Tried and tested – old-fashioned cleaning hacks that actually work

Don’t get us wrong, we love a weird and wonderful cleaning hack (thanks, TikTok), but sometimes, you just can’t beat the old-fashioned tips and tricks. Using ingredients from the pantry and fruit bowl (along with some elbow grease, of course), you’ll be surprised at how quickly the old-fashioned cleaning products will have your place spick and span! So join us as we take you through the old but gold hacks you need to add to your cleaning rota. 

Remove clothing stains with lemon juice

Whether you’re a serial drink spiller or more of a messy eater, stains are part and parcel of everyday life. Sometimes, the more stubborn stains (we’re looking at you, red wine) are too much for a cycle in the washing machine to tackle. Luckily, with the natural acidity of that lemon lurking in your fruit bowl, you can say bye-bye to that stain. Here’s all you need to do… 

• Cover the problem area with lemon juice and a sprinkling of salt  
  
• Rub the mixture into the stain for a few minutes using an old toothbrush before rinsing away 
  
• If it’s a sunny day, leave the clothing item to dry in the sun before washing as normal. If not, skip this step and put the item straight into the wash 

Note: Lemon juice can have a bleaching effect so be careful using it on darker clothing. Always try a small patch test to check whether the clothing will lighten. 

Deodorise rugs with bicarbonate of soda

Most of us have got that one rug in the living room that bears the brunt of dirty slippers, animal paws, and the scent of last night’s dinner. The result? A rug that smells far from fresh! Here’s the old-school way to refresh your rug: 

• Sprinkle a liberal amount of bicarbonate of soda all over the rug and leave it to sit for at least 15 minutes 
  
• Once that time is up, hoover up all the bicarbonate of soda from the rug and you’ll be left with a refreshed rug that’s free from odour. Plus, the bicarbonate of soda will continue its work and even deodorise the inside compartment of your hoover as well! 

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Clean+Natural Bicarb Of Soda 500g

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Wash your windows with vinegar

If your window cleaning attempts always end with a streaky, cloudy finish, then we’ve got just the trick for you. You’ll need to make your own old-fashioned window cleaner by adding one part white (distilled) vinegar to ten parts warm water into a spray bottle.  

• Start by wiping your windows with a lint-free cloth to catch any dust or debris that’s sitting on the surface 
  
• Once your windows are dust-free, spray your old-fashioned window cleaner over the entire window and use a clean cloth to rub it in  
  
• Next, grab another clean cloth to dry the window and voila…sparkling, streak-free windows! 

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Go Green Recycled Microfibre Cloth

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Use lime and salt to de-grease

We know what you’re thinking, lime, salt, …where’s the tequila shot? Well, not only does this power duo help to cut through the taste of tequila, they’re also top-notch at grappling with grease and grime! Wherever you’ve got a build-up (think: hob, inside of the microwave, baking trays), the salt will act as an abrasive to help lift the grease, while the lime gets rid of odours and leaves a fresh citrus one in its place. Here’s how to give those grease-ridden areas a new lease of life: 

• Add a sprinkling of salt to the area, along with the juice of a lime and wait ten minutes 
  
• When the time is up, you can wipe the mixture away and admire the results! 

Refresh your silverware with ketchup

Over time, silverware can lose its sparkle, giving it a dull and blackened appearance that’s crying out for a polish! But thanks to the acetic acid in everyone’s favourite condiment, the shine of your silverware can be restored in a matter of minutes. Here’s how: 

• Cover your tarnished silverware in ketchup and leave it to sit for around 30 minutes 
  
• Once the time is up, wipe the cutlery clean and wash them as normal. Your silverware will look good as new 

Mayo, time to step it up!