BICARBONATE OF SODA
(Can be bought cheaply in large quantities in Chinese supermarkets of all things!)
- Sprinkle on carpets, rugs and mattresses. Leave for a few hours then vacuum off.
- Sprinkle on damp cloth to clean fridges, freezers and microwaves.
- Can also be used to remove scuff marks on hard floors.
VINEGAR
(use the white distilled sort to avoid your house smelling like a chip shop)
- To remove limescale from your kettle pour in a good cupful and leave overnight.
- For shower heads, take them down and soak overnight in white vinegar.
- Use a pad of cloth such as old T shirt dipped in white vinegar to clean mirrors and windows, dry off with scrunched up newspaper. (There’s something in newsprint that cuts grease)
LEMON JUICE
- Mix with baking powder to a paste to clean grouting between tiles using an old toothbrush.
- You can use the same mix to remove stubborn tide marks from baths. Smells nice too.
TOOTHPASTE
- Use on soft cloth to remove crayon marks.
- If your wall is just a bit grubby eg around light switches try squidged up white bread.
SODA WATER
- Mix 3 parts soda water to 1 part white vinegar to spray on pet bedding or areas where they have wee’d to get rid of urine smells. Shake bedding outside if possible.
Having done all this your house should smell fresh and lovely without that chemically smell. For added perfume try spraying a little lavender or rose water, particularly nice in wardrobes.
Mary Venning