Let’s face it, between cleansers and disinfectants and polishes, you could spend a small fortunate to keep your home clean without even really trying! There are, however, some common items you already may have around the house that can keep things looking bright and shiny while saving you a ton of money.
Ketchup
It’s not just for French Fries anymore! Ketchup can also be very useful as an unexpected polish if you have tarnished cookware made from copper or brass. Wipe it down with the ketchup, then remove with a second clean rag, and the cookware’s color and shine will quickly be restored.
White Bread
While this isn’t necessarily a food that you want a lot of in your diet, it can help around the home in other ways. White bread is great for gently removing dust and grime from oil paintings, while not damaging the painting itself.
Oatmeal
While this is an excellent part of heart-healthy diet, it can keep your outside looking good, too! Make it into a thick paste and scrub the grime from very dirty hands, then rinse well. It will leave the hands clean and soft.
Rice
For a vase or a bottle with a thin neck that is hard to clean, fill it with warm water and uncooked rice, then cup your hand over the top and shake vigorously, then dump. This will leave you with a sparkling clean vase.
Tea
To clean rusty garden tools, soak them in a bucket of strongly brewed black tea for an hour, then take them out and wipe them down with a cloth. You will be amazed at how they look after their treatment!
Glycerin
If wax build-up from candle drippings is a problem, the solution is simple. Remove as much of the wax as you can, then rub the rest off with a cotton ball moistened in glycerin. It will quickly remove the rest of the wax.
Club Soda
A clothe soaked in club soda will act as an excellent buff to shine a stainless steel sink that has become scuffed up. After you are done buffing, wipe it down with another dry cloth, then sit back and watch it shine!
Cornstarch
If you notice a spot of grease on the carpet after last’s night dinner party, cornstarch can help you out. All you have to do is sprinkle it liberally onto the stain and let it sit for half an hour or so, then vacuum as you normally would.
Rubbing Alcohol
Permanent markers do not have to leave permanent stains! A cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol will quickly lift these marks from wood floors or countertops.
Hydrogen Peroxide.
If you are like most people, you are more or less glued to your laptop and the grime can build up on the keyboard in a hurry! Disinfect it with a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
So, the next time you think about spring cleaning, consider these unusual cleaning “supplies” that you might have already hanging around your cupboard or refrigerator. You will save a lot of money and your house will be squeaky clean as well.
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