Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (2024)

Share with your friends!

FacebookPinterestMessengerWhatsAppEmailFlipboardRedditSMSX

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (1)

House cleaning today often seems like a high-tech affair. We’ve got robot vacuums, steam mops, and all sorts of fancy gadgets. But not too long ago, people kept their homes spotless without any of these modern conveniences.

These old-school cleaning methods might sound strange to our modern ears, but they worked wonders. Many of these techniques have fallen out of use over time, replaced by store-bought cleaners and fancy appliances.

But here’s the thing: a lot of these forgotten tips still work great today. They’re often cheaper, better for the environment, and just as effective as their modern counterparts.

In this post, we’re going to share 23 nearly forgotten house cleaning tips that were once common knowledge. These tricks might surprise you, but don’t knock them until you’ve tried them!

You’ll learn how to clean with things you probably already have in your kitchen, and you might even save some money along the way. So roll up your sleeves, and let’s rediscover these cleaning gems our grandparents swore by!

Table of Contents

Clean Windows with Newspaper

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (2)

Forget about paper towels or fancy microfiber cloths. Our grandparents knew the secret to streak-free windows: newspaper! It might sound crazy, but it really works. Grab an old newspaper, crumple it up, and dip it in a mix of water and vinegar.

Then, wipe your windows in a circular motion. The paper won’t leave any lint behind, and the vinegar cuts through grime like a champ. When you’re done, your windows will sparkle like never before.

Plus, you’re giving that old newspaper a second life before it hits the recycling bin.

28 Genius Cleaning Hacks Using What You Have at Home

Polish Furniture with Tea Bags

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (3)

Next time you finish your cup of tea, don’t toss that tea bag! It’s a secret weapon for polishing wooden furniture. Once the tea bag has cooled, gently rub it on your wooden surfaces. The tannins in the tea bring out the natural shine of the wood and even help hide small scratches.

Earn Free Gift Cards

Do you want to make money online simply by searching, shopping, surveys, or playing games?

Pros:

  • Account creation is free
  • Big bonus on sign up
  • Many ways to earn free money
  • Mobile-friendly rewards site and apps
  • Simple to complete tasks
  • $10 to sign up

Cons:

  • Not exactly passive income
  • Redeeming SB points sometimes takes awhile
  • It isn't easy to qualify for all surveys
  • Customer service isn't the greatest (or fastest)

Earn Free Money Now

ChaChingQueen Review

It’s like giving your furniture a refreshing drink. Just make sure to wring out the tea bag well, you want it damp, not soaking wet. Your tables and chairs will thank you for this natural, chemical-free polish.

How to Remove Stickers from Wood Furniture: From A Mom (With Video)

Sprinkle Salt to Remove Carpet Stains

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (5)

Uh-oh, did you just spill red wine on your light-colored carpet? Don’t panic! Grab the salt shaker and get to work. Pour a generous amount of salt right on top of the spill. The salt will start absorbing the liquid immediately, pulling it out of the carpet fibers before it has a chance to set.

Let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up. You’ll be amazed at how much of the stain disappears. This trick works on all sorts of spills, not just wine. It’s like having a stain-fighting superhero right in your kitchen!

Remove Paint From Carpet: A Tale Of Twins, Art, And A Little Household Magic

Use Bread to Clean Wallpaper

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (6)

This next tip might make you do a double-take, but trust me, it works. Got smudges or dirt on your wallpaper? Reach for a slice of white bread. Yep, you read that right, bread! Take a piece of soft white bread and gently rub it on the dirty spots on your wallpaper.

The bread acts like a sponge, picking up dirt and smudges without damaging the delicate paper. Just remember to use fresh bread, stale bread might crumble and make a bigger mess. It’s a cheap and easy way to freshen up your walls without harsh chemicals.

Food Shortages Ahead? 20 Items You Should Buy To Prepare

Revive Dull Wood with Mayonnaise

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (7)

Is your wooden furniture looking a bit sad and dull? The solution might be sitting in your fridge right now. Grab that jar of mayonnaise and get ready for some furniture magic. Spread a thin layer of mayo on the wood, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a clean cloth.

The oils in the mayonnaise nourish the wood, bringing back its natural shine and luster. It’s like a face mask for your furniture! This trick works especially well on water rings left by glasses. Your wooden surfaces will look refreshed and revitalized in no time.

Cornstarch Hacks: 35 Clever Uses for Cornstarch Around the House

Hide Wood Scratches with Pecan Nuts

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (8)

Got a scratch on your wooden table? The fix might be in your pantry. Grab a pecan nut and crack it open. Rub the meat of the nut over the scratch, pressing firmly. The oils in the nut will help fill in the scratch and match the color of the wood.

It works especially well on darker woods. After rubbing, buff the area with a soft cloth. The scratch will be much less noticeable, and your wood looks good as new. It’s like makeup for your furniture!

🛑 Ditch These 10 Toxic Cleaners for Safer Alternatives That Actually Work 💪

Remove Glass Smudges with Potato Slices

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (9)

Got fingerprints all over your mirrors or glass tables? Don’t waste money on expensive glass cleaners. Instead, head to your pantry and grab a potato. Cut the potato in half and rub the cut side on the smudged glass.

The natural starches in the potato break down oils and grime, leaving your glass surfaces sparkling clean. After you’ve rubbed the potato all over, wipe the glass with a clean, dry cloth.

You’ll be amazed at how well this simple trick works. It’s a natural, chemical-free way to get your glass surfaces shining like new.

🙋‍♀️If you like what you are reading, then click like and subscribe to my newsletter. We share tips to waste less time and money.

Clean Wooden Floors with Black Tea

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (10)

Your morning cup of tea isn’t just good for waking you up, it can also work wonders on your wooden floors. Brew a pot of strong black tea and let it cool completely.

Then, dip a soft cloth into the tea and wring it out well.Use this to mop your wooden floors gently. The tannins in the tea clean the wood and bring out its natural shine. As a bonus, your house will smell amazing afterward.

It’s a natural, non-toxic way to clean and polish your floors all at once.Just be sure not to soak the floor, a little goes a long way!

How To Clean Wood Flooring: A Landlord Answers

Polish Silver with Flour

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (11)

Tarnished silver can be a real eyesore, but you don’t need expensive silver polish to make it shine again. The secret ingredient? Flour! Mix equal parts flour, salt, and water to make a paste.

Rub this paste onto your tarnished silver items, let it sit for about an hour, then rinse it off with warm water. The mild abrasives in the flour and salt gently scrub away the tarnish without scratching the silver.

Your silverware and jewelry will look like new in no time, and you don’t have to buy any special cleaners.

How to Clean Silver – Easy DIY Silver Cleaners (No Harsh Chemicals)

Eliminate Pet Odors with Vinegar

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (12)

If you’ve got furry friends at home, you know they can sometimes leave behind not-so-pleasant odors. But you don’t need to buy expensive pet odor eliminators. The solution is probably already in your pantry: vinegar!

Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on fabrics, carpets, or any surfaces where pet odors linger. The vinegar neutralizes the smell instead of just masking it.

Don’t worry about your house smelling like vinegar, the scent disappears as it dries. It’s a natural, pet-safe way to keep your home smelling fresh.

50+ Uses for Vinegar – Home, office, car, garden, beauty, health, and pets

Clean Oil Paintings with Bread Crumbs

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (13)

Do you have old oil paintings that have collected dust and grime over the years? Cleaning them can be tricky, but our ancestors had a clever solution: bread crumbs! Take a slice of soft white bread and let it get a bit stale. Then, gently rub the bread on the surface of the painting.

The soft crumbs will pick up dust and dirt without damaging the delicate paint. It’s like a tiny, edible sponge for your art! This method is much safer than using water or harsh cleaners on valuable paintings. Just be sure to brush off any leftover crumbs when you’re done.

24 Olive Oil Secrets That Will Transform Your Daily Routine

Clean Grills with Onions

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (14)

Got a dirty grill? Forget about those wire brushes and harsh chemicals. Our grandparents had a tasty solution: onions! Cut an onion in half and stick it on a long fork.

Then, while your grill is still hot after cooking, rub the cut side of the onion all over the grates.The onion’s natural oils will break down grime and burnt-on food.

Plus, it adds a nice flavor to your grill for next time. Just be careful not to burn yourself! This method is safe, natural, and leaves your grill clean and seasoned for your next cookout.

🙋‍♀️If you like what you are reading, then click like and subscribe to my newsletter. We share tips to waste less time and money.

Fix Glass Scratches with Toothpaste

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (15)

Small scratches on glass can be annoying, but you don’t need to replace the whole item. The fix might be in your bathroom right now. Grab some plain white toothpaste (not the gel kind) and put a small dab on the scratch. Gently rub it in with a soft cloth, using circular motions.

The mild abrasives in the toothpaste help smooth out the scratch, making it less noticeable. After a minute or two of rubbing, wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Your glass will look much better, and you don’t have to buy any special products!

Toothpaste Magic: 70 Household Items You Won’t Believe It Can Clean

Prevent Grease Stains with Chalk

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (16)

Cooking can be messy, especially when it comes to grease stains. But here’s a neat trick to keep your clothes clean: chalk! Before you start cooking, rub some white chalk on areas of your clothes that might get splattered, like the front of your shirt.

If any grease hits these spots, the chalk will absorb it before it can set into the fabric. It’s like having an invisible shield against stains! When you’re done cooking, just brush off the chalk. Your clothes stay clean, and you avoid tough-to-remove grease stains.

How To Make Your Glass Stovetop Sparkle (With Video)

Remove Burnt Food with Stale Bread

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (17)

Don’t throw away that stale bread! It’s a secret weapon for cleaning burnt pots and pans. Take a piece of stale bread and run it under water. Then, use it to scrub the burnt areas of your cookware.

The bread is abrasive enough to remove stuck-on food but soft enough not to scratch your pots and pans. It works especially well on non-stick surfaces that you can’t scrub with metal tools.

Once you’re done, your cookware will be clean, and you’ve found a use for that old bread!

Freshen Garbage Cans with Mint

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (18)

Garbage cans can get pretty smelly, but you don’t need chemical air fresheners to fix that. Try this natural solution: mint leaves! Toss a few fresh mint leaves in the bottom of your garbage can. The mint will help neutralize odors and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.

You can also use dried mint if you don’t have fresh leaves. Every time you take out the trash, add a few new leaves. It’s an easy, natural way to combat garbage odors without using harsh chemicals.

DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner: How To Easily Clean A Garbage Disposal

Repel Moths with Cinnamon

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (19)

Forget about mothballs and their strong chemical smell. Try cinnamon instead! Put a few cinnamon sticks in your closets or drawers. The strong scent of cinnamon naturally repels moths, keeping your clothes safe.

As a bonus, your clothes will smell amazing too! You can also use ground cinnamon in small sachets if you don’t have cinnamon sticks. It’s a pleasant-smelling, natural way to protect your clothes without using harsh chemicals.

Plus, your closet will smell like a bakery!

24 Cinnamon Tricks Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (20)

If you have a fireplace, you’ve got a free metal polish right under your nose. Take some cool wood ashes and mix them with a little water to make a paste. Use this paste to polish brass, copper, or silver items.

The mild abrasives in the ash will make your metals shine without scratching them. Just rub the paste on with a soft cloth, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off. Your metal items will sparkle like new, and you don’t have to buy any expensive polishes.

64 Creative And Practical Uses Of Hydrogen Peroxide

Remove Candle Wax with Ice Cubes

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (21)

Spilled candle wax can seem like a disaster, but there’s an easy fix. Grab some ice cubes and put them in a plastic bag. Hold the bag of ice on the wax until it hardens completely.

Once the wax is hard, use a butter knife or credit card to gently scrape it off.The hardened wax will come off in chunks, leaving your surface clean.

This method works on fabric, wood, and even carpet. It’s a quick and easy way to clean up a waxy mess without damaging your surfaces.

17 Creative And Practical Uses Of Dryer Sheets You Might Not Know

Shine Stainless Steel with Cucumber Peels

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (22)

Don’t toss those cucumber peels! They’re great for cleaning stainless steel appliances. Take the peel and rub it all over your stainless steel surfaces. The natural compounds in cucumber help remove water spots and fingerprints, leaving a nice shine behind.

It even helps repel future marks, keeping your appliances cleaner for longer. Plus, it leaves your kitchen smelling fresh and clean. It’s an easy, natural way to make your stainless steel sparkle without any harsh chemicals.

Clogged and Costly: 20 Items That Will Destroy Your Kitchen Sink

Clean Leather with Milk

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (23)

Believe it or not, milk is great for cleaning leather! Pour a little milk on a soft cloth and gently wipe your leather furniture or accessories. The proteins in milk help clean and condition the leather, keeping it soft and supple.

Just be sure to use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any excess milk afterward. This method works well on leather shoes, bags, and even car seats. It’s a gentle, natural way to clean and care for your leather items without expensive specialty products.

Maximize Your Space: Decluttering Strategies for a Happy Home

Use Aluminum Foil as a Scrubber

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (24)

Before fancy scrubbers were around, people used aluminum foil to clean tough messes. Crumple up a piece of foil into a ball and use it to scrub stubborn, baked-on food off your pots and pans. It’s especially great for cleaning grills or oven racks.

The foil is abrasive enough to remove tough grime but won’t rust like steel wool. Just be careful not to use it on non-stick surfaces or delicate materials. It’s a cheap and effective way to tackle really tough cleaning jobs.

19 Secret Cleaning Hacks the Pros Keep to Themselves

Clean Leather with Sugar

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (25)

Here’s a sweet trick for cleaning leather: sugar! Mix a little sugar with a few drops of water to make a paste. Gently rub this paste on your leather items with a soft cloth. The sugar acts as a mild abrasive, removing dirt and grime without damaging the leather.

After cleaning, wipe the sugar off with a damp cloth and dry the leather thoroughly. This method works great on leather shoes, bags, and even furniture. It’s a natural, gentle way to keep your leather items looking their best.

Stop Ignoring These 22 Dirty Spots! Here’s How to Clean Them Easily

Let’s Bring Back These Cleaning Gems!

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (26)

We’ve just discovered a treasure trove of cleaning wisdom from the past. These 23 tips show us that effective cleaning doesn’t always need fancy gadgets or harsh chemicals. Our grandparents knew a thing or two about keeping a home sparkling clean with simple, everyday items.

Why not try one of these old-school methods during your next cleaning session? You might discover a new favorite trick that saves you money and helps the environment.

Plus, it’s pretty cool to clean your home the same way people did decades ago. Remember, sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones.

🙋‍♀️If you like what you just read, then subscribe to my newsletter and follow us on YouTube.👈

  • How to Clean Oven with Vinegar and Baking Soda (and salt!)
  • Secret Laundry Tricks: 15 Simple Ingredients for Cleaner, Fresher Clothes
  • Never Miss a Spot Again: The Complete Cleaning Checklist
  • DIY Homemade Shower Head Cleaner – No Tools
  • Many People Forget to Change These Filters, And Later Regret It

AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.

Rediscover These 23 Forgotten Cleaning Tricks That Still Work Like Magic (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5723

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.