5 all-natural DIY cleansers to freshen up your home

Wouldn't it be nice to have a clean-smelling home without needing to use harsh, store-bought cleansers?  Now, you can! Try these 5 all-natural DIY recipes for cleansers that will make your home smell heavenly without any nasty chemicals.

If you have dingy cupboards, this cleaning solution will deodorize them as well as wipe up the dust and dirt.

You'll need:

• 250 ml (1 c.) clear household ammonia
• 250 ml (1 c.) white vinegar
• 50 g (1/4 c.) baking soda
• 3.75 L (1 gal.) warm water

1. Combine the ammonia, vinegar and baking soda in a large bucket. Add water and give it a few stirs.
2. Use a sponge or cloth rag to wash walls, ceilings, floors or cabinets.
3. Wipe up the excess liquid with a clean cloth and allow to dry thoroughly before replacing contents.

Those scuff marks and stains on your painted walls seem to appear out of nowhere. This potent cleaner will remove them without harming your paint job.

You'll need:

• 125 g (1/2 c.) Borax
• 15 ml (1 tbsp.) clear household ammonia
• 50 ml (1/4 c.) vinegar
• 3.75 L (1 gal.) warm water

1. In a large bucket, mix all the ingredients.
2. Apply the solution to the wall with a clean sponge. Use a second clean sponge to rinse the wall with plain water.
3. To minimize streaking, start at the bottom of the wall and work up.

Many commercial air and carpet deodorizers work to mask odours by deadening the nerves associated with your sense of smell. To truly freshen carpets around your home, try this inexpensive natural formula instead. (If you don't like the smell of lavender, you can also freshen up carpets with plain baking soda.)

You'll need:

• 125 g (1/2 c.) lavender flowers
• 250 g (1 c.) baking soda

1. In a large bowl, crush the lavender flowers to release their scent.
2. Add the baking soda and mix well. Pour the mixture into a cheese shaker or a can with holes punched in the lid.
3. Sprinkle liberally on the carpet. Wait 30 minutes, then vacuum.

Add a nice smell to your rooms while you freshen the carpets with this simple mixture.

You'll need:

• 250 g (1 c.) baking soda or cornstarch
• 7-10 drops essential oil in your favourite scent (eucalyptus or rosewood, for example)

1. In a large bowl, combine the baking soda or cornstarch with the essential oil. Break up any clumps with a fork and stir well. Pour the mixture into a cheese shaker or a can with holes punched in the lid.
2. Sprinkle liberally on the carpet. Wait 30 minutes, then vacuum.

Why spend a small fortune to give your no-wax floors a pine-fresh smell. This excellent cleaner will do the job for only a few cents a floor. Since soap flakes are not widely available as they once were, it's usually necessary to make your own by grating a soap bar; it takes only a minute or so.

You'll need:

• 125 g (1/2 c.) soap flakes
• 50 g (1/4 c.) washing soda
• 250 g (1 c.) salt
• 500 ml (2 c.) water
• 10 ml (2 tsp.) pine oil
• 1 clean 500 ml (16 oz.) plastic bottle with a tight-fitting lid
• 250 ml (1 c.) white vinegar

1. To make the soap flakes, lightly grate a bar of pure soap, such as Ivory, on a coarse kitchen grater.
2. In a saucepan over low heat, combine the soap, washing soda, salt and water and stir until the soap, soda and salt have dissolved.
3. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool until it is lukewarm. Add the pine oil. Stir well, pour into the plastic bottle and secure the top.
4. To use, pour 30 to 45 millilitres (two or three tablespoons) of the cleaner into a half-bucket of hot water, stirring well. For large areas, you may need to double the amount.
5. After cleaning, add the vinegar to a half-bucket of clean water and rinse the floor.