With so many brands offered in today’s marketplace, it’s no wonder people find it hard to decide which cleaning product to buy. This leads to indecision or worse, a lot of money spent trying out different options before you finally settle on the one that works for you. However, what if we told you that you don’t have to play that game?

Today we pick the brains of the professionals in the cleaning industry, to outline 6 potent cleaning solutions that you can easily make at home. Besides acting as a money-saver that will spare you expensive and time-consuming visits to the store, the options we present are all-natural and toxin-free. Another big plus is that they are mostly made of items that you either already have in your home or can easily acquire without spending too much money.

What is the best homemade cleaning solution?

While one powerful all-purpose cleaner will work wonders on most surfaces, it’s considered smart to treat different surfaces and materials with different cleaning solutions. This will not only improve their shine but also their longevity, ensuring that every one of your items gets just the care they need. Now’s the time to bring out the essential ingredients like lemons, white vinegar, and baking soda and start mixing it up!

1. All-purpose cleaner

First things first and in this case it means concocting a magic potion that will solve most of your cleaning needs. Yes, we’re talking about an all-purpose cleaner that works well on most surfaces. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a medium-sized spray bottle and let it sit for a minute or two. If you don’t like the pungent smell of vinegar, you can add 2 to 3 drops of your favorite essential oil. This solution will work wonders on most hard surfaces like countertops and stovetops.

2. Oven cleaner

Talking about tackling cooking appliances, most homeowners know that sprucing up the oven is one of the hardest and most labor-intensive of kitchen cleaning tasks. Mix in baking soda with lukewarm water to get a paste-like consistency. You can use this paste to coat the inside of your oven and let it sit overnight. You’d be surprised how much grease will come off once you wipe it off. For more stubborn spots, you can spray a bit of your all-purpose cleaner on any leftover residue and scrub it clean.

3. Wood polish

Did you spend a lot of money trying countless wood-treating products with mixed results? No more! To get a fully natural wood polish all you have to do is mix ½ teaspoon of olive oil and ¼ glass of vinegar. Just apply the mixture gently on your flooring and it will remove the dirt while introducing a natural shine to your wooden floors and furniture. Keep in mind that you don’t have to invest in expensive olive oil, any brand will do!

4. Glass cleaner

Let’s now move on to tricky glassware and windows. To leave streaky windows and mirrors behind you, all you have to do is take the all-purpose cleaner you made before and one secret ingredient. That ingredient is one tablespoon of cornstarch. Its abrasive properties make it a great solution to tackle glass without leaving scratches. Spray and wipe using a microfiber cloth and you’ll get a streak-free gloss.

5. Carpet cleaner

Carpets are under constant siege during most days. They are constantly trampled on and exposed to all the dirt that circles in your home. It’s no wonder that they act as a deposit space for various smelly and grimy stains and smudges. This is where baking soda comes to your rescue once more. It will attract the dirt and soak up the bad smells. Spray your carpet with lukewarm water and sprinkle baking soda directly on the stains. Leave it for 10 to 20 minutes depending on the stain before bloating it with a clean cloth.

6. Mold remover

Whether it’s on your tile grout, floor mats, or window sills, mold is not only stubborn and bad for your health, it’s also a true eyesore. Since this is a powerful solution, you can make your fluid in a small spray bottle. Just mix one part of hydrogen peroxide with two parts of lukewarm water.

All that’s left to do is spray the moldy areas, let it sit for an hour or two, and then wipe or rinse away with water.