Kitchen

§ For more effective dishwashing, add a few tablespoons of vinegar along with the dishwashing detergent when washing dishes. The vinegar cuts the grease and leaves dishes sparkling.

§ To clean up spills in your oven, sprinkle the spills immediately with salt. When the oven has cooled, brush away the burnt-on food with a damp sponge.

§ To disinfect smelly sponges, wash sponge thoroughly, then microwave it while it is wet, for a short period. When you see steam from the sponge, the bacteria in the sponge will be dead. Remove carefully it will be hot! Wash the sponge thoroughly before use.

§ To whiten an old stained sink, poor a half cup of salt in it and then scrub it with a lemon. Let it stand for a few minutes and rinse.

§ To remove skid marks on linoleum rub the spot with toothpaste before washing the floor.

§ To keep your plastic containers from getting stained from tomato-based foods, rub the inside with vegetable oil before placing the food in the container.

§ Odor producing mold and bacteria in garbage cans: sprinkle 1/2 cup Borax in the bottom of the garbage can.

§ Cleaning coffee maker: Pour straight vinegar into it as if you are making the coffee, no filter is need. Turn coffee maker on as if you were making a pot of coffee. Repeat this with a new batch of vinegar until it runs clear of calcium deposits.

§ Garbage Disposal: If you've got a lemon that's a little past its prime, cut it in quarters and run it through your sink disposal to freshen your drain.

Bathroom

§ Shower curtains can be renovated by being washed, on gentle cycle, with a pint of white vinegar.

§ To clean tubs and showers use a product that contains phosphoric acid, there is no scrubbing involved.

§ Buildup on shower doors: Wipe with lemon oil. Removes buildup and keeps doors protected longer from future buildup.

§ Removing mildew from shower or bath: 3 parts bleach and 1 part water -- put in spray bottle. Spray on mildew areas and it will virtually disappear.

§ Clean the toilet bowls while you're away by pouring in 1/4-cup bleach and leaving it until you return.

§ Keep the toilet bowl ring-free by pouring a half-gallon of white vinegar in it once a month. Let it soak overnight before flushing.

§ To avoid clogging and odors, pour one-cup baking soda down the bowl weekly.

§ For immediate air freshener in the bath, place a fabric softener sheet in the wastepaper basket or add a dab of fragrance on a light bulb. When the light is on, the heat releases the aroma.

§ Cleaning the Sink. For light stains, rub with a fresh cut lemon. For dark stains (like rust) rub with a paste of borax and lemon juice.

Laundry

§ To remove perspiration stains in clothing, soak in warm vinegar and water.