All-purpose Disinfectant
1-1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 quart hot water
1-1/3 cup pine oil
Mix detergent and water and stir slowly until detergent is
completely dissolved. If the mixture gets foam, stop stirring and
skim off the bubbles. Gradually add pine oil and mix well.  To
use, dilute using 1 part disinfectant with 1 part water, except
when cleaning high bacteria areas such as toilet bowls, etc.
Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Keep out of reach of
small children. Good for use on countertops and floors.

 Aluminum Cleaner
1/4 cup soap flakes
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cream of tarter
Combine cream of tartar and baking soda. Add vinegar and mix to
form a soft paste. Add soap flakes and transfer to a jar or
bottle with a solid lid. Label for future use.  To use, apply
with a steel wool pad, then rinse off. Store out of reach of
children.
DO NOT USE AMMONIA ON ALUMINUM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN
DAMAGE SEVERELY!

Carpet Stain Remover/Cleaner 
If the mess/stain is still wet, sprinkle
with baking soda. Allow to dry, then vacuum. If stain is old and
dry, saturate with club soda and scrub with a wet cloth. Then
sprinkle baking soda on and allow to dry.

Comb & Brush Cleaner
1 pint (16 fluid oz.) water
1/4 cup household ammonia
1/4 tsp. shampoo or liquid detergent
Mix all ingredients in a bowl or jar. Set comb or brush in the
liquid and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. Remove from the liquid
and clean the brush by scraping with a comb (and vice versa).
Rinse with warm water and allow to dry before using.

Drain Cleaner
Formula #1:
1 cup baking soda
1 cup salt
1/4 cup cream of tarter
 Place all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake
vigorously until well mixed. To use, pour 1/4 cup of the mixture
into the drain, followed by 2 cups boiling water. Wait 1 minute,
then rinse with tap water.
 Formula #2:
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup of vinegar
2 quarts boiling water
Plunge stuck drain first. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the
drain, followed by the vinegar and then boiling water.

Furniture Cleaner
1 cup linseed oil
2/3 cup turpentine
1/3 cup white vinegar
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Use a soft cloth
to apply to wood surfaces, rubbing to remove dirt and excess
polish. Removes surface dirt and grime from finished wood. Store
in a tightly covered jar.

Grease Solvent
tbsp. liquid gel soap (see recipe below)
3 tbsp. cornmeal
1 tsp. glycerin
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Removes
stubborn grease/oil stains from your skin.
Liquid / Gel Soap
2 cups soap flakes or grated bar soap
1/2 gallon water
2 tbsp. glycerin
Mix ingredients together in a large pot or Dutch oven. Set over
low heat, stirring occasionally until the soap has dissolved.
Transfer to a jar and cover tightly. For a less thick gel soap,
use 1 gallon of water.
 

Jewelry Cleaner
1 tbsp. dishwashing detergent
1 tbsp. washing soda (sodium carbonate) NOT THE SAME AS POWDERED
LAUNDRY DETERGENT
1 tbsp. household ammonia
3 cups warm water
Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour into a glass jar
and cover tightly. Label jar for future use and keep out of reach
of children. To use, soak jewelry in the solution for 1-10
minutes (depending on how tarnished it is). Swish intricate
pieces in the solution to get into the cracks/crevices. Use a
toothbrush or a well-washed mascara brush for hard to reach
places. Rinse and dry with a soft clean cloth. Don't soak pearls
in this solution. Rub them gently with a soft chamois cloth
dampened in the solution. Do not combine this solution with
chlorine bleach - hazardous fumes will result!

 Tile & Grout Cleaner
 1/2 cup baking soda
 1/3 cup household ammonia
1/4 cup white vinegar
7 cups warm water
Combine ingredients in a gallon container. Cover tightly and
shake or swish to mix ingredients. Label for future use and keep
out of reach of children. NOTE: Do not combine this mixture with
anything containing bleach.  To use, fill a spray bottle with the
solution. Spray directly onto tile surface, then wipe with a damp
sponge or cloth. Eliminates grimy soap film.

 Toilet Bowl Cleaner
 1 tbsp. household ammonia
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
 2 quarts water
Mix ingredients in a bucket, then slowly pour solution into the
toilet bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes, then scrub inside of bowl
with a scrub brush and flush. For stubborn stains, let stand for
several hours. Use regularly to clean and disinfect.

Mechanic's Hand Cleanser
Grind up a bar or two of your soap...
1 c. borax
1-2 t. pure turpentine
1 t. sweet orange essential oil
1 c. ground soap
With very clean hands, work the turpentine and essential oil into
the borax until there are no lumps left, then work into the soap.
Keep it in a wide-mouthed jar or tin that's easy for him to open
when his hands are greasy, and which you won't mind getting black
on the outside. Don't forget to put a nail brush and pumice stone
out with the hand cleanser.
 

Silver Polish
Cover the bottom of a glass or plastic pan with aluminum foil.
Pour in about 1 cup boiling water and add 2 teaspoons of baking
soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to dissolve.
Drop the silver pieces into the liquid and make sure each piece
of silverware is touching. The tarnish will slowly disappear
before your eyes. Rinse and buff dry.
For severely tarnished silver, more than one treatment may be
necessary.

Copper and Brass Cleaner
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup powdered detergent
3/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup very warm water
Mix flour, salt and detergent in a bowl. Add remaining
ingredients and stir. Transfer mixture to a quart jar, close
tightly and label for future use.
To use, shake jar, then pour some of the cleaner on the
brass/copper surface and rub gently with a dishcloth. For tough
spots, scrub with an old toothbrush or a plastic scouring pad.
Rinse, dry and polish with a soft cloth.
 

What do you want to make? Some new recipes to try out? Do you
want to make homemade versions of health/beauty aids? Do you want
to try out other homemade household things like air fresheners?
Do you want a comprehensive guide to recycling/reusing all types
of items? Then go to the site I found all this at:

http://www.makestuff.com/index.html#project_index