Having trouble removing that ring around your bathtub or getting wax out of your votives? Here's some of Merri's tips for getting the job done!
Bathroom
Hard water spots on faucet?
Rub with half lemon.
Ring around the tub?
Sprinkle baking soda and spray with vinegar, make paste and scrub.
Dirty grout?
Mix baking soda and water to make paste, use old toothbrush to clean
Kitchen
Copper bottom pots and pans
Sprinkle lemon half with coarse salt and rub on copper bottom until shiny.
Cast iron pans
Since you shouldn’t use water and soap on cast iron pans, scrub with coarse salt and cloth.
Tea or coffee stains on ceramic cups?
Dissolve denture cleaning tablet in warm water. After fizz is gone, rinse. Repeat if necessary.
Bedroom
Drawer sachet
Tuck fresh bars of soap in drawers. Wrap bars in tissue paper to protect clothes.
Storing Bed linens
Fold sheets and tuck into matching pillow case. The whole set is handy and ready to go.
Other
Candle wax
Easily remove candle wax from votive cups by placing the cup in the freezer for a few minutes. Wax either pops right out or loosen it with a butter knife.
Dusting Wood Furniture
Make your own dust cloths
Mix:
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- Soak 2 rags (I like old t-shirts) in solution
Ring out until damp dry
Store in sealed jar with lemon rind.
Dusting Fabric Lampshades
Roll a sticky lint brush gently along the shade
Dusty Keyboard?
Blow dust out with a hair dryer
Donation Bag
I keep a canvas tote bag in my coat closet for donations. Every time I clean and find something I no longer need, it goes in my Goodwill bag. The bag is ready to go the next time I’m headed Goodwill.
I would love to hear your proven cleaning tips. I will post the best ones in a future column.
