Articles » Best Household Remedies
By: Debra Howard
Best Household Remedies for Everyday Problems
Life happens. No matter who you are, there are little annoyances that come at us from time to time. A
clogged drain, a burned pan from last nights spaghetti sauce or candle wax spills on your favorite tablecloth are just a few of life’s little challenges. But instead of running out and buying the expensive clog or wax remover, look in your pantry or storage closet first; you may already have the solution to your mishaps.
Here’s a list of common household problems and a list of items a lot of us already have around the house.
White Vinegar
Grass growing in the cracks of your concrete? Pour white vinegar in any cracks of your sidewalks or concrete to kill grass and weeds.
Want to clean up that burned pan without scrubbing? Boiling white vinegar in a burned pan will make the mess flake off.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural bleach and disinfectant. Get out laundry stains by soaking in lemon juice and place the items in the sun.
Your favorite brass container looking a little dull? By dipping a cut lemon in salt and using it as a “scrub” you can remove tarnish from brass.
Baking Soda
Take care of those slow drains by first pouring a cup of baking soda into the drain and then pour a cup of white vinegar immediately after the soda. The soda and vinegar will bubble and fizz. Flush the drain with at least a gallon of hot water. For tough drains you may have to repeat the process.
Remove pet stains and odors from carpeting by cleaning the area first with cool soapy water and a clean cloth. Let area dry completely. Using a clean cloth apply the vinegar and dab spot. Allow to set for a few minutes, then using another clean dry cloth, blot the area and let dry. Sprinkle the dry area with Baking Soda and allow to sit overnight undisturbed. Vacuum in the morning.
Window Cleaner
Not just for windows. Remove fresh nail polish from carpet by spraying the carpet and placing a damp white cloth over the spill. Dab, don’t rub, and repeat process until nail polish is removed. Immediately after stain is gone, mix up a teaspoon of white vinegar and a teaspoon of dish soap in a quart of warm water to remove all the window cleaner residue from carpeting. Note: Test for carpet colorfastness first by spraying window cleaner in a small patch in closet or other inconspicuous area before attempting stain removal.
Denture Tablets
Got some water deposits in your favorite crystal vase? Fill with water drop in a couple of denture tablets and let them go to work.
Hot Iron
Want to get that candle wax out of linens or carpeting? Using several layers of paper towels, place over the wax. Place a hot iron on top of the towels and move back and forth a few times. Check the results. If residue still remains, repeat the process with clean paper towels. (Make sure you have enough layers to create a thickness so the iron won’t melt carpet fibers. Use the steam setting on your iron.) This process can take some time but be patient; it does work.
Mayonnaise
Got a white water ring on your antique mahogany table? Take mayonnaise and with your finger cover the area generously. Let sit overnight. Repeat if necessary.
Debra Howard is a former antique dealer, interior designer and home furnishings retailer who now helps small businesses get more exposure though her website www.tucsonhomeandgardenspot.com Tucson Home and Garden Spot is a division of her business www.creativeedgemarketingco.com. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission. Copyright 2007.
Life happens. No matter who you are, there are little annoyances that come at us from time to time. A
clogged drain, a burned pan from last nights spaghetti sauce or candle wax spills on your favorite tablecloth are just a few of life’s little challenges. But instead of running out and buying the expensive clog or wax remover, look in your pantry or storage closet first; you may already have the solution to your mishaps. Here’s a list of common household problems and a list of items a lot of us already have around the house.
White Vinegar
Grass growing in the cracks of your concrete? Pour white vinegar in any cracks of your sidewalks or concrete to kill grass and weeds.
Want to clean up that burned pan without scrubbing? Boiling white vinegar in a burned pan will make the mess flake off.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural bleach and disinfectant. Get out laundry stains by soaking in lemon juice and place the items in the sun.
Your favorite brass container looking a little dull? By dipping a cut lemon in salt and using it as a “scrub” you can remove tarnish from brass.
Baking Soda
Take care of those slow drains by first pouring a cup of baking soda into the drain and then pour a cup of white vinegar immediately after the soda. The soda and vinegar will bubble and fizz. Flush the drain with at least a gallon of hot water. For tough drains you may have to repeat the process.
Remove pet stains and odors from carpeting by cleaning the area first with cool soapy water and a clean cloth. Let area dry completely. Using a clean cloth apply the vinegar and dab spot. Allow to set for a few minutes, then using another clean dry cloth, blot the area and let dry. Sprinkle the dry area with Baking Soda and allow to sit overnight undisturbed. Vacuum in the morning.
Window Cleaner
Not just for windows. Remove fresh nail polish from carpet by spraying the carpet and placing a damp white cloth over the spill. Dab, don’t rub, and repeat process until nail polish is removed. Immediately after stain is gone, mix up a teaspoon of white vinegar and a teaspoon of dish soap in a quart of warm water to remove all the window cleaner residue from carpeting. Note: Test for carpet colorfastness first by spraying window cleaner in a small patch in closet or other inconspicuous area before attempting stain removal.
Denture Tablets
Got some water deposits in your favorite crystal vase? Fill with water drop in a couple of denture tablets and let them go to work.
Hot Iron
Want to get that candle wax out of linens or carpeting? Using several layers of paper towels, place over the wax. Place a hot iron on top of the towels and move back and forth a few times. Check the results. If residue still remains, repeat the process with clean paper towels. (Make sure you have enough layers to create a thickness so the iron won’t melt carpet fibers. Use the steam setting on your iron.) This process can take some time but be patient; it does work.
Mayonnaise
Got a white water ring on your antique mahogany table? Take mayonnaise and with your finger cover the area generously. Let sit overnight. Repeat if necessary.
Debra Howard is a former antique dealer, interior designer and home furnishings retailer who now helps small businesses get more exposure though her website www.tucsonhomeandgardenspot.com Tucson Home and Garden Spot is a division of her business www.creativeedgemarketingco.com. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission. Copyright 2007.