Many readers have sent in tips about cleaners - probably because cleaning solutions cost so much and there are loads of cheap alternatives.
The best cleaner we know of is called elbow grease and, best of all, it's free! When added to a few everyday household ingredients, it provides low-cost alternatives to expensive cleaners.
Aliza from Dunedin has some favourite cleaning formulas.
Toilet cleaner: "Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into the bowl and leave for a few hours or overnight. Scrub with brush and rinse."
Silver jewellery: "Line a bowl with tin foil, and place your pure silver jewellery in it. Add a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda and soak for two to three hours. Rinse under cold water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. There is nothing nicer then wearing beautiful shiny bangles."
L.S. from Christchurch has this window-cleaning tip.
"To wash windows, get one piece of wet newspaper scrunched up into a loose ball and wipe over the area of the window, rubbing over dirt until it moves, then wipe over with a piece of dry newspaper scrunched into a loose ball until the area is dry and clear of marks."
The good folk at Bin Inn also have lots of great ideas for low-cost cleaners. Here are some of their suggestions.
Oven cleaner: All you need is a cup of baking soda and water. Sprinkle baking soda on the base of the oven. Mix with enough water to make a paste and spread the paste over the walls and door. Leave it overnight then wipe clean.
Fridge cleaner: Mix baking soda and water into a thin paste. Apply the paste to a sponge and wipe the inside of the fridge.
Tile grout cleaner: Mix three cups baking soda with one cup warm water to form a smooth paste. Scrub paste into the grout using a toothbrush, then rinse clean with water.Drain cleaner: Mix two cups baking soda with two cups salt and 1/2 cup cream of tartar and store in a container. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture down the drain followed by one litre of boiling water. Leave for five minutes, then flush the drain with tap water for a few minutes.
Chopping board cleaner: To clean and deodorise wooden chopping boards sprinkle baking soda over the board, then spray with white vinegar.
Leave for five minutes then rinse clean.
Dishwasher powder: Mix 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup washing soda, 1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup citric acid. Store in a sealed container and use one tablespoon per load. Use white vinegar as rinse aid.
Floor and wall cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup borax with 2 litres hot water and wipe on floors and walls. To make a cleaner for a timber floor, pour 2 cups strong black tea and 1/2 cup white vinegar into a bucket and add warm water.
Scouring powder: To make a scouring powder for sinks and bathtubs, mix 1/2 cup borax with 1/4 cup baking soda.
Kettle limescale cleaner: To remove lime scale, fill kettle with water and add 1/2 cup white vinegar. Leave it overnight, then rinse out thoroughly the next day.
Shower door cleaner: Mix 1 cup water and 1 cup white vinegar. Pour mixture into a spray bottle. Spray on, leave for an hour and wipe clean.
Do you have a favourite winter tip you would like to share with readers? Send it to us at www.oilyrag.co.nz or write to Living off the Smell of an Oily Rag, PO Box 984, Whangarei.
Frank and Muriel Newman are the authors of Living Off the Smell of an Oily Rag in NZ.