5 ancient housekeeping tips

While everyone obviously has a different grandma, there is a trait that seems to be universal to them all – they have secret tricks for every job around the house, from baking a mouth-watering apple pie or making washing, ironing and sorting easier and quicker, to cleaning the house from top to bottom without touching modern commercial products. So how do they do it? Apart from using their grandma magic, the trick is keeping things old fashioned and simple. housekeeping Get your vinegar, baking soda and borax at the ready!  

Streak free glass cleaner

This one is particularly useful for anyone with small children – those little sticky fingers leave marks everywhere! For a quick and easy solution that doesn’t have the smell or chemical residue of a commercial spray, simply mix together ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of corn-starch and 2 cups of warm water. Shake well to dissolve corn-starch, spray on windows and wipe dry with a cloth or paper towel. Keep this solution handy and even already in a spray bottle to quickly remove marks whenever they appear.  

Simple silver polish

This one is so easy you will never forgive yourself for purchasing and using commercial silver polishes. If your cutlery is looking a little smudgy, old, or tarnished, whip out some white toothpaste (not a gel), apply to the surface of the silverware and scrub gently with an old soft bristled toothbrush. Make sure you rinse them thoroughly and dry with a clean, soft cloth – no one needs to taste toothpaste with their dinner! This trick will have your cutlery looking as good as new.    

Easy toilet cleaner

The easiest way to keep your toilet consistently clean is to use this simple and easy trick each night before you go to sleep – sprinkle 1 cup of Borax around the toilet bowl, followed by ½ cup white vinegar. Leave overnight and give the toilet a quick scrub when you wake up in the morning. Done and done!  

Fresh carpets

Anyone with kids and/or pets knows the agony of trying to keep carpets clean and smell free. Nan knows how to solve both of these issues at once with this trick! Grab a generous handful of lavender flowers (perhaps you might have to ring your grandma for these!) and crush them up. Mix with 1 cup of baking soda and sprinkle this straight onto the carpet. Leave for about 30 minutes, and then vacuum it out. Fresh smelling carpets are yours for the next five minutes at least!  

No brainer drain cleaner

If you are having trouble with a blocked drain, forget these harsh chemical cleaners that stink out the entire house. Chuck ½ a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar – let it fizz for a few minutes, then wash it all away with a litre of hot water. Add this trick to your weekly cleaning routine, because doing this once a week will prevent blockages from occurring in the first place.