As you may know, one of the secrets of saving money is looking for places in your budget to cut costs without sacrificing quality. And, if you’re anything like me, you hate to see hard-earned cash get spent on cleaning products—I mean, what part of that purchase is enjoyable?

So here are some cheap, effective DIY versions of everyday cleansers. An added bonus is that most of these are more eco-friendly than store-bought versions!

1. For clogged drains: First of all, make sure you’ve got drain traps (especially in the bathtub). They’ll prevent stuff from clogging the drain in the first place and can be bought at hardware stores for a couple dollars. If your drain’s already backed up, pour 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup baking soda down the drain. Let it stand for a few minutes, then rinse with boiling water
2. For soap scum: Sprinkle baking soda on the dirty area and scrub with a wet cloth. You can also use vinegar (let it sit a few minutes). For stubborn scum, scrub with an old toothbrush.
3. For carpet stains: Smaller stains can be fixed with club soda—pour it on and scrub it out. Larger stains can be tackled by sprinkling corn starch on the area and letting it sit for half an hour. Then, use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water to scrub.
4. To polish furniture: Mix ¼ cup vinegar and ¾ cup olive oil or ¼ lemon juice and ¾ olive oil. Apply and rub in with a clean, dry cloth.
5. To wash windows or glass: Mix ½ cup vinegar and 1 gallon water. I recommend using an old spray bottle or one you buy—that way you can spray easily and wipe as usual. If you hate the smell of vinegar, try using straight lemon juice or club soda and a cloth.
6. To polish silver: Rub it down with toothpaste and rinse with water.
7. Generic cleanser: Sprinkle baking soda and scrub with hot water.
8. To clean the microwave: Put a bowl of vinegar in the microwave and heat it for about two minutes. Then take it out and wipe down the inside—stains should have loosened.

If you like your house to smell nice in addition to being tidy, consider lighting scented candles or heating a bowl of spices on the stove – these are generally less expensive and longer-lasting than plug-in air fresheners!

Help your budget with homemade cleaners and avoid bankruptcy.

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