If you’re worried about the toxic chemicals in cleaning products, here are some safe and natural alternatives. You’ll find everything you need to keep your house sparkling clean and fresh-smelling right in your kitchen pantry.

Let’s start in the bathroom. Porcelain and tile clean up like new with a little baking soda and a damp sponge. For tougher stains, add some kosher salt and scrub a little harder. Spray vinegar or lemon juice on mildew and stains. Wait a few minutes then scrub with a stiff brush. You can make your own disinfectant by combining two cups of water, three tablespoons of dishwashing detergent and 20 drops of tea tree oil. Mirrors will sparkle if you spray them with diluted vinegar or lemon juice and scrub them with a crumbled sheet of newspaper.

Kitchens also clean up brilliantly with baking soda and water. Sprinkle the baking soda on your counters and scrub with a damp cloth. Do the same for all your appliances. Use the tea tree oil solution you made for the bathroom to disinfect all your kitchen work surfaces.

The oven is one appliance that nobody likes to clean. Commercial oven cleaners contain chemicals that are harmful to the skin, eyes and lungs. Baking soda is nature’s cleaner for the oven too. Mix it into a thick paste with water and coat the inside of the oven. Leave overnight and scrub it off the next day.

Next time you’re going to the supermarket don’t forget to add baking soda, white vinegar and lemons to your list. Oh, and get a couple of empty spray bottles for your vinegar or lemon window spray and for your tea tree oil disinfectant. For more tips on green living, check out TheDailyGreen.

Do you worry about the possible toxic effects of commercial cleaning products? Have you tried using baking soda and vinegar? Let me know.