1/3 cup of vinegar. Wash as usual after soaking.

Baking soda + vinegar

If you’ve ever seen the science project where a model volcano erupts with “lava”, you’ve seen the power of the reaction that happens when baking soda and vinegar combine. Put this foaming power to work if you have smelly or slow drains.

Drain cleaner

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup of vinegar and watch the fizzing action commence. When the fizzing stops, clear the debris by pouring hot water down the drain.

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