CLEANING AND ORGANIZING
Banish those chemicals
Chemical cleansers and cleaning supplies are not only bad for the environment, but also downright dangerous if you have little children and pets at home. Banish them and stock up on natural products that do the job just as well. And you don't need separate products for tiles, mirrors, glass or ceramics.

In this section, you can find new uses for your pantry products -- helping you save cash, and help the earth too:

Vinegar: Your best kitchen mate
Spritz on a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water to clean glass.

Use vinegar in the final rinse for your expensive crystal ware, they will come out sparkling clean.

Vinegar rinse also works well when you shampoo, to get rid of excess grease and dandruff. Just add a tablespoon of vinegar and wash your hair well.

To remove soapy build up from the bathtub, just sponge it down with a sponge soaked in vinegar. It cleans and deodorizes.

Actually, vinegar is excellent in kitchens and bathrooms. It cuts through the grease and makes chrome fittings sparkle. Use a cloth dipped in full-strength vinegar and wipe down chrome fittings in the bath and kitchen.

Note: Never use vinegar on marble or stone, as its acidic nature will permanently damage these surfaces.

Baking soda: Not just for Baking
Leave an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb food odors.

Sprinkle it on carpets, and then vacuum to get rid of pet odors.

Sprinkle some baking soda in the inside of your garbage bag, so the nasty smells don't get out.

Baking soda also works excellent inside a kitty litter box.

Furniture Care
When cleaning kitchen and pantry shelves, remove everything first. Then dip a soft cloth in some warm water and wipe the shelf. For more difficult cleanups (spilled honey, for example) use a soft cloth with some water on it, sprinkle on some baking soda and wipe well.
To get your wooden cabinets and furniture shining, wipe them down with a very thin coat of car wax. Dry then buff for a beautiful shine.

PARTY IN STYLE
Mayo with Va-Va-Vroom
Tickle your taste buds with this zesty twist to an old favorite. Add some crushed chilli flakes, a dash of Worcester sauce, a dash of Tabasco sauce, a couple of twists of freshly ground pepper to half a cup of American Garden Mayonnaise.

Spread it on your sandwich or perk up your potato salad. You can even make up a larger batch and refrigerate in an airtight jar.

Easy-peasy party platter
Next time you're entertaining, try this healthful party platter, instead of high-fat chips and nuts. Cut up carrot and cucumber sticks and arrange them on a platter with American Garden Garlic Mayonnaise.

Tasty treats for Friends
Strapped for a gift idea for gourmet buddies? Just mix up a batch of gourmet mayo using American Garden Mayonnaise (see tip above), spoon it into a pretty jar and stick on a label with storage instructions and serving ideas.

For instance, parsley mayo goes well with fish, and bleu cheese mayo is a lively dip with crackers and fresh fruit.