Did you know that baking soda, white vinegar, citric acid, lemon, coffee and many other ingredients that you already have at home can be used in cleaning?

You can use baking soda in the kitchen to:

1. Clean silver, by using 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Mix into a paste, rub onto item then rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth.
2. To clean grease surface, sprinkle a little baking soda on a damp cloth. Wipe and rinse with water.
3. Repel unpleasant smells:

•  in the garbage pail by sprinkling a little baking soda at the bottom of the pail and a little more in the new bag.
• in the fridge or freezer by putting some baking soda in a small container.
• to unclog drains, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar, let stand about 10 minutes then pour boiling water (use only if you have metal pipes).
• on the cutting board, by rubbing a little baking soda and rinsing with water.

In the Bathroom:

1. To clean a toilet, sprinkle a little baking soda, swirl and then brush and flush.
2. To clean grout between the tiles, use same paste as for cleaning silver.
3. To clean the floor, dissolve 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water.

White vinegar can be used:

1. To clean carpets, by mixing 2 tablespoons white vinegar in 2 cups warm water.  Once it dries, the smell will disappear.
2. To clean a shower head form limescale, remove the shower head and put in large plastic bag covered with enough white vinegar, leave for about 4 hours.  Rinse and put back in place.

Citric acid:

1. To clean a kettle , fill the kettle halfway, bring to boil, turn off and add about 2 tablespoons citric acid.  Let it stand for about 20 minutes. Rinse and wash 3 times.
2. You can use the above water cold, to clean glasses and bottles from limescale.