1. Vinegar for Streak-Free Windows
One of the oldest tricks in the book! Mixing white vinegar and water (typically a 50/50 ratio) is a fantastic way to clean windows and mirrors without leaving streaks. Simply spray, wipe with a lint-free cloth or newspaper, and enjoy the shine – no fancy cleaner needed.
2. Baking Soda for Fresh-Smelling Carpets
For decades, people have relied on baking soda to neutralize odors, and it’s still a great trick. Sprinkle a light layer over your carpets, let it sit for 15-30 minutes (or overnight for strong odors), then vacuum it up. Your carpet will smell as good as new!
3. Lemon Juice for a Natural Bleach Alternative
Long before chemical cleaners, lemon juice was a go-to for brightening whites and removing stains. For laundry, add a cup of lemon juice to your wash cycle, or use it directly on tough stains. It also has antibacterial properties, making it a handy household cleaner.
4. Newspaper for Drying Shoes
Need your shoes dry by tomorrow? Stuffing them with newspaper is an age-old trick to help soak up moisture quickly. Just replace the newspaper every few hours, and your shoes should be dry and ready to go without the need for a dryer.
5. Salt and Ice for Deodorizing Garbage Disposals
Pour a handful of salt and a few ice cubes down the garbage disposal and let it run for a few seconds. The ice helps sharpen the blades, while the salt scrubs away lingering odors – all without the need for commercial fresheners.
6. White Vinegar to Soften Laundry
Skip the fabric softener and add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead. It softens clothes naturally, removes any detergent residue, and even helps prevent static cling. Don’t worry – the vinegar smell disappears as clothes dry!
7. Cornstarch for Carpet Stains (Hello, Dog Pee!)
For greasy or oily stains on carpets, sprinkle cornstarch over the area and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb the oil. Then vacuum it up – a simple, old-school trick that’s still effective for freshening up carpets.
8. Olive Oil for Polishing Wooden Furniture
Olive oil isn’t just for cooking – it’s an excellent, natural furniture polish. Mix it with a little lemon juice, rub it onto wooden furniture with a soft cloth, and buff for a warm, nourished look. It helps keep the wood conditioned and glossy.
9. Toothpaste for Scuffed Sneakers and Tarnished Silver
Plain white toothpaste is a gentle abrasive that’s great for scrubbing scuff marks off sneakers and polishing tarnished silver. Just apply a small amount, scrub lightly with a toothbrush or cloth, and rinse off.
10. Bar Soap for Fixing Sticky Drawers
If your wooden drawers are sticking, rub a bar of soap along the tracks. The soap acts as a lubricant, helping the drawers slide more smoothly. It’s an old trick that requires no tools and works instantly.
11. Potatoes to Clean Rusty Pans
Got rust on your cast iron or metal pans? Cut a potato in half, dip it in salt or baking soda, and rub it over the rusted areas. The acidity in the potato helps lift rust, while the abrasiveness of the salt or baking soda scrubs it away.
12. Coffee Grounds as a Natural Deodorizer
Coffee grounds are still an effective way to absorb odors, especially in the fridge or freezer. Place some used grounds in a bowl and leave it in the area to neutralize any lingering smells. Just remember to replace them every couple of weeks!
13. Chalk to Keep Closets Fresh
This is an old-school trick to ward off mustiness. Place a few pieces of chalk in your closet or shoe rack – the chalk absorbs moisture, helping to prevent mildew and keep clothes smelling fresh.
14. Newspaper for Keeping Vegetable Drawers Dry
Place a layer of newspaper at the bottom of your refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. The paper absorbs extra moisture, helping your veggies stay fresh for longer. It’s a cheap and easy way to prevent produce from going bad too soon.
15. Rice for Cleaning Bottles
When you have a bottle, vase, or decanter that’s hard to reach inside, drop in some dry rice, a little dish soap, and warm water. Swirl it around to help scrub the sides, then rinse. The rice acts as a natural abrasive, leaving glassware clean without any fancy tools.
