It's easy to make your own greener, cheaper cleaners with ingredients already in your pantry. FOR COUNTERTOPS AND WINDOWS: Combine a tablespoon of white vinegar and a quart of water in a spray bottle, squirt, and wipe dry. Vinegar is a mild acid that dissolves dirt, hard water deposits, and soap scum. Be careful when using vinegar, which can irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. FOR A CLOGGED DRAIN: Pour in half a cup of dry baking soda, followed by half a cup of vinegar, then cover the drain. Wait 15 minutes, then flush with two cups of hot or boiling water. FOR FABRIC STAINS: Attack with white vinegar or lemon juice. FOR FAUCETS AND DIRTY OVENS: Sprinkle baking soda over the area (only when it's cool) and scrub with steel wool and water. The gritty soda scours off dirt and raises the PH of water, which helps remove chalky white buildup around faucets. Avoid this abrasive method on glass stovetops. Keep in mind....If you don't want to give up commercial cleaners, cast a skeptical eye on products labeled "eco-friendly" or "organic." Look instead for specific claims such as solvent free or phosphate-free, and for the "design for the Environment" label. These products have been carefully screened for their environmental effects. Louisa Thomas