It’s been three years (!) since I found CITR and have made it a goal to do more with less–it’s almost a game to see what I can do (or do without). The best way to do this is finding dual purposes for common, everyday (cheap!) items.
Things out of my pantry are my go-to for most cleaning jobs…add some mayonnaise to my sandwich, then some to the wood table to give it a quick oiling.
I’ll share the list I continually add to:
Hot white vinegar will remove stickers on glass.
White vinegar and water (1/4 cup:1 gallon) is a great cleaner (and disinfectant) that won’t leave a film.
Peanut butter will remove gum from hair.
Stale or leftover milk makes an excellent cleaner for plant leaves.
Mayonnaise can be used to oil wood.
Cold tea cleans wood. It also “stains” the wood if there are any nicks.
Baking soda made into a paste will take marks from vinyl floors.
Orange juice cleans chrome.
Lemon and salt cleans copper and brass. Rinse in warm water and polish with soft cloth.
Tomato juice will remove ink stains from clothing.
Lemon juice and salt removes mildew and mold.
Baking soda and water cleans battery posts on the car. Mix a thick solution and let sit on posts for 15 minutes; wash off.
Vinegar and baking soda cleans pipes and toilet bowl. Follow up by flushing with boiling water.
Have more to share with me?
Cindy blogs at Chippewa Creek ~ Our Life Simplified. Do you have a recipe post or kitchen-related story to share on the Farm Bell blog?
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Lana says:
Ink can also be removed with hair spray. (Not actually a “pantry” item, but it works!). I use white vinegar in my wash load – keeps colored items brighter, and keeps clothes softer. Does NOT cause them to smell like vinegar, however! Clean windows and mirrors with Joy liquid dish soap. Put detergent on a sponge, scrub windows, and then squeegee off – windows will sparkle and it doesn’t cause streaking. No rinsing required!
Lana
On September 17, 2011 at 1:47 am
brookdale says:
Here’s my favorite:
To hide a scratch on wood furniture, rub vigorously with a walnut meat (or other nut meat). Wipe with a cloth after. It really works!
On September 17, 2011 at 7:49 am
Mrs.Turkey says:
Really liked your post CindyP….especially about the vinegar. There is so many things one can do with vinegar. My foot doctor is always recommending I soak my feet in a water vinegar solution to help with infection or to prevent infection.
Also one can do a lot with newspapers. Grant you newspapers aren’t in your pantry unless you’ve lined the shelves with them.
Mrs. Turkey
On September 17, 2011 at 9:07 am
kellyb says:
I love this. Here are a few that I use at home:
If the lid from the honey or syrup bottle sticks. Remove the lid and clean and dry well. Smear the inside of the lid with Crisco. The lid will come off easily.
If your showerhead and fixtures get calcium deposits,use vinegar to slowly remove deposits. Simply fill a plastic bag with vinegar and then submerge fixture. I rubberband this around a showerhead. Soak for 15-20 minutes, rinse well.
If you like to clean with vinegar but don’t like the smell try soaking citrus peels in vinegar for several days. You will have a fantastic citrus smell with all the cleaning properties of vinegar. This makes a fantastic laundry rinse.
Rub screws and nails with Crisco to help them go into wood more easily.
You can use cooking oil or peanut butter to remove stuck on labels. Just smear over sticky area, wait 15-20 minutes then rub with your finger to remove. You may have to repeat.
Clean your shower curtain by throwing in the wash with your towels. Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle for a clean, fresh smelling shower curtain.
If you’re repotting plants to bring inside for fall use a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot. The filter will allow water to drain through but retain the potting soil.
On September 17, 2011 at 11:34 am
bonita says:
these are always such fun…thanks cindy
3-in-1 oil removes permanent marker/graffiti from vinyl garage doors.
rub sticky windows, drawers, and doors with bar soap to make them open and close smoothly
On September 17, 2011 at 12:21 pm
steak and eggs says:
Coke cola with remove grease or hand lotion from the windshield on you car. Really works when raining, and the wipers are not cutting the grease.
On September 17, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Darlene in North GA says:
Not from your pantry, but WD-40 will remove crayon marks from walls> Even my walls that I couldn’t paint let go of the crayon marks without removing the paint – thought I’d check it in an inconspicuous place before using it on a very visible spot. Don’t ask! sigh
On September 18, 2011 at 3:54 pm