Inexpensive Cleaning Ideas from Common Household Products

Did you know that you can fix many problems with common household products you have stashed around your home?  I certainly didn't and through one of my favorite past times..... pinning on Pinterest, I came across a fabulous board on this particular subject.

Here are some of my favorites:

Coffee Filters

1. They can be used to wipe down glass, computer screens, iPads and more because they are lint free.
2. When moving dinnerware, place between each plate to keep from rattling or breakage.
3. Use a coffee filter to pour oil into your car engine without messy spillage.
4. In case you run out of dryer sheets and you’re in a pinch, just apply a few drops of fabric softener to a coffee filter, rub the sides together and stick it in the dryer.
5. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.
6. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.
7. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.
8. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

Hair Dryer

1. Removing those horrible sticky price tags on the bottom of your glasses
2. Set the dryer on cool and point it at dusty shelves or intricate knickknacks to blow the debris right off. (Start from the highest shelf to make gravity work for you.)
3. Dewrinkle plastic shower curtains or table-cloths. Blow hot air onto fresh-out-of-the-bag material to "iron" out wrinkles—just keep the dryer 12 inches from the surface so it won't melt.
4.  Perfect frosting or icing. To harden frosting on cakes or cookies, blow cool air directly on it. To brighten a dull finish, give the icing a hit of hot air.
5. Erase crayon marks or wax spills. Kids gone wild? Blow-dry the stain on high until the wax melts, then wipe with a soapy sponge.

Toothpaste

1. Crayon messes on the wall.  Rub a damp cloth and some toothpaste on your marked-up wall and rinse with a clean wet cloth.
2. Carpet cleaning and stain removal.  Scrub away with an abrasive brush and toothpaste, rinse, and you’ll scrub the stain right out. You may even realize how dirty the rest of your carpet is in the process.
3. Clean those tennis or running shoes.  Similar to above, scrub away (especially on those scuffed up white rubber soles), wipe with a damp cloth, and watch your tootsies gleam.
4. Jewelry cleaner.  I used this the other day to clean my seriously dull gold rings.  Use a damp rag and rub it all over the jewelry piece.  They are truly gleaming!
5. Pesky bug bites?  Instead of scratching those bites until they swell up and become unbearable, dab a little toothpaste on it and forget about your itchy worries.

Baking Soda

1. A box or small bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator, freezer, or any cupboard will keep away unpleasant odors. 
2. To clean silver, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
3. For burnt-on food in the bottom of pots, sprinkle with baking soda, then add hot water. Let soak overnight; the dried on food will come loose much more easily.
4. Baking soda will keep away garbage odors; sprinkle the bottom of the pail, and then sprinkle again after you put a new bag in.
5. Replace half of each measure of laundry detergent with baking soda to keep clothing fresh.
6. Baking soda increases the effectiveness of chlorine bleach. Add 1 / 2 cup to your laundry, along with the usual amount of bleach.
7. Lawn furniture can be easily cleaned with a rinse of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water.