March 14, 2011: Vodka as a Cleaning Agent

When it comes to household cleaning chores, vodka works much the same as rubbing alcohol and vinegar while really imparting a sparkly shine. Of course, if you’re going to use vodka for cleaning, buy the cheapest stuff you can find. It would be shame to use tasty Grey Goose for this purpose!

Uses for Vodka:

* Bathtub Cleaner: Spray full strength onto the caulking around your tub/shower. Let it sit for 15 minutes or so then scrub with an old toothbrush to remove any lingering black spots. No need to rinse!

* Jewelry Cleaner: Clean your jewelry with full-strength vodka. If you have one of those containers with a basket and brush, fill it with vodka when it’s empty. Drop your gold and precious stone (except for soft stones such as opals) jewelry into the vodka and let it sit for a couple minutes. Scrub the crevices with a toothbrush or the tiny brush that comes with commercial cleaning solution. Wipe with a soft cloth for an amazing sparkle.


* Eyeglass cleaner: Spray with full strength vodka (or rubbing alcohol) and rub dry with a soft cloth. Once again, if you’ve got a container –those little spray bottles – from a commercial cleaner you purchased, fill it with vodka after it runs out. You can also add a couple drops tea tree oil if you want.

* Washing delicate clothing: I haven’t tried this one so use at your own risk. If you have a piece of expensive clothing with fancy beaded or other type of decorations that require dry cleaning only, freshen them up between cleanings with vodka. Turn inside out and lightly spray a bit of vodka on the underarm and neck areas. This removes odors and yellowing.

And hey, you might just want to partake of a bit of your “cleaning agent” while you’re doing your chores around the house!

March 8, 2011: Cornstarch for Cleaning Recipes

Most of us know that cornstarch is the perfect thickener for gravy, particularly that special gravy which accompanies the big, golden turkey at Thanksgiving. It’s also great for thickening stews, soups, and sauces (use half the amount of flour or as a rule of thumb, 1 tablespoon per cup of liquid) because it is tasteless and clear. But did you know that cornstarch is also a handy item to have around the house for cleaning?

The first time I was aware that cornstarch could be used for cleaning was one day when I was watching the Queen of Clean on TV and she used it in a pail of warm water to wash windows. I tried it and sure enough, this is an excellent way to clean glass – but because it’s a bit unwieldy, I’d recommend it only for deep spring cleaning when you’re washing all the windows in your home, inside or out.

For really dirty windows, try this formula:

Window Cleaner

½ cup ammonia
½ cup white vinegar
2 T. cornstarch

Add all ingredients to a pail of warm water. Apply with a cloth, then wipe with a clean, dry cloth or a wad of newspaper.

Pots and Pans Cleaner

Sprinkle cornstarch in a pot or pan and scrub with a wet sponge. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth. Cornstarch is a mild abrasive and it leaves behind a sparkling clean – perfect for nonstick, stainless steel, or aluminum cookware.

Silver Polish

The same reason cornstarch is good for cleaning pots and pans is why it makes an excellent silver polish. Make a paste of cornstarch and water and apply to your sterling silver pieces with a damp cloth. When it is dry, rub it off with a soft cloth.

Laundry Helper

Cornstarch absorbs grease really well. If you have a tablecloth, piece of clothing, or any other washable item with grease stains, sprinkle the area with cornstarch. Rub it into the grease then brush it away. Finish by laundering in the washing machine.

You can also use cornstarch plain or as a paste to relieve baby’s diaper rash or adult skin rashes. Add it to bath water for a soothing soak.

Did you know all the ways you can use cornstarch around the house?