As we cut back on spending and try to reduce our monthly budget, we’re reverting back to some of our grandmothers household hints for quick, easy and cheap solutions to cleaning, repairing and re-using around the house.
In fact sales of haberdashery (fabric, buttons, cotton and wool) have increased dramatically this year.
I think it’s a great idea to spread the word and start using these ideas as they’re a brilliant alternative to our current throwaway attitude, and will help families in some way during the recession.
Read on to find out more…
We’ve forgotten some of these age old titbits that can save us time and money, Yet this old fashioned advice still has its use in todays 21st century house, and traditional skills are becoming more popular again.
Cleaning
- Rubbing a raw potato on scuffed leather shows can give them a new lease of life
- Polish shoes with the inside of a banana skin, dry and buff with a soft cloth for a brilliant shine
- White wine vinegar is great for removing limescale build up from taps, sinks and plugs
- Lemon juice is a great odour eliminator. Rub half a cut lemon on chopping boards to replace pongy odours, or place in a bowl of water in your microwave on low for 2 minutes to remove nasty smells
- Bicarbonate of Soda is a brilliant way of getting work surfaces spotless. Just add onto a damp cloth and rub away.
Clothes
- Take up knitting and sewing. Making and mending clothes is very satisfying, but remember to wash clothes before repairing them to stop pulls and tears becoming worse
- Add a few drops of lavender oil on kitchen paper and leave in the back of your wardrobe for sweet smelling clothes and a moth deterrent
- Sprinkling Bicarbonate of Soda in smelly shoes and trainers is great for getting rid of odours. A cheap and chemical free deodrant!
- Start a new trend and sew patches onto holes in your favourite skirts, trousers and jumpers - that way they’ll last a few more years.
- Got an ink stain from that biro at work? Squirt with hairspray and work a mix of water/white vinegar onto it till its gone. wash as normal (not advised for delicates or silk ties though)
General
- Flowers last longer if you use a 50:50 water/lemonade mixture. If you don’t have lemonade then add sugar to the water instead
- Rubbing toothpaste on a watch face or fragile glassware can get rid of fine scratches and marks
- Keep all your old toothbrushes as they’re great for cleaning those hard to reach places like around taps and corners
- Don’t throw away hot fat. Let it cool and solidfy then mix with cheap oatmeal to make a tasty treat for birds
- Car wax is a great way of adding a brilliant shine to your white goods, such as washing machines and fridges
(Image from chefranden on Flickr)
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