Household Cleaner tips

AIR FRESHENERS/DEODORIZERS
1.)Leave open boxes of baking soda in refrigerators, closets and bathrooms.
2.)Saturate a cotton ball with pure vanilla; place on a saucer in refrigerator or car.
3.)Set out white vinegar in open dishes to destroy odors.
4.)Set out potpourri in open dishes.
5.)Burn scented candles.

CLEANERS
1.)Mix vinegar with salt and water for a good surface cleaner
2.)Dissolve baking soda in water for a general cleaner.
3.)For washing dishes by hand, use 1/2 c. baking soda with a mild dishwashing liquid to help cut grease and food.
4.)For automatic dishwashers choose a detergent with the lowest phosphate content listed on the package.
5.)For a good glass cleaner combine a quart of water with 1/4 to 1/2 c. of white vinegar, 1 to 2 T. of lemon juice or 1 to 2 T. rubbing alcohol.

MILDEW CLEANERS
1.)Scrub mildew spots with baking soda or Borax; or sponge with white vinegar.
2.)Scrub area with a paste of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.
3.)To clean mildew from a shower curtain: machine wash with 1/2 c. soap and 1/2 c. baking soda adding 1c. of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

UPHOLSTERY RUG & CARPET CLEANERS
1.)Use a non-aerosol soap based cleaner.
2.)Clean spills immediately with club soda.
3.)To clean red wine stains, rub a thick layer of salt on the spill then sponge up after the spill has been absorbed.

SCOURING POWDERS
Use baking soda or salt.

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS
1.)Scrub with a solution of 1/2 c. Borax in a gallon of water for cleaning and disinfecting.
2.)Clean frequently with a solution of baking soda and water. Sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush as needed.

DRAIN OPENERS
1.)To unclog a drain, pour 1/4 c. of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 c. of white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush.
2.)Pour 1/4 c. salt down the drain, followed by boiling water, to keep drains unclogged.
3.)Pouring boiling water down the drain once a week can keep it from getting blocked.
4.)To prevent clogged drains, always use a drain strainer. Use a mechanical snake or plunger to unclog a drain.

HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL ALTERNATIVES

     Furniture
          Polish:
            Equal parts mineral oil and lemon oil or:
            Equal parts mineral oil and Murphy's Oil Soap.
     Wood:
            2 T. olive oil, 1 T. white vinegar in 1 qt. warm water. Spray, then dry with soft cloth.
     Upholstered:
            6 T. soap flakes, 1 pt. boiling water, 2 T. borax.
     Leather:
            Murphy's Oil Soap.
     Floors:
          Cleaner:
            1/4 c. white vinegar, 1/4 c. washing soda (sodium carbonate) in 1 gal. warm water.
     Painted Wood:
            1 T. washing soda in 1 gal. warm water.
     Vinyl, Natural Wood:
            Murphy's Oil Soap.
     Wax Remover:
            3 T. washing soda in 1 qt. warm water.
All Purpose Cleaner:
     Baking soda and water for ovens, cutting boards, coffee stains, toilets, basin, tub and tile.
     Water mixed with salt or borax for Formica.
     Baking soda and vinegar for crusted food in pans.
     Oven Cleaner:Put salt on spills while warm.
     Loosen soil with 1/4 c. ammonia left overnight.
Deodorizer:
     Baking soda or vinegar in open dish.
Air out room.
     Mix 2 c. of corn meal and 1 box of borax & sprinkle on carpet, leave 15 minutes, vacuum
Disinfectant:
     Borax and water solution, then keep area aired out and dry.
     1 T. bleach in 1 gal. of warm water (wipe on a clean surface and let air dry).
Stain Removal:
     For rust or hard water deposits: vinegar or lemon juice.
     For copper pots: lemon halves dipped in salt (or rub with vinegar).
     For coffee cups: baking soda.
     For general use: corn meal and water mixed into paste.

LAUNDRY
     Detergent:
          Soap, borax or washing soda or use less detergent.
     Softener:
          1/4 c. vinegar in wash cycle.
     Dry Cleaner Fluid/Spot Remover:
          Soap, cornstarch or vinegar.
     Starch;
          1 T. cornstarch to 1 pt. water.

REMOVE TARNISH FROM SILVERWARE
1.) Line a pan with a sheet of aluminum foil or use an aluminum pan. Stir 3 T. baking soda or Comet to each quart of water used. Lay silver in pan making sure it touches foil.
2.) Put a sheet of aluminum foil in a non-metallic pan. Add 1 t. salt and 1 t. baking soda per quart of water used and bring to a boil. Lay silver in pan touching foil until tarnish is gone.
3.) If you're out of silver polish don't despair, water in which potatoes have been cooked will remove tarnish from silverware. Just soak the pieces for an hour and the tarnish will disappear. Wash the pieces in suds, rinse well and dry.
4.) Put silver in plastic dishpan and set in your sink. Add Dermassage and 1/2 c. Roman Cleanser to boiling water. Let soak; stir occasionally.
Note: These methods remove all tarnish. If you want the patina in the grooves of the pattern to remain - DON'T USE THIS METHOD!!

TO CLEAN WHITE SHOES
Rub the shoes with a cloth dipped in ammonia.

FOR CLEANING COPPER POTS
1. Clean pan with Zud and rinse. Wipe dry right away.
2. Or rub the pan with a cloth dipped in ketchup.
OR
Mix equal amounts of cornmeal, salt and white vinegar into a paste. Apply the paste to the surface area to be cleaned. Rub off. Rinse.

CLEAN THE GRILL
This cleanup trick works while you sleep! Lay a barbecue grill rack on the lawn overnight-the dew will combine with the enzymes in the grass to loosen any burned-on grease. Try it with messy oven racks too!

SHOWER DOORS
To keep shower doors shiny and clear, use a soft cloth moistened with baby oil. It prevents scum build-up from dirt and soap. And hard water spots won't appear for several months

TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE
This should be done every 6 months. Fill washing machine with very hot to boiling water, add 2 gallons of vinegar and let agitate for 8-10 minutes. Turn machine off and let stand over night. Turn machine on and let it run through a complete cycle.

TO CLEAN UNDISSOLVED SOAP IN A DISHWASHER
Give your dishwasher a refreshing drink of Tang every month or two. Dump an entire pint jar of Tang into the bottom of an empty dishwasher. Preheat the water by running tap water in the sink til it's hot. Then run a full cycle. Also, store your powdered detergent in a plastic bag to keep it as dry as possible, it will work better in the dishwasher. It is also a good idea to refer back to the manufacturer's manual to see their method for proper loading of the unit. The use of Tang applies to your washing machine as well! It removes the build-up of detergent and mineral deposits. Depending on how often you use these appliances, you should do this every few months.

REMOVE INK FROM WOOD FURNITURE
Purchase Mequiars heavy duty rubbing compound and mirror polish (or swirl remover) at the auto parts store. Apply a couple of drops of the rubbing compound and rub in a circular motion. Then apply a couple more drops and rub with the grain of the wood. Then apply a couple of drops of the polish and gently rub out the marks from the rubbing compound. Finish the wood off by applying furniture polish.

CLEAN BURNT STAINLESS STEEL POTS
Sprinkle electric dishwasher powder liberally over the burnt area of the pot (about 2-3 T.). Fill the pot 1/2 way with water, cover with lid and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer for a few minutes and take a brush to it to clean.

CLEANING COFFEE MAKERS
Fill the decanter with white vinegar. Place a filter in the machine, pour in the vinegar and run about 3 c. of the vinegar into the decanter. Turn the machine off and let stand for 30 minutes. Pour the 3 c. of vinegar back into the coffee maker, turn it back on and let the vinegar run completely through the machine. Discard the vinegar and the used coffee filter. Replace the filter with a clean one and run a decanter of fresh water through the machine. Remove the filter and replace with a new one and run another decanter of fresh water through the machine. If you have soft water, you'll need to clean the machine after 80 brew cycles. If you have hard water, every 40 cycles

SOME USES FOR VINEGAR
CHINA: scrub coffee and tea stains off your teacups with equal parts white vinegar and salt.
FISH BOWL: rub away the film on the inside of the bowl using a cloth dipped in white vinegar. Rinse the bowl very well before putting the fish back in.
DRAIN: Wash away drain odors with 1 c. of baking soda followed by 1 c. of white vinegar. Turn on your hot water full force to wash it down.
PAINTBRUSHES: To save a good paintbrush that's encrusted with dried paint, bring white vinegar to a boil, pour it over the brush and let the brush stand in the vinegar for 1 hour. Heat the vinegar again with the brush still in it until it comes to a simmer. "Cook" for 20 minutes to soften the paint. Repeat if necessary.
FOOT ODOR: soak smelly feet in 1 qt. of lukewarm water and 1/2 c. vinegar for 15 minutes twice a week.
DANDRUFF: after you shampoo, rinse your hair with a mixture of 1/2 c. vinegar and 1 c. warm water and leave it in. Don't worry, the smell will fade.
LUNCH BOXES: Freshen up a smelly lunch box with a slice of bread moistened with white vinegar. Put the bread in the box, close the lid and let it sit overnight.

CLEAN SHOWER CURTAINS
1.) Run them in the washer with warm water, soap and bleach. Dry on medium cycle.
2.) Run in washing machine. Wash with detergent, 1c. vinegar, 1 c. ammonia and use hot water. Add a couple of towels to balance out the load. Dry in the dryer for about 5 minutes and re-hang.

CHIMNEY HINTS
Potato peels dried til firm and burned a handful at a time a few times a week will help remove the creosote from the chimney.

TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM OF AN IRON
Using 4 ought steel wool, rub the bottom of the cold iron until you've gotten it clean. Heat the iron to the warm setting and run it across waxed paper. Then run the iron over an old white cloth to remove any excess wax.