Most stain-removal products are fairly costly and are some of the most toxic household products out there. Aside from parabens and sulfates, most of those products also contain artificial fragrances and colorings. Below, I have comprised a basic (although not all-inclusive) list of natural ways to remove stains from your laundry. 

NOTE: Always treat stains from the back to prevent pushing them further into the fabric.

Just for reading this post, I have made all of you a quick-reference guide that you can print out and keep in your laundry room. Just click the download link below the infographic!

I can't stand that yucky mess that builds up around the base of the kitchen sink faucet, so I always like to have scouring powder on hand to get rid of it. Commercially-produced products contain so many chemicals, irritate my skin and have an obnoxious odor. Making my own scouring powder with natural ingredients and a bit of essential oil is a much safer (and better smelling) way to get a sparkling sink.

To store my powder, I used a mason jar topped with the lid from a Parmesan cheese container. I use mason jars for many things, so you may want to go ahead and stock up on some too. Their uses are endless!

What you need:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Borax (found in the laundry care section of most stores)
1/2 cup washing soda (also found in the laundry care section)
1/2 cup fine salt (Not iodized. I use fine sea salt.)
20 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

Put it together:
This is simple. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl, then pour into the mason jar. Add the lid and you're done!

How to use it:
For tough cleaning, pour a bit of the powder onto the area, dampen a sponge or cloth with white vinegar, and scrub away. For regular cleaning, dampen the sponge or cloth with water. Make sure to rinse the area thoroughly when you're done to make sure no residue is left.

If you're dealing with a really grimy mess, sprinkle a bit of white vinegar on the area, sprinkle with the powder, and let sit for 5 minutes. Scrub, then rinse.

NOTE: This powder is pretty heavy duty, and has some massive scouring power. If you're using it on a surface that is easily scratched, leave out the salt. If you're not sure how a surface will react to the powder, try a small amount on an inconspicuous area first.

Cleaning a toilet isn't exactly a popular topic, but it's something we all have to do, so why not make it as fast, safe, and simple as possible? Commercially-produced toilet cleansers contain numerous chemicals that could seriously hurt children and animals if they are ingested, so why not make up a batch of these toilet bombs using natural, safe ingredients? Even though they contain all-natural ingredients, these fizzies should still be stored out of the reach of children and pets.

Before we get started, let's go over what each ingredient does:

• Baking soda: this is a great deodorizer and a natural abrasive. It can help get your toilet sparkling clean without scratching the porcelain.
• Citric acid: This provides the fizzing action, and dissolves hard water stains.
• Oils: The combination of oils used in this 'recipe' destroys bacteria and germs, and leaves your bathroom smelling clean and fresh.
  

Alrighty. Let's whip some of these up!

What you need:
1 1/3 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid (this is found in supermarkets or chain stores in the canning section, near the mason jars and pickling salt)
1 teaspoon water
30 drops peppermint essential oil
30 drops lemon essential oil
30 drops lavender essential oil
a small spray bottle
a mold to put the mixture in. (I used a standard ice cube tray.)

Put it together:
1. Mix the baking soda and citric acid together in a medium-sized bowl.

2. Slowly add in the essential oils, one drop at a time. Stir thoroughly.

3. Put the water into the spray bottle. You may need a little more than a teaspoon, but start with that just to make sure you don't use too much. Spray the mixture once or twice, then mix thoroughly.

4. Keep spraying the water onto the mixture, one to two sprays at a time, until the water has all been used up.

5. Use your hands to make sure the mixture is lump free. The key here is to make sure the mixture is just damp enough to hold its shape. If it is too wet, it will start to fizz and turn into a sticky mess. If it is too dry, it will crumble. Test your mixture by picking up a handful and giving it a hard squeeze. Most of it should remain in a large clump. If it crumbles apart just laying in your hand, it needs a few more sprays of water.

6. Pack the mixture tightly into each cavity of the mold you choose to use. Let them dry overnight, then gently remove them from the mold. Store in an airtight glass container.

How to use it:
Simply drop a fizzy into the toilet, let it finish fizzing, then give it a quick scrub with a toilet brush. That's it!