| Text size:    |
Handy Hints for Chemically Sensitive people
Household Cleaning
Stains
Hard water deposits
Ironing
Other useful household tips
Tips for the Garden
Tips for Decorating
Household Cleaning
Air freshener
Place one teaspoon baking powder soda in a spray bottle and
add to it two tablespoons of white vinegar and two cups of clean water.
After the foaming has stopped replace the spray top and shake well.
Ant repellent
Wipe down the effected area with a solution of half vinegar and half water
to keep ants at bay.
Bottle cleanser
To remove sediment stains from bottles, jars and vases.
Half fill with white vinegar and shake well. Leave for a few minutes,
and then wash in the normal way.
Burnt pots and pans
Cover the burnt area with equal quantities of water and vinegar.
Bring to the boil, remove from heat and soak overnight.
Windows, mirrors, and glass
To clean glass add two tablespoons of vinegar to a small bucket of warm water.
To finish off, buff the surface with a clean dry cloth.
Carpet shampoo
Add one cup of vinegar to five litres of water.
Clean the carpet with a soft brush dipped in the solution.
In case the carpet colours are not fast; always test on an inconspicuous
area of the carpet before using.
Clogged shower-head
Dismantle the shower head. Soak the pieces in a bowl of white vinegar for
two to three hours. Clean off any sediment with a stiff brush.
Chewing gum
Dissolve chewing gum on carpets, upholstery or clothing by applying hot vinegar
to the gum. Egg white removes chewing gum from washable fabric.
Slimy sponges
Soak the sponge in one tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 570 ml (20 fluid ounces)
of water for one hour. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Smelly drains
Boil 200ml (8floz) of vinegar and pour directly into the drain.
Leave for ten minutes before using the drain.
Cutlery cleaner
Make up a solution of two tablespoons of vinegar with
one teaspoon of borax and two cups of hot water.
Immerse the cutlery in the solution and then rinse in hot soapy water.
Clothes brightener
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse after washing clothes.
Cooking smells
To remove smells from the kitchen; boil a cup of water with
one tablespoon of vinegar added to it.
Crystal
After washing crystal glassware add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water
when rinsing. It will give it that extra sparkle.
Drain cleaner
Make up a solution of 200ml (8fl oz) vinegar with 75g (3oz) of baking soda.
Pour directly into the drain. Leave for ten minutes.
Then run clean hot water down the drain to clear the grease and debris.
Painted surface cleaner
The following cleaner will make you paint shine as never before. Make up a
thin paste of 15g of corn flour, 30ml (1floz) of vinegar and 275ml (10floz)
of hot water.
Microwave ovens
Smells can be difficult to remove from the microwave oven, particularly fish.
Try heating a quarter cup of vinegar diluted with one cup of water in the microwave.
Fish smells on plates and utensils
Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the washing up water.
Rinse thoroughly in clean water before drying.
The E-cloth cleaning system by Enviro products
These cloths are made up of millions of tiny fibres which neither contain chemicals
or need chemicals to clean with, all that is need is water and they can be used on all
hard surfaces in the home.
For further information see our
Seal of approval list.
Hard water deposits
To clear the scale in the lavatory, bale out the water to
below the line of deposit. Make up a mixture of domestic borax
and vinegar in equal quantities.
Spread the mixture on the deposits and leave for two hours.
Brush off the sediment with a stiff brush.
Treat all hard water deposits on bathroom fittings as necessary.
Clogged shower-head
Dismantle the shower head. Soak the pieces in a bowl of white vinegar for
two to three hours. Clean off any sediment with a stiff brush.
Kettle descaler
Cover the element with equal quantities of water and vinegar.
Bring to the boil and leave to soak overnight.
Brush off the sediment and wash thoroughly.
Hard water film on tiles and glass
Rub the surface with undiluted white vinegar.
Leave for fifteen minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Repeat if necessary.
Stains
Ink stains
Soak the stained fabric in milk for one hour. Make up a paste with vinegar
and corn flour. Cover the stain with the paste and when it has dried wash
the fabric in the normal way. To remove ballpoint ink mark from cloth, rub
a paste of baking soda and milk over it. Rinse and then wash in your normal
way.
Perspiration and deodorant stains
Dab the effected area with undiluted white vinegar.
Then wash in the normal way.
Stain on aluminium pans
Pour a solution of vinegar and water in equal quantities into the stained pan.
Bring to the boil and soak overnight. Or
Boil Cabbage leaves in the stained pan.
Tea and coffee stains
Soak china and glassware in hot vinegar. Then wash in the normal way.
For stubborn stains on cups and pots add a teaspoon of salt to a little
of the hot vinegar and rub onto the stain.
To remove stains on cloth
To remove coffee, tea or cocoa stains -
stretch the stained material over a small basin, dampen with water,
sprinkle with borax then pour boiling water through.
Leave to soak in the solution, then rinse and wash.
To remove beetroot stain:-
soak a piece of bread in water and dab it on both sides of the cloth.
The bread will absorb the red colour.
Rust stains
Soak the effected area with vinegar, then rub salt into the stain.
Allow to dry, and then wash in the normal way.
Salt stains on shoes in winter
Wipe the shoes with a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar in a cup of water.
Ironing
To prevent clothes becoming shiny when pressing with a hot iron,
place a cloth over the garment that has been sprayed with a solution
in the ratio of one part of vinegar to two parts of water.
Keep a small piece of damp sponge handy when ironing.
When there is a dry crease, rub the sponge over it and the fabric will be
lightly and evenly dampened.
To clear a clogged iron, use l cup vinegar instead of water
and steam until the jets release.
If the base of your iron is stained or sticky,
unplug and rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
Use melted ice from the fridge tray as sterilised water for your steam iron.
Other useful household tips
Salt will keep dry and flow freely if kept in the refrigerator.
Restore cream coloured fabric to its natural colour by soaking in strong hot tea.
Add a pinch of salt to keep the colour fast.
Mould
To remove Mould from Window frames and sills etc.
and prevent the re-growth of mould.
Mix Borax Powder (Boracid acid) with a little water into a paste consistency.
Using a stiff brush (an old toothbrush is ideal)
scrub the area of mould with the paste, then wipe clean.
Leather softener
Combine 150ml (6fl oz) hot lavender vinegar with 150ml (6fl oz) olive oil.
Blend well.
Scorch Marks
Lightly rub the scorch cloth with lint free cloth soaked in vinegar.
If heavily marked continue to rub lightly with a silver coin.
Scratched tabletops
If a beeswax-polished surface becomes scratched or spotted,
rub the scratches or spots with white vinegar and polish again with beeswax
whilst the surface is still wet.
Tips for the Garden
Eggshells ground finely may be used not only as a fertiliser
but also as a slug deterrent.
Bury banana skins and crushed eggshells near the roots of rose trees
to supply them with extra vitamins. 1 tablespoon full of Epsom salts
dissolved in 1 pint of lukewarm water will provide a good tonic for
all plants but especially roses.
Cut flowers
Cut flowers will keep longer if they are kept in water containing
a solution of one teaspoon of vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar
made up with 570ml of hot water.
Tips for Decorating
Add a good tablespoonful of baking soda to each bucketful of water
when stripping wall paper and it will make the job easier.
Or
Use hot water containing vinegar.
Dip a paint roller or large sponge into the solution and wet paper thoroughly.
After two applications the paper should peel easily.
To remove the smell of paint from a newly decorated room,
cut an onion in half and leave in the room.
Loosen tight screws in wood by dripping a little vinegar on their heads.
When the vinegar penetrates the threaded section they will be easier to unscrew.
Paint removal from glass
Rub the paint with hot undiluted vinegar to soften it.
Remove the paint and clean the glass in the normal way.
Rinsing brushes
After wallpapering rinse the paste table and brushes in
salted water before washing.
This removes the paste more quickly
and leaves the brushes soft and springy.
© AUK / MAS December 2002
If you have any hints that you have found helpful please send them to:-
Chemical Sensitivity Division
Allergy UK
No 3 White Oak Square
London Road
Swanley, Kent
BR8 7AG
Or Email:- lindsey@allergyuk.org