The seemingly-endless lockdowns that many have endured since the pandemic started have reminded us the importance of cleanliness in our homes. We have also been reminded of our own innate ability to do things ourselves, and D.I.Y. culture has boomed.
In the spirit of this culture, we’d like to remind our readers about the various typical products that can be found in the pantry. The uses of many of these have been known for many years, and keeping up this knowledge and these traditions is vital.
Here is how some common products can aid in cleaning minor (and sometimes major) messes.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Bicarb/Baking Soda)
As the name suggests, baking soda is incredibly versatile in the kitchen, especially when baking. There are two attributes to this product which make it useful in cleaning. It’s abrasive which can help to remove cooked-on grease or dirt, and it’s an alkaline which means it can neutralize acids.
Uses
Sodium Bicarbonate can be effective for cleaning the following:
- Deodorizing shoes – great for athletes, hikers, avid walkers, and cyclists. Sprinkling some baking soda into your shoes and leaving them overnight can help to neutralize their odors.
- Cleaning benches and surfaces – if you run out of surface spray, or are looking for a less harmful substitute, baking soda works great. Simply sprinkle liberally and wipe with a moist to damp microfiber cloth.
- Unclogging drains – remember making a volcano in science class all those years ago? That same method is great for unclogging drains, simply pour half a cup of bicarb soda down the drain then a dash of vinegar. The ensuing reaction should move the hair and gunk that had clogged it.
- Cleaning silver – an easy enough process if you closely follow these
Vinegar
Not the flavorsome vinaigrette in that fancy bottle, rather your standard white vinegar which is cheap enough to double as a cleaner. Mild acids are great for cleaning, especially those alkaline-stained surfaces. For those worried about the smell, it does tend to fade quite quickly.
Uses
White vinegar can assist your cleaning with:
- Cleaning glass – great on any glass surface whether it’s your windows, mirrors, or shower box.
- Rinse-aid in dishwashers – a couple of teaspoons added to the detergent compartment of your dishwasher can help the rinse cycle’s efficacy.
Lemon
Like other mild acids, lemons can be a great cleaning agent (except on copper or brass surfaces). Lime works very similarly to lemons, and can act the same for the following uses.
Uses
These highly-acidic citrus fruits can clean:
- Removing soap scum – alkalis and acids react both ways, so using lemon or lime on your soap scum will work a treat.
- Descaling kettles – mild acids work great for removing limescale in a kettle, which is common in places like California which has hard to very-hard water (source). Add the juice of one lemon and a big splash of vinegar to the kettle and leave for an hour. Don’t forget to rinse and wipe out thoroughly before using again.
Olive Oil
Perhaps not the cheapest of the alternative cleaning agents on this list, it’s uses definitely make it worth mentioning. As with the vinegar don’t use any flavored brands, instead just use standard olive oil.
Uses
Olive oil has a surprising range of uses including:
- Removing sticky or stuck materials – if you’ve ever experienced the nightmare of chewing gum in your hair, then know for next time that olive oil can get it out. Simply cover the gum and wait a few minutes for it to dry, they should combine and come out as one.
- Sealing wood – more for kitchen appliances rather than outdoor furnishing. Use olive oil to bring out that lustre in your chopping board, or revitalize any wooden utensils.
- Cleaning and sealing cast-iron – cast-iron has recently made a huge comeback, olive oil works great for cleaning and sealing it.
Toothpaste
Our last but not least useful household product on this list, toothpaste can do more than clean your teeth.
Uses
These uses are more for standard toothpaste and may not work with modern natural toothpastes:
- Cleaning scuffs off leather shoes – a squeeze of toothpaste on a damp cloth can help remove minor scuffs from leather shoes.
- Removing marks from walls – using the same method above can work with pen marks on walls, especially if the toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide, which is a mild bleach.
Professional Help
Some messes are too much for any amount of vinegar or baking soda to handle. We pride ourselves on providing affordable high quality cleaning services in San Diego (CA). If you’re based in Escondido, Oceanside, San Clemente, or anywhere within a 20-mile radius of San Diego county, give us a call.