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Cleaning - sometimes the old fashioned methods are the best.

(66 Posts)
hazel93 Wed 19-May-21 09:49:56

Or, would you disagree ?
Had to laugh when after telling DS and DIL for ages to clean washing machine with soda crystals rather than a modern brand which costs so much more they tried it.
Text from DIL to say machine now sparkling and no odour - she is amazed !

Maxseeen Fri 21-May-21 17:16:29

This is what I use for in-wash stain and odour removal. My mistake sorry, oxiboost not extra boost.blush

wetflannel Fri 21-May-21 18:38:31

I buy a large 5 litre white vinegar with lemon already in it. Available from Amazon and not expensive. All these different cleaning products just make the companies who make them richer. 3 staples, white vinegar, soda crystals and washing up liquid do a multitude of chores. I don't use spray polish at all damp dust and buff.

Yammy Fri 21-May-21 22:09:53

My MIL always cleaned her sparkling windows with damp newspaper, when I tried it you could read the news from the frames.

DillytheGardener Fri 21-May-21 22:25:18

The soda crystals, what is the method for cleaning sink drains?

Ro60 Fri 21-May-21 23:56:15

LadyGracieOf course you're not dense. I only discovered the tea bag trick recently on the internet.
Soak casserole dishes in hot water & which ever used tea bags are at hand (3-4 will do just fine) leave over night & the acid (tanin) in the tea bags cuts through the grease.
My cast iron pot is then just a wipe around. Glass, saucepan etc go in the dish-washer & come out flawless!
Hope this helps ?

amymorris01 Sat 22-May-21 04:01:28

I put washing up liquid on clothes that are stained then wash as normal gets the stains out everytime.

Franbern Sat 22-May-21 08:41:38

Dillyghe Gardener for drains, inside and out. I just pour down some Soda Crystals, then add to that some white vinegar. Give it a few minutes and then po oveur a kettle or two full of boiling water over that.
I think the reason that people on here who keep asking for quantities, etc. are not getting replies is that most of us who use these items do not measure them out. Just use them. No exact quantities.
For bicarbonate of Soda and white vinegar, just make it into a paste for use on chrome, etc. etc.

mrsba Sun 23-May-21 16:50:38

This is a really good site to read about using natural products and they will answer your questions if you need advice.
www.dri-pak.co.uk/

DillytheGardener Sun 23-May-21 17:15:12

Wow! Just wow! I’ve done the baking soda and vinegar trick, but never soda crystals, I used the soda crystals down the sink just now, and an unexpected added bonus was the plug hole, once brown from tea and coffee is shining and new! I have a 90 degree wash on now so waiting in hot anticipation to see if it fixes the grim black seal. Thanks for the links and tips mrsb and Franbern !

DillytheGardener Sun 23-May-21 17:15:53

Said shining plughole

Alexa Sun 23-May-21 17:58:02

Thanks, Wetflannel, I have just bought white vinegar from Amazon.

What a useful discussion!

Grannycool52 Mon 24-May-21 11:24:33

Wow, this is brilliant, Ladies. Thanks so much for these helpful tips!

janeyjane Tue 25-May-21 14:35:57

I buy a 5l container of white vinegar from the village hardware shop (about £9) & soda crystals from Tescos - cheapest I have found around here.

hazel93 Tue 25-May-21 15:07:33

As I began this thread thought I should add something, anything that would not involve the products already stated !
Use them all and they work ! Plus a lemon of course.
So, another tip , after cleaning brushed steel with detergent, rinse, allow to dry and buff with baby oil. Works a treat.

Amberone Tue 25-May-21 16:01:43

I buy my white vinegar in 5L multipacks too, online. Soda crystals are available in most places like Wilko, Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose.

Some years ago when my sink blocked the plumber told me to once a month run some hot water then just put a cup of soda crystals down the drain and leave it overnight - it will clear any build up on a regular basis and stop it blocking. I've been doing it ever since on on my sinks.

I use my washing up liquid on fat stains on clothes, just
rub a dollop in 10 minutes before putting the washing on.

Anyone interested in finding out about soda crystals, bicarb, vinegar, lemons there are masses of websites and you tube videos about more natural (and more inexpensive and environmentally friendly) cleaning methods.