If you clean it, Spring will come.

Spring is only a few weeks away, and there doesn't seem to be any sign of the snow stopping.   So while I'm stuck inside I might as well pull up my rubber gloves and get down to business.  In an effort to save money I have been looking into ways to save on the cleaning products and paper goods that we seem to use the most and are constantly replacing.  The easiest and most cost effective option is to use cloth napkins and rags instead of paper towels. After almost three years of marriage I finally found a reason to use the nice cloth napkins we registered for from Crate and Barrel.  Much to the chagrin of my hippie little brother in Portland, who owns an all green landscaping business, I can't in good conscience say this came from a desire within to save the planet (though it is an excellent  perk).  I have not given up on my handy Clorox wipes and my Select-A-Size paper towels.  I've simply made a conscious effort to not pull a new towel for everything.  I cleaned the entire kitchen with a rag and home made, natural cleanser (see recipe below).

Don't worry, you don't need to ruin your kitchen towels.  You can recycle your little ones burp cloths and terry cloth bibs as super absorbent and perfectly sized cleaning rags and dusters.

Save a tree AND a dollar!

Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

All-Purpose Cleaner: 

Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. 
Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, kitchen, etc.