From potatoes to tea – 10 unexpected items you can use to clean your home. Not only can some supermarket cleaning products be pricey, but the majority aren’t multi-purpose, either.
So as a means of helping those that are on a budget, Ocean Finance have shared 10 unexpected items you can use to clean your home including the likes of rice, grapefruit, tea, toothpaste and even potatoes.
Struggling to clean an awkward-shaped vase? Use rice
If you have any awkwardly shaped containers or vases, put a handful of uncooked rice into the bottom and add a little bit of washing-up liquid and water. Put the lid back on or cover the opening with your hand and give it a good shake. The hard rice will scrape off any residue from inside the container.
Does your bath need a deep clean? You need a grapefruit
Cut a grapefruit in half and sprinkle a generous amount of salt on top of one of the halves. Wet the inside of your bathtub and then scrub all over with the salty grapefruit. Once you have finished, rinse your bathtub with warm water. It will leave it sparkling clean and smelling citrus fresh.
Clean the cracks of your keyboard and TV remotes with a toothbrush
You could use an old toothbrush for this, but a new one might be more effective. All you need to do is turn your keyboard on its side and run your toothbrush across the keys making sure you get inside all the gaps. You can clean your TV remotes and game console controllers this way, too.
Ran out of metal scourers? Tin foil will do the same trick
If you have any pots that have built up grease on them, scrunch some tin foil up into a ball and use it as you would a scourer. The sharp edges of the foil will be able to remove any of the stains, that previously wouldn’t budge.
Remove chopping board stains with a lemon
To get rid of stains on your chopping board cut a lemon in half, pour salt onto your chopping board, and then scrub away using the fleshy side of the lemon. Once you have done this leave the salt and lemon for 5 minutes before rinsing off.
Use a teabag to clean glass and chrome
Let a tea bag brew in boiling water until it cools down. Then use the liquid to clean things such as mirrors, the front of your microwave or your taps. This method is an affordable, streak-free alternative to regular glass cleaners. Just make sure you wait until the tea has cooled down fully before you start using it!
Remove pet hair with rubber gloves
Dampen a rubber glove and rub it over your carpet or your sofa etc. The pet hair will stick to the wet glove. Just don’t forget to give the glove a good rinse afterwards!
Use potato peels to clean your fireplace
As we’ll soon be heading into the colder months, it’s worth cleaning your fireplace – especially if it’s dirty, dusty, and full of old ash. All you need is around two handfuls of potato peelings! Next, spread them on a baking sheet in your kitchen, and allow them to dry for 48 hours. Once they’re fully dry, burn the potato peels in your fireplace. As they burn, they will push layers of creosote out of your chimney which is what was likely to be blocking your fireplace and causing the dirt and dust.
Toothpaste can lift coffee stains from tables and mugs
If you notice a water or coffee stain on your coffee table due to someone not using a coaster, don’t fret! You just need to dab it with some toothpaste on a slightly damp cloth. In addition, it also makes the perfect cleaning solution to remove any stubborn brown liquid residue inside your coffee mugs.
These are all effective and cost saving ways to clean your home with everyday household items.
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