Several times over the past years, I have wished with all my heart I could call Mr. Migaki, my favorite teacher of all time who sparked curiosity and the love of science in my fifth-grade self. I needed to ask him about minerals and crystals and why borax and washing soda—both of them ingredients in…

The next time you need cleaning supplies, take a trip to your pantry, not the store. You already have the ordinary basic household items required to mix up every type of cleaner you need to keep the place sparkling clean and germ-free. Recipes? You need recipes? Well, this must be your lucky day, because I’ve…

There are so many good reasons to make your own household cleaners. It’s cheaper, healthier and greener, too. The homemade household cleaners I share with you from time to time do not contain chemicals. That means you can always count on them to be nontoxic. Dear Cheapskate: The copper post tops on my deck are…

This DIY recipe for upholstery cleaner is easy to make, super effective and (you know what’s coming) cheap! You’ll Need: a cheese grater an eggbeater or whisk a medium mixing bowl 6 tablespoons grated Fels Naptha laundry bar soap* 2 tablespoons borax* 2 cups boiling water *available in most supermarkets in the laundry aisle, or…