Clean with everyday household items
![Most of the things you need to handle household cleaning are likely within your reach.
(File photo / The Spokesman-Review)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/ZiO7VuS3GtQFzb_14X9m25izX5c=/400x0/media.spokesman.com/photos/2006/07/05/adv_tipsForCleaning2_07-05-2006_BR7UNA1.jpg)
Have your household cleaning rituals become increasingly monotonous, or do you often find yourself running out of a key cleaning product right when you are planning on tackling a mess? Relax – all the things you need to handle household cleaning chores are likely right within your reach. Just look around …
Remove Stains with Fragrant Citrus Fruits
•For marble countertops, dip a grapefruit half into a dish of salt and rub across the stain, being sure to immediately wipe down with fresh water and a dry towel in order to avoid citric acid buildup on the countertop.
•To remove stains from plastic or smooth wood cutting boards, rub a sliced lemon onto the surface, letting the citric acid sit for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Deodorize with Household Staples
•Lemon, grapefruit and orange rinds are wonderful kitchen sink disposal deodorizers. Simply drop the peel down the disposal, run it for a few seconds and the citrus smell will permeate your kitchen in no time.
•Pull the baking soda out of your pantry and sprinkle into toilet bowls in order to maintain a fresh odor in bathrooms.
•To keep shoes smelling fresh, ball up one or two dryer sheets and place them inside your shoes overnight. For rain-drenched shoes, wad up pieces of newspaper and stick them into the toes to absorb the moisture. While the newspaper absorbs moisture, it’s also absorbing odors.
Polish Tarnished Silver with Household Products
•Mix a 2:1 solution of baking soda and water; coat silver thoroughly with baking soda paste and rub into the surface. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
•Squeeze toothpaste onto the piece of silverware so as to sufficiently cover it. Run warm water over the item, gently scrubbing with an old toothbrush to create a foam. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.