Lacking cleaning supplies at home and can't afford a maid? Check out some of these surprising tips with items you may already have lying around the house that can help you get spic n' span!
Onion as a Room Deodorizer
Clear the air in a dank basement or foul-smelling room in the house. Cut an onion in half, place it on a plate, and leave it out overnight. Once the initial salad-bar aroma dissipates, you will be left with a fresh (non-oniony) atmosphere.
Car Wax as Stovetop Polish
Preserve a pristine stovetop by applying a thin layer of car wax, then wiping it off. This will leave a nice clean shine and future spills will lift off easily!
Hair Spray as Lipstick Stain Remover
Kiss that smudge good-bye. If the fabric is machine washable, saturate the spot with hair spray, let it sit for 10 minutes, then dab a damp cloth to remove. Launder as usual to wash out any residual stain.
Coffee Filter as Screen Cleaner
For lint-free viewing, use a coffee filter to wipe down dusty TV screens and computer monitors.
Tape as Keyboard Cleaner
Remove any dust and crumbs left in your keyboard by sliding a short strip of tape between the letters.
Lemonade Kool-Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner
Clean iron stains and lime deposits inside your dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out the stains!
Newspaper as a Food-Container Deodorizer
Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a plastic container that has developed "the funk", and let it sit over night. By the next morning the paper will have fully absorbed the bad smell.
Newspaper as a Window Washer
Fun Fact: Newspapers deposit less lint than paper towels do and don't leave any messy streaks. Just spray on some glass cleaner and wipe.
Walnut as Scratch Filler
Repair hardwood floors by rubbing shelled nuts into shallow scratches. Their natural oils will help hide the flaws.
Bleach Bottle as Cat Litter Scoop
FOR THE CAT LOVERS - Cut diagonally across the middle of an empty, clean bottle. Toss the base and there you have a sturdy, large scoop to pick up soil or cat litter.
Rubbing Alcohol as Permanent Marker Remover
FOR THE MOMS - Remove permanent marker from countertops and walls. Pour a bit into a cotton ball and rub onto stain.
Baking Soda as Crayon Eraser
FOR THE MOMS - Sprinkle it on a damp sponge to erase crayon, pencil, and ink from painted surfaces! (cucumber slices will also have the same effect for crayon)
Baking Soda as a Drain Un-Clogger
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup vinegar dow a clogged drain. Cover it with a wet cloth, wait fifteen minutes, uncover and flush with boiling hot water.
Baking Soda as Pan Scrubber
Sprinkle on crusted casseroles and roasting pans, let sit for 5 minutes, scrub and rinse.
Baking Soda as Tub Scrubber
Rub your tub stains away! Create a paste made up of equal parts baking soda and cream of tartar (+ a little lemon juice). Let sit for 30 minutes, lightly scrub with sponge, then rinse.
Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster
Remove excess soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and scrubbing.
Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner
Remove gunk from the soleplate of your iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears. Your iron will be looking good as new!
Nail Polish as Rust Preventer
Coat the bottom of a shaving cream can to fend off rust rings on the ledge of the tub or shower floor.
Lemon Juice as Laundry Brightener
Skip the bleach - add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to brighten up those fading whites.
Cornmeal as a Grease Absorber
Cornmeal absorbs grease on light colored fabric or upholstery. Pour enough to cover the soiled area and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum to remove the grains.
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