Nature's Ideas on How to Keep Your House Clean

In a novel I was just reading over the weekend the main character moves from Russia to the U.S (as an Internet bride) and was so enamored over the abundance of available cleaning products that she employed quite a few products as she cleaned her new home only to be accused of trying to asphyxiate her new husband.

I'm guessing her ancestors relied more on the type of products that Dr. Andrew Weil recommends for house cleaning.

Olive oil: Use to lubricate and polish wood furniture (three parts olive oil to one part vinegar; or two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice).

Potatoes: Halved potatoes can remove rust from baking pans or tinware - follow with a salt scrub or dip the potato in salt before scrubbing.

White vinegar: Cleans linoleum floors and glass (from windows to shower doors) when mixed with water and a little liquid soap (Castile or vegetable). It cuts grease and removes stains, and removes soap scum and cleans toilets (add a bit of baking soda if you like). Pour down drains once a week for antibacterial cleaning. Add to water in a spray bottle to kill mold and mildew.

Tea tree oil: Can be added to vinegar/water solutions for its antibacterial properties. Use it to kill mold and mildew, and on kitchen and bathroom surfaces instead of chemical products. Add 50 drops to a bucket of water to clean countertops and tile floors.

And I have to add that Tea Tree has a million other uses such as treating acne, infections, and even in some situations cancer.