7 Surprising Pantry Items Naturally Clean & Freshen
—Marie Proeller Hueston
Did you know you can freshen, clean, and disinfect without chemicals? More than that, you can do it just using items you already have in the kitchen? In her book The Naturally Clean Home: 150 Super-Easy Herbal Formulas for Green Cleaning, Karyn Siegel-Maier shares the secrets to vanquishing dirt, germs, and odors with household ingredients. We were amazed—and you’ll be too—when you see some of our new favorite fixes.
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Lemons
Sanitize wood cutting boards by rubbing them with half of a freshly cut lemon. For a cleaning bonus, toss the rind in the garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.
RELATED: 10 Clever Household Uses for Lemons
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Salt
Sprinkle salt on fresh grease stains in the oven. When the oven cools, wipe clean with a soft cloth.
RELATED: 10 Unexpected Uses for Table Salt
Photo: cookinglight.com
Cream of Tartar
To remove stains on tablecloths or clothing, combine two tablespoons of cream of tartar with two drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or lemon essential oil. Add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste over the stain and allow it to dry before washing.
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Ketchup
To clean copper and remove the tarnish, mix a half cup of ketchup with two tablespoons cream of tartar. Spread on the copper and let stand for an hour. Rinse first in soapy water and then in clean water. Dry thoroughly.
RELATED: How To Clean Copper
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Aluminum Foil
For an easy silver tarnish remover, place your silver pieces in either a sink or a pan filled with water. Add two tablespoons cream of tartar or baking soda, plus a few strips of aluminum foil. Let the silver soak for an hour or until tarnish-free. Rinse well and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
RELATED: 5 Things to Do with… Aluminum Foil
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Olive Oil
To keep terra-cotta pots looking clean and new, coat them inside and out with a light layer of olive oil.
RELATED: 21 Ways to Spring Clean Your Whole House—Naturally
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Vanilla Extract
To keep your refrigerator smelling fresh, pour two ounces vanilla extract (imitation vanilla is fine) into a saucer or a small, shallow bowl. Place the vanilla on a lower shelf and leave it for a few days.
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