By now, you know that white vinegar and water combine to make a great glass and window cleaner, baking soda deodorizes set-in carpet and upholstery odors, and that half a lemon sprinkled with coarse salt can deep clean and freshen cutting boards. But there are plenty more pantry staples that can help keep your home naturally clean and fresh without the high cost and harmful fumes of store-bought chemical cleaners. Some of them might even surprise you.
1. Salt
Yes, the combination of salt and lemon becomes a powerful cleaner and freshener. But salt alone is quite the powerhouse, too. Sprinkle salt on stuck-on food in pots and pans or grease stains in the oven. Let it sit for 15 minutes, add a little water, and scrub lightly. Rinse or wipe clean.
2. Cream of Tartar
Combine 2 tablespoons cream of tartar with a couple drops of lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus essential oil, and add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste over stains on fabric and allow to dry completely, then wash as normal.
3. Ketchup
Because ketchup is mildly acidic, it works well at removing tarnish from brass and copper. Mix about half cup of ketchup with a couple of tablespoons of cream of tartar, spread it on the copper or brass, and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour. Rinse in soapy water then follow with clean water and dry thoroughly.
4. Aluminum Foil
When you’re done wrapping up leftovers, use a few strips of aluminum foil to help remove tarnish from your fine silver. Fill a sink or bowl with water, add two tablespoons baking soda, a few strips of aluminum foil, then place your silver in the water mixture and let soak for an hour or so. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
5. Vanilla Extract
Freshen and deodorize your microwave by adding 2 cups of water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it just to a boil, turn the microwave off, and let sit for 30 minutes. Then, remove the bowl and wipe down the inside of the appliance with a clean cloth.
6. Olive Oil
A little olive oil can make leather shine like new. Simply rub a small amount onto the leather clothing, hand bag, or furniture, let is sit, then wipe off excess oil with a clean cloth.
7. Mayonnaise
A sandwich staple, mayo is also great at removing water rings from finished wood furniture. Just apply a little mayo onto the stain, let it sit for a couple of hours, then wipe with a clean cloth and buff dry.
8. Rice
Ever wonder why some people put a little rice into saltshakers? It’s to absorb moisture and prevent the salt from clumping together. This absorbency also makes rice a good choice for cleaning hand-held coffee grinders. Pour a couple of tablespoons of uncooked white rice into the canister, grind it up and pour it out into the trash. The rice will soak up some of the residue and oils left over from the coffee beans, leaving the grinder clean and fresh.
Speaking of cleaning, it’s difficult to do much at all without a reliable and steady supply of hot water. So, if your water heater is showing signs of age – like rust along the bottom of the tank – contact Messmer Mechanical so we can diagnose the problem and recommend the best possible solution. We service, repair, and install water heaters, so whatever that solution might be, we’re up to the task.