Make Steel Wool Soap Pads Last LongerI cut mine in half. Then, after I use them, I store in a plastic sandwich bag with all the air squeezed out. Some people store the bag in the freezer.
Using Up Unwanted Shampoo/Body WashDon't throw it out. I use mine for hand washing combs, hair and makeup brushes, lingerie and cashmere sweaters. Sometimes, as in the case of this bottle, if I see a really good deal I will buy it and save it for this purpose.
Cleaning Vinyl Siding and GuttersI used Car Wash, purchased from Walmart, to clean the gutters, vinyl siding, heat and air conditioner and the awnings. It cut the dirt quickly and left a nice finish. I really like this product.
How to Get the Last Drop of Spray CleanerWhen one of my spray cleaners is running low and barely able to spray out of the nozzle, I take about a handful of glass gems and/or marbles and place them in the spray bottle. This causes the cleaner to rise up, and therefore makes it easier to reach the spray tube/nozzle.
Best Suds with Dawn Dish DetergentI used to use the very cheapest dish detergent, then a friend of mine suggested that I try Dawn because you only have to use a tiny amount to get lots of suds. So I tried it and she was right.
Check the Batteries in Swiffer WetJetI noticed some people find that Swiffer WetJet won't spray. There are a few reasons this might be but one of them is to check the batteries.
Using Any Vacuum Cleaner BagA pack of 3 vacuum cleaner bags costs $10.00. That's over $3.50 for one bag! I never buy the original bags anymore. Instead, I buy any bags that are roughly the same size at yard sales and Thrift Stores. Salvation Army has baskets full of those bags in all sizes, for 25 cents a bag!
Store Steel Wool Pads in a JarI keep my used pad in a small jar with a lid. I had accidentally pushed a pad in a jar to the back of my cabinet and a few months later when I discovered it, it was still unrusted and usable.
Uses for Un-Du Adhesive RemoverFirst, I was repairing my granddaughter's brown stuffed animal with my glue gun. I dropped the glue gun on the animal's head and it slid off, leaving a streak of hot glue.
Use a Marble Inside Spray BottlesWhen at the bottom of a spray bottle's contents and nothing comes out but foam, just drop in a marble. Every last bit of cleaner will be used up. Sometimes I drop in the marble when I first use the cleaner.
Cream of Tartar for CleaningCream of tartar is an acidic salt that comes from grapes and it is made from the crystals that form on the inside of fermentation tanks while making wine. This is purified and used for baking and cooking, but as I just found out recently, it is great for cleaning too.
How To Remove Pet Stains From CarpetBest cleaner I have found to date is Genesis 950. I can not tell you how many things I have tried that claimed to be designed to clean up pet stains and remove the smell.
Using Every Bit of CleanerIf a marble is put into an almost empty spray bottle, all the cleaner will be used up.
Oxi-Clean For StainsI have been playing with Oxi-Clean powder lately. I used it to clean a badly mildewed life jacket and it came out like new. On clothing, it will remove yellowing. I've tried it on walls, furniture, floors, etc.
Warning: Old Aerosols Can LeakMy husband and I were having a perfectly good evening, when we heard a strange pop. We couldn't figure it out, looked around, everything seemed okay.
Disinfect, Re-Use, and SaveI used to use them sparingly because I thought that they were an expensive luxury. Then I noticed that the material that they are made of is like an awesome indestructible paper towel. I kept rinsing and reusing.
Follow Written Directions On Cleaning ProductsPlease pay attention to the directions on the cleaning product label. Many cleaners are NOT to be used on fiberglass tubs, shower walls, and shower pans.
Keep Diluted Dish Soap By SinkI was using up the last of a bottle of dish soap, but the last bit was stuck on the bottom of the bottle. I added water and used a bit, then thought about how nice it was to have diluted dish soap on hand.
MAAS to Clean Stainless Steel SinkStains resulting from harsh chemicals, etc. on your kitchen stainless steel sink can generally be removed by a gentle application of MAAS Metal Polishing Creme.
Wash and Reuse Disposable DustersAfter years of throwing out those "disposable" dusters, I threw one in the wash and was amazed to see it was not only clean as a whistle but reusable as well! To get the fluff back, I just gave it a few slaps against the top of my washer.
Product Review: BIN Stain KillerHave you ever tried BIN stain killer? It's an alcohol based primer that works great on any kind of stains. For nicotine stains on walls and water stains on ceilings, it really has Kilz beat
Substitute Vinegar In Downy Dryer BallFill a Downy Ball with white vinegar. Toss it into the washing machine with your clothes. Not only will they will come out static-free, but fresh-smelling as well. A big plus is that it's more natural than regular fabric softener and cheaper too!
Removing Super Glue From SkinUse nail polish remover to unhinge super glue from your fingers.
Uses Of 3 % Hydrogen PeroxideYou can purchase 3% hydrogen peroxide over the counter just about everywhere, and it's inexpensive and much safer for all of us and our environment than using chlorine bleach! Here is a list of a few of my tried and true uses.
Use Leftover Shampoo For CleaningI've always hated wasting shampoo and the last part of the bottle. So I bought a pretty basket and set it on the floor next to the shower, now when the bottle gets too low I put it in the basket upside down.
Cleaning With Dishwasher DetergentWe are nurses and had to wear white. Bleaching your whites leaves them dingy and yellow after awhile. My friend recommended Cascade dishwashing detergent - the plain ole white powder stuff.
Caress Soap as Adhesive RemoverRecently I read on this site that Caress soap keeps mosquitoes away, so I went out and bought the bar soap and bath gel. Forget it, it doesn't work on the mosquitoes in Houston! But I started using the bath gel and noticed something unusual.
Use Plumbers Cloth for CleaningSome things can be very difficult to clean, as we all know, but I have a solution to many of my cleaning problems. It is called plumbers cloth and can be purchased at Ace Hardware.
Use Orange Hand Cleaner to Clean VinylAutoZone sells a hand cleaner called Permatex Fast Orange hand cleaner that also cleans vinyl. It makes the vinyl look like new no matter how dirty it is. My grandson called me and said he had discovered this while he was cleaning his boat.
Use Scrubbing Bubbles for Hard Water SpotsMy husband read so many solutions on removing hard water spots on windows, but nothing ever worked for him. The windshield on our motor home was so stained from the water that would run down it, that we tried everything on the market just like so many others.
Use Bath Mitts for CleaningI buy bath mitts in the bath section at the grocers and they are wonderful. They are rough and designed to remove dead skin on the body, but I realized they could be used in other ways so I purchased two more pairs. Now I wash dishes with a pair of those gloves on.
Use Shaving Cream For Cleaning Kids HandsShaving cream is a wonderful and cheap way to get kids squeaky clean. Most of the time with a coupon you can get a can very cheap and sometimes free.
Using Hand Sanitizer For Sticky ResidueYou know how you peel off a sticker and it leaves behind the sticky glue? I used Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer and it works great. I put some on and spread it evenly throughout the surface then let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
Product Review: Kaboom Bathroom CleanerKaboom Bathroom is wonderful for the bathroom. It takes off the grime and dirt without hurting the finish of the basin, tub or tiles. Just spray and allow to sit for 5 minutes and spray your tub and tile and, voila! it is clean as a whistle.
Use The Other Side Of Swiffer PadsWhen I use the disposable Swiffer type cleaning cloths, I flip them over to use the clean side before tossing them in the trash. This works well with the dry dust mop cloths. It doubles the use of each cloth.
Dr. Bronners Magic SoapI have been a long time user of Dr. Bonner's castile soaps. It comes in bars or liquid form. I love this stuff. We use it for bathing, washing hair, laundry, dishes, household cleaning, and washing the car.
Use Bubble Bath As An All Purpose CleanerThis is the time to go green. Clean green it's easier and cheaper than you think. My favorite cleaning product is Avon bubble bath. It is good for cleaning just about anything, windows and mirrors without streaks (1/2 a capful per 2 cup spray bottle).
Product Review: Goo Gone RemoverI found a new product on the market that is so fantastic you will never need another thing. Gum in your hair or clothes or kids and markers on the wall. There is a product called Goo Gone Remover.
Lestoil Bottles May LeakDo not keep Lestoil bottles around long. They will leak. My cupboard floor can attest to this. I thought it was something the kids did (drop bottle and create a crack or something), but no, a second bottle also leaked. Transfer to glass or do not buy this product.
Fels-Naptha For Many UsesFels Naptha soap is a wonderful product for cleaning ones hands after staining furniture, woodwork, etc.
Clean Acrylic Paint With Hand SanitizerAn awesome way to get dried acrylic paint off of your hands and out of your paint brushes is hand sanitizer. Inexpensive.
Extending the Life of SOS PadsFor many years I have been extending the life of SOS cleaning pads. The very first thing I do is get one of my recycled small plastic containers, one that has a good lid, and is big enough to easily cover the SOS pad.
Using Oven Cleaner for Soap ScumThere are times that I have a problem with scum in my bathroom, whether it is on my sink, tub or toilet. Some of the bathroom cleaners do not work that well.
Crochet Hook Can Clean Disposable Fabric SweeperI just bought one of those new Pledge Fabric Sweepers for about $5. It worked well, but I was a little disappointed to find out that it is meant to be disposed of, after it gets filled with pet hair.
Vinegar As An All Purpose CleanerOnce a month, I run vinegar through the coffee maker to clean out the residue that builds up. Make sure you run a pot of clean water through before you make your next pot of coffee.
Magic Eraser To Clean GroutIf you carry a small container of warm water with you and use those Magic Erasers on ceramic tile, and especially to clean grout between your tiles, without much elbow work at all, the grout comes clean.
Buy and Use Refills for Cleaning ProductsInstead of buying the pricey spray room fresheners, I buy the refills for the automatic sprayers. They last nearly forever and are more economical. The same goes for the automatic shower cleaner.
Use Dryer Sheets For Garden Clean UpSave all used fabric softener dryer sheets to clean dirty hands and fingernails after gardening or other dirty jobs. Simply wet the sheet and gently scrub your hands.
Using Powdered CleanserHere is a tip for when you are using powdered cleanser (like Comet) for your bathroom. When you first open it and peel the tape off the holes, just move the tape over and only have 2-3 holes showing.
Murphy Oil Soap for Cleaning Paint BrushesI use Murphy Oil Soap, to clean my paint brushes. I do decoupage, and the brushes get gluey. So I will soak them overnight in the oil soap, and they are clean again.
Reuse Baby Powder Bottles For Baking SodaUse empty baby powder bottles for baking soda. This makes it easier to sprinkle on to carpets. You can also use cornstarch which will save you money on baby powder as you can use it in place of powder, it does the same thing.
Reuse the Pledge Pet Hair Removal ToolI just bought the new Pledge Pet Hair Remover tool that you brush back and forth across your furniture. The directions stated when the plastic box was full to toss it out. I found if I cut a u-shape from the top I can remove the lint and pet hair and use it more.
Use Dishwasher Detergent as a Replacement for Soft ScrubInstead of buying "Soft Scrub" for your cleaning where you need bleach, buy liquid dishwasher soap. It has bleach and works great. The best part is that you get 3-4 times more for the same price as the Soft Scrub and it goes farther.
Use Q-Tips to Apply Goo GoneI absolutely love the product Goo Gone! I use it a lot! I have discovered a very economical way to use this product. First, I buy the large package of cotton swabs at the Dollar Tree for $1.00. There were 300 swabs in the package that I purchased.
Don't Use "The Works" on Faucets or MetalCleaning your fiberglass tub with "The Works" does work really well, but be very careful not to get it on the faucets because it will discolor and ruin them.
Clean Blinds With Magic EraserI admit I am a bit of a clean freak. I hate dust, streaky glass, spotted stainless steel and appliances. Therefore, I was in quite a state with dirty/dusty blinds (36 windows worth) and an ivory leather couch (what were we thinking) that was dirty and dingy.
Pledge Cleans a Lot More Than Your Wood FurnitureIf you look on the back of your Pledge bottle, you will see that Pledge not only polishes your wood, but is also great for cleaning stainless steel, leather, granite and marble. I love it, especially for my stainless steel appliances and leather couches.
Try Preen for Cleaning Clear Shower ScreensI just finished cleaning my clear shower screen that was covered with soap scum and mold. I have not been able to get it back to a clear screen since we moved in several years ago but finally after using all types of cleaners from natural to chemical...
Product Review: Pledge Multi Surface DusterI like it. A lot. Very good for cleaning items that are almost hard to reach (I'm short) and delicate items with a lot of projections and depressions (like my shelving unit with assorted figurines and vases).
Bon Ami Polishing Paste to Remove SootMake a paste from Bon Ami polishing cleanser and water to remove the black soot from glass candle holders, marble fireplace fronts, and most anything else with black soot.
Swiffer SocksIn 10th grade, we chose to do an invention using Swiffers. I want you to take a minute and think about this... Swiffer Socks. It is an invention to take the original dust cloth to the next level.
Using Handi Wipes for Paper TowelsI hardly ever buy paper towels any more. Instead, I buy packages of handi wipes from the dollar store. I buy a package of 8-10 for a dollar.
Making Foaming Soap at HomeInstead of buying foaming soap refills, try this: Buy one container of foaming hand soap. When it's empty, refill with 2 Tbsp. liquid hand soap for every 1 cup water. So simple, so easy, and cheaper.
Recharge Ball Air FreshenersDon't throw out the air fresheners that are in a clear roundish plastic jar with vented lids that have colored scented round balls inside after the balls shrink and are seemingly dried up.
Lestoil to Remove GumI have found Lestoil works to remove chewing gum. I would assume that it would work on clothing as well as my daughter dropped her chewing gum on her bed sheet.
Using Tea Tree Oil for CleaningUsing 2 cups of water and several drops of pure tea tree oil will clean dirt off windowsills, and clean mostly anything wooden. Also use tea tree oil, diluted with water and sprayed on a child's hair, keeps the lice away.
Store Wipes Upside DownWhen storing the disinfecting wipes (that I use daily!), turn the container upside down and the wipes will not dry out so quickly.
Foamy Hand Soap From Bubble BathFoamy Hand Soap From Bubble Bath. My son is always adding water to my soap dispensers. He thinks they are toys, I guess. One day, he poured bubble bath into my empty foamy dispenser and added water. Nothing came out, but I decided to try to add more water and (viola!) I had foamy hand soap.
Mist and Go! CleanerI've found a great product at Dollar Tree called "Mist and Go!" It's sold as an everyday shower cleaner, but, this morning, when I'd run out of my regular stovetop cleaner, I read the precautions, then used this product, and the burned-on food that I normally have to scrape, after about two minutes, wiped up with a sponge. . .
Rubbing Alcohol - Miracle Cleaner!I use rubbing alcohol for all kinds of cleaning jobs, full strength or diluted (I prefer full strength.) For most cleaning jobs I keep it in a trigger spray bottle. I use it for cleaning glass and mirrors - it evaporates too NO STREAKS! ...
Review of Kleen-GloThere was a request for removing grease off cupboards. Kleen-Glo is a product found in some hardware, sells everything stores, and it is good for household, laundry, car, and anything else you want...
In Praise of WindexWindex (original blue only) is the greatest all around cleaning product for a lot more than just windows. I use it to spray on spots of dirty laundry...
Uses for Baby WipesI have seen couple of great ideas for using baby wipes and I have a couple of my own I would like to share. I keep a pack of store brand ones in my car for quick cleanup of sticky hands, face, etc.
Review of GooGone Spray GelMy name is Jackie, and I own a cleaning business in which I clean empty apartments after people have moved out. I have never been able to find a quick and effective way to clean the worst imaginable bathtubs, UNTIL NOW! I have just discovered the absolute "MAGIC BULLET" of all times ...
Saving on Swiffer Dry ClothsI use both sides of my Swiffer dry cloths before I throw them out. I purchase the Dollar General brand which is 20 for 2.00. I saw Save-a-Lot has a 20 pack for $1.00, but I haven't tried them yet. My mom does the same thing!
Downy Wrinkle Releaser ReviewsReviews of Downy Wrinkle Releaser.
Cleaning With Washing SodaWashing soda is often confused with baking soda but it's quite different. For starters, you don't bake with it! It's not edible. It is great as a laundry additive, to boost the cleaning of your detergent.
Store Bought BleachThe other day I ran out of ultra bleach and I noticed in the laundry room I had a full bottle of store brand bleach and I thought great I don't have to go to the store.
