Borax
Borax is a powerful cleaning agent and needs to be activated by disolving in hot water. Use it as a laundry brightener or heavy duty scrubbing around the house inside and out. Add a little high quality castile soap and magic happens. 
Fundamental to Life As one of the 109 elements that make up the planet, it’s not surprising that boron is everywhere – in soil and water, plants and animals – in trace amounts. Although scientists refer to levels of “boron,” it is important to note that the element boron does not exist by itself in nature. Rather, boron combines with oxygen and other elements to form boric acid, or inorganic salts called borates. Despite the millions of tons of industrial borates mined, processed and distributed around the world every year, far larger quantities of boron are transferred around the planet by way of natural forces. Rain, volcanic activity, condensation and other atmospheric activities redistribute at least twice as much boron as all commercial practices combined.