
Bicarbonate of soda is cheap and very versatile. Mixed with water, it forms an alkaline solution that helps dissolve dirt and grease. It also neutralizes smells.
- Use baking soda on carpets to remove stains.
- To remove odors from carpets, sprinkle with baking soda, leave on 15 minutes then vacuum off.
- To clean smelly drains, sprinkle one cupful of baking soda into it. Pour one cup of white vinegar down. The result will degrease and deodorize.
- Sprinkle on a damp cloth and use as a mild abrasive to remove marks from plastic, porcelain, glass, tiles, and stainless steel surfaces without scratching.
- Fill a small container with baking soda and leave in the fridge to absorb odors. Stir it now again and replace every three months.
- For your dishwasher add one cup of baking soda and run it through one cycle, empty, to clean.
- For tough stains mix with water to make a paste. Apply and leave on for a few minutes. Then rinse off. Even silverware and jewelry will emerge bright and new-like.
Lemons contain citric acid which helps make them great natural cleaners. They contain bleaching, antiseptic, antibacterial, and degreasing properties.
- Use half a lemon to clean the bath and washbasin. Rubbing it around tap handles will remove limescale and leave them sparkling. Don't forget to buff afterwards!
- To clean copper and brass, dip half a lemon into salt and rub. Rinse well quickly to prevent discoloration.
- Lemon is also a natural bleach. If you need to brighten clothing or bed linen, soak them in a bucket of water in which you added to juice of one lemon. Leave overnight and wash as normal.
- Lemon also deodorizes. To clean you microwave and remove food smells, place a couple of lemon slices into a microwaveable bowl containing water. Microwave a couple of minutes then wipe using a cloth.
Olive oil is a great natural substitute for commercial furniture polish. Simply mix one cup of ordinary olive oil with the juice of one lemon. Pour into a spray bottle and shake. Spray on wooden surfaces and rub gently. The lemon juice cuts through the dirt, while the olive oil shines and protects the wood. Use a dry cloth to remove excess. Use sparingly as excess amounts of it could leave surfaces feeling sticky. Olive oil is also good for removing fingerprints on stainless steel surfaces. Simply sprinkle a bit on a cloth and rub.