*By Barbara Pronin, RISMedia Columnist
At a time when it seems that prices are soaring everywhere we look, it is no wonder that cost-conscious homemakers are now saying, “Ouch!” at the cost of some popular household cleaning products.
But there are proven home remedies that will do many of the same cleaning jobs-and often for pennies on the dollar. Here are some of the top picks:
-Keep chrome fixtures clean and shiny by wiping them down with new or used fabric softener sheets. For stubborn water spots, try rubbing alcohol on a paper towel.
-To remove tough stains from the inside of a vase, fill the vase with warm water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
-For a fog-free mirror after you shower, wipe it down a couple of times a week with a few drops of aftershave on a paper towel.
-Fill in unsightly nail holes with plain white toothpaste; smooth with a damp sponge.
-Make an effective all-purpose cleaner for countertops and appliances by filling a spray bottle with one third pine cleaner, one third ammonia and one third water.
-Prolong the life of fresh flowers by filling the vase with a quart of warm water, two tablespoons vinegar and three tablespoons sugar.
-Sharpen scissors by cutting 10 times through three layers of foil or by cutting a piece of fine sandpaper into small pieces.
-Try polishing the silver with toothpaste; just rub on and wipe off.
-Remove small scratches on polished wood furniture by rubbing them with a shelled walnut.
-Smelly shoes? Put a few tea leaves into nylon stockings and stuff one stocking into each shoe. Leave it there for a couple of days until the smell vanishes.
-To keep lint and dust off glass tabletops longer, clean them with a solution of one tablespoon of fabric softener and a quart of warm water. (Also works well for computer and TV screens).
