HOme
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Windows will sparkle after a polish with the chip-shop favourite – vinegar and newspaper. Put equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle can to remove grime while buffing with newspaper creates a streak free shine.
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Natural properties in lemons can help whiten dull clothes and linen. Soak fabrics in lemon juice for 15 minutes then wash as normal for brilliantly white whites.
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Baking soda applied with a damp sponge can cut through tough grease on cookers and also acts as a great deodoriser. Dust some on carpet before going to bed and vacuum in the morning to rid rooms of any stale odours.
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A piece of orange peel in a bag of brown sugar will prevent it from hardening.
If you’ve run out of washing up liquid and need to get through some dirty dishes, sprinkle salt into the water and wash as usual. Rinse well and wear gloves as salt can be quite drying on your skin.
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Toothpaste can be used on stubborn crayon marks on walls and other surfaces. Place a large dab over the mark and rub in well, using a damp cloth remove the toothpaste and culprit stain.
For burnt saucepans cover the burnt area with cola and heat until it boils. Empty and wash, and the burnt parts should come right off.
90ITEMS! HAVE TO HAVE
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Tomato puree can be used as a shampoo substitute to wash dogs (dark-haired only) with a strong body odour. It should get rid of smell from your dog for about six months.
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Vaseline is useful when it comes to getting rid of lipstick stains. Scrape off as much as possible with a blunt knife and then apply a layer of Vaseline on the mark before machine washing.
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Hairspray can be used to remove ink stains on upholstery by spraying the area liberally and wiping off.
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Talcum powder can prevent unsightly sweat stains on white shirts by sprinkling a little on the underarms and collar of a shirt before wearing, and then iron on regular heat (no steam). The powder forms a barrier that prevents oil and grime from seeping into the threads.
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A slice of bread can be used to pick up fragments of broken glass you might have missed with the vacuum or sweeping brush.
Cinnamon sticks
when placed inside your vacuum bag will fill rooms with a sweet scent when used.
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Woman’s Way, May 3, 2010
By Aoife O’Connor
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To prevent rice becoming crunchy and dry when reheating in the microwave place an ice cube on top of the rice before reheating. The melting cube keeps the rice moist.
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Add 2 tbsps of Epsom salts to a gallon of water and sprinkle on water on your lawn to keep the grass green.
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A light coat of
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For baking dishes caked with hard-toremove food residue, fill with water and add in some fabric softener. Left to soak, everything should slide off. Rinse well.
spray starch on canvas or nylon trainers will help repel dirt and keep your shoes looking new for longer.
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Clean the insides of dirty vases by filling with vinegar and adding in a handful of dry rice and swirling.
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Soda water is great for removing generic stains such as coffee or wine. Blot the stain with a sponge or paper towel.
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Water plants once a week with weak tea to reinvigorate them.
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Alka Seltzer is a powerful cleaning agent that can be used to clean sinks. Use three tablets mixed with a cup of white vinegar and leave for 15 minutes, then run hot water to clean the pipes.
We investigate the top 90 products to have in your home, plus how exactly they help frazzled mothers
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Ketchup is handy for tarnished copper and brass cookware. Squeeze out some ketchup onto a paper towel or cloth and then gently rub on pots and pans.