Oily Rag: Pantry essentials bring back the sparkle

Spring is long gone but there will be many people who did not get around to the annual spring clean, so we thought we would offer readers tips for an autumn clean. True to form, the oily rag community has lots of ways to take the cost out of cleaning.

Kla from Stratford has this washing tip: "If you add a few drops of essential oils to your load it will come out smelling nice. Also, if you use a dryer, put a few drops on a clean rag or face cloth and add to the dryer with your load. That way the smell lasts longer."

Summer Day from Auckland has a tip for cleaning the grime off the bottom of an iron: "I remember cleaning the base of the iron by turning it on then ironing salt on brown paper. Worked a treat!"

M.M. from Christchurch writes, "The world's best glass cleaner is equal parts water, meths and kerosene. The smell is quite strong, so use in a well-ventilated area. Doesn't streak and it leaves glass dirt-resistant for ages."

Cheryl from Greymouth says, "I have found that sugar soap can be great for getting oily stains out of clothes. It might be an idea to test it on an area that isn't visible in case the dye bleeds but I have found it to be quite successful."

Sue from Kaitaia also recommends sugar soap: "I use it for cleaning walls, ceilings, floors and to wash the car. It is really good at getting road grime off the car and does not leave waxy marks on the windows. In fact, it has been removing the wax spots that were already there. I also use it in the window washers of the car. It is cheaper than car wash products and does a better job. It is also great in the house and you don't need several different products. It removes mould and grease from walls and ceilings with ease and leaves everything looking nice. Spray cleaners unusually bleach the patch where sprayed and the walls end up looking blotchy. Sugar soap is not too expensive and is available at supermarkets."

Ross writes, "We have many friends with glass-fronted wood-burners in their lounges. They use many commercial cleaning preparations to clean the glass - over time this amounts to a significant cost. A simple no-cost solution is to use the ash itself to clean the glass. We have used this for around 10 years, and the glass is still like new. Take three pieces of paper towel. Hold one piece under a tap to saturate it with water. Dip this repeatedly in the cold ash and use it to clean the glass. It will come clean within seconds. Use the remaining two pieces to wipe the glass clean and dry. Make sure you have a piece of newspaper spread under the open door to catch the drips as you clean!"

Lots of readers use baking soda for cleaning. Twin Mum from Masterton uses it to remove grease stains. "Try making a paste of baking soda and a few drops of water. Work the paste into the grease stain and rinse with warm water. Repeat a couple of times if needed. It will help remove the grease while also removing any smell."

Another reader sprinkles baking soda on the bath without water and uses a brush to scrub off grime, while a reader from Reporoa says when applied with a damp cloth, baking soda is good for cleaning sinks, basins, polishing stainless steel and deodorising and cleaning thermos flasks.

Chooki1 from Wanganui recommends baking soda to get the smell of cat urine out of fabric. "Try sponging with baking soda and water until just damp. Sprinkle baking soda on to this dampened patch, wait until it is dry then vacuum. Repeat if there is still an odour. When dry, spray lightly with white vinegar (acts as a deterrent). If kitty continues to use that spot, feed it there - they don't like to eat where they wee or wee where they eat."

If you have a favourite money-saving tip, please send it to us at www.oilyrag.co.nz or write to Living off the Smell of an Oily Rag, PO Box 984, Whangarei, so we can share it with the Oily Rag community.