Having been inspired by the soapnuts thread Soap Nuts (Sapindus mukorossi) to try out other herbs that can be used for cleaning the home, I thought I'd start a thread that hopefully others will add to that will document herbs that can be used for cleaning the home.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) makes a handy natural bleach due to the large concentrations of oxalic acid. Juice from the leaves will remove rust spots from white cottons or linens, and can even reduce ink stains. Other herbs containing oxalic acid include parsley, fat hen and rhubarb although whether they'll have the same effect would have to be determined.

Brazil nuts, Walnuts and Hazelnuts make excellent polishes. Brazil in particular is effective in darkening white marks on polished furniture. Just cut a nut to expose the surface and rub it over the surface in the direction of the grain. Let the oil dry just a little and then polish with a clean dry cloth.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is rich in natural silica and was used to scrub and clean pots and pans, it makes a fine metal polish. Gather a small bunch of stems (more for larger projects) and use to shine metal such as pans or pewter objects. Be sure to wash and rinse the pots and pans after a horsetail scrub, before your use them for cooking in. 

Lemon Balm (Melissa officianlis) leaves make a wonderful instant aromatic furniture polish, just grab a handful of the fresh leaves and rub your furniture with them, buff up with a soft cloth afterwards and breathe in the wonderful aromatic aroma! 

Anyone else got any other suggestions?

THYME

Boiled in some water and strained,the resulting liquid is a powerful disinfectant--great for keeping kitchen work surfaces germ free.

Also, a few drops of tea tree oil in some water in a spray bottle is a very good toilet cleaner--I use it all the time.

Linda