Home cleaning tips: some everyday products that can be used for more than one purpose. Save money and come up with a quick alternative to another product.
How may items in your home could you be using to save money? So many products have more than one use. Today saving money is important to most families. If you can use one item for various things how much would you save? Not to mention, how many things laying around your house could be a quick fix if you run out of something else? Below are just a handful of the double agents in your home. There are many more you can spot if you just look around and experiment.
Broken Diapers: Ever busted one of those side tabs on a diaper? It may be useless for the baby at that point but don't throw it out. Next time you do your dusting, spray the inside of the diaper with your furniture polish and use that instead of an old rag. The absorbent, soft interior will buff your furniture to a higher sheen without a lot of extra effort.
Baking Soda: Baking soda if by far one of the most versatile products on the market. If you've ever eyed up a dirty tub right before putting your kids in, but didn't want to use an abrasive cleaner that might irritate their skin, baking soda is your ticket out. It cleans the tub but alleviates the fear of irritation. It also makes a wonderful alternative to toothpaste if you happen to find yourself out or a quick, safe cleanser for silver jewelry. And don't forget to mix it with some water if you should happen to get stung. It will reduce the swelling and help with the itching.
Conditioner: Run out of shaving lotion but you knick easily if you use plain old soap? Hair conditioner is thick enough to act as a buffer between the razor and the skin, but thin enough to wash away easily. It leaves your legs (or face gentlemen) soft too.
Candles: Candles can do double duty. You can use the end of a candle (white) and rub it around a door jamb during humid months to keep the doors from sticking. You can also tuck the leftover stubs of your favorite scented candles in your lingerie drawer instead of a sachet.
Coffee Filter: Coffee filters make nice disposable bowls for popcorn or snacks if you have a late night snack and a sink full of dirty bowls.
Fabric Sheets: Another multi purpose product. All out of static cling spray and already wearing the dress or skirt? Rub a fabric sheet on the inside and off you go. Try tucking fabric sheets under your throw rugs for a fresh scent and under your car mats instead of buying hanging deodorizers.
Toothpaste: Toothpaste (the paste kind, not gel) can be used on light colored fabrics as a stain remover. Also, try dotting some on a blemish before you go to bed. It'll be dried up by morning.
Nail Polish Remover: Also works on blemishes but remember not to use near your eyes.
Chalk: Chalk not only works on your kids' blackboards and outside on the sidewalk. Chalk will help you cut down on the job of polishing silver. Tuck a few sticks in your silver drawer. It'll help absorb moisture and keep the silver from tarnishing so quickly.
Scrunchies: Small scrunchies will keep baby's pajama bottoms where they should be when the pj's are still a little big. Put the smaller ones around the ankle (make sure they're not too tight!) and the feet should stay on baby's feet instead of dangling down. Also, a scrunchie and a clean dish cloth make a great last minute icepack when filled with ice. Great for a toddler, no fear of the child getting off a regular rubber band and choking on it.
Vick's Vapor Rub: Not only great for colds, but also for taking the itch out of nasty mosquito bites. The bite dries up in half the time.
Hand Lotion: All out of hair conditioner. A light moisturizing cream will do the trick for a leave in conditioner. Remember to only use a few drops on the ends of your hair.
Olive Oil: Out of your good hand lotion. A little splash of olive oil will keep your hands nice and soft.
There are so many double agents in our homes. These are only a few. There is nothing more satisfying, if you're watching your pennies, than making one product do the job of two or more. Good luck!
