Multi-Purpose Products

• The most basic household cleaners have multiple purposes. These include chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach, disinfectants, ammonia, borax and liquid soap. Although each may clean multiple surfaces well, they are not interchangeable and may not be appropriate for all surfaces. Chlorine bleach, for example, is good for sanitizing bathrooms, cleaning refrigerators and whitening laundry, but can damage other surfaces, such as wood flooring and dark fabric. Ammonia diluted with water cleans windows, walls and fixtures, but not carpeting or upholstery -- and it should never be mixed with bleach, as it will give off toxic fumes. A safer alternative is oxygen bleach, which, dissolved in water or made into a paste, will clean almost anything. One caveat: it works best hot, so you'll have to mix it every time you clean for the best results.
  
  

Specialized Cleaning Products

• A lot of specialized cleaning products, such as toilet cleaners and glass cleaners, are made out of basic multiple-use cleaning products like ammonia, and don't work better than if you mix it yourself. Liquid soap is often sold as dish cleaner, but it can effectively clean most surfaces, and is milder than harsh chemical cleaners. Some specialized cleaners are really only useful for cleaning one type of surface, like oil soap for cleaning wood surfaces and detergent designed for automatic dishwashers. Other specialized cleaning products include oven cleaner, furniture polish, stain remover for fabric and carpet cleaner.
  
  

Natural Cleaning Products

• Some natural household items you might keep on hand for cooking are actually effective cleaners as well; for example, lemon juice, with its high concentration of citric acid, can be used to clean bathrooms and kitchen surfaces. Baking soda absorbs odors and can be made into a powerful deodorizing paste when mixed with water for cleaning refrigerators and scrubbing grout. White vinegar has multiple uses as a cleaner and deodorizer, and can be mixed with baking soda for a boost. Use vinegar to clean kitchen surfaces, coffee pots, glass and chrome. Vinegar can also remove lime deposits.
  
  

"Green" Chemical Cleaning Products

• While conventional cleaning products get the job done, some, like ammonia, can be toxic, both to people and to the environment. The EPA has a special program called "Design for the Environment" that works in partnership with product manufacturers to help consumers identify chemically based cleaning products that meet their standards for being safer for families and the environment. These cleaning products have a special EPA Design for the Environment label -- look for a picture of a globe when shopping for products. DfE products include everything from hand soap to oven cleaner.