I love to cook with garlic, but I can't stand the smell that stays on my hands for days afterward. I removed a thick layer of soap buildup in my kitchen this way, and the floor looked almost new, although the room smelled vinegary for a couple of days. Wash the affected area with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Also try wiping damp areas with a solution of borax and water to discourage mildew from forming in the first place. Baking soda works well to remove baked-on crud from a casserole dish, and borax and a soft bristle bnish cleans some food stains from my porcelain sink.
Salt works well to clean metal barbecue grills.
I had ants in the yard, and they went away when I sprinkled black pepper on the anthills. There are different eco-methods for different types of stains. Club soda applied immediately can remove most liquid stains. For a more crusty stain, I tried rubbing dry salt into the stain and saw some improvement, but there was still a shadow of the stain left behind. Amy Roffman New is a freelance writer in Chandler, Arizona, who specializes in health topics.