Bread
It is said that wasting bread is a sin. But we are far from wasting our precious bread without a good, solid reason behind it. Bread is the natural equivalent of synthetic sponges, mainly because of its awesome absorption abilities. Bread can be used for dusting; soaking spills; cleaning marks off walls and general wiping where nothing else is available.
Ketchup
This common condiment is useful when polishing brass, copper or even silver elements. There isn’t anything special that needs to be added to the ketchup beforehand. Just apply the ketchup sauce directly on top of the object that needs cleaning; leave it for a while and then with a moisten towel, thoroughly polish the surface.
Toothpaste
Not many people realize how good abrasive toothpaste is. The reason we use toothpaste to clean our teeth, is because toothpaste is made of small abrasive particles, which are ideal for scrubbing not only your teeth, but many different things as well. Cleaning grouts; buffing metal surfaces; defogging mirrors are to name a few.
Mayonnaise
Mayo is made primarily of oil, which is perfect for cleaning wood. Like ketchup, its use in not only limited for salads and sandwiches. Add a little bit of mayo to clean spills, oil-based pain, food stains off your wooden floors/furniture. Only use small amount of mayonnaise at a time and don’t let it sit on a wooden surface for too long. Mayo is also ideal for removing certain types of glue.
Alcohol
Note to use only clear, high-proof alcohol – like vodka or Everclear. Alcohol is not only a powerful antiseptic, but sugarless/odorless alcohol is fantastic for removing foul odors from floors and walls. You can either use it as it is or dilute it in water – depending on the contamination level and the nature of the spill.
Olive Oil
Like we know, olive oil (or any kind of oil for that matter) is almost 100% fat. This makes it ideal for polishing stainless steel, polish wooden furniture and maintaining leather. Just put a little bit of olive on in the corner of a cloth and rub it gently on the troubled area. Don’t use too much, or the ‘glistening’ effects of the oil will do more harm than good.
Baking Soda
Another common household item that is fantastic for cleaning almost any kind of stain off various surfaces. Baking soda binds well with with materials at both sides of the pH spectrum. Just add a little water and mix until reaching even consistency. Apply directly and wait at least 1 hour before rinsing with water. Baking soda is also a a good carpet cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda generously onto your carpets. Wait for 3-4 hours, vacuum and repeat until the carpet’s smell has been neutralized.
White Vinegar
Add one cup of white vinegar to two cups of lukewarm water. Add salt and stir well. Place the solution in an spray bottle and apply directly on greasy/hard to clean stains. You will be amazed how well it works, and it is a much cheaper solution compared to most “all-purpose detergents”.
