Home and Consumer - Everyday Cheapskate: 7 Ways To Clean for Less

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Everyday Cheapskate: 7 Ways To Clean for Less

Mary Hunt

As one who is living through the mess of a home remodel that includes a fabulous new shower, I was particularly drawn to today's first great reader tip. I wasted no time mixing up some of Debbie's "home brew," so I'm all ready to go as soon as the grout sets and the fixtures are installed. I can't wait!

SHOWER SPARKLE. The best shower cleaner I ever have used is 1 part Dawn dishwashing liquid soap to 5 parts white vinegar in a spray bottle. I just leave the mixture in the shower in a spray bottle and spray it down while the walls are wet. The next person to shower will rinse all the scum down the drain like magic. -- Debbie, e-mail

USE IT UP. After purchasing the large tubs of disinfecting disposable wipes, I noticed how much cleaning liquid was left at the bottom when all of the wipes had been used up. I now save the extra liquid in an empty spray bottle, properly labeled. I get twice the antibacterial cleanser for my money by using up the rest of the liquid that I otherwise would have thrown away. -- Amanda B., California

SOCK HOP. I keep a bag of my husband's worn-out tube socks and take them into my classroom to use on my whiteboard. They work better than whiteboard erasers, and they cost nothing. When they are dirty on one side, I turn them inside out. When they are completely dirty, I take them home and wash them. Then they're good to go again! -- Kimberly K., Florida

RUSTBUSTER. My steel wool pads used to rust before I could use them up, so I always would have to reach for a new one. I found that if you squeeze it out, put it in a baggie and then store it in the freezer, it will not rust, and it will last for a long time. -- Bev B., Washington

SUN-KISSED. My plastic storage containers and lids get stained with spaghetti sauce, and the red stains do not come out with regular dishwashing detergent. I wash and dry the containers and lids. Then I rub the inside of each with lemon juice and put them outside in the bright sun for an hour or two. The stains and odors are bleached out and sanitized by the sun and lemon juice. -- Heidi J., Minnesota

CLEAN CAN OPENER. I use Bar Keepers Friend and an old toothbrush to clean my can opener's blade. A little attention makes rust and grime just disappear. -- Lee D., Pennsylvania

SCUFF REMOVER. A good way to get black scuff marks off the floor is by using a tennis ball. Cut a slit in the ball, and attach it to an old broom handle or dowel. Use the ball as a scrubber. -- Helen, e-mail

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Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Include your first and last name and state. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including "Debt-Proof Living" and "Tiptionary 2." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Copyright 2009 Creators Syndicate Inc.

This news arrived on: 10/21/2009

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