As we get into the full swing of fall, some of us are preparing for our autumn cleaning ritual. As you start to think about how to clean problem areas in your home, you may feel the need for some new solutions. The old ones aren’t working, and some of them are even harmful to your family’s health because of all the chemicals involved. Well, look no further!
Here are some of my favorite natural cleaning tips to make your life easier and your cleaning quicker:
- To clean your nonstick pans, place the pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes after it has cooled. The burned-on mess should come off easily.
- Deodorize your garbage disposal by grinding up ice cubes with lemon or grapefruit seeds.
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If your casserole bubbles over when you take it out of the oven, pour salt on the spill to soak it up. When the oven cools, wipe with a damp sponge.
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Push a piece of hosiery fabric over the bristles of your hairbrush to prevent gunk from settling into it. Let the hosiery rest on the brush base. Replace hosiery piece when it fills up.
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To remove stains caused by tomato soup and other acidic foods from plastic containers, rub lemon juice on the spots and let dry in a sunny place. Wash as usual.
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Spritz musty-smelling garments with a small amount of vodka, which kills bacteria. Hang clothes to dry.
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To clean dirty windows, combine 2 ounces water and 10 drops lavender or lemongrass oil in a spray bottle. Mix and spray!
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For polyurethaned floors, dampen a mop with a mixture of water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Ring out the mop thoroughly before using it on the floor, and mop away!
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To clean salt-stained leather and suede shoes, make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Dab it onto a cotton rag or a nylon-bristle brush and rub gently over the entire shoe. Let dry.
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To get salad dressing out of fabric, pour talcum powder or cornstarch on stain to soak up as much oil as possible. Pick or scrape off the excess. Rinse. Then, apply a combination solvent and let sit for 15 minutes. Wash.
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To pick up pet hair, put on a wet rubber dishwashing glove and wipe your hand over surfaces. The hair will stick right to it.
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To clean your coffee grinder, mill a handful of grains. The small particles absorb odors and clean out residual grounds and oil. When done, throw away and wipe clean.
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To clean your iron, make a paste of 1 tablespoon water and 2 tablespoons baking soda. Spread paste on iron’s plate using a spatula. Wipe clean.
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Unclog your drain by mixing equal parts warm water and vinegar. Pour into the drain. Wait 30 minutes. Rinse.
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To clean indoor ceiling fans, slide an old case over a blade. Grip the case and pull it back, keeping all the dirt in the case.
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To combat mineral deposits on showerheads, pour vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and knot the handles over the neck of the showerhead, securing with rubber bands. Let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.
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To get rid of refrigerator odors, soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract. Place in bowl and put in refrigerator. Replace when cotton ball dries.
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To get glue or gum off of clothing, rub an ice cube over glue or gum first, then remove as much as possible with a dull knife or a spoon. Rub in liquid dish soap to remove any leftover stain. Machine wash.
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To clean tarnished brass and copper, make a paste of equal parts salt and flour with a few tablespoons of white vinegar. Apply. Wipe with microfiber cloth. Rinse. Dry.
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To remove window decals, cover the decal with mayonnaise, then scrape decal off with an old credit card. The oils in the mayonnaise dissolve the adhesive, and the card won’t scratch the glass.
Check out our Pinterest page for even more tips!
What are your favorite tips? Share your ideas and comments with us!
