Category: Ingredients

Old-fashioned furniture polish

1/2 cup (125ml) lemon juice 1 cup (250ml) olive oil For wooden furniture with an oil-fashioned finish (i.e., an oiled instead of a shiny varnish), make your own furniture polish. Mix the lemon juice and olive oil in a glass jar with a lid. Cover and shake vigorously to combine, then apply to your furniture […]

Old wallpaper peeler

1 cup (250ml) vinegar 1 quart (1 liter) warm water 2 to 3 drops dishwashing liquid Need to take down some wallpaper? Before you rush out to rent a cumbersome steam machine or buy an expensive paper-removing product, whip up a batch of this vinegar formula for a mere fraction of the cost: in a […]

Oil spill absorber

1 16-ounce box (454g) baking soda 1 16-ounce box (454g) corn meal If you car is leaking a little oil, you’re most likely to see the evidence on your garage floor or driveway. Fortunately, the cleanup will be easy (and cheap) to tackle with this formula-unlike the leak itself. Mix the baking soda and cornmeal […]

Nylons match maker

1 cup (300g) salt 2 quarts (2 liters) water Here’s a time-honored trick for dealing with nylon stockings that are somewhat similar in color, but don’t exactly match. Heat two quarts (2 liters) water in a large pot and add the salt. When the salt dissolves, add your mismatched hosiery to the pot and bring […]

No-fuss flower pot cleaner

1 handful salt Scrub brushes can scratch and soap residues can cling to a clay pot’s porous texture. Instead, reach for a handful of salt to work in their place. Simply place the salt on a clean damp rag and scrub away to let the gentle abrasive power of salt clean your empty garden pots […]

No-drip candles

1/3 cup (100g) salt 2 cups (500ml) warm water No-drip candles are a great idea, but they’re typically more expensive than their regular-burning counterparts. You can render tapered candles practically drip-proof with a simple overnight soak in saltwater. Mix the salt and warm water in a plastic container wide enough to hold the candles. Stir […]

Natural flea spray

1 lemon 2 cups (500ml) water To prepare a homemade flea spray, cut the lemon into 4 to 6 pieces and place in a large glass bowl. Bring the water to a boil and pour over the lemon pieces, then let the mixture sit overnight. In the morning, strain the liquid and transfer to a […]

Muddy carpet cleaner

1 handful salt The next time someone tracks mud onto your carpet, resist the urge to blot it dry, as this could drive dirt deeper into the fibers. Instead, toss a handful of salt on the mess and walk away. The salt will absorb the liquid, making it easy to vacuum up when dry.