Cleaning Hacks and Tips

You can't always get what you want, but you don't have to accept defeat. Whether the store doesn’t carry it, they’re out, or you are in a time crunch and need a particular item, there are ways to substitute. Here are some cleaning hacks and tips to keep things moving along. Get Rid Of Soap Scrum Spritz that gunk with cooking spray and let it sit for a couple of minutes. The scum will come off with just a swipe of a towel. Then wash the surface with soap and water. Eliminate Grease Stains Rub some chalk on greasy spots on clothes or table linens and let it absorb the oil before you brush it off. If the stain lingers, rub more chalk into it before laundering.  To get rid of ring-around-the-collar stains, mark them heavily with chalk before laundering to absorb the oils that hold in the dirt. Repel Dust From Your Screens Because televisions and computers are electrically charged, they attract dust. Fabric softener sheets will get them clean and keep them that way. Rescue A Rug If you've spilled coffee or tea on the carpet, there's another tasty beverage that can clean the mess: beer. Rub a few teaspoons (or more, if you made a really big mess) lightly into the fabric.  Flat beer will also polish up your wood furniture. Dissolve Tarnish On Silverware Grab some potatoes and boil them up. Remove them from the water and save them to eat later. Then place your silverware in the potato water and let it sit for an hour. Remove and wash it. The tarnish should have disappeared. Unstick Gum Tip Got chewing gum smooshed into the carpet or on the wall? WD-40 will loosen it. This works on wax drippings too. Remove Water Stains From Furniture Did your guests somehow miss the coasters? To get rid of those annoying white rings left by moist glasses, gently rub some non-gel toothpaste on the wood with a soft cloth. Wipe it off with a damp cloth and let the area dry. Lemon Juice Besides brightening the flavor of recipes, lemon juice can clean and freshen your microwave and your laundry. It's also a potent exfoliant, dandruff fighter, wart remover, and disinfectant. Lift a Scorch Mark If you singe your favorite shirt with a hot iron, wet the area and cover it with cornstarch. Allow the cornstarch to dry, then brush it away. I'm sure there are many, many more cleaning hacks and tips we could add to this list, but for now, I hope the ones listed are helpful. Until next time, always remember to stay healthy and free! Heather EarlesHeather is married to a retired Special Forces Officer, and they live on a sustainable farm with their four children. She is an established author of inspiration, fiction, children’s books, a journalist, a stay-at-home mother, and an advocate for healthy living. She publishes a weekly blog and podcast (Herb ‘N Wisdom™) and is a Print Specialist for Pufferprint. Learn more about the author