Instead of spending on cabinets full of specific, expensive (and toxic) cleaning products, you can use these five basic supplies to cover 40 different household tasks, from removing tea stains to getting rid of ants.

Baking Soda

Keep bouquets fresh by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water at the bottom of a vase.

Remove grease from baking sheets by combining baking soda with hydrogen peroxide and scrubbing (detailed instructions here).

Ward off mustiness in your linen closet by placing an open box of baking soda in the back.

Dust your mattress with baking soda to remove dirt and moisture (detailed instructions here).

Eliminate fridge odors by placing an open box of baking soda on the back shelf.

Relieve baby’s diaper rash by adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda in the little one’s bath water.

Polish your own silver with a solution of salt, baking soda and hot water (detailed instructions here).

Clean your toilet bowl by scrubbing it with a two-to-one ratio of baking soda and olive oil.

Use as anti-itch ointment for insect bites, poison ivy or rashes by mixing baking soda with water to create an anti-itch paste.