Buying lots of cleaning products for different areas of our homes can be an expensive business.
But one kitchen cooking staple that can be found in almost every home has a hidden talent that could make some of your household items look as good as new.
Olive oil excels at conditioning and polishing, making it a natural go-to cleaning product for a range of surfaces, including stainless steel, leather and wood.
While it can’t replace traditional sprays and pastes for tackling grime, just a small dab can work wonders when it comes to brining it back to life.
Using a microfibre cloth, olive oil can buff away fingerprints, enhance shine and even reducing the visibility of fine scratches on delicate metal kitchen appliances.
It’s not just stainless steel that can benefit from streak-free cleaning. The experts at Clear It Waste have also revealed that items made of leather and wood can benefit from olive oil’s restorative properties.
Whether it’s reviving worn leather sofas or bringing dried-out chopping boards and wooden spoons back to life, just a few drops can enhance their texture and appearance.
Savvy shoppers can pick up a small bottle of olive oil for as little as £2.50 at Asda. With just a few drops needed every time, it’s a small investment that could last through many household cleans to come.
Other natural and affordable cleaning products that will help your home sparkle for less, include:
Vinegar
With its antimicrobial properties vinegar is perfect for dissolving mineral deposits, grease and grime.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water to clean windows, countertops, doors and cupboards. For tougher jobs, undiluted vinegar can break down buildup in showers, baths, and toilets, simply spray, let sit, and rinse.
White distilled vinegar is the ideal choice, as it won’t stain surfaces.
Lemon
Rubbing half a lemon or lemon juice on chopping boards can eliminate tough food stains and smells, with a sprinkle of salt adding extra scrubbing power.
The same mix works on fabric stains if you let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing.
Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda is an old favourite when it comes to natural cleaners due to its mild abrasive properties.
When combined with so
me water to make a thick paste, bicarbonate of soda is perfect for scrubbing tricky stains. Not only can it be used on dishes and pans, but a bicarbonate of soda paste is also perfect for bigger jobs like cleaning the oven door or scrubbing a BBQ grill.
