Gigi:

I make a scouring powder out of it, using one part baking soda and one part borax.

Does that work better than baking soda by itself?  

I have a spray bottle with full strength vinegar in it. It's all I use to clean my kitchen counter tops with. I use ammonia to cut grease when I have to, but am careful as it also suts paint. I like dish soap and baking soda as well.

I think it does. I have not done a comparative study, but I prefer to use the two together, rather than independently. Not only do I use it for scrubbing counters and sinks, but also pots and other cookware when I need to. It is toxic if consumed in large doses, which sounds relatively safe to me. My husband does not think it effective for washing tire rims, and continues to use "the bad stuff." It certainly would be a small risk to buy it. If you did not like it as a scouring powder, you could use it in your laundry. If you lived close by, I would let you try some, but alas, we live a good distance from each other! 

A little goes a long way. I mix 1cup each, a put it into a 1 pint Rubbermaid server saver.( I think I have the name right.) It is a small liquid container, and the small hole with a cover works great to sprinkle it dry.  

Borax or sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is considered a multi-purpose household cleaner according the box. It is widely and diversely used, such as a mild antiseptic or a cleansing agent. The Dial corporation also posts that it makes the detergent work better, helps make your china sparkle, and eliminates kitchen odors. The good thing is that it is made in the USA.

There is more information here:  http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0808327.html 

PS. I also use rice for cleaning containers with a small opening. Although I use dish detergent as the cleaning agent, also I put in a small amount of dry rice. I then shake like crazy. It usually comes out clean.  

 Thanks, Gigi. I do have some borax (I used it to make laundry detergent), but have never cleaned with it that I can remember. I think I'll try it with baking soda to scrub the sinks.

I have not used Borax. I think I will check it out. I do have 2 small boys so I am concerned about toxins. I had heard to use Borax and sugar for roaches and other pests, though.

Right now, vinegar and baking soda are good for me as cleaners. I use ammonia in my wash for a boost and to get the moldy smell out of things. I use vinegar for my rinse cycle, especially for towels. Got those ideas right here on these boards and it works great--saved my towels! I like vinegar and water mix for my wood floors and windows and baking soda for my toilet. I don't use baking soda for my counters as I have some granite and don't know if it will scratch. I am interested in trying some essential oils as I do like pleasing scents and vinegar just smells clean after it disappears.

Dusting, well.....when I do dust, I use a damp cloth. My mother always used some sort of oil she kept mixed in an old jar and just "dipped" her dust rag into. I will have to ask what it was. It lasted forever and had a good, distincctive smell that I can't identify but would recognize it if I smelled it!

Windows - Mix a gallon of warm water and 2 T. cornstarch.  Apply with the sponge side of a squeege and remove with the squeege.  A "whoda' thought" mixture, but it really works well.  A hint from professional window washers.

Fels Naptha Soap - http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=D1001&Show=ExtInfo

Clean your shower, clean paint brushes, spray for aphids and black-spot fungus on roses, remove Halloween makeup from clothing, clean canvas tennis shoes, etc.

Natural Detergent/All-Purpose Cleaner - Makes 1 gallon and can be used anywhere all-purpose sprays can be used.

1 cup liquid Castile Soap (I use Dr. Bronner's)

1/3 cup salt

1 cup baking soda (NOT washing soda)

1 c. vinegar

40 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract

A few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)

Mix the salt and baking soda with enough of the water to dissolve the mixture, over low heat.  Add the dissolved mixture to approximately 1/2 gallon of water in a 1-gallon container (I recycle a leftover vinegar jug).  Add the Castile soap and the vinegar.  Fill your gallon jug up the rest of the way, add the Grapefruit Extract and essential oils (if using).  Shake before using.

I love this mixture for my bed sheets.  According to the original author, use it for cleaning the tub, floors, countertops, etc. 

The Grapefruit Seed Extract is supposed to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties.

Borax - The usual & unusual...  Borax has a pH or around 9, which is higher than baking soda (which is 8.1; 7 is neutral).  It is a good deodorizer and mold inhibitor, as well as a successful way to kill cockroaches, fleas, and other insects (Borax releases boric acid, which is poison to insects.  Very high doses would need to be ingested to harm a pet or human).

1.  Mold Inhibotor - Mix a thick borax and water paste.  Smear it on the moldy area.  Let set until dry (overnight or longer).  Sweep up the powder and rinse off the rest.

2.  Mice Deterrent - Sprinkle borax on the floor along the walls (where mice like to run).  They don't like getting the borax on their feet, so they are less likely to return to that area of the house.

3.  All-Purpose Cleanser - Put 2 teaspoons of borax in a spray bottle with 2 cups of very hot water.  Shake to blend.

4.  Floor cleaner - mix 1/3 c. borax with 1 t. dishwashing detergent and 1 gallon of warm water in a large bucket.

5.  Scouring compound - 1/4 c. borax, 1/4 c. baking soda. 

6.  Toilet - 1/4 c. borax in toilet, swish with a toilet brush, let stand for at least 20 minutes (or overnight for stubborn problems), and then flush.

Lavender-Scented Dish Liquid (low suds - 1 T. for dishwashing)

3 T. liquid lavender Castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner's)

2 c. warm water

2 t. vegetable glycerin

2 T. white vinegar

10 drops lavender essential oil.

 I use Dr Bonners for  many, many things. It is expensive to buy but it last forever. Good to wash down your kitchen to get rid of fruit flies. I clean the toilet, shampoo hair. shampoo the cat for fleas. DH loves it for washing hands after working on the car.I bought a gallon two years ago and still have about half of it. Babs

Dr. Bronner's is another of the things that Stop and Shop is discontinuing . I got two quart bottles for 99 cents each! I use for shampoo,  to wash the dogs, and a drop or two in the toilet brush holder.

I use borax in an all purpose cleaner recipe from Utne reader ; 1 teaspoon borax, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, 1 quart warm water. ...mix in a spray bottle , safe for any surface.

I find that borax by itself doesn't seem to do a great job on the tub...for non toxic tub cleanser, I like Bon Ami.

 Wow, 99 cents for Dr Bonner is a wonderful price. I had to order online. Our food co op kept it for years but stopped. One more use, summer the DD gets the chlorine in the hair from the pool. Dr Bonners takes it right out.  Babs
 

I got a list of natural cleaning recipes, a grocery tote, window film, a low flow shower head and a couple of CFC bulbs free a couple of years ago from an college extension service. I love the cleaning recipes but the one they gave me called for ammonia, baking soda, and vinegar.

I also use vinegar in my dishwasher instead of Jet Dry, works great and I only use 1/4 of the detergent that people usually use in their dishwasher. I have tried the enviro friendly dishwasher detergent and it does'nt clean the dishes at all.