No need to purchase supplies to keep your windows sparkling! Chances are you've got what you need at home. Prepare a solution of two tablespoons of vinegar to one quart of water, spray it on and use crumpled newspapers to clean away streaks.
Want to keep your refrigerator sweet smelling? Put a few drops of vanilla extract on a piece of cotton, tuck it in your fridge and kiss odors goodbye!
Stock up on lemons for your Spring-cleaning! Lemon juice dissolves soap scum and hard water deposits, cleans and shines brass and copper and can be mixed with vinegar and/or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Even put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal to freshen the drain and the kitchen!
Don't want to smell last night's fish at this morning's breakfast? After cooking, simmer a small pot of white vinegar (don't boil) in the stove for about ½ hour. The slight vinegar scent will disappear along with any food odors when you toss it out.
Make your own draft blockers! Just make a long tube of your favorite fabric and stuff with newspaper. Place at the base of doors and windows where cold air slips in.
In times when natural light is scarce (i.e., winter), you can easily liven up your domicile with unnatural light by installing anything from ambient light fixtures to wall sconces and track or accent lighting.
Here's the green way to handle a clogged drain: pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Put in the stopper to contain the fizzing action and the clog is history!
Moldy shower curtains can be revived. A nice long bleach bath followed by a light scrub, or just a trip through the washing machine usually cleans everything up nicely.
Did you know that field mice hate the smell of peppermint? If these pesky little creatures have invaded your home this winter, try placing cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in the corners of rooms and under appliances.
Mix expired medications with coffee grounds, then toss them rather than flushing them down the toilet. This prevents your medications from contaminating the earth.
Put some baking soda on a wet sponge to remove grease from the stove or the wall behind the stove. It provides just enough scouring power to get rid of the grease without scratching any surface.
