3 Foods That Will Save You Money

Growing up, my mother was not only super-clean but very creative when it came to what she would use to clean. Naturally, I adopted these tips. In my household vinegar, baking soda and lemons have not only helped me make everything shiny and new but more, importantly, helped me save a lot of money by reducing the amount of ‘household’ sprays that all claim to remove grease, odours or tough stains. Here is my list I would like to share with you all.   Vinegar I really buy vinegar by the gallons – it’s one of those items that I just refuse not to have in my house. My first and most useful use for vinegar is cleaning my windows and mirrors. I mix one cup of warm water, a cup of vinegar and a teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle. What I really love about this is it doesn’t leave any streaks and removes all the fingerprints, mascaras and sometimes foundations that end up on my mirrors. Another effective tip is using vinegar as a floor cleaner. Mix a solution of: three drops dishwashing liquid to 1/3 part white distilled vinegar, 1/3 part alcohol, and 1/3 part water. Spray sparingly and mop for a fast clean-up. Throughout the week, especially because I work for most of it, windows are closed and there is no air flow, so I fill bowls with vinegar and leave them in our rooms – this helps absorb odours. I also clean my kitchen benchtops with a cloth soaked in undiluted white vinegar - this kills all the germs and smells fresh! Getting rid of all the scum from bath tubs, tiles, shower curtains or doors can be a little difficult but, heaven behold, vinegar saves me again. I wipe them all with white vinegar and rinse with water. Last year some time I came across vinegartips.com and can I just say I am very thankful I am not allergic to vinegar.   Baking Soda I have to admit I use this item more when cleaning than I do when baking. I remember my mum always putting baking soda in our shoes, especially after sports days. This leaves your shoes and feet smelling much fresher. Baking soda cuts through grease, thank goodness –unlike like those promising sprays you can purchase, this gets in really deep. So sprinkle some in your sink, on taps and start scrubbing. Last summer for some strange reason around our sink we had an army of ants that refused to leave the premises. I have to admit I did buy a solution my pest control man advised and it did get rid of them for a while but they came back. As always, after much Googling, baking soda was a cheap solution and worked a charm. Sprinkle it wherever they are marching to and Bob’s your uncle, they will leave. And my most thankful piece of advice I got from a friend in regards to baking soda was how to remove burnt bits in a pan. Mixing one cup of water with one cup of vinegar and boiling it in the pan that is burnt, remove the pan from heat and add baking soda. Once the fizz comes down, empty the pan and start scrubbing. It’s the most thrilling and marvelous feeling in the universe – almost like you have achieved the impossible. You 1, pots 0 - BAM!   Lemons Cleaning microwaves has never been easier. Removing the splatters of Bolognese sauce, the bursts of oats in the morning and the stubborn cheese is as simple as combining three tablespoons of lemon juice and a cup and a half of water. Cook on high for five minutes and then simply wipe it clean. I also usually have half a lemon on a little plate in my fridge and change it once a week – this removes any odours.    

Posted 10 years ago 3 Minute(s) to read