Bob hates the smell of vinegar, and I want to make my own counter cleaner that's eco friendly.

Are there any non-vinegar alternatives? All the recipes I find use vinegar and when I tried using those, he objects.

I love using baking soda. Just shake it out and use a wet scrubby or cloth. I had a friend who had built up grease on her painted cabinets. The baking powder took the grease right off. She rinsed, dried, and had lovely cabinets. So, I think you would like it on your counters.

Since my mother-in-law moved in with us several years ago, (she is a smoker) everything in the house is permeated with smoke. The worst parts are plastic, like shower stalls, but everything is stained. I mixed baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dawn dish washing liquid, it takes it right off. It seemed to take all the old stains out, not just the yucky brown stuff. I use it for everything now.

I finally got things cleaned up again, and kicked her smoking outside, and I don't care if it gets to 40 below zero in the winter. I will not endure another surgery with a smoker in the house!

Instead of vinegar you can use lemon juice, it doesn't smell bad and it is natural cleaning product.

Oh! Lemon juice! My boyfriend loves the smell of lemons. I'll give that a try - thanks!

We do use baking soda on things that need scrubbing, but as it leaves grit that we then have to clean away, I tend to not use that unless it's necessary.

For hard to remove stains I use a combinations of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Up until a few days ago I was taking care of my mother-in-law, she was a constant smoker. We quit quite some time ago. The stains were awful, shower stalls, counters ect. The combination even took that stained mess away. After several years of caring for her, my doctor highly suggested we have her go to a nursing home.

The mixture is fun to watch too

I wonder if there is anything you can do to the vinegar to take away the smell.

How about odd rust spots on the counter top? I used to use bleach (I know imagine the smell on that one...LOL...)

I can't seem to get rid of them.

Baking Soda is a great way to take out the vinegar smell Lisa.

Dianne:
Rust spots on counters - for a natural option: try making a paste of baking soda and water and let it sit on the spots for about 15 minutes. Another option, you might try CLR - it is a heavy duty product that you can find at even Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, but it usually gets the job done. Make sure you have good ventilation because it can get stinky. When you are finished with it wash everything down with lemon juice and/or baking soda. Then you will get rid of that smell.
_________________________