Bathroom
An old toothbrush is great for scrubbing around faucets in the bath
or kitchen. It's great for hard-to-clean knobs and handles on the
stove too.
To clear a sink
or basin drain, pour one half cup of baking soda followed by a cup
of vinegar...let the mixture foam, then run hot water.
Rid your bathroom
and shower stalls of mildew with a weekly spraying of liquid bleach.
Having trouble
removing decals in your bathtub? Peel them off, then to the remaining
hardened adhesive, apply a generous coating of petroleum jelly. Allow
to soften for awhile, then all the unsightly reside will be a cinch
to remove.
Dingy , moldy
shower curtains will look like new after an occasional soaking in
one-half cup liquid bleach and 1/4 cup detergent. Soak the curtains
for 20 minutes in either washing machine or bathtub. Rinse, then drip
dry.
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Cloth
If age spots have appeared on linens stored away for some time, sponge
the spots with full strength peroxide then rinse in cold water and
wash as usual. For very stubborn spots, more than one application
of peroxide may be necessary.
A few drops of
cologne added to the water in your steam iron will give clothes a
fresh fragrance.
If old stored-away
linens have spots, sponge them with full strength peroxide, then rinse
in cold water and wash as usual. For stubborn spots more than one
application may be needed.
If clothing has
mildew spots, saturate the spots thoroughly with lemon juice, rub
on some table salt then put the garments in the sunshine until the
juice dries. Then launder as usual.
Ordinary grease
can be removed from clothing, upholstery and wallpaper by rubbing
white talcum jpowder into the spot with a cotton ball until the grease
is absorbed.
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Furniture / Carpets
To remove water rings from a wood surface is to rub in a little mentholatum
and let stand for a short period.
The camphor is
what works the magic. You can polish afterwards. You can also try
this: to one cup of rubbing alcohol add a tablespoon of baby oil.
Shake until thoroughly mixed, then rub over the spotted area with
a soft cloth. It does the job and little buffing is needed.
To clean those
small hard-to-get to crevices on carved furniture, dip a small cotton
swab into furniture polish and run it inside the difficult places.
A thin paste of
olive oil and salt removes marks on furniture made by hot dishes.
Let stand for about an hour, then remove.
If wet or hot
dishes have left white rings on your table top, grab a clean cloth,
rub with a little toothpaste, or a mixture of salad oil and salt,
or a dab of margarine will do the trick.
The white stains
on mahogany furniture will disappear when you apply a thick coating
of petroleum jelly, leave it on for a few days, then wipe it off and
polish.
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Carpets / Floors
Spill coffee on the carpet? Try this: Into one quart boiler, put 2
cups of water, 2 tablespoons of dishwashing detergent and 3 tablespoons
of rubbing alcohol. Bring to a boil over high heat, then pour the
solution onto the stains. On top of the wet area, sprinkle heavily
with sawdust or any similar highly absorbent material. Allow to dry
thoroughly, then vacuum. This will work on even the oldest stains.
It will also work on food, tea and pet stains.
If your pet has
a little "mistake" on the carpet, sponge the spot with vinegar. It
will remove the stain and the odor.
Do away with scratches
on hardwood floors by rubbing them with fine steel wool that has been
dipped in floor wax.
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General
Before washing fine china and crystal, place a towel in the bottom
of the sink to act as a cushion.
To do away with
daily washing of ashtrays, apply a non-flammable wax or polish to
the inside. Ashes won't cling, odors won't linger and paper towels
will wipe them clean in a jiffy.
Dampen your broom
bristles or the inside of your dustpan before sweeping to keep the
dust from flying when you are house cleaning.
A good soaking
in a solution of warm water and household ammonia is a great way to
clean combs, brushes, and diamond jewelry (don't use on costume jewelry).
Recycle expensive
paper towels that you dry your hands with by putting them in a paper
grocery sack to let them dry. You can then reuse them on greasy skillets
or spills.
Unsightly oil
spots on your driveway? Pour a bit of concentrated liquid detergent
on the oil spill, sprinkle cornmeal on top of detergent and let stand
for about 15 minutes. Then scrub with wadded up newspaper, brush or
broom. Lastly, wash down with hose and your driveway will look much
better!
Hair spray will
remove all kinds of glue from your hands. Just spray and wash with
a wet cloth. The spray will also stop runners in your hosiery without
leaving any spots. You can also spray annoying wasps with hair spray
will lethal effect. It gums up their wings making them unable to fly.
A piece of chalk
in your jewelry box will keep pieces from tarnishing.
Ink-stained fingers
will become clean when you moisten the stain, rub with the striking
end of a match, then wipe with a dry cloth.
Wipe your fingernails
with pure vinegar before applying nail polish. The enamel will adhere
much longer.
Nail polish remover
rubbed onto scuff marks on white shoes will work wonders. Apply with
a cotton ball. For a fast shoe shine on dark colored shoes, spray
with furniture wax. Rub with a soft cloth and look at the shine!
Household sponges
stay fresh when soaked regularly in cold salt water.
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Glass / Window
Unsightly stains in glass containers can be removed by soaking in
a strong solution of hot vinegar. Then wash with hot soapy water.
Make your own
window/glass cleaner: In a one gallon jug, mix one pint of rubbing
alcohol, two tablespoons of non-sudsy ammonia, and one teaspoon dishwashing
liquid. Add four drops of blue food coloring and fill the jug with
water. It will make your mirrors & windows sparkle!
When washing windows
save steps by drying one side of the pane vertically and use horizontal
strokes on the other side. It makes it easy to determine where any
remaining strokes are located.
For fogged up
windows on your car, try keeping a clean blackboard eraser in the
glove compartment.
When glue won't
come off after peeling off paper labels or price stickers from glass
bottles, etc... rub cooking oil onto the glue with a paper towel.
Repeat the process and it will be removed.
Add vinegar or
household ammonia to water in an old spray bottle for a great way
to clean appliances or a quick window cleaning.
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Kitchen
Fill blender part way with hot water; add a drop of detergent; cover
and turn it on for a few seconds. Rinse and drain dry.
An old toothbrush
is great for scrubbing around faucets in the bath or kitchen. It's
great for hard-to-clean knobs and handles on the stove too.
Loosen grime from
can openers by brushing with an old toothbrush. To clean blades, run
a paper towel through the cutting process.
Don't panic if
you accidentally scorch the inside of your favorite saucepan. Just
fill the pan halfway with water and add 4/. cup baking soda. Boil
awhile until the burned portions loosen and float to the top.
A jar lid or
a couple of marbles in the bottom half of a double-boiler will rattle
when the water gets low and warn you to add more before the pan scorches
or burns.
Don't despair
if wet or hot dishes have left white rings on your table top. With
a clean cloth, rub with a little toothpaste or a mixture of salad
oil and a dab of mayonnaise.
To remove lime
deposits from teakettles, fill with equal parts vinegar and water.
Bring to a boil and allow to stand overnight.
To remove coffee
or tea stains and cigarette burns from fine china, rub with a damp
cloth dipped in baking soda.
To clear a sink
or basin drain, pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar
down the drain . . .let the mixture foam, then run hot water.
When a drain is
clogged with grease, pour a cup of salt and a cup of baking soda followed
by a kettle of boiling water.
Silver will gleam
after a rubbing with damp baking soda on a soft cloth.
For a fast and
simple clean-up of your hand grater, rub salad oil on the grater before
using.
A toothbrush works
great to clean lemon rind, cheese, onion, etc. out of the grater before
washing it.
Grease splatters
or other foods that have dried on the stove, burner rings, counter
appliances, etc., may be removed by applying dry baking soda to the
spots, then rubbing with a damp cloth. Rinse with clear water, dry
and enjoy the like-new look.
If you drop an
egg the mess can be swept up easily by sprinkling it with salt and
allowing it to dry.
Toss lemon rinds
into the garbage disposal for a fresh clean scent.
Silver will shine
after rubbing it with soft damp cloth and baking soda.
Toothpaste works
fine for cleaning copper. You can also try dipping used lemon rinds
in salt and scrubbing the bottom of your copper pans.
To clean the inside
of a milk glass container, put ten or twelve bb shots into the container
along with soapy water. Shake it vigorously, then finish the job with
a bottle brush. The bb's do a good job of cleaning the hard-to-get-to
tiny spots.
Fingers stained
from gardening or kitchen chores will come clean when you rub them
with a piece of raw potato.
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Pets
A handful or two of baking soda added to your dog's bath water will
help deodorize his fur. Baking soda also makes a good dry cleaning
solution for winter. Just rub it in his coat and brush him real good.
A light vinegar
rinse when you bathe Rover will help control that doggy odor.
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