Cleaning Supplies You Already Have In Your Home
You’ve decided to give your home a good cleaning and get it shiny and bright for fall. But first, you have to head to the store to get your cleaning supplies. Hold on! Before you head out, look around your home. You may already have useful cleaning supplies on hand.
Read on to learn how you can save yourself time, money, and a trip to the store by putting these common household items to great use. We’ve compiled our handy list along with some help from the pros at AllYou.com.
Coffee Grounds
According to AllYou.com, coffee grounds placed in the refrigerator (in an open container) help to neutralize food odors. Simply place about half of a cup of ground coffee in a small bowl or glass on a shelf. Toss and replace old grounds with new ones every two months.
Rice
Rice isn’t just for creating delicious risotto or other tasty dishes. It’s also a useful, non-toxic way to lift dirt. If you’ve ever tried to clean a narrow flower vase, you know how challenging it can be to reach inside. That’s where rice comes to the rescue. Add two tablespoons of rice to the vase; add some warm water and a teaspoon of white vinegar. Swirl the contents vigorously to help loosen dirt stuck to the bottom and sides. Rinse with warm water.
Blow Dryer
This must-have hair tool comes in handy when you need to clean your chandeliers. If dusting hard-to-reach areas of your chandelier is making your arms tired, turn to your blow dryer for assistance. Set it on cool and low and point the nozzle towards the chandelier. The air will blast off dirt and dust. You’ll have to vacuum after, of course, but this will help cut down the time you’re stuck on a ladder trying to get every area dust-free.
Play-Doh
Loved by kids for generations, Play-Doh comes to the rescue when you’re trying to pick up tiny shards of glass after accidentally dropping a dish. Using a thick piece of Play-Doh, press it gently and carefully (to avoid getting cut) onto the area where you suspect tiny pieces of glass remain. Don’t use this method to pick up larger pieces, as the pieces can poke through and cause severe injury.
Newspapers
Yesterday’s news is today’s garbage leak savior. Place several pieces of newspaper on the bottom of a trash can to help absorb any accidental food or liquid leaks.
White Gloves for Clean Blinds
This trick brings new meaning to the phrase, “white-glove service.” Prepare a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Slip on a white glove and dip your fingers and thumb into the solution; rub your fingers and thumb across the slats. Rinse with clean warm water.
Copper Polisher
To get darkened, dull copper shiny and vibrant once again, turn to your spice rack and grab some salt. Create a paste of salt and a few drops of white vinegar. Rub the paste gently onto the copper using a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and see the amazing results.
Sticky Lint Roller
This highly utilitarian gadget has lots of uses besides removing lint from clothing. Rub a lint roller over your upholstered furniture to remove pet hair or food crumbs after late-night snacking.
Natural Air Purifier
According to Healthline.com, the air in many homes contains unhealthy toxins and chemicals. How do you safely help to purify the air? With plants. Certain plants can remove some toxins from the air. Some of the best include Peace Lily, Dracaena, Florist’s Chrysanthemum, Bamboo Palm, English Ivy, and Golden Pothos.
For maximum benefit, group a bunch of plants together. How many plants are enough? For a 2,000 square foot home, about 15 plants. Add more or less depending on the size of your home.
Reference: http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/organizing-cleaning/secret-cleaners/
