· Despite what the drugstore cleaning
aisle would have you believe, you actually don’t need a different product for
every room or mess. Organizing all your sprays and sponges can be its own
clutter-filled headache. But the truth is, some of the best supplies for
tidying up don’t come in fancy
bottles—they’re hiding out in your pantry.
· The best part? These holy grail
items are as low-cost as they are versatile. Plus, they’re probably a whole lot
greener than most of the chemicals you’re already using.
·
Salt
· Use on: Cast-iron skillets to help break
down the inevitable grease buildup. Maker suggests filling your pan halfway
with water and pouring in a couple tablespoons of salt, bringing that to a
boil, and gently scraping the bottom with a wooden spatula to get out remaining
debris.
· Pro tip: Use it on your favorite mugs to get
rid of tea and coffee stains. “Pour a little salt inside, then take a lemon
wedge to scrub them down,” recommends Maker.
· Vinegar
· Use on: Basically anything that needs
some shine, be it water-stained faucets or streaky mirrors. Maker fills a spray
bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar before adding about a teaspoon
of cornstarch. “The vinegar helps remove any dirt, while the cornstarch works
as a gentle abrasive,” she says.
· Pro tip: Mix in other ingredients to
boost vinegar’s effectiveness. Beyond cornstarch, Maker’s go-to is baking
soda.
· Hydrogen Peroxide
· Use on: Spaces that get a lot of everyday
use and need regular disinfecting. Maker recommends pouring a cup into your
toilet bowl and swishing it around with a brush to help break down stains and
get rid of bacteria.
·
Pro tip: You can also use it to whiten
any grout that’s
been taunting you for ages (as long as it’s not painted). Turn two parts baking
soda and one part hydrogen peroxide into a paste, apply to an old toothbrush,
and give the space in between your tiles a good scrub.
· Lemon
· Use on: Kitchen equipment, from wood
cutting boards to your favorite knives. Pour some coarse salt over half a
lemon, and use it to scrub down and disinfect pretty much anything. Though if
you’re using it on something that has a natural finish (like your go-to charcuterie
platter), be sure to finish it off with a touch of mineral oil to protect
it from stains.
· Pro tip: Did you know that you need to
regularly clean your cheese grater? Citrus can get the job done: “The lemon oil
and juice help to cut the dairy fat and break up any of those proteins,”
explains Maker. “After a quick rinse, you should find that it did an excellent
job—and also saved you from ripping apart your sponges!”
· Rubbing Alcohol
· Use on: Laminate or synthetic flooring,
which gets dirty especially quickly. Maker’s miracle floor cleaner consists of
½ cup water, ½ cup white vinegar, and ½ cup rubbing alcohol. Mix them together
in a spray bottle and use with a microfiber cloth to wipe down those
floors.
· Pro tip: Maker’s cleaning cocktail works
on laminate furniture, too, from the glossy ’80s furniture
that’s making a comeback to kitchen
cabinets.
·
Elly Leavitt is an Associate Digital Editor
at Domino.
