Household & Helpful Hints

 

Page 1

 

Cleaning Solutions

Artificial Flowers

 

Put salt in a paper bag, add the flowers and shake vigorously.

Barbeque Grill

 

Lay the grill on the lawn overnight, the dew and the enzymes in the grass will loosen the burned on grease.

Bathroom Fixtures

 

Chrome bathroom fixtures can be shined by applying white vinegar and buffing with a soft cloth.

 

Bathroom Grout

 

Use toothpaste and an old toothbrush.

 

Bathroom Tiles

 

Use as solution of 1 cup ammonia, 1 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup washing soda in a bucket of warm water. Rinse thoroughly.

Bathtub

 
(1) Use turpentine and a tablespoon of salt.
 
(2) Use a scrub brush dipped in a mixture of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide.

Batteries

 
Pour a can of Coca Cola over the terminals to bubble away corrosion.
 

Blenders

 
Add a small amount of dishwashing liquid and fill blender half full with warm water and blend. Rinse thoroughly.
 

Blood Stains

 
(1) For dried blood stains try using ammonia.
 
(2) Use a paste of meat tenderizing crystals and cold water. Apply to stain, wait one hour then rinse off.

Bottles

 
Clean sticky oil bottles with 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 tbsp. soda and 1 cup hot water, shake well.

Brass

 
(1) Mix equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar to make a paste. Rub on and leave for one hour, then clean with a soft brush and buff with a dry cloth.
 
(2) Use lemon juice.
 
(3) Use Worcestershire sauce.
 

Carpet Cleaning

 
The best tool for carpet cleaning is a wet/dry vacuum. This will allow you to be more aggressive with any liquids used in the process.

Cat Hair

 
Pick up cat hair easily by using a Bounce Dryer Softener Sheet.

Chimney

 
Throw a handful of salt on the fire to clean the chimney.

Chrome

 
(1) Polish chrome with full strength white vinegar and a soft cloth.
 
(2) Rub the metal with a piece of crumpled up aluminum foil dipped in Coca Cola.
 
(3) To polish, use a crumpled up piece of aluminum foil.
 
(4) To remove rust wipe it with aluminum foil dipped in coke.
 
(5) Use a sprinkle of baking soda and a soft cloth.
 
Cleaning Formula
 
Small Jobs
 
1 quart warm water
1 quart liquid bleach
3 1/2 tablespoons T.S.P. (tri-sodium phosphate (1 3/4 ounces)
2 tablespoons liquid detergent
 
Large Jobs
 
2 gallons warm water
2 gallons liquid bleach
1 3/4 cup T.S.P. (14 ounces)
3/4 cup liquid detergent
 
This is a very heavy duty cleaner and works great on cement, aluminum siding, coated decks and asphalt etc. Apply a coat and let stand, then scrub and rinse thoroughly with water. A weaker solution (less bleach and T.S.P.) will work on many other surfaces. It is highly recommended that you test a small section of the area to be cleaned to ensure it will not adversely effect the surface. Do not use on sensitive surfaces (such as stainless steel).
 
Corduroys
 
Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle for brighter, lint free pants

Coffee Grinder

 
Grind up a cup or so of rice in the grinder to clean and sharpen blades

Coffee Makers

 
Use an Effer-Dent denture cleaning tablet and add hot water. Brew as usual then rinse.
Coffee Pots
 
Fill with water, add four tablespoons of salt and boil to remove bitterness.
Copper
 
To polish copper rub on an ample amount of catsup and let it stand for 5 minutes. Rinse off with hot water and dry with a soft cloth.
Copper Pans
 
Rub with ketchup, let sit for a minute then rub off and rinse.
 
Chop fresh rhubarb into small pieces and cover with boiling water in a large pot. Place copper bottom pan in the water and simmer for 15 minutes.
 
 
Next Page
 
Return To Index Page
 
Return To Reference Index
 
Return To Main Page