Here is the first part of a series of posts that will give you some great tips for using common household items, in new ways. They range from cleaning to organizing and even health/beauty uses. Feel free to leave comments with your own tips as well for others to see!
LEMONS:
- Grate the pith/flesh side of a half lemon on a cheese grater after using to help remove cheese or other residue.
- Rub the cut side of a lemon half over a wooden or plastic cutting board to whiten and refresh. Rinse thoroughly after.
- Squeeze a lemon wedge into a bowl of just cut pears or apples to prevent browning. This can also help to keep your guacamole green if done right after mixing. Limes also add a nice flavor to guacamole.
- Roast a lemon half until the skin is bright golden yellow. This helps to bring out the essential oils and cut the sour-ness of the fruit. Then squeeze the juice out and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Drink for a healthy and natural sore throat remedy.
- Adding 1/4-1/2 cup of lemon juice to your laundry's wash cycle will brighten whites.
- Lemons are a beautiful and simple table centerpiece when placed in a nice vase or bowl.
- When done juicing a lemon half stick it down your garbage disposal instead of throwing it away. Simply turn on your disposal and run hot water to naturally clean and deodorize your disposal.
- Simmer sliced lemons in water for at least an hour and then place in a spray bottle. This will add gentle highlights to blond hair.
VINEGAR:
- Use as a natural rinse agent by pouring it into the Rinse Aid container in your dishwasher.
- Splash some vinegar on your hands after cutting onions or garlic to help remove the smell.
- When making hard boiled eggs add a few drops of balsamic vinegar to the water just to slightly dye the egg shells. This way you can place them back in the container and help to distinguish which ones are hard-boiled.
- Instead of buying Goo-Gone or other toxic residue removers let the area soak for a few minutes in vinegar then rub off.
- Vinegar makes a great natural fabric softener when added to your wash cycle and will not make your clothes smell.
- Adding vinegar to your bat will help to soothe dry itchy skin.
- Run 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water through your coffee machine to remove buildup and odor.
- As mentioned on this blog before you can mix it with equal parts dish soap for an amazing soap scum remover/bathroom cleaner.
- There are numerous household cleaning uses for vinegar, it is a wonder product! I am sure I will be writing, at some point in the future, an entire post dedicated to vinegar.
DRYER SHEETS:
- Hang or place dryer sheets in your closets and dressers to keep your clothes smelling nice.
- Lightly dampen a sheet and use to clean the scum and buildup off glass shower doors.
- Leave one sheet in a especially dirty casserole dish or pan overnight and by morning the tough food will be much easier to remove.
- Place sheets in your shoes to help keep odor under wraps.
- Blot a sheet on your clothes when experiencing static cling.
- Stick a sheet in older books to help curb that musty smell.
BAKING SODA:
- Place a box of open baking soda in your fridge or closet to help prevent mustiness and tame odors. Change once a month for best results.
- Mix 3 parts baking soda and one part water for a natural and gentle face scrub. This will leave your face with a nice healthy glow and smooth skin.
- Pour a baking soda and vinegar down your drains and let them work their magic. Once the foaming subsides run hot water down the drain.
- If you run out of toothpaste you can always mix water and baking soda to a paste. It is non-abrasive and helps whiten.
- Use baking soda as a gentle scouring agent on delicate surfaces. Such as crayon and pencil marks on walls or furniture.
- A water and baking soda paste will remove stains from coffee and tea cups, shine your stainless steel sink, and remove greasy film from dishes.
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