As a general rule, you should clean your oven at least every three months, though this depends on how often you use it and the amount of residue buildup. A clear sign that your oven needs cleaning is if you notice smoke or a burning smell during use. Many ovens have a self-cleaning cycle, which heats the oven to an extreme temperature. If you use this feature, stay home while it runs and consider ventilating the room, as it can create smoke. For manual cleaning, you can make a paste of baking soda and water or use white vinegar before resorting to harsher, store-bought oven cleaners.

It depends on the surface you’re trying to clean. For example, a mixture of vinegar and water is a good option for a deep cleaning, including removing hard water stains from glass or stainless steel. However, vinegar is too acidic for granite and other types of natural stone, so it’s better to use a combination of baking soda and water on those surfaces.

You can remove stubborn stains from your toilet by scrubbing with a store-bought cleaner appropriate for the toilet’s material. If you’re looking for a homemade solution, you can also use vinegar and baking soda—just pour 2 cups of white vinegar around the edges of your toilet. Once the bowl is wet with vinegar, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of baking soda, concentrating on the stains. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush to clean the mixture. 

Just a note: While combining baking soda and vinegar is OK, never mix that solution with any other cleaners.

You can always use a homemade vinegar solution as a natural alternative to commercial cleaning products. To make and use a vinegar cleaning solution, fill a spray bottle with equal parts white distilled vinegar and warm water. Spray the solution liberally across the tub surface. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it down with a non-abrasive sponge or cleaning cloth, then rinse with clean water. If a line of soap scum is still visible, spray it with the vinegar solution. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub the residue away before wiping it down and rinsing again.