All-natural ways to ...

The quickest fix to a problem is not always the best fix. Many convenience items are full of chemicals that may not be safe for the environment. And although many medications may be ideal for treating ailments, some people prefer a more natural method to treat certain ailments.

There are many all-natural items that can be put to use for personal care and home care if you know where to look. It is important to note that some supplements or herbs are not adviseable for pregnant women or those with certain conditions. Therefore it's best to check with a doctor or pharmacist before beginning any regimen.

... get rid of ants

Make a sweet solution of sugar water and borax, also known as sodium tetraborate. Borax is not toxic, but it should not be ingested, and it may cause minor skin irritation. You can also try substituting washing soda for the borax, which is sodium carbonate. The ants will feed on the solution, take it back to the colony, and eventually the numbers will dwindle.

... reduce irritation from a sting

Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the sting and it will help reduce the pain and swelling. This also may work on jellyfish stings and on other bug bites.

... fall asleep more quickly

Passion flower is known to produce mild sedative effects that can help induce sleep. Passion flower can be found in tinctures, teas and capsules. In tea form it can be mixed with chamomile to improve flavor and boost even further relaxing feelings.

... relieve nasal congestion

A stuffy nose can make sleeping difficult, contribute to a dry throat from mouth-breathing and just be a nuisance. There are many different ways to open up nasal passages. Saline solutions that are sprayed or misted into the nose can loosen mucus and help it to drain. The same principal applies when using a neti pot. Eating spicy foods, such as hot peppers, wasabi or jerk seasonings, can also temporarily cause the nose to run and alleviate pressure.

... remove grass stains

Using the wrong items can set in a grass stain quickly. Wet the stain with rubbing alcohol and let dry to dissolve some of the stain. Then wet the fabric with water, pour detergent right on the stain and wash as usual.

... clean up pet accidents

Pet urine can stain and smell. Quick clean-up is key, but use a product that will neutralize odor. Oxygen powder bleach diluted in a bucket of water can be used as a carpet shampoo. It will clean up the stain and remove the odor.

... remove a wart

Coat the skin around the wart with petroleum jelly to protect it. Soak a small piece of cotton in apple cider vinegar and place it directly on the wart. Cover with medical tape or a bandage and repeat daily. The vinegar will kill the wart in a matter of days or weeks.

... treat dandruff

Medicated shampoos and products can smell harsh and leave hair lifeless. Tea tree oil already found in shampoos can be applied to the scalp as a separate therapeutic step to help reduce dryness and dandruff.

... exterminate household bugs

All sorts of insects like to come indoors from time to time. While many are harmless and some can be beneficial (like spiders), most people care not to cohabitate with six- or eight-legged friends. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powdery substance made from small crustaceans. It is typically used as a swimming pool filter medium to trap dirt. The drying properties of DE can be used to eliminate bugs. Insects walk through a sprinkling placed in areas where they are often found (such as crevices in a basement). The sharp, microscopic edges of the DE penetrate the insects' exoskeleton and the product also dries out the tender internal areas. DE can be irritating to the skin and the dust should not be breathed in, but generally the product is safe in small amounts and non-toxic, unlike bug sprays.

... keep a pool or spa clean

Many people think they need a host of chemicals to keep a pool or spa clean and healthy or spend a lot of money doing so. If you read the labels of many "pool" chemicals, they're actually household items you probably have on hand. Sanitize and keep the pool clean with ordinary household bleach, or sodium hypochlorite. Raise pH in a pool with washing soda used in laundry. Raise the total alkalinity of water with baking soda. Match up the chemical names to the ingredients on bags of pool products and you just may find you're spending more money when you could simply shop in the laundry aisle.

... polish chrome on cars

Use vinegar full strength on a rag and wipe the chrome components until nice and shiny. Metal parts that have been rusted can also be soaked clean in undiluted vinegar overnight.

With little knowledge, people can remedy many ailments with all-natural products that are safer on the environment and the body.