Toothpaste is excellent for removing lipstick and ink stains
There are a number of Desi hacks for the home which are better than using gadgets or chemicals.
We give all credit to the gadgets and machinery for making our lives easier but there are ways where we ourselves can make our lives a lot simpler without even spending a penny.
There are a lot of items in our homes that go unnoticed by us because we believe they can only be used for a specific thing.
However, we never take into consideration the fact that these items may have certain qualities that can be used for removing small obstacles from our daily life.
The internet is filled with easy tips because they are not only cheap but have no side effects and are easily accessible at home.
Everyone loves useful tricks and hacks. We have compiled 10 of the most useful Desi hacks for you to try out.
Not only are they cheap but they will also save your time, effort and energy.
Baking Soda to Restore Shine to Silver
You are probably wondering why would someone recommend baking soda as a Desi life hack?
People may think baking soda is used just for baking, however, baking soda is one of the most useful items that you can use around the house.
There are a number of uses for baking soda such as acting as natural toothpaste, but it can also be used for restoring silver utensils.
It is perfectly normal when cutlery and jewellery lose their shine but it is usually replaced.
You do not need to worry as baking soda will help restore utensils to their glistening selves.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 2 cups of boiling water
- A pinch of salt
- 1 sheet of aluminium foil
- Glass dish
Method
- Place the foil on the bottom of the glass dish. Meanwhile, mix the salt and baking soda with the hot water.
- Pour the baking soda water into the glass dish and place your utensils into the water. Leave it for around 30 minutes.
This simple method will break down the tarnish as the silver and aluminium foil causes a chemical reaction.
You will be able to see the tarnish being broken down. The result is shiny utensils as a result of a few easily accessible ingredients.
Toothpaste to Remove Stains
Toothpaste is one of the more common items when it comes to Desi hacks for the home.
It can certainly brighten your smile, but it is also handy when it comes to solving common household problems like acting as a stain remover.
There are many variations of toothpaste, however, it is simple white toothpaste which is the most effective.
Toothpaste is excellent for removing lipstick and ink stains from your clothes.
For the best results, ensure that the toothpaste fully covers the stain. Then fold it over and rub together so that the toothpaste has gone into the stain.
Rinse it off with the warm water and the stain should be gone. So, the next time there is a stain on your clothes, try removing it with toothpaste.
Microwave Cleaning
Regular use of a microwave can lead to stains and smears of food over time. The problem is cleaning it as it can be difficult.
But, there are two tips to ensure an easy job when it comes to microwave cleaning.
Vinegar
Everyone knows that vinegar is used for cooking purposes, but did you know that it has a bunch of uses around the house.
This includes being used as a way of cleaning a microwave especially if there are stains which are hard to remove.
Pour a quarter cup of vinegar into a glass bowl then add one cup of water. Put it in for around seven minutes or until some of the water has evaporated.
Once the time is done, wipe the inside of the microwave using a cloth. It will help remove any grease and stains inside.
Lemon
Another effective method to go for includes the use of a lemon.
Measure about a half cup of water in a bowl, squeeze the lemon juice into the water then drop the lemon halves into the bowl.
Place the bowl into the microwave for five minutes. Once done, carefully remove the bowl.
Thoroughly wipe the inside of the microwave by starting with the ceiling and the sides.
This method has two benefits as it will help break down any dirt as well and it will leave your microwave smelling fresh.
Lemon to Remove Stains from Wood
As well as being used to clean microwaves, lemon is also effective for remove stains from wood.
Food stains can become stubborn especially when it comes to removing it from light wood and plastic cutting boards.
Lemon can help by squeezing the juice onto the stain and scrub it using a sponge for a few seconds.
Leave it for 20 minutes to half an hour so that it breaks down the dirt. Rinse it off using clean water.
For more difficult stains, mix some salt in with the lemon juice before applying it to the wood. You will have to scrub it more and leave it for a longer period of time.
It will be worth the wait as wooden surfaces are likely to appear cleaner.
Coconut Oil for Wood Varnish
Wooden kitchen surfaces give it a modern look but they can be difficult to maintain as grease and dirt can build up. This can leave surfaces looking unappealing.
One effective home hack is to use coconut oil as it acts like a varnish to make them look glossy and give them a layer of protection.
It will also remove any impurities and dust particles while the lauric acid from coconut oil content kills any microbes.
All you need is one tablespoon of coconut oil and a clean cloth.
The method is to clean the surface with a slightly damp cloth before drying. Rub the coconut oil onto another clean cloth then apply to the wood in a circular motion.
Allow it to dry then buff in the direction of the grain. The result is shiny wooden surfaces.
Salt for Cleaning a Scorched Iron
A scorched iron is bound to come when used over a period of time. While it can still be used, it can ruin clothes and make them smell weird.
The natural thing to do is to replace it but this home hack can prevent you from doing so and will save you money.
Using salt to clean it can do the trick in saving your scorched iron.
All you need to do is to spread several tablespoons of table salt onto a soft cloth and rub the heated iron back and forth until the scorch marks disappear.
Once the iron has cooled down, rub with a damp cloth to remove any excess salt granules.
It will leave your iron looking as good as new.
Rice to Wash Narrow-Necked Bottles
You might have narrow or irregular shaped necked bottles, jars or utensils which may look good but are tough to clean.
No hand or sponge would be able to fit inside so that they can be cleaned properly.
However, you don’t need to give up on buying them because rice is a great method to try.
The rice is a hard substance which acts as an abrasive tool to help scrub away any dirt from these types of bottles.
It is also a great trick for washing baby bottles.
The key is to fill the bottle with a little water, some rice and a tiny amount of washing up liquid. Put the lid back on and give it a shake.
Rinse it out and you will be left with a spotless bottle.
Clearing Nasty Fridge Odours
There are so many items in your fridge that can make your fridge smell wonders. But then there are certain items that can give your fridge a nasty smell.
If it isn’t certain items, it’s all the combined food odour that is enough for you to think about cleaning your fridges.
Cleaning up a fridge may not sound easy but there are a number of ways to get rid of any off-putting smells.
If your fridge has certain odours than simply spread ground coffee evenly on a plate and place in the back of the fridge for at least 24 hours.
The same can be done with baking soda and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
All three work to absorb any poor odours and will leave your fridge with a fresh smell.
Vinegar to Clean Glasses
Glasses lose their shine over time. This is mostly down to water spots which can build-up.
This can leave glasses looking dull and can even leave white stains.
This trick from the Desi hacks will transform dull glasses into sparkling ones like when they were new, use vinegar.
Apply a little vinegar onto a soft cloth or cotton wool. Gently scrub the glasses before leaving to dry.
Once they have dried, rinse the vinegar with water and you will see the shine return to your glasses.
Vinegar is not only for glasses. It can also be used to clean any crystal dishes or fine china. This home hack will make them gleam like new again.
Onion for Grill Rack Cleaning
The summer is for barbeques but the downside is that grill racks become charred due to the fat from the meat.
When it cools down, the dirt hardens and it becomes very hard to clean.
Although it is possible with vigorous scrubbing, it is time-consuming but one way which will make life easier is to use an onion.
Simply peel a white onion and cut it into half. Use one half to rub back and forth over the rack while it is still hot.
The heat means it has not fully hardened but the onion loosens up any grit and grime which will eventually come off the grill.
Ensure that the grill is hot to burn off any remaining food and put the onion at the end of a long grilling fork to prevent any injury.
These home Desi hacks are great to make daily life much easier and the best part is many of these items can be found around the house.
Not only are they cost effective but they are also free from any harsh chemicals which may cause damage.
These 10 Desi hacks for the home are tried and tested, so you can definitely get a return from trying them out.
Try them for yourself and see if they help with your home life.
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