The best hint I was ever given is this. After de-frosting your freezer, out some glycerine on a cloth or paper towel, and rub this over all surfaces. The next time to need to de-frost, the ice will fall off quickly in big chunks, saving time and effort and much easier clean-up too. I used […]
To keep flies out of the house wipe door-jambs, window frames and the inside glass with undiluted vinegar. Any vinegar will do. White vinegar added to window cleaning water will also keep them off the windows. To clear the house of flies boil up a cup of vinegar on the stove. You’ll get one or […]
If an outfit is needed for a special occasion (a school ball for example), hire it don’t buy it. Buying something to use once only is not the sort of thing those living off the smell of an oily rag would do.
Make the dishwasher detergent go even further. I kept an empty bottle and half filled it from a new one and added half with water and shake. Plenty of suds for normal use. Use the undiluted one for the big roast dinner clean-ups. Repeat when needed.
In today’s edition of The Northland Age someone wanted to know how to remove ballpoint pen marks from wallpaper. Although I haven’t used it on wallpaper, I have found methylated spirits gets it off painted walls and also clothing and upholstery. Use a white rag, cotton wool or white kitchen paper and dab or rub […]
Carpets need a clean? There is no doubt that the occasional steam clean does wonders for reviving worn carpet. Rather than call in the experts, you could for half the price hire a steam cleaner. Ask about the neighbourhood to see if there is anyone else that would like to have their carpets done. The […]
To get the smell of cat urine out of a fabric covered lounge suite try sponging with baking soda and water until just damp. Sprinkle baking soda onto this dampened patch, wait until it is dry, then vacuum off. Repeat if there is still an odour there. When dry, spray lightly with white vinegar (acts […]
To clean rust marks from clothing simply squeeze lemon juice on the stain then liberally coat with plain salt. Then place out in strong sunlight. You might have to repeat the process, but most times once does the trick.
Try lemon juice and salt to clean copper ornaments – or vinegar and salt and elbow grease.
My grandmother taught me to put about half a teaspoon of baking soda in the cup and add a splash of water to make it into a paste. Rub the inside of the cup with this solution and it will get rid of the stain. If it doesn’t work the first time, just add more […]