These forgotten cleaning tips worked wonders in the past!
Cleaning our homes nowadays usually seems like a pretty high-tech affair. We’ve got steam mops, robot vacuums, and all sorts of fancy doodads. But not too long ago, people kept their homes completely spotless without these modern conveniences.
How were they able to do that? Some old-school cleaning methods might sound strange to our modern ears, but trust me when I tell you that they worked wonders. Many of these techniques have fallen out of use over time, replaced by fancy appliances and store-bought cleaners.
But here’s the thing: many of these forgotten cleaning tips still work great today. Why should you care? Well, they’re often cheaper, better for the environment, and more effective than lots of other things we use today.
These 18 nearly forgotten cleaning tips that were once common knowledge. So roll up your sleeves, and let’s rediscover these cleaning gems your grandparents swore by!
Forgotten cleaning tip: DIY glass cleaner
This homemade solution cleans glass, windows, and mirrors. All you have to do is mix 2oz of ammonia, 2oz of rubbing alcohol, and 12oz of water.
Pro Tip: Add a bit of blue food coloring and mark it to distinguish it from your other cleaners. Then pour into a spray bottle and use it the same way you would a store-bought cleaner.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Get rid of that sticky gum
To remove gum from your fingers or someone’s hair, all you have to do is rub some vegetable oil or creamy peanut butter into the gum. Wait a couple of minutes, and the gum will come right off. Just make sure you wash your hands or hair as normal afterwards.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Get rid of dust… Fast!
Air vent covers are one of the most common hidden dirty spots in your home. So here’s a genius tip: Run all the vent covers for your metal heat and air conditioners through the dishwasher each spring and fall. It will save you a lot of time and does a better job than washing them by hand.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Handy soap
When your hands are extra dirty from yard work, all you have to do is shove a bar of soap in a stocking and tie it to your outdoor water faucet. You’ll have a fast and easy garden cleanup!
Forgotten cleaning tip: Can opener secret
When your handheld can opener starts getting a bit too balky, just use some hot water, a toothbrush, and dishwashing detergent to clean it.
After you’re done cleaning, lubricate the opener with a bit of vegetable oil and set it aside for a while. Wipe off the excess oil, and, just like magic, it’ll work like new.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Clean up concrete
You can easily perk up your old patio with this brilliant suggestion! Think about it… Rust stains from your outdoor furniture can easily be removed from concrete by using some lemon juice and rubbing the affected area with a soft linen cloth. And there you have it, folks! Good as new!
Forgotten cleaning tip: Minty fresh home
The summer season’s heat can occasionally cause garbage cans to give off a very rancid odor. If you grow mint, cut a fresh sprig and pop it in your garbage can daily. It’ll keep it smelling fresh all season long!
Forgotten cleaning tip: Grease-free grill
Here’s a genius way to keep your grill looking great: Lay your barbecue grill rack on the lawn overnight. The dew will blend with enzymes on the grass to loosen up any burned-on grease. Then, just wash it as you normally would without all that scrubbing. Try it with messy oven racks, too!
Forgotten cleaning tip: A nutty solution
Rub a nut over scratches or nicks in cabinets, furniture, wood trim, and so on to color them in. The oil of a pecan nut, for example, will re-stain the wood.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Sock duster
For dusting under furniture and other hard-to-reach places, all you have to do is slip an old sock onto a fly swatter and sew it securely into place. Trust me when I tell you that this forgotten cleaning hack is so convenient.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Forget about moths
A natural solution can easily keep moths away from your clothes. You can make your own mothballs by mixing clove oil and some cinnamon. Then, soak cotton balls in this mixture. Put the cotton balls in muslin bags and hang them wherever you want in your closets.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Milk as a polish
Your fridge comes to the rescue for this handy trick. Patent leather shoes and handbags can be quickly brightened up a bit with a milk polish. All you have to do is apply it with a soft cloth and rub it into a shiny new finish.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Easily remove glue
Here’s a fantastic solution for sticky situations. When you need to remove a spot of glue, try using vinegar! It’s a great glue thinner or remover. Just use it with caution. But remember that there are some things you should never clean with vinegar.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Forget about soap scum
If you’re looking for a solution to keep shower doors clear and shiny, use a soft microfiber cloth dampened with baby oil after your cleaning session. It’ll prevent scum buildup from soap and dirt, and hard water spots won’t appear again for a few months.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Homemade humidifier
If you have a wood-burning stove in your home, you can make a humidifier for yourself. All you have to do is fill an old coffee can about two-thirds of the way with water.
Then add a couple of cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels and place them on the stove. When the water gets sizzling, it gives off a lovely scent and gives your home some extra moisture.
Forgotten cleaning tip: Button it up
How many times have you had to deal with a tangled mess in your laundry? Well, here’s a genius cleaning tip for you: If you button your shirt cuffs to the front of a shirt before throwing it in the washer, the sleeves won’t get all knotted and tangled up in the wash with the rest of your clothes!
Forgotten cleaning tip: Fizzy flatware
Have your stainless steel appliances lost their luster? All you have to do is place your flatware in a pan with some bubbly soda water, carbonated water, club soda or seltzer. Let it set until the fizz has fizzled. And there you have it! Your stainless steel will shine like new!
Forgotten cleaning tip: Steam works wonders
If you’re looking for a way to easily clean your microwave without all those chemicals, grandmas everywhere have got you covered! All you have to do is place two tablespoons of lemon juice or baking soda and a cup of water in a bowl.
Heat it on high until the mixture boils. Let the steam build up on the walls and door of your microwave. Then, remove the bowl and wipe down the inside. Good thing this genius cleaning tip is so simple. Why? Well, it turns out that a microwave is the one appliance you should be cleaning daily!
Did you know about these forgotten cleaning tips? Or maybe you have a few of your own you’d like to share with our readers. No matter the case, be sure to leave a comment to share your thoughts!
And if you liked this article, don’t leave yet! The American House has many more useful reads. For instance, I highly recommend checking out: 10 Shocking Dust-Causing Habits Wreaking Havoc in Your Home
