When you’re managing a busy and hectic family keeping your house clean can be a daunting task. There are many products out there you can buy, but they can have harsh chemicals and get expensive. I’ve found some time-saving uses for everyday household items that are a lot safer and much easier on the budget!
Uses for Everyday Household Items You Already Have
Did you know that everything you need to keep your home clean and tidy is already in your pantry, and costs much less than regular cleaning supplies? Listed here are a few surprising uses for everyday items!
Baking Soda
Baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) is a multi-use miracle, particularly considering how inexpensively it can be purchased at the grocery store! There are too many uses for baking soda to list (see this comprehensive list), but favorites include:
Tile Floor Cleaner
Add a ½ cup baking soda to a bucket of warm water and use the solution to clean your tile floors. No chemicals, no toxicity, no mess!
Laundry Detergent Booster
Sprinkle baking soda into your next load of laundry to boost the power of your detergent. Baking soda acts as a natural form of Oxyclean to remove stains.
Toothpaste
The gentle abrasive nature and cleaning power of baking soda make it a natural toothpaste. Add a few drops of water to a small amount of baking soda in order to make a paste, and brush as normal.
Vinegar
Another multiuse tool for cleaning is vinegar, especially when combined with other commonly found ingredients. Forty-three additional uses for vinegar can be found here.
Descaler
If you have hard water deposits around sinks, electric tea kettles, or in the bathtub, vinegar can naturally break up calcium and lime. Saturate the area with vinegar, then wipe clean. For stubborn deposits, soak overnight.
Sanitizing Spray
Vinegar has natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties thanks to its acidity. Fill a spray bottle with full-strength vinegar and use as a sanitizing spray for bathrooms and kitchens.
Flea Repellent
Insects cannot live in vinegar’s acidic environment. Mix one cup apple cider vinegar with one-quart water and spray the solution on your pet daily.
Lemon Juice
This acidic juice also has a host of other uses, besides livening salads and teas.
Furniture Polish
Have you ever noticed that most furniture polish products have a lemon scent? Make your own polish at home by mixing one part lemon juice with two parts olive oil to bring out the natural beauty of wood furniture.
Copper Pot Cleaner
You can clean copper pots by cutting a lemon in half, sprinkling salt on the fruit, and using it as a scrub brush. Rinse with hot water.
Coffee Pot Cleaner
If you have coffee and tea stains on pots and mugs, add one tablespoon lemon juice, a teaspoon of salt, and just enough cold water to swirl the mixture around, then rinse clean. For stubborn stains, soak overnight.
Be sure to take a look at all of my great household ideas for your home.
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