What are the things I should not buy with alternatives?

[Leo]

Our dish washer stinks after few months of use so I had to use a one time use "dish washer" cleaner and you can buy one for about $2.00+. I had to clean our dish washer last night but we don't have the cleaner so I researched and try the vinegar then baking soda solution and it works just the same.

I'm just wondering, are there things that I should not buy and can find an alternative at home?

[Jluke]

my wife uses vinegar and water mixed in a squirt bottle as a general purpose cleaner (counters, table, glass, toilet seat)


I've heard that instead of the Rinse Aid in the dishwasher, you can use vinegar (random person at the grocery store). I haven't switched.

[FLA]

after having a brain damaged mini-dachshund who had a slim grip on continence for 11 yrs, I can say hydrogen peroxide straight on a light colored carpet works better than any spot cleaner I tried and I tried them all. Test on a darker carpet first. Do all the steps the other cleaners would have you do, blot, apply, blot, cover with paper towels and heavy books, etc, just use hydrogen peroxide in lieu of the expensive cleaner.

and as a nurse who wore white back in the dark ages, it gets out blood stains better than anything else

[kork13]

my wife uses vinegar and water mixed in a squirt bottle as a general purpose cleaner (counters, table, glass, toilet seat)


I've heard that instead of the Rinse Aid in the dishwasher, you can use vinegar (random person at the grocery store). I haven't switched.

I do both of these, and can attest to the vinegar as a 'Rinse Aid' replacement... I've been doing that for a long time.

My wife & I (her especially) are somewhat sensitive to chemical odors, and I've found that vinegar is a perfect substitute for most cleaning agents (though we do occasionally have to use chlorine bleach for specific needs).

My generic "solid surface cleaner" (glass, appliances, counters, tile, etc.) is a mix of vinegar, water, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, and a touch of dish soap. It does a great job, and I don't have to buy chemical-laden 'Windex', '409', or other surface cleaners.

I use a similar mixture (heavier on baking soda & dish soap with less water) to replace soft-scrub for cleaning toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and showers.

I'm sure there are other things that we do/use on a daily basis as "alternatives"... Honestly, it's hard to name them off simply because I'm so used to them! lol