1. Sticky Irons. Do you have a finicky, dirty iron? Simply sprinkle salt on the ironing board and iron back and forth.
2. Marker pen on hard surfaces. Spray the surface with hairspray and then use a cloth or paper towel to wipe it off.
3. Animal hair. Love your cats and dogs, but not crazy about having their hair everywhere? Rub hair-filled clothing and furniture with damp rubber gloves.
4. Toilet bowls. Have some old coke on hand? This one is a little scary to think about – use old, flat coke to dissolve limescale. Leave the soda in the toilet bowl overnight to soak.
5. Clean Mattresses. Use a vacuum to remove dead skin cells from piping and crevices.
6. Body oil stains on colored shirts. Grab a bottle of shampoo and rub a bit of the shampoo directly onto the stains, then rinse and wash clothes as usual.
7. Wilting flowers. Need to perk up your flowers? Add a teaspoon of mild detergent and watch them brighten.
8. Dirty microwaves. Get a cup of water, add four tablespoons of lemon juice, and pop the cup into the microwave for five minutes, allowing the vapour to condense on the inside walls. Next, wipe the walls with a soft cloth. Voila.
9. Glass windows. Take a tablespoon of cornstarch, combine with a litre of lukewarm water, and use the mixture on a rag to wipe down the glass. Then dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.
10. Gummy residue. Get rid of the stickiness leftover from labels and stickers by rubbing on eucalyptus oil.
11. Thin straps falling off of hangars. Prevent this problem through sticking small felt furniture pads next to where the straps sit.
12. Leftover soap bits. Combine leftover soap bits with glycerine and warm water, and pour into a bottle to use as a handmade liquid soap.
13. Unwanted smells. Create a fresh-smelling room while vacuuming. Place some drops of essential oil near the hot air vent in the vacuum. The hot air will warm the oil and blow it into the room.
14. Broken glass shards. Press play-doh on an area with hard-to-see glass bits, and it will pick up the small shards. (Note: you can also try bread for this purpose.)
15. Scuff marks. A new tennis ball will wipe scuff marks off vinyl, tile, and painted walls without harming the surface.
16. Buttons. Do your buttons get loose and fall off your clothes? Use a little bit of clear nail varnish on the top thread of a button and let it dry. This will prevent the button from loosening.
17. DIY De-icer. Live in a cold climate? Mix three parts vinegar with one part water, and use as a spray on your windshield.
18. Short-lived candles. Want to extend your candle’s lifespan? Cover it with a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for 24 hours before you light it.
19. Fingerprints on stainless-steel appliances. Remove fingerprints by dabbing the appliance with a small amount of baby oil. Wipe the area with a napkin and watch the fingerprints disappear.
20. Prevent stains. Use car polish to buff a marble tabletop. This leaves a thin, invisible film that reduces the risk of stains.
21. Steamy bathroom mirrors. To prevent your mirrors from steaming up, regularly rub a dry bar of soap over the surface, then rub with a cloth.
22. Toilet smells. Light a match and burn for a few seconds to eliminate unwanted bathroom odors.
23. Short-lived candles. Cover your candles with a plastic bag and freeze for 24 hours before using. This will make them last longer.
24. Spiders/bugs in outdoor shoes. Protect your outdoor shoes by placing old stockings (without holes) on them. Use an elastic bag to secure them tightly.
25. Dirty iron. To clean your iron, cover your ironing board with a pillow and pour salt on top of it. Iron the salt (with the steam option off), and the dirt will stick to the salt.
26. Icky grouts. Combine ¾ cups baking soda with ¼ cup bleach and watch your grouts become squeaky clean.
27. Scratched wooden surfaces. Mix ½ cup olive oil and ½ cup vinegar. Use a rag with this solution and wipe across wooden surface to create a like-new appearance.
28. Dirty vase. To clean a narrow vase, pour in half a cup of warm water and two tablespoons of dry rice. Cover the top with your hand and shake; then rinse.
29. Dull brass. Shine up a brass surface using ketchup. Simply squeeze a small amount onto a cloth, rub the brass surface, then rinse with water.
30. Blood stain removal. Blood stains are some of the most unforgiving stains out there. To treat blood stained fabric, apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and then run it through the washing machine.
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