Which household items can I use as cleaning products?
KEEPING your house sparkling clean doesn't have to cost a fortune.
In fact, there are loads of common household items that you can also use as cleaning products that work just as well, if not better than pricey alternatives.
There are a lot of cheap household items you could repurpose as cleaning products
Which household items can I use as cleaning products?
If you don't have a fortune to spend in the aisle, you can get crafty and repurpose some household staples for your cleaning routine.
Here are some of the best items you can probably find in your cupboard, that will leave your house sparkling.
Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda is often used in baking, which helps bread and cakes to rise.
It can help you with your household chores too.
The chemical compound is especially good at tackling grease.
Sprinkling a bit of the sodium bicarbonate onto pots and pans while you wash up can ease your workload.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is a great way to get rid of stubborn stains.
All you have to do is sprinkle the area with a little bit of salt, then squeeze some lemon juice onto a sponge.
Use the sponge to scrub the area for a couple of minutes.
Then rinse the area with clean water and the stain should be gone.
Cleaning whizz Chantel Mila also suggested adding leftover lemons to your dishwasher cycle for a fresh, clean scent.
Washing up sponges
Using an everyday washing-up sponge on furniture and fabric can remove pesky dog hairs and fluff.
Simply dampen the sponge a little, then rub it over the fabric in a circular motion.
As you rub the sponge over the furniture, you should notice the hairs start to get picked up by the scourer.
Vinegar
Many of us are accustomed to the benefits of vinegar - especially when it comes to cleaning.
But there is another nifty trick you can try.
As well as being a great way to lift stains and tough marks, vinegar is a safe and natural way to remove bacteria and pesticides from fruit and veg.
Make up a solution of three parts water and one part vinegar before rinsing with clean water, and you won't get the sour taste.
The cleaning pros at Zapata's Cleaning Services revealed that you can also use vinegar to revive dirty towels.
They explained: "If your towels start to feel stiff, toss them in the washer and add half of a cup of vinegar, but do not add detergent.
"The vinegar will remove detergent residue and minerals that are making the towels feel scratchy."
Soap
While a lot of people have shifted to liquid soap, there are still some of us who opt for the traditional bar.
And as well as being good for washing your hands, a bar of soap can be used to sort out a stiff zip.
All you have to do is hold the fabric taut and run the bar over the teeth of the zip.
This will help lubricate the zip and ease the task of getting dressed.
Rubber gloves
Whether you've got a stiff jar lid you need removing or you're looking to remove pet hairs, rubber gloves may be the solution.
For opening jars, they add extra grip and can help you pop the lid off.
For pet hairs, just rub the gloves over the fabric and the static energy will help lift them.
You then dip the gloves in water and the hairs will float to the surface.
Are store-bought cleaning products bad?
They tend to work but because of the chemicals mixed in them, they tend to create toxic air which can pollute the area that you are cleaning.
Natural products tend to be better not only because they are cost-effective but also because they will not pollute and release chemicals around you as store-bought ones do.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your pots and pans all wrong - here's a trick to remove the residue
- These are five hacks to ensure your kitchen is spotless
- What you need to know when cleaning your bathroom
- If you haven't in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This cheap, easy trick will remove your mould from grout without scrubbing
- These simple items will make your carpet clean and look brand new
- Keep your mattress clean easily for a great night's sleep
How to clean suede shoes with household cleaning products?
Yes, you can even use some of these products when cleaning suede shoes.
Towel and rubber
You can easily clean any surface-level stains using just these two items.
First, you just need to rub the suede with a clean towel - this brushes the material and can help to reveal hidden dirt.
Then all you need to do is use rubber to 'erase' the stains.
Vinegar
For deeper stains, that are harder to remove the above method may not be the best and instead, you'll need to reach for that handy white vinegar.
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Simply just pour the vinegar onto a soft cloth and rub it into the stain.
After letting the fabric dry, brush with a dry towel to fluff the suede.