Posh Home Tips
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Baking Soda:
I refer to my baking soda as "cheap
labour." I can't live without it. Here are a few good uses that are sure to make life a little easier & less harmful for the environment than other cleaners.
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1) Dirty tub: I brought in the big guns to try to eliminate stubborn bathtub stains one time. I even tried bleach... to windex ...& so forth. Nothing was working. Finally, I dampened the tub & sprinkled a heavy layer of baking soda over the soiled areas. I let it sit for 30 mins & lightly scrubbed away the stains with fine scouring pad. Voila!
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2) Oven door stains: open the door all the way. Use a damp cloth or towel, or even a pastry brush to spread a thin layer of white vinegar on the open the door. When it's covered in vinegar sprinkle it with baking soda. Spread evenly & let sit for 40 -60 mins; adding vinegar every once in a while to keep it from drying. Scrub off with fine scouring pad ...& wipe with damp cloth till door & window are clear.
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3) Soaking Produce: Food from farms, supermarkets & stores have been sprayed and handled by many people. As soon as I arrive home with the groceries I fill up the sink with water & add 1/4 cup of baking soda + 2 TBSPS of coarse or kosher salt. (Stir well.)
I then add all of my produce - even if it has peels such as oranges and bananas. Everything gets soaked, then rinsed, patted dry & put away.
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4) Soaking Pots & Pans: For pots & pans with heavy caked-on or baked-in food particles, try filling with hot water then sprinkle a good amount of baking soda & vinegar into the water & stir well. Let sit for as many hours as you are comfortable with, perhaps 1-2 or overnight. Then use a pot-scrubber to gently rub away the debris.
5) Soaking Paint Brushes: I am an artist & I use expensive brushes. It is not good for brushes to soak in water, however I have to at times; therefore I add baking soda to the water to soften the waters' PH. This helps loosen the paint in the bristles. After soaking, I use brush cleaner & rinse.
6) Cleaning Silver: One of my all time favourite tips for cleaning silverware, antiques, coins, and silver dish-ware. Line the bottom of the sink with aluminum foil- so that it covers the entire bottom of the sink. Fill the sink with warm water...then stir in a generous amount of baking soda (1/2 cup) + 1/2 cup of salt. (Not just any salt.) I find Windsor Salt does not work well, perhaps because it contains sugar. I use Mediterranean Coarse sea salt or Kosher salt, which I buy at Medditerranean markets for a very good price.
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Let your silver soak for a good 2 hours or so; flipping the silver, it should always make contact with the foil. Try not to over-lap any items. When finished rinse & polish with a dry cloth.
Baking Soda Underarm Deodorant - Wait! What? Underarm deodorant--- are you crazy?
I swear you will never buy deodorant again; use a powder puff to dab the baking soda under your arms & lightly rub in & around the pits. If you find the soda a little grainy- grind it in a magic bullet or spice-grinder to refine it, and save in an old powder puff container or something similar.
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Baking soda is 100% natural, not harmful to you and/or the environment. A win-win.
Laundry Tips
"I love doing laundry"...said no one ever. lol. Here are some tips to help lighten, the ahem, load.
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Separate Bins: either each family member has a bin in their room with their name on it -- or there should be at least a 3-4 bin set in the laundry room. Whites * Darks * Delicates * Towels / sheets. Separate everything according to its allocated bin.
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Vanishing Socks: No one wants to spend an hour looking for and pairing family socks. Designate a lost & found sock drawer or bin. Pinning socks together or using mesh bags for each family member helps too. Another tip for kids is to buy them only one colour of sock; white for Kimmie & Light Blue for Luke, and Navy Blue for Jonas.
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Priority Wash: If your kids have a sporting event or school function the next day, or perhaps you need your Lululemon's for spin class or yoga, it's best to have a "priority bin". Toss whatever you need in there to have ready for tomorrow; allowing ample time for everything to be washed & dry in time for your event.
Ironing Sheets: My friend Susanne taught me this trick. When the bottom sheet is only slightly damp after drying, put it on the mattress, snugly tucking it's corners & such; then use a pre-heated iron & run it over the entire mattress to smooth out the crinkles. Do the same for the top sheet as well.
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Vinegar Softener: Pour about a half a cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser on your washing machine when starting your wash. Be sure not to mix colours with whites when you use vinegar; only all white loads or all colour loads. Your clothes will feel softer and smell wonderful afterwards. It will save you on fabric softeners and the added stress on the environment. (Your clothes will not smell like vinegar, I promise.)
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Vinegar for cleaning & microwave: aside from using vinegar as a cleaning agent mixed with water; pour 1/4 cup into a bowl of water, stir, then put in the microwave- turn on for 1 minute or so. Let it steam up the inside of the microwave then wipe the inside clean with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Lemon & Salt on Cutting Board: I like to keep my cutting boards clean & germ free, as I'm sure you do too. After using my cutting board I like to sprinkle a generous amount of salt all over it; rubbing it in with my fingers I then take a lemon half & use it to rub the salt into the board until it has been completely scrubbed. Dispose of the lemon & rinse the board with a dry cloth or paper towel. So fresh!
Lemon Hand Sanitizer: Store bought brands of hand sanitizer and gels either leave your hands feeling sticky & gooey or just plane dry or rough, so I make my own. Instead of tossing out lemon peels or a lemon-half after using it, I boil the lemon peels for about 20 minutes. Let stand and cool. Once it's cooled pour into a large mason jar, then add about 4 TBSPS of Isopropyl alcohol to the lemon water. Alcohol should not exceed 1/4 portion of the amount of lemon water. Let sit in the fridge for a day or so then strain & funnel into small hand pump or spray bottles. I carry them with me everywhere I go.
Smile: There are many good tips & substitutes for products; more than I have time to list, however I leave you with this tip; baking soda can also be used to whiten your teeth. It tastes salty- but your teeth will love you for it. Cheers.