Here are some innovative and fun "Do It Yourself" cleaning techniques:

A Drain-Opening Mixture
Moderately clogged drains can sometimes be opened by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar, down the drain. Caution: The interaction of these two ingredients creates foaming and fumes, so replace the drain cover loosely. Flush the drain with clear water after about three hours.

Vacation Time
When you leave home for any amount of time, pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into your toilets. Then place a piece of saran wrap over the bowl - not the seat that lifts but the bowl itself. This prevents the water from evaporating and hard water marks from forming.

Unclog Your Showerhead
If the showerhead is particularly clogged, remove it and soak it in vinegar. This will both clean and sanitize it. Blocked holes in the showerhead can be freed by poking out the dirt with a pin prior to the soak.

Slipping Brooms and Rakes?
Cut the finger off an old rubber glove, and slide over the handle of long-handled tools and brooms. This prevents them from slipping when you prop them against a wall while working.

Cleaning silverware
To clean silver without a lot of elbow-grease, line a heatproof glass container with aluminum foil, shiny side up, add one heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and pour in enough boiling water to cover the items. The tarnish will collect on the foil. Remove the items, rinse, and polish with a soft cloth.

Creative Uses for Vinegar:

• Remove price labels by coating the label with several coats of white vinegar. Let it soak in and after several minutes the label will rub off
• Lime deposits around faucets can be softened for easy removal by covering the deposits with vinegar-soaked paper towels. Leave the paper towels on for about one hour before cleaning. Leaves chrome clean and shiny.
• To make a homemade anti-fogging glass cleaner try 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water and mist, This also reduces ice build-up on the outside of cars.
• Clean tea pots by boiling equal parts of vinegar and water for several minutes and let stand an hour. Then rinse with plain water before using tea kettle.
• Lime deposits around faucets can be softened for easy removal by covering the deposits with vinegar-soaked paper towels. Leave the paper towels on for about one hour before cleaning. Leaves chrome clean and shiny.

Creative Uses for ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda:

• Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub on insect bites to relieve itching.
• To remove black scuff marks from floor, rub them with a paste of baking soda and water.
• Soak sour smelling dishcloths and sponges in water and baking soda solution.
• Put a few spoonfuls in a cup of water in the microwave, boil for two minutes, then wipe down the inside with a sponge.
• Remove crayon marks from walls by scrubbing gently with an old toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water.
• Put a few spoonfulls into the laundry hamper to minimize odors
• To clean baby bottles, soak them overnight with water and a few tablespoons of baking soda. This will remove the sour smells.
• Rub baking soda into dog's fur, then comb it out. Cleans and deodorizes when there's no time for a bath.
• Clean tree sap off of a car by rubbing baking soda onto a damp sponge
• Deodorize musty smelling books by sprinkling baking soda between the pages, then brushing out after several days.