Handy hints from recipes, empty packets and old manuals. So I don't claim them as mine!
I will add to them each time I come across more
An Effective and Environmentally Safe Household Cleaner – BAKING SODA
Baking Soda has a multitude of uses in the home. Baking soda is a great product which can be used as a water softener, scouring powder, oven cleaner, stain remover, odour remover, toothpaste, metal polisher, carper cleaner and pot cleaner. A must for Spring Cleaning
Sinks, benches, walls, files etc. in the kitchen and bathroom can be cleaned by using a little dry baking soda on a damp cloth.
Bath stains can be removed by rubbing with a thick paste made of baking soda and vinegar or white spirit. Leave for a few hours then rinse.
Another bath stain remover is making a paste of kerosene and baking soda. Rinse off well after cleaning. The smell will soon disappear.
To clean and deodorize refrigerators: wipe out with a solution containing baking soda and warm water.
To remove stains from teapots and crockery: mix equal parts of flour, baking soda and vinegar to a paste. Coat stained surfaces, leave overnight then rinse off with boiling water.
Brighten up brassware by soaking in a cupful of warm water containing one tablespoon of Baking soda.
Deodorise rubbish bins, litter boxes, carpets, etc. with dry Baking soda.
Blacken grout between tiles can be cleaned with paste made from baking soda and water and applied with a soft toothbrush.
Grease blocked drains can be cleared by pouring a handful of baking soda down the drain and then adding a 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Leave for 5-10 minutes and then flush with water. Alternatively, use hot water and a handful of washing soda.
Personal Care with Baking Soda.
For chapped hands dissolve 1 teaspoon baking soda in a cup of warm water. Bathe hands and dry gently.
Have a refreshing bath by adding a few teaspoons of Baking soda to your bath water.
Relieve minor skin irritations eg; insect bites and stings, and sunburn by applying a paste of 3 parts baking soda and I part water to the affected area.
Alleviate indigestion or heartburn by sipping ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water or fruit drink.
General baking
To make 1 teaspoon of “baking Powder” mix:-
1/3 tsp baking soda
½ tsp cream of tartar
1/8 tsp salt.
WASHING SODA
A Natural water softener and grease cutter.
A handful of washing soda added to a bucket of warm water can be used as an effective heavy duty cleaner for floors and walls.
Add washing soda to your washing to help break down grease and stains and reduce the amount of laundry powder required.
SALTA great natural scourer and cleaner. a stain remover, scourer, blind cleaner and it has mild antiseptic qualities.
VINEGAR
Use white vinegar on a clean cloth to remove grease from tiles.
Wipe down windows with vinegar diluted in warm water and dry with a kitchen paper towel.
Use white vinegar on surfaces affected by mould and mildew, and wipe off. For stubborn stains leave for a few minutes.
Add white vinegar to the toilet bowl and leave for 10 minutes then clean down surfaces.
Mix some white vinegar with water and wash down mirrors. Wipe dry with paper towels
Fridge
Clean your fridge with diluted vinegar and water. Then to keep the fridge smelling nice, wipe down with vanilla essence of leave a small container of baking soda inside to remover and odours.
EPSOM SALTS
Great for cleaning in the bathroom and laundry - from tiles and grout to cleaning and softening towels.To draw out a splinter or infected bites make up two solutions of 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts/cup of water; 1 of cold water the other of water as hot as can be bared. Dip the affected area in the solutions - 30 seconds in the hot then 3 seconds in the cold alternatively for about 3 times. Do this over a period of 3 days.
Migraines can be relieved by soaking in a bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts added.
To aid circulation make up paste with water of epsom salts and scrub the body toward the heart.
A poultice of Epsom salts in a cloth held over the kidneys relieves UT infections.
Clean Washing Machine
Place 3/4 of a cup of Epsom Salts into your automatic washing machine on 1/2 a hot wash once or twice a year. Leave machine to do its complete cycle.
This keeps all the lines clean of soap build up which over time may require a trades person to repair problems
Toilet Cleaner
When cleaning the toilet bowl, add some nappy soak to a bucket of luke warm water. Pour in the toilet bowl and leaver for about 10 minutes. Scrub around the bowl with a toilet brush and then flush. This works as a disinfectant and helps whiten your toilet bowl if it is stained.
Concrete Paths
Ordinary house hold bleach will remover green mould from concrete paths without harming lawn or plants. Use 1 part bleach and 2 parts water. Leave for 15 minutes to work before scrubbing with a hard brush. Rinse off.
Paint Brushes
After cleaning a paint brush, rinse it in fabric softener.
Scented Drawers
You can make nice scented sachets for drawers by tipping 1/2 a cup of scented cold water washing powder in a envelope. Just use a reply paid one and seal. After a month, change the envelope and use the washing powder as normal.
Handbasin stains
A good brass cleaner rubbed in with your fingers will remove stains.
Rub in toothpaste with an old brush will remove stains.
Headache remedy
Cut a kitchen towel the size of the foot. Spread with olive oil and then sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Place under sole of foot and the wrap with plastic cling-wrap tightly and wear a fitted sock.
