text: Are the hundreds of heavily advertised cleaning products really needed? Marlene Alexander believes they are not and she comes up with dozens of safe, effective substitutes for pricy household cleaning products. She says you have everything you need to clean your home in your bathroom or kitchen cabinets. These substitutes work and cost only pennies per use. Toothpaste can clean a ceramic stovetop. White vinegar can be used in various strengths to clean and deodorize from floor to ceiling. For example: Clean dishwashers, kettles, coffee makers, and more with vinegar. Other cleaning alternatives include lemon juice, baking soda, and olive oil.