10 reusable household items

Some of the items already in your house have multiple uses and can save you a pretty penny in terms of having to buy many different cleaning agents.

Below are some household items that have more than one use.

1. Vinegar

If you’ve a room with a strong odour like a kitchen, and are struggling to get your room smelling fresh again, place some vinegar in a bowl and place it in the particular room. Leave it there for 30 minutes. The vinegar will help neutralise the odour.

Vinegar can also be used to remove sweat stains. Mix one part vinegar into four parts water and pour on the sweat-stained clothes. Leave to soak before washing regularly.

If you have labels or stickers that just won’t come off, soak a kitchen towel in vinegar and place it on the label for about 10 minutes. The sticker should come off easily now. 

2. Sponge

Your dishwashing sponge can be used to remove pet hair from your upholstery. Make it damp in clean water and simply wipe down your upholstery.

Sponges can also be used to dry bar soap enabling it to last longer. Simply put the sponge next to the piece of bar soap and allow it to soak up any liquid that drips from the soap.

3. Aluminium foil

If you don’t have steel wool to clean your stainless steel pans, crumple some aluminium foil and use it instead. Avoid using aluminium foil on your non-stick pans as it will scratch and damage them.

4. Lemon juice

Now that the kids are homeschooling, you might find many ink stains around the house. To get rid of these, soak the stained item in lemon juice and then launder as usual.

5. Sugar

To get rid of grass stains on your kids’ clothes, make a paste of sugar and warm water and then apply to the stain. It should be ready to wash after 30 minutes.

6. Milk

Are you wondering how to clean patent leather on your handbags, belts and shoes? With a soft cloth dipped in milk, buff your patent leather in circular motions. Do this gently so that you don’t damage your bag. Next, buff with a clean cloth to remove excess milk. 

7. Baking soda

Add baking soda to dishwashing soap to make it stronger and more effective in cleaning greasy dishes.

A mixture of baking soda and sugar when sprinkled in the corners of your kitchen counters can help get rid of cockroaches.

8. Sauce bottles

Bottles with nozzles like those of ketchup or tomato sauce can be used when piping icing on your homemade cakes. 

9. Cooking water

After you’ve boiled your food, allow the cooking water, allow it to cool and pour it in your plants. Water from boiled eggs and vegetables has valuable nutrients which can be beneficial to your plants. Avoid pouring salty cooking water on your plants. 

10. Razors

Instead of throwing away your old razor, use to remove pilling from sweaters and coats.