Whether it's a mark on the wall, a stain in your upholstery or carpet, or grout that just doesn't seem to stay clean, there are dozens of inexpensive house cleaning remedies to save the day! While sometimes you will need to buy something extra, most of these remedies are made with things you probably have at home already!
Super House Cleaning Remedies with Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the best cleaning tools a woman can have. It is mildly abrasive but generally won't scratch surfaces. You can use baking soda on a whole slew of "cleaning problems." On top of that, it's completely safe and it doesn't leave a strong odor.
Sparkly Clean Pots and Pans and Baking Dishes
This is particularly effective on white corning wear, but also works well for baked on stuff on cookie sheets and the bottom of pans. Start cleaning the pan with warm water and baking soda--scrubbing over the part that has baked on particles. If that doesn't do the trick, you can mix a paste of baking soda and lemon juice and apply it as a paste to sit overnight on the dish. By morning all you do is wipe away the paste and voila--a pan that looks brand new.
Dealing with the Tub
If you're having problems with a ring around the tub--baking soda is a cheap and easy way to take care of it in a jiffy. Simply use baking soda like you would use other abrasive cleaners such as Comet, or Ajax. You'd be surprised at how well it works. While you're working on the tub, pour about a quarter cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow with some vinegar and quickly put a rubber stopper over the drain. The baking soda and vinegar will react and foam and the resulting pressure will help clean out your drains of clogged hair. Consider it the natural version of "Liquid Plumber."
Marks on the Wall
Marks on the wall are inevitable if you live in a house with children. If you live in a house with particularly active children--those marks might include crayon, marker, or even permanent marker! Before using anything on your walls, try the home cleaning remedy first in a small and inconspicuous spot to make sure it's not going to damage your walls.
Ode to Crayola Washables
Before you try anything on your walls, it's worth noting that all crayola washable products actually come off a wall with some warm water and elbow grease.
Baking Soda
Baking soda cleans pots and pans, bathtubs and drains. . .and your wall. For pencil marks on the wall, use a damp sponge, sprinkle some baking soda on the damp sponge and clean the pencil marks off.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is very effective at getting off markers from walls. Use a warm damp sponge, put a little toothpaste on the sponge, and apply directly to the marker. Make sure you rinse the wall well with warm water as soon as you get the marker off.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol also is a great way to get marker out of your walls. If the marker is permanent--rubbing alcohol may be the way to go.
Stains
When life happens, stains happen too. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to deal with stains so that they don't leave permanent marks on your clothing or upholstery.
Blood, Coffee & Tea
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most effective means of removing blood and some of those darker stains from clothing. To remove blood, dab the spot with hydrogen peroxide and then blot the stain out as necessary.
Removing Gum
Gum can be very stubborn to remove from furniture, carpet or clothing, (not to mention hair.) To remove gum from hair, use peanut butter. However rubbing peanut butter into your floor is counterproductive. Instead, use rubbing alcohol. Remove as much of the gum as you can and then use the rubbing alcohol to help get the rest off.
Yellow Underarms Be Gone
If your clothing suffers from perspiration stains, try crushing several tablets of aspirin in a cup of hot water, and then pour the mixture over the stain. Rinse it out and then launder as usual.
Grease Stains
WD-40 works miracles on grease stains. Just spray the lubricant on the grease stain and blot the stain until it's gone.
Club Soda
Club soda is a great remedy for stains on the couch and on carpet. Pour the club soda and blot the stain out until it's completely gone.
A House Cleaning Remedy Station for Every Need
Consider stocking a bucket or shelf with special house cleaning remedies so that when a stain happens you're ready. You should have baking soda (consider putting it in a canister instead of in a box for easier use), vinegar, lemon juice, club soda, aspirin, and WD-40. You can also stock the station with old rags, an old toothbrush or two, and a few sponges. Do this and you'll be ready no matter what stains life brings your way!
