Do: The Best Cleaning Ever

Some people like to clean, but I just can't relate; it's such a drag—how does everything get dirty so fast?! The bad news is that cleaning isn't going away, it's a fact of life. The good news is that there exists an ultimate grime-busting duo, Baking Soda & White Vinegar. Let me break it down for you:

Natural! They're so natural, they're food products! Your children can taste-test the cleaning supplies if they want. This is as non-toxic as they come, and makes it easier to involve kids in cleaning the house.

Cheap! I buy them in bulk at Costco: a 13.5-pound bag of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda is $6.59; a 5-liter bottle of Heinz White Vinegar is $2.79. This is remarkably inexpensive.

Effective! They get the job done right. Use them to clean pretty much anything. Cleaning product companies want us to believe that we need a different product for every cleaning job, but that's a LIE. Just store a jar of baking soda, a jug of white vinegar, and a spray bottle of half water/half vinegar in your cleaning caddy (or under each sink), and you're good to go.

HOW TO CLEAN WITH BAKING SODA & WHITE VINEGAR 

Toilet bowl: Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl, pour in vinegar, let it fizz and sit for a bit before brushing the bowl. This "science experiment in a toilet bowl" gets my kids excited to clean the toilet (future spouses will thank me).

Sink, toilet, countertops: Wipe clean with the spray bottle and paper towels. For an extra dirty kitchen sink, get the sink damp, sprinkle it with baking soda, scrub, and rinse.

Floors: Use the spray bottle; spray and mop as you go.

Bath and shower: Mix baking soda with water; scrub with the solution and rinse with water.

Mirrors and glass: Use straight vinegar. I dab some on a rag and wipe the glass.