Alternative Cleaning Products

Some of the old-fashioned cleaning methods work just as well as the latest products, and at a fraction of the cost.

Bicarbonate of soda is good for removing unpleasant smells.

For removing odour from fabrics, dampen area, sprinkle on bicarb, leave for 30 minutes or longer, then launder.
For smooth surfaces, such as inside a fridge or freezer, wet area slightly, sprinkle on bicarb, leave for 30 minutes, then wipe off with a wet cloth. Alternatively, sprinkle bicarb on a damp sponge, wipe round, then rinse off.
On carpets that smell, ensure carpet is dry, sprinkle bicarb generously and leave for at least 30 minutes (overnight in bad cases) before vacuuming off.

Stale bread, rubbed on gently, can clean dirty marks from wallpaper or leather.

Ice cubes applied to fresh grease spots on a wooden floor will harden the grease, which can then be gently scraped off with a round-edged knife.

Lemon juice and vegetable oil in equal parts is a good mixture for treating furniture scratches. Rub gently into the scratches with a soft cloth.
A blend of two parts oil to one part lemon juice makes an effective and fragrant furniture polish.

Methylated spirit removes grease and grime from telephones and piano keys. A little on a damp cloth gives extra shine to mirrors and glass.

Mustard powder and water can deodorise bottles and jars. Just rinse - no need to soak.

Salt can prove very handy.

Revive dingy carpets by sprinkling salt generously, leaving for an hour or two, then vacuuming.
To get rid of black stains left by eggs on cutlery, rub the area with a damp cloth sprinkled with salt.
To unblock drains without using a caustic cleaner, pour in 70 g (2 1/2 oz) salt and 70 g (2 1/2 oz) bicarb, followed by a litre (2 pints) of boiling water. Leave overnight, then flush thoroughly with water. Don't use this remedy if a proprietary drain-cleaner has already been tried.

Vinegar is versatile:

Cover limescale deposits round taps and plugholes with kitchen roll soaked in vinegar. Leave for an hour, then scrape off the softened scale using a blunt knife tip. Another method is to use a flour and vinegar paste.
Wash dull kitchen floors with a solution of 200 ml (7 fl oz) vinegar in 2 litres (4 pt) water.
Paint white vinegar onto stubborn price tags on china and glass. Leave to soak in, then rub the tag off.
To slow grease build-up, wipe out your oven with a cloth dampened with water and vinegar.
For streak-free windows, wash with a mixture of equal parts warm water and white vinegar, and dry with a soft cloth. Don't clean windows when the sun is shining on them.
To unblock a clogged shower head, soak for an hour in a solution of equal parts hot water and white vinegar.
As an alternative to the salt drain cleaner, try 70 g (2 1/2 oz) bicarb and 100 ml (3 1/2 fl oz) white vinegar. Cover drain and leave for a few minutes, then pour boiling water down to flush. Don't use this remedy if a proprietary drain-cleaner has already been used.