Everyday Items to the Rescue

[Texasmujer]

Keep these essentials on hand for cleaning emergencies;

WHITE VINEGAR CLeans, neutralizes odors and removes soap scum and mineral deposits. Spray on, scrub in, or soak on stubborn stains.
BAKING SODA Cleans, deodorizes, and acts as a mild abrasive. Sprinkle onto a damp sponge, pour right from the box or use as a paste mixed with water.
LEMON JUICE Bleaches, disinfects, polishes and removes stains. Usse undiluted or mix with water.
CLUB SODA Emergency spot remover---its carbonation brings spills to the surface and salts in the soda prevent staining. Pour on clothes or carpet as soon as possible, then blot with clean cloth.
VEGETABLE OIL shines faucets and gets rid of scratches on woodwork.
RUBBING ALCOHOL Removes stains, stickers, and disinfects surfaces.
SALT Sprinkle on oven and stove top spills, scrub burned pots and pans.
BLEACH Removes stains and disinfects. Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners. Use only in well-ventilated areas and be sure to wear gloves.
OLD DRYER SHEETS Use to dust, polish and elliminate static cling and odors.
SPRAY BOTTLE Keep on hand for spraying your homemade remedies on countertops and windows.
OLD TOOTHBRUSH The perfect-size scrub brush for loosening tough stains in tight spots

[-YellowRose-]

[quote]Originally posted by Texasmujer
Keep these essentials on hand for cleaning emergencies;

WHITE VINEGAR CLeans, neutralizes odors and removes soap scum and mineral deposits. Spray on, scrub in, or soak on stubborn stains.
BAKING SODA Cleans, deodorizes, and acts as a mild abrasive. Sprinkle onto a damp sponge, pour right from the box or use as a paste mixed with water.

One other itsy bitsy thing you might want to remember - never mix these two together either. Anybody know why?

[Texasmujer]

The combination of the two form a gas (I don't know which one---sorry). You should never use these in a 'closed' room---there should ALWAYS be good circulation and a source of fresh air.

[-YellowRose-]

Years ago, there was a nasty smell coming from my kitchen drains and I knew that baking soda was good to use to get rid of nasty odors.....so I put a box of dry baking soda down the drain.

Then I thought, which was the first mistake, that soda can't get very far down the drain because it's dry....it needed a liquid to push it on down there...way down there. I thought of water, but no....that would only weaken the effect of the soda by diluting it. Well, another good thing that gets rid of odors is vinegar and I had a bottle of that, so I poured it down the drain.

Just as the last drop of vinegar entered the drain did I remember that that was a no-no. Vinegar and baking soda makes a good bomb. I heard loud pops as the vinegar made it's way down the drain and I headed for the out of doors. I just knew that I'd blown my house up.

But, no. All that happened was a bit of damaged plumbing that I had to tell my husband about when he came home. He looked at me as if to say, "And this is another fine mess you've gotten me into !"

[Texasmujer]

LOL...I didn't know about that combination. LOL; I guess we women work around some pretty dangerous and powerful substances (they're better then TOOLS...LOL...)

[tenley]

kinda like they say never mix bleach and ammonia. toxic fumes i believe.