When it comes to cleaning and maintaining our homes it is easy to get swept away buying multiple different products that promise amazing results. While this might be the case, sometimes all you need are some common household items - and a bit of know-how.
Some might celebrate the Bank Holiday in relaxing fashion, but others may use it as a chance to spring clean. So it's very handy that one expert has revealed an unusual yet simple hack for keeping wood furniture in tip-top shape, reports the Express.
Melissa Caverly, founder of Imagine Maids, said: “With every company and influencer trying to convince you that cleaning requires an excess of gadgets and gizmos, it's easy to wonder if simplicity got lost in the shuffle.
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She continued: “You can't help but reminisce about the days when a good old-fashioned scrubbing brush and elbow grease were all it took to conquer mess. Well, you might be right; this collection of timeless cleaning hacks proves simplicity still holds its shine.”
Melissa's top cleaning tips include:
Olive oil
Yes, household staple olive oil may not be top of your cleaning items lists, but Melissa says it works. She calims it can be used to “preserve” and “rejuvenate” wood furniture.
She said: “Olive oil is not just good for cooking; it’s also a masterful tool for preserving and rejuvenating wood furniture. To achieve this, apply a small amount of olive oil onto a soft cloth and gently rub it onto the wooden furniture in circular motions.”
According to Melissa, the oil penetrates the wood, moisturising it and restoring its natural shine while providing a protective layer against future damage. She said: “This hack has been cherished for centuries, originating from ancient practices of using oils to preserve and beautify wooden surfaces. To make the oil smell less like olives, you can mix it with a few drops of essential oil.”
Club soda
If you've spilled something horrid on your carpet, club soda is the answer. Melissa advises applying it by simply pouring a moderate amount of club soda directly onto the stain and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
The amount you put down depends entirely on the severity of the stain in a bid to penetrate the fibres. The club soda will help lift dirt and stains to the surface. From here, Melissa says people should blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to lift the stain away.
Lemon juice
If you've squeezed all your lemon juice on some pancakes by now, it can be used to help clean. Melissa said people should harness the attractive scent of citrus as lemon juice offers a natural and refreshing way to clean and deodorise surfaces.
All people need to do is dilute fresh lemon juice with water and apply it to surfaces using a cloth or spray bottle. She said: "Lemon juice has been a trusted cleaning agent for centuries, prized for its antibacterial properties."
Salt
Got a tricky stain that won't scrub away? Salt may help here as Melissa advises to simply sprinkle some salt onto the affected stained area and scrub vigorously with a damp cloth or sponge.
Toothpaste
Grout can get very grimy and dirty, so it's handy that toothpaste works wonders on it. It's more than just useful on teeth as Melissa advises simply applying a small amount of toothpaste to a damp cloth or toothbrush and scrub the grout lines thoroughly.
Newspaper
Those who wish to clean their windows should look no further than newspaper. Melissa advises using your preferred window cleaner first before then using the newspaper to wipe down the glass in circular motions.
Since newspapers don’t contain lint and have an absorbent texture, they will leave behind a streak-free shine. Melissa said this makes them a favourite technique among professional cleaners and homeowners - and one household item that has been used for decades.
Coffee grounds
If you've managed to remain all the stains in your home, but it still smells, coffee could be the solution. Melissa says that by placing dried coffee grounds in an open container and leaving them in areas prone to odour can do the trick.
She advises putting the dried coffee grounds in places such as the fridge or your kitchen cabinets. This is because the porous nature of coffee grounds allows them to absorb and neutralise unpleasant odours, leaving behind a fresh and inviting scent.
