Cleaning products are crazy expensive these days. Do you really need Mountain Thunderstorm Breeze Explosion degreaser to get that pesky sticky film off your kitchen counter?
Nope. You could totally do what my grandma did and wipe it down with white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and call it a day.
Cleaning has become a hackable industry, which is hilarious because cleaning is what my grandmother didn’t think deserved hacks. She cleaned the majority of her house with hot water and vinegar, except where acid could ruin natural stones like granite and marble, and that was that.
The amount of things in her cupboard that constituted “cleaning supplies” would shock you.
So with inflationary pressure on household budgets, it’s worth remembering that in the great hackable industry of cleaning, grandma knew best. Here are some of her methods that have proven themselves time and time again.
1. Use Vinegar to Cut Grease
It’s amazing how much better vinegar and water cleans sticky grease in a kitchen than most commercial products. There’s never any sticky residue afterwards and vinegar is much cheaper than fancy products.
2. Sprinkle Baking Soda on Carpets Before Vacuuming
My husband somehow manages to miss crumbs when vacuuming, so I’ve started sprinkling carpets and rugs with baking soda before we vacuum. This was grandma’s carpet deodorizer as well, and it’s the best.
Just let it sit for about 15 minutes and vacuum. We have Gigi the Goldendoodle leaving her own fluff tumbleweeds around the house and two teenagers, so I’m grateful for baking soda’s deodorizing powers.
At least now when I open their bedroom doors it’s an indescribable odd smell instead of an indescribable odd smell PLUS Mountain Thunderstorm Breeze Explosion carpet cleaner.
3. Clean Windows With Newspaper
Grab a couple of black-and-white pages from the paper, crumple them up, and spritz on some white vinegar or your favorite glass cleaner and get cleaning. Who knew grandma was onto something back then?
Newspaper is one of my favorite cleaning items to use around the house, especially around holidays when we receive an abundance of free advertising. One of its most helpful cleaning uses is for windows.
Wiping windows down with crumpled newspaper leaves fewer streaks and uses less lint-producing paper towels. Combine newspaper with a squirt of glass cleaner or a vinegar and water solution, and you’ve got sparkling windows.
Use black-and-white pages, not the glossy inserts, for the best results. Also, if you’re wearing a cute white sweater, beware of black-and-white newsies smudging your sleeves.
4. Salt Removes Fresh Stains
An old cleaning hack is sprinkling spills immediately with table salt, rubbing them in with a clean cloth. This trick worked particularly well on red wine stains.
Salt is great to use on fresh stains because it helps absorb some of the spill and keeps it from setting into the fibers as deeply as it may. This trick won’t help old stains but can be helpful if applied quickly.
Which, let’s be honest, is exactly when we always have a spill. You finally get guests seated just in time for dinner and BAM!
Holiday parties are notorious for this, as well.
5. Air Out the House Daily
Past homemakers often left their windows cracked or fully open, even in cold weather, to let in some fresh air. Opening your home to the elements helps combat cooking smells and gives your home a less-stuffy feel.
Modern homes are more energy-efficient (read: tightly-sealed) which is helpful in many ways. One downside though is that smells stay in the home.
Open up that window for ten minutes daily for fresher-smelling air. Bonus points if Gigi the dog is happy that someone remembered that her side of the window is great entertainment too!
6. Use Lemon to Freshen Garbage Disposals
To get a funky garbage disposal fresh, put some small pieces of lemon rind in, turn on cold water and the garbage disposal, letting the lemons be ground up. The citrusy smell from the lemons counteracts any funk.
You can also drop in some ice to help with build-up.
Bonus points if you’re cooking with lemons at the time. Multitasking.
Bonus points squared if you’re making lemonade. Multitasking squared.
7. Boil Water and Lemon to Freshen the Kitchen
Boil water in a pot with a few lemon slices and/or orange peels in it for a wonderfully summer-y scent all over your home! Cloves work well, too.
This is helpful if you fry a lot, cook fish often, or if you’re me, who manages to occasionally burn dinner, which is another excuse entirely.
8. Use Toothpaste to Polish Small Scratches
Plain white toothpaste can be rubbed onto small scratches on certain kinds of silver, glass, and shoes to take the marks out. The key is that toothpaste contains abrasives that will polish the offending item and take out small marks.
This trick also works on watch faces that are okay with a little toothpaste. Check online to make sure toothpaste is a-okay for the item you’re using it on, and always test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t dull finishes, etc.
9. Clean Cast Iron With Salt
This is similar to using toothpaste to polish items, as the key is the abrasion that salt provides. Salt is gentle enough to clean cast iron, which needs to be babied like a needy houseplant, and won’t remove the seasoning.
Cast iron enthusiasts swear by cleaning with salt instead of soap and water. Simply sprinkle coarse salt into the still-warm skillet and rub around using a paper or cloth towel, concentrating on stuck-on areas.
Gently rinse the pan out, making sure it’s dry before applying a thin film of cooking oil and storing.
10. Dry Laundry Outside When Possible
Get out that clothesline or drying rack, grab some clothespins, and get your laundry drying in the great outdoors. Not only will outdoor air remove any pesky smells from your sheets or clothes, the sun will help to make whites brighter, as well.
While this is less necessary today since many people do have access to dryers, vintage homemakers would hang laundry outside to air-dry frequently. It’s true, hanging sheets or towels out during pollen season might mean dealing with allergens in your bed, but there’s nothing like sinking into freshly washed and sun-dried sheets or wrapping up in a fluffy, bright, freshly-dried towel.
11. Use Baking Soda to Scrub Sinks
If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to clean your sink, try sprinkling some baking soda on your wet sponge or washcloth and give your sink a good scrubbing. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that won’t scratch porcelain or stainless steel sinks.
This age-old cleaning hack cuts through stains, grime, and other gunk quickly and doesn’t fill your kitchen with harsh fumes. Simply wet the sink, sprinkle baking soda, scrub, and then rinse away.
12. Polish Wood Furniture With Simple Ingredients
Homemakers in the past often made their own furniture polish. You can create your own, too.
All you need is a cloth, some white vinegar, and mineral or olive oil. Wring out your cloth until it’s barely damp, add a few drops of oil and vinegar to the rag and start wiping away fingerprints and dust.
The vinegar cuts through the dirt, and the oil helps restore shine to your wooden treasures. Different wood and finishes may react differently to this method, so it’s always best to test an inconspicuous spot before polishing away.
13. Keep Cleaning Rags Instead of Wasting Paper Towels
Chances are, you’re purchasing paper towels on the regular and tossing them after use. Save money and the environment by investing in reusable rags for cleaning.
Grab that old shirt that doesn’t fit anymore, towels that are starting to show signs of wear and tear, or other fabric remnants and cut them into squares. You’ll be shocked at how effective and absorbent rags are.
Not only are rags stronger and longer-lasting than paper towels, but it’s more convenient to have a stack of them by the sink, too.
I am a big believer in assigning specific cloths to specific chores. For instance, I like to have one for kitchen spills, a few for dusting, and another for bathroom cleaning.
Some days, my organized cleaning basket is more of a jumble of various cloths, but I’m working on it. 🙂
14. Use Hot Water for Greasy Dishes
This tip from the olden days is especially helpful if you’re not a fan of washing dishes. Rather than standing at the sink trying to get oily dishes clean, soak them in hot, soapy water first.
Grease breaks down easier in hot water and will make your task go much faster.
15. Dust From Top to Bottom
Traditional homemakers understood that it’s more efficient to start from the top and work your way down when cleaning. Rather than vacuuming first and then dusting, which will result in settling dust on your now-clean floors, get out your trusty duster or microfiber cleaning towel and your vacuuming tool of choice and work your way from top to bottom.
You’ll thank them for this one.
16. Use Ice Cubes to Lift Carpet Dents
Have you ever dragged a piece of furniture across your carpet and left an indent? Fill them with ice cubes.
The fibers will absorb the moisture as it melts. Then gently brush them up with a spoon or stiff bristle brush.
Voila! Like new.
17. Clean as You Cook
I am a huge fan of cleaning as you cook. It can save so much time and energy later and helps avoid major cleaning.
Rather than allowing dishes and messes to accumulate, put away the recipe and get out some dish soap, a sponge, and damp cloth and make use of downtime, like waiting for pasta to boil, by cleaning off a few bowls and wiping down counters. This can be applied to other projects in the home, as well.
18. Use Vinegar to Remove Hard Water Spots
If you’re looking for a natural alternative to commercial cleaners to remove hard water spots, reach for white vinegar and a paper towel or washcloth. Simply apply the vinegar to the spots and wipe away.
A mixture of water and vinegar will dissolve hard water build-up and leave your shower heads and faucets shining. You can spray the solution and give fixtures a light scrubbing, but I’ve seen hints suggesting soaking a rag or paper towel and wrapping it around the fixture.
Give the solution a few moments to break down the build-up, then wipe off. You don’t have to use expensive specialty sprays for this job, as vintage homemakers got by just fine with vinegar.
19. Sweep the Kitchen Every Night
No matter how diligent you are, the kitchen gets dirty. Between the foot traffic from kids and pets and the inevitable crumbly or sticky items that fall out of cabinets or cooking pots, the floor will collect items worthy of the broom and dustpan.
Give the kitchen a good sweep at night, and enjoy a spotless kitchen the next morning while avoiding attracting pesky critters to food scraps.
I’m a firm believer in this because Gigi sheds about 17 lbs of fluff and doohickies a week. Sweeping daily is a must.
20. Wash Walls Occasionally
Windows are notorious for collecting dirt, but did you know walls collect their share of dust and grime too? Smoke residue, fingerprints, dust, and cooking residue mean walls are bombarded daily and usually escape a good cleaning.
Next time the sun pours into your home and illuminates the dirt, consider a good scrubbing with a rag and mild dishwashing liquid mixed into warm water. Test an inconspicuous area first to ensure your paint is washable.
21. Use Cornstarch for Greasy Spots
Combine cornstarch and a soft brush or vacuum to remove greasy spots.
For a grease stain on fabric or upholstery, sprinkle with cornstarch to remove the oils from the stain. This will prevent the stain from setting in.
Let it sit for a bit and brush/vacuum off the cornstarch before laundering as normal. Again, the sooner the better.
I’m sure that’s been said before but you’ll get the quickest stain removal with immediate attention to a fresh oil stain. My immediate is about 20 minutes though.
22. Keep Shoes Off Inside
This is the most basic, old fashioned cleaning tip in the book, but it saves SO much time in the long run. Fewer messes to clean up equals less sweeping and mopping.
You can totally will-power yourself to make sure to keep your own shoes by the door. Getting everyone else to comply could take a shoe rack or an eye-rolling-worthy entryway mat.
Teens will make tracks inside anyway.
23. Shine Stainless Steel With a Tiny Bit of Oil
Did you know restaurants use mineral oil to clean their stainless steel appliances? Add a few drops of mineral or cooking oil onto a soft cloth and rub in circular motions until shiny.
Older generation women did this regularly with cooking oil. It saves you from having to purchase a stainless steel cleaner and helps hide fingerprints.
Use just a few drops otherwise your fridge will be slippery and attract more fingerprints.
24. Use Club Soda on Some Fresh Fabric Stains
Blot fresh stains with a clean cloth and club soda. The bubbles from the club soda can help remove stains.
It’s not a cure-all stain remover, but it can help you gain some time.
Dab gently, as this prevents smearing the stain around
Stay calm is easier said than done.
Find clean towels, which is also easier said than done.
25. Rotate Mattresses Regularly
If you’re anything like me, you can pretty much guarantee that I’m going to forget to rotate our mattress. This is a task that takes two people, but is well worth the effort.
Not only does it extend the life of your mattress, but also allows you to get into the area underneath it to vacuum or pick up that dollar you’ve been searching for since 2022. It’s amazing what’s hiding under there.
Just check your mattress’s care instructions because some mattresses should not be flipped.
26. Use Curtains to Control Dust and Heat
If you don’t have shades or curtains in your home, I highly recommend adding some. Not only will they help to block out drafts, dust, and sunlight, they also keep the sun from fading things.
Closing your curtains on sunny days will keep rooms from overheating, saving you a few dollars on your energy bill.
27. Keep Cleaning Supplies Simple
Grandmas know how to keep on top of cleaning. My grandmother could clean out an entire home with a couple bottles of cleaner that you can get for a few dollars.
Spoiler alert, white vinegar and baking soda make the list, along with elbow grease. If you know what I’m saying.
In all seriousness, most homes are drowning in cleaning products that promise to fix any issue in a snap. We’re overwhelmed with options and end up purchasing too many different products for tasks that could be completed with dish soap, bleach (diluted), vinegar, baking soda, hot water, and a desire to get it done.
28. Clean the Fridge Before Grocery Day
I don’t know about you, but it’s amazing to me what ends up forgotten about in our fridge. That’s why I think it’s a great idea to clean out your fridge before grocery shopping.
Not only will it provide more space for new items, it’ll prevent us from purchasing things we’ve already got. It’ll save those questionable leftovers that may not get used again.
And maybe save a few expired ketchup bottles from their lonely existence on the door.
29. Use Pillowcases to Clean Ceiling Fans
Despite their lofty perch, ceiling fans collect an incredible amount of dust. To clean, slip an old pillowcase over each fan blade, and slowly pull the case off.
The dust will fall into the pillowcase rather than clouding the air and creating a bigger mess for you to deal with.
30. Let Cleaning Products Sit Before Scrubbing
Previous generations of housewives understood the power of chemistry. Soap, vinegar, store-bought cleaning sprays, a paste of baking soda and water, they all need time to work into dirt and grime before they’ll really do their thing.
Instead of immediately digging a stubborn stain out by brute force, allow the situation to simmer for a while. Save yourself a headache and a trip to the medicine cabinet for muscle relaxers, especially when it comes to kitchen and bathroom cleaning.
Let the chemical do most of the work. All you’ll have to do is stir and wait.
31. Use Sunshine to Help Freshen Fabrics
I LOVE taking my sheets off my body and slipping into warm, fresh, outdoor-dried sheets. Unfortunately, my piles of dishes aren’t usually given the same outdoor treatment…
But back to sheets and blankets. Pillows and rugs.
It’s amazing how much of the freshening job warm sunshine and fresh air do for you. If it’s a gorgeous day, take advantage and drag anything fabric-ish out onto the patio.
Enjoy how wonderfully your pillows smell afterwards, you’ll be surprised how many funky odors can be eliminated this way.
32. Tackle Small Messes Immediately
This goes without saying, I know. But it’s amazing how quickly Mt.
Laundrymore starts to build. Or how dirty dishes multiply if we don’t at least rinse them as soon as possible.
Taking care of smaller messes as they occur saves us from marathon, rage-filled cleaning sessions down the road.
33. Stick to a Simple Cleaning Routine
I like to keep it simple, daily tasks that must be performed to maintain a certain level of tidiness (for example, washing dishes), larger projects that get taken care of on a weekly basis like scrubbing the bathroom, and larger projects that need to be tackled seasonally, like deep-cleaning the fridge. Whatever system works for you, try to create a plan and stick with it.
And remember: It’s okay if your house isn’t picture-perfect. As long as your home isn’t driving you crazy, you’re doing just fine!
Vintage homemakers had their systems in place before things got crazy. Today, crazy is perfectly normal, but implementing reliable habits, though perfection is not required, can help.
Assigning tiny tasks to be completed daily, a deeper cleaning session weekly and a larger overhaul seasonally helped vintage housekeepers calm the madness. Making the bed, wiping the counters, sweeping the floors and putting away random items are a few examples.
Calm is the goal, especially with teens, pets, snackers and a laundry basket that seems to have taken a holiday.