Article content
Cut your cleaning time to a minimum and spend it doing something more pleasant. These pro tips will help you do exactly that.
Better than cleaning with vinegar
If you want to perfectly clean the grout between tiles, the tiles and the bathtub, mix baking soda with liquid soap, stir into a paste and apply it to the dirty surface. It will clean and brighten it beautifully!
Soft towels
If you soak terry towels overnight in warm water with half a cup of baking powder, just rinse them in the morning and they’ll be soft and fluffy again.
For perfectly clean and shiny wooden surfaces
It doesn’t even cost a euro — I have a supply for the whole year and everything shines perfectly. Tell others if you buy expensive polishes and products from the pharmacy. There’s nothing easier than mixing up a batch at home whenever you need it.
We need: 2 tablespoons of oil (olive or another you have at home), 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of alcohol (clear, at least 40%), 700 ml of water – (add a few drops of lavender or mint oil or clove oil and you’ll keep flies away and have a lovely scent)
Procedure:
Mix everything and pour into a spray bottle. Shake well before each use to disperse the oil. Spray on the floor and wipe with a damp mop or a soft cloth. Always make as much as you need — the mixture contains no preservatives, so I prefer to have a fresh batch each time. I also use it for polishing and cleaning wooden furniture.
Fabric softener for screens and monitors
TV screens and monitors collect dust. Try dropping a little fabric softener onto a cloth and wipe the screen and monitor. You’ll keep dust away for a longer time.
Clean grill without scrubbing
If you want to clean the grill later, wrap the grill grate in wet newspaper for the time being. After a few hours the grime will be damp and can be easily removed with a sponge and dishwashing detergent.
To prevent food residue and burnt bits, coat the grate with olive oil before use. Then after grilling simply wipe it with a damp cloth. It will come off fairly easily.
Clean windows
You will need baby shampoo or baby bath foam. Pour 5 tablespoons into 5 liters of hot water. Wash the windows with this solution and polish them with newspapers.
Trick for greasy stains
First clean the stain with petroleum solvent (technical benzine) and then sprinkle with starch flour. Let the resulting paste dry and then brush it out. Wash the garment afterwards with your regular laundry.
Vinegar for upholstery
If you can’t give your sofas a good beating from time to time, soak a cloth in vinegar water, stretch it over the upholstery and beat it well. The cloth will trap the dust and the vinegar water will brighten the colors.
Salt for burnt pots
Cover the bottom of a burnt pot with salt. The burnt residue will come off without hard scrubbing. The grains of salt act as an abrasive and also disinfect.
Black tea for mirrors and windows
Soak a cloth in strong black tea, wring it out and polish. The effect is guaranteed!
The simplest tip for cleaning carpets
Place the carpet on a flat surface and wet it so it is completely soaked. Sprinkle a little laundry detergent over the whole carpet and on the stains. Wet the hose again and use a clean bristled broom to scrub the stains. Then it’s best to rinse the carpet VAPK, because the pressure of the water helps squeeze the dirt from the fibers. Let it dry in the sun. Sometimes you don’t even need to scrub — just sprinkle the product, wet it, let it take effect and then you’ll beautifully clean it VAPK.
Stains on a shirt
Apply shampoo to stains on the collar, leave it for a while and then wash as usual. The stains will come out much more easily than if you had washed them with detergent alone.
Ironing cotton
Place aluminum foil under the cover of the ironing board and wrap the board with it. Aluminum is a great conductor of heat so you can iron at a lower temperature.
Shiny faucets
It’s enough to soak paper towels or a small cloth in vinegar and place them on the faucet. 30 to 40 minutes will be fine. The limescale will be gone and the faucets will shine like never before.
Grate like new
Prepare sealable plastic bags, vinegar and a deeper baking tray. Put the grate into the bags and pour vinegar mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio. Close, place on the tray and let soak overnight. The next day just wipe with a cloth — the grime comes off by itself. Rinse under running water and that’s it!
Note: If you have a larger grate, it’s enough to soak it in a saucepan with water and vinegar. Let it soak.
Clogged drain
Mix citric acid and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. Pour the mixture into the drain, pour boiling water over it and cover with a rubber plunger. After bubbling and foaming, use the plunger to clear the drain.
