This Sunday is Earth Day, and as Canadians become more environmentally aware, many of us are making the move to reduce our carbon footprint.

You can start by overhauling your cleaning kit, saying goodbye to harmful chemicals and hello to some environmentally-friendly, do-it-yourself products.

Some of the most effective household cleaners are the simple products out grandparents used. Many of them are biodegradable and safe to use around children. They're also super-cheap to make and can be created with simple household products.

Granted, some of the products don't clean as quickly as commercial cleaners, but after leaving the products to sit on surfaces for a minute or two and using a bit of extra elbow grease, you'll find they work just as effectively.

There are dozens of cleaning product recipes, most of them involve some combination of the following five ingredients that can be safely mixed together. Store mixtures in spray bottles and label them.

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Lemon juice
• Borax
• Club soda  

Recipes courtesy of Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine:

Lemon-scented all-purpose cleaner
1 tbsp borax
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup hot water

Mix ingredients in spray bottle (the lemon scent lingers). Use for cleaning bathroom and kitchen surfaces, as well as other water-safe surfaces. Discard any remaining cleaner and make afresh batch next time.

Toilet bowl cleaner
1 cup vinegar
1/2 cup baking soda

Pour the vinegar directly into the toilet bowl and let stand for 30 mins. Sprinkle baking soda onto toilet brush and scour.

To keep bowl fresh, pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl once a month and let stand overnight. Alternatively, pour 1 cup of borax into the toilet bowl before going to bed. In the morning, scrub and flush.

Furniture polish
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tsp lemon juice

Mix in spray bottle. Spray liberally on wood surfaces and wipe dry.

Drain Opener
1-1/2 cups vinegar
2 tbsp baking soda

Pour the ingredients into the clogged drain. Wait 5 min, and turn on the hot water. Repeat if necessary

Polishing silver
Line a glass pan or pot with tinfoil. Add a tablespoon or two of baking soda and salt. Pour in boiling water. Leave silverware to soak. Polish with toothpaste and rinse.

Glass Cleaner
1 part vinegar
1 part alcohol
1 part water

Mix in a spray bottle and use to clean windows or any other glass, chrome and stainless steel surfaces, and tile.