You need only these two ingredients to freshen carpets and remove stains.

What you need:
A cloth or paper towels
Club soda
Cornstarch

The process: To soak up oils and odors, sprinkle cornstarch over your carpet about a half hour before vacuuming. If it's a stain remover you're after, blot as much of the liquid as you can, then pour club soda over the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot (don't rub or press) the stain until it's removed.

Castile soap is the star ingredient here. Because it's made from plant oils, castile soap doesn't contain any of the chemicals or preservatives found in commercial liquid soaps that can cause skin irritation. You can use castile soap in place of your regular liquid soap and for laundry.

What you need:
Castile soap
1 drop of your favorite essential oil (optional)

The process: This one couldn't get any simpler: Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of castile soap to your laundry in place of your regular detergent and wash as usual. If you miss the scent from your regular detergent, try adding a drop of lavender essential oil.

Keep this four-ingredient spray on-hand for a quick mid-week cleanup. It kills germs and naturally -- and boasts a fresh citrusy scent.

What you need:
A spray bottle
Orange peels (you can also use a different citrus fruit)
1 teaspoon of salt
White vinegar
Distilled water

The process: Place orange peels in a container with a tablespoon of salt and let them sit for 20 to 30 minutes. (This pulls the oils from the peels for a stronger citrus scent.) Place the peels in a spray bottle and fill it with equal parts water and white vinegar, then spray away.