More Baking Powder Tricks

Who would have thought that something so simple as baking powder could have so many cleaning uses. Here's a couple more:

• poor baking powder and vinegar (in equal parts) down a sink drain to clean and deodorize. (Watch out for any fumes that may be given off and make sure the area is well ventilated)
• coffee or tea stains on your counter tops can be removed with gentle rubbing with a baking powder and water paste
  

Stop Bad Smells WIth Baking Soda (Home or Car)

Here's another use for our old friend baking soda.

If part of your home or car has a bad smell you could try using some baking soda.

Before vacuuming sprinkle a little baking soda onto the carpets (if in doubt make sure you test an inconspicuous area first). The baking powder "soaks up" some of the smell leaving a fresh clean scent.

Also, a little baking soda disolved in water is great for cleaning your fridge or freezer. Some chemical products can leave a distinct smell in your appliance whilst baking soda cleans and removes smells at the same time.

Cleaning Grout With Baking Soda

For a mild, safe cleaner for your grout why not try baking soda.

Make a paste using baking soda and water and then using a brush (or even better a toothbrush) rub this in small circles around the grout.

For an even better cleaning effect leave the baking soda paste on for 5 minutes or so before cleaning it off.

I'm told an even better effect can be had by using a baking soda / salt / vinegar mix (1/3 of each).

Stop Your Bathroom Mirrors Fogging Using Shaving Foam

If your bathroom mirror fogs up a simple but effective tip is to use a little shaving foam.

Apply a little shaving foam to the mirror and then spread it all over.

Clean away with a clean cloth (or even newspaper).

This sounds counterintuative but try adding this to half your mirror and watch the results!

Streak Free Windows Using Newspaper

I can't believe that this works ... but it does!

Use old newspapers (without coloured ink) to create streak free windows.

Wash or clean your windows as you would normally but then use newspaper to dry them.

Unlike many types of cloth the newspaper will not leave any bits of lint on the windows.

Also, it seems that the ink can actually make the window shine more. (I'd love to find the scientific reason why this happens).

Cleaning With Alka-Seltzer (Not just good for your tummy)

Alka-Seltzer is amazing for cleaning around the home.

• 3 tablets put down your sink followed by some white vinegar can clear blocked pipes
• 3 or 4 tablets in your toilet bowl left overnight can clean up stains and make it shine
• 1 tablet put into your flask and left overnight can not only clean the flask but also remove any lingering odours.
  

Removing Wax From Your Carpet or Rug

This one is an "oldie but a goodie"!

First remove any hard pieces of wax with a butter knife.

Get some newspaper and an iron.

Place the newspaper over the wax and gently heat with the iron.

The wax should melt and soak into the newspaper and can easily be removed.

Be very careful when doing this that (a) you don't burn yourself or (b) that you don't burn/melt your carpet!