Cheaper, Better, Faster by Mary Hunt Page B

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    Toilet—denture cleaner
    If your toilet bowl has stubborn stains, drop one or two denture-cleaning tablets into the bowl and allow them to sit overnight. Brush and flush.
    Toilet—sandpaper
    If you have stains in your toilet that will not budge with any other method, here’s the severe, last-ditch, toilet-stain-removal secret. Pick up some wet/dry sandpaper with a grit of between 400 and 600 at the hardware or automotive supply store. This is very fine sandpaper that, when used with water, will not scratch the porcelain but should remove the offending stain. Remove as much water as possible from the bowl, and go to work on the stains.
    Toothbrush holder
    To remove gunk from the toothbrush holder, roll up a paper towel, wet it with cleanser, then slide it right through the holes.
    Trash can
    Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the trash receptacle before putting in the plastic bag.
    Upholstery
    In a pinch, use shaving cream as an upholstery cleaner to spot-clean small areas. It’s very effective.
    Vacuum bag reuse
    In a pinch, you can reuse a vacuum cleaner bag. Take a full bag outdoors, cut the bottom seam, and empty contents in the trash. Carefully, reroll and staple closed, then cover the area with strong tape to restrict any dust from escaping and clogging your machine.
    Vases— icky buildup
    To remove mineral and hard-water deposits from vases,scrub them with a wet cloth that has been dipped into salt. Follow with warm water and soap.
    Vases— narrow and hard to clean
    Narrow-necked, hard-to-clean vases and other glassware will sparkle when you clean them with denture-cleaning tablets. Put one or two tablets into the container and fill with water. Wait a few hours and then rinse.
    Wallpaper
    First, blot the wallpaper with talcum powder to absorb the stain. Then wash the wallpaper with warm, soapy water. Add white vinegar to the water to clean grease stains.
    Wastebaskets
    Use a plastic wastebasket as a bucket for mopping the floor, and you’ll get two jobs done at once.
    Wicker furniture
    Dust wicker furniture with a stiff, clean paintbrush.
    Window frames
    Use silver polish cream to shine aluminum window frames.
    Window screens
    First, run a dry sponge over the screen to remove any loose dust. Then, with the screen propped at a slight angle against a tree or wall, pour a solution of sudsy ammonia and water (1 cup to 1 gallon) across the top. When it starts to dribble down, rub with a scrub brush, using an up-and-down motion. When you finish, turn the screen over and repeat on the other side. Use the garden hose to rinse it, and place it in the sun to dry.
    Windowsills
    Clean spotted windowsills with a cloth damp with rubbing alcohol.
    Window washing—on cloudy days
    Never wash windows on a bright, sunny day. Choose an overcast day instead. The windows will dry more slowly and have fewer streaks.
    Window washing—with alternate strokes
    Use vertical strokes when washing outside and horizontal strokes when washing inside. This way you’ll know which side the streaks are on.
    Window washing—with newspaper
    Rather than use paper towels to clean mirrors and windows, use newspaper. It cleans much better than paper towels with less streaking, and the ink never comes off on the glass. (It may come off on your hands, but they can be washed.)
    Wood—scratches
    Use brown shoe polish for covering scratches on wood cabinets, shelves, furniture, trim, or anything wood. It blends in well even if it is a darker shade. Apply and wipe off with a dry rag.
    Wood—white ring treatment
    Rub with a mixture of mayonnaise and white toothpaste. Wipe the area dry, then treat the entire surface with furniture polish.
    Wood cabinets—cleaning
    Dirty wooden cabinets can be cleaned with a mixture of 10 parts water and 1 part ammonia or Murphy’s Oil Soap, either of which will strip old polish or wax and accumulated dirt. Then spray or rub with wax.
    Wood cabinets—restoring
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