Household Heroes

The News & Observer had a great article this weekend in the paper entitled "Household Heroes". We thought we'd pass along a few of their tips.

• Clean a toilet by dropping two Alka-Seltzer tablets in the bowl, wait 20 minutes, brush and flush.
• Shine rusty chrome with a bit of water on a wadded-up piece of aluminum foil.
• Prevent soot from rusting on the bottom of your fireplace or charcoal grill with foil by lining the bottom of the fireplace or grill with aluminum foil.
• Clean a greasy garage floor with baking soda. Sprinkle it on, let stand, scrub and rinse.
• Clean shower curtains by soaking them in water and baking soda.
• Freshen your carpet and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda on them. Allow to sit undisturbed for a half hour or so then vacuum.
• Eliminate water rings on finished wood by wiping them down with a paste of baking soda and toothpaste.
• Get rid of ants by sprinkling an equal part of salt/baking soda around their entries to your house.
• Dissolve soap scum with from door and tile walls with a dryer sheet.
• Soak cookware with burnt or baked food in warm water and a dryer sheet or two. Also works on cook top and cabinet doors.
• Fight mildew in the bathroom with a few cotton balls soaked in bleach. Leave them in hard to reach spots for a few hours. Then rinse with warm water.
• Clean out a slow drain by pouring a 2-liter bottle of cola down the drain.