Debunking Cleaning Myths

Organic.  Non-Toxic. No GMOs.  Every where you turn, people are trying to avoid the toxic chemicals in their homes.  There are some good old fashioned cleaning tips which have fallen by the wayside in this fast paced world.

Here are some of those tried and true cleaning solutions our grandmothers probably used:

1. Cleaning and unclogging pipes.

Pour four teaspoons of baking soda into the sink, then add a cup of vinegar. If fizziness and bubbles arise, rinse it down with hot water and your pipe will be unclogged.  I know this one works because we have used it when we are out of Drano.  Cheaper and always on hand.

 

2. Cleaning pots with tomato sauce

Tomato sauce as a cleaning product … who knew? Stainless steel pots usually have a layer of copper, where copper oxide is formed during cooking. The tomato sauce contains acetic acid, which attacks the copper active base of the pan. Apply a thick layer of sauce on the base of the pan and let it work its magic for 30 minutes. Then wipe it away and watch the black stains disappear right before your eyes.

3. Plants help get rid of dust.

Dust appears everywhere, even after having cleaned it away 10 minutes ago. The good news is plants can help!  They not only bring life to the living room, BUT they also filter the pollutants from our air and provide us with fresh oxygen. Plants such as ferns and orchids catch the floating dust in the air on their leaves and can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

4. Sparkling water removes stains 

Another stain on your shirt? Quickly grab a bottle with sparkling water or soda and let the carbon dioxide dissolve the colour and tannins from the fabric.  This doesn’t work for fat or oil stains!  To use this method, saturate the spot and blot it up with a dry and absorbent cloth in a circular motion- always dab, never rub.

5. Lemon juice makes your exhaust duct shine 

The exhaust duct in the kitchen is a magnet for odors and oil stains. To remove the sticky spots, cut the lemon in half and rub it all over the metal surface. The acid quickly and efficiently removes fats and oils. For stubborn stains, add a few drops of detergent on a cloth and gently rub the stains away. Avoid the use of stainless steel sponges, as they tend to scratch the hood, making it shine even less than before.

6. Clean silver jewelry and silverware with toothpaste.

Is your silver jewelry starting to look dull? Just like your teeth, it turns out toothpaste is the perfect solution for silverware. Get your trusty toothpaste (not gel) out of the bathroom and scrub the ornaments with a toothbrush. Rinse the toothpaste off by dipping the silverware into a cup of warm water. The oxidized silver particles will be quickly washed away and your jewelry will start to shine again.

What is your best cleaning tip that was passed down in your family?  Share it with us.

Have an Epic day!

 

Need a Cleaning Solution

TGIF!! Yes, it is Friday.  I am sure many are counting down the hours till they get out of work, right?  With some awesome weather predicted at the Jersey Shore, I am sure you have lots of things planned that will keep you out and about.  For some, cleaning the house including picking up the kids toys will be on the list.  I am long past the lego stage of life BUT I do know some of you are still there.  We didn’t have legos at our house, it was Polly Pockets and Barbies.  Of course, my daughter’s room was never quite this neat.

A friend and fellow blogger, Vanessa Coppes, had the opportunity to be on The Chew last week and shared a GREAT tip for cleaning up the legos (or anything small that gets lost in the vacuum).  Click HERE to see the clip.

What a GREAT idea, right?  Using a stocking to collect legos with the vacuum.  She is a GENIUS!

Does your child’s room look like the picture?  Toys everywhere – from action figures to legos.

    

The Oh Snap bins are great for those little things all over the house.  The “snap” loop lets you hang them on rods or on a hook in the closet.  I love that our products are so versatile.  So you may buy it for one use and then you can also use it to hold your bottle of water or phone when you are out at those fall games.

Thirty One’s large utility tote is another great solution.  Not only is it sturdy enough to hold all of those toys but when you add a lid, it can be used to tote those toys.  This tote can be transformed as your child grows up.  It is great for for sporting equipment.  How about keeping the trunk of the car clean.  Grocery shopping for you instead of all of those plastic bags.

What would you use one of these products for?  How could they make your life just a little bit easier?

Struggling to find a solution for an organizing problem at home, the office, your car or even your purse.  Let me help you find the solution.  Contact me below:

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Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!