Swamped with the vast variety of detergents at the supermarket and unsure which detergent to use for your floor or kitchen top? Most of us tend to escape the various chemical labels by relying on the good old fashioned tips passed down by our very own Grandmothers.
Nowadays, however, there are countless myths surrounding cleaning with natural ingredients or ingredients you already have at home – such as coffee grounds as a drain cleaner, soda water to remove stains or vinegar for just just about everything else. But what should you actually follow and what is completely absurd? On this UN World Environment Day, Helpling´s cleaning expert Roxanna Pelka, is putting your Grandma´s ten natural cleaning tips to test:
Cleaning and unclogging pipes with coffee – FALSE
Coffee grounds doesn’t function like sandpaper or draino – even if it seems that way. It doesn’t scrub the pipes of leftovers, rather, the grounds mix with the remains, clogging it even more, which can then be only removed by unscrewing the tube. A better solution: Pour four teaspoons of baking soda into the sink, then add a cup of vinegar. If fizziness and bubbles arise, rinse it down with hot water and your pipe will be unclogged again!
Cleaning pots with Ketchup – TRUE
Have the back of your shiny metallic pots and pans been black for ages? You wouldn’t believe it, but…ketchup helps! Stainless steel pots usually have a layer of copper, where copper oxide is formed during cooking. The ketchup on the other hand contains acetic acid, which attacks the copper active base of the pan. Simply apply a thick layer of tomato sauce on the base of the pan and let it work its magic for 30 minutes. Then simply wipe it away and watch the black stains disappear right before your very eyes!
Plants help get rid of dust – TRUE
Dust appears everywhere, even after having cleaned it away ten minutes ago! Dust is particularly annoying and causes your allergies to flare up. Good news! Not only do they just bring live to the living room, aesthetically, they also filter the pollutants from our air and provide us with fresh oxygen. Plants such as ferns and orchids catch the floating dust in the air on their leaves and can be wiped off with a damp cloth. Now you can take a deep breath again in your home!
Vinegar as a multi-purpose cleaning agent – FALSE
“Use vinegar – it works for everything.” Well, almost! Whilst vinegar has secured the reputation of being able to clean anything, this household product should not be overestimated. For instance, natural stone surfaces such as granite and marble, as well as pipes or rubber seals, are unsuitable surfaces for the use of vinegar, and can even damage them! The acid from the vinegar actually reacts aggressively with these materials.
Wearing gloves is hygienic – FALSE
We slip into our cleaning gloves to protect ourselves from bacteria and germs without knowing that the inside of the gloves are often worse than the outside! The latex surface creates humidity and provides the perfect habitat for bacteria to spawn. To protect yourself from these bacteria, keep your gloves dry after each use! Simply place them in hot water mixed with two teaspoons of vinegar and a little detergent for 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, wring them thoroughly and dry them in a cool place.
Sparkling water removes stains – TRUE
Another stain on your shirt? Quickly grab a bottle with sparkling water or soda and let the carbon dioxide dissolve the colour and tannins from the fabric (it doesn’t work for fat or oil). The end results normally depends on the type of stain. he more carbon dioxide that is inside sparkling water, the easier it is to remove dirt.. To use this method, saturate the spot and blot it up with a dry and absorbent cloth in a circular motion- always dab,never rub!
Lemon juice makes your exhaust duct shine again – TRUE
Our exhaust duct isn’t only a magnet for odors, but also for oil stains! To remove the sticky spots, halve the lemon into half and salvate the surface by rubbing it all over the metal surface. The acid quickly and efficiently removes fats and oils. For stubborn stains, add a few drops of detergent on a cloth and gently rub the stains away. Avoid the use of stainless steel sponges, as they tend to scratch the hood, making it shine even lesser than before.
Oil gets rid of sticky residues on doors – TRUE
This Granny’s tip does wonders here against stubborn glue and sticky residues on doors. The fatty acids in butter and oil dissolve the glue most effectively. Simply mix olive oil with a pinch of salt in a bowl and rub the olive oil mixture onto the sticky places with a kitchen cloth. Once the glue is rubbed off, wipe the area clean with a bit of water and some detergent.
Unclog your toilet with Coke – PARTIALLY TRUE
Many of us have witnessed the “Mentos and Coke” trick to unclog your toilet on youtube. Whilst this mixture generates high pressure, which indeed can clear blockages, the pressure generated can be too great for the pipe destroying it completely! For a milder and equally as effective method, pour hot but not boiling water one meter from the toilet bowl. The energy of the pour will remove the blockage without the nasty mess!
Clean silver jewellery and silverware with toothpaste – TRUE
Is your silver jewellery starting to look dull? Just like your teeth, toothpaste is the perfect solution here for silverware! Get your trusty toothpaste (not gel) out of the bathroom and scrub the ornaments with a toothbrush. Rinse the toothpaste off by dipping the silverware into a cup of warm water. The oxidized silver particles will be quickly washed away and your jewellery will start to shine again!
