{"id":20803,"date":"2014-03-18T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2014-03-18T13:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/?p=20803"},"modified":"2020-04-20T11:21:59","modified_gmt":"2020-04-20T15:21:59","slug":"8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Household Items You Can Use for Cleaning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Spring is just around the corner, and that means you&#8217;re probably getting geared up to do some spring cleaning. One great way to save on spring cleaning is to ditch the harsh chemicals and expensive name brand products. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Instead, make use of everyday household products that you may not even think of, initially, as cleaning agents.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Household_Items_You_Can_Use_for_Cleaning\"><\/span>8 Household Items You Can Use for Cleaning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f190ba5edbc\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f190ba5edbc\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#8_Household_Items_You_Can_Use_for_Cleaning\" >8 Household Items You Can Use for Cleaning<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Ketchup\" >Ketchup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Olive_Oil\" >Olive Oil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Vinegar\" >Vinegar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Used_Dryer_Sheets\" >Used Dryer Sheets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Rubbing_Alcohol\" >Rubbing Alcohol<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Baking_Soda\" >Baking Soda<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Lemons\" >Lemons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#Cornstarch\" >Cornstarch<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/8-household-items-you-can-use-for-cleaning\/#You_might_also_like%E2%80%A6\" >You might also like&#8230;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ketchup\"><\/span>Ketchup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You wouldn&#8217;t think it, but ketchup is actually excellent for cleaning copper or brass! It is great for pots and pans with copper bottoms that need cleaning.<\/p>\n<p><strong>To clean with ketchup apply a thick coat of ketchup to the copper or brass and allow to dry for a few hours.<\/strong> Then use a wet cloth to remove and you will have a nice shine.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Olive_Oil\"><\/span>Olive Oil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Instead of using an expensive specialty stainless steel cleaner, I use olive oil and a cloth to clean and shine up stainless steel appliances in my home.<\/p>\n<p>Simply spritz some oil or dab a little onto a cloth and apply to stainless steel surfaces. A side benefit of cleaning with Olive Oil is that your home smells like an Italian restaurant for a few days.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vinegar\"><\/span>Vinegar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Vinegar is my favorite cleaning agent. It removes soap scum from your bath tub or washing machine. When combined with baking soda, it can help unclog drains.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vinegar can also be used to make a cleaning solution for mildew-ridden shower curtains.<\/strong> Simply throw your dirty shower curtains in the washing machine along with a few wash cloths or towels, plus baking soda and a half portion of your normal detergent.<\/p>\n<p>After it has run the entire wash cycle, add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle and then remove the curtains before the final spin\/dry cycle and hang to dry.<\/p>\n<p>For even more ways vinegar can make your house sparkle, check out <a href=\"http:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/home-management\/15-ways-to-use-vinegar-for-cleaning-your-home\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>15<\/strong> Ways to Use Vinegar to Clean Your Home<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Used_Dryer_Sheets\"><\/span>Used Dryer Sheets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>After they&#8217;ve been used in the dryer for your clothes, keep some dryer sheets on hand instead of tossing them out.<\/p>\n<p>They make a great duster for wiping down blinds, ceiling fans, vents, bookcases, shelving, or wooden surfaces that collect dust.<\/p>\n<p>Polish kitchen appliances, bath fixtures, etc. They work particularly well on chrome faucets.<\/p>\n<p>My favorite <a target = \"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/home-management\/how-to-clean-burnt-on-sauce-in-a-pyrex-dish\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dryer sheet use is to remove baked on food from pots and pans.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rubbing_Alcohol\"><\/span>Rubbing Alcohol<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Rubbing alcohol is great for removing ink stains. I&#8217;ve used it to remove fresh pen stains made by a draw-happy two year old who happened to pick up a ballpoint pen and draw on linen bed sheets.<\/p>\n<p>It also cleans chrome fixtures and mirrors, is great for sanitizing earrings before inserting into ears to avoid infection, and can be used to clean and remove residue from rings.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Baking_Soda\"><\/span>Baking Soda<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Baking soda can be used for so many cleaning applications! It removes grime, can <a href=\"http:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/home-management\/use-baking-soda-as-a-natural-way-to-unclog-drains\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">unclog drains<\/a>, and is a gentle cleanser for washing surfaces like walls.<\/p>\n<p>It can even be used for cleaning produce! It can also serve as a great bathroom cleaner when mixed with ammonia, vinegar, and warm water.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lemons\"><\/span>Lemons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use sliced lemons with baking soda to scrub down tough stains on your counter tops.<\/p>\n<p>You can also <strong>use fresh lemon juice to get tough stains off of plastic tupperware or cups.<\/strong> Let stained items sit in the sun for a few hours with lemon juice and then rinse and scrub.<\/p>\n<p>When you are finished using the lemons remember to put them through the garbage disposal. They clean and freshen your sink too!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cornstarch\"><\/span>Cornstarch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Cornstarch can help remove ink stains from carpet when you mix it with milk to create a paste. Cover the stain with the paste mixture, allow to dry for a few hours, then vacuum it up.<\/p>\n<p>It can also be used to create a silver polish mixture; simply mix cornstarch with water, and apply mixture with a wet cloth. Allow the mixture to dry. Then use another clean cloth to rub off the dried mixture and shine it.<\/p>\n<p>What DIY cleaning solutions are your favorite?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20831\" title=\"8 Household Items You Can Use for Cleaning | The Happy Housewife\" src=\"\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/files\/2014\/03\/8_Household_Items_Use_Cleaning.jpg\" alt=\"8 Household Items You Can Use for Cleaning | The Happy Housewife\" width=\"420\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/files\/2014\/03\/8_Household_Items_Use_Cleaning.jpg 420w, https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/files\/2014\/03\/8_Household_Items_Use_Cleaning-210x300.jpg 210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_might_also_like%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>You might also like&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/home-management\/cleaning-with-baking-soda\/\">Cleaning with Baking Soda<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/home-management\/49-uses-for-baking-soda\/\">49 Uses for Baking Soda<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/frugal-living\/homemade-fabric-softener\/\">Homemade Fabric Softener<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>By contributing writer <a target = \"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/160kQka\">Laura<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring is just around the corner, and that means you&#8217;re probably getting geared up to do some spring cleaning. One great way to save on spring cleaning is to ditch the harsh chemicals and expensive name brand products. Instead, make use of everyday household products that you may not even think of, initially, as cleaning [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-20803","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-frugal-living","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v15.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>8 Household Items You Can Use for Cleaning - The Happy Housewife\u2122 :: Frugal Living<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Instead, make use of everyday household products that you may not even think of. 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