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.
Hope Wissel 