Heat two tablespoons of lemon juice in one cup of water on high for 2-3 minutes until boiling. Leave the door closed for five minutes so the vapors will help lift tough grease and grime. When it’s done, remove the glass container and wipe down the inside of microwave with a clean towel or paper towel. Leave your microwave door open and let it air dry.
As a cleaner, nothing’s “greener” than a bright, yellow lemon! This versatile fruit offers more than just a tangy taste treat…it’s a natural degreaser and deodorizer. It even knocks out tough stains, naturally! (Always test it in an inconspicuous area first, though.)
As an all-purpose cleaner. Add equal parts water and lemon juice to a spray bottle for an inexpensive, effective kitchen and bathroom cleaner. You can even use it to remove marks from walls! (Test first.)
As a bleach. Skip the dangerous chlorine…add a 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle in place of conventional bleach and hang clothes to dry. For fresher-smelling laundry all-around, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to a load of clothes after the washer fills and launder as usual.
As bug repellent. Pour lemon juice around areas where ants like to gather to discourage them from coming back.
As a degreaser. Straight lemon juice cuts through grease on pots and pans…even the grill rack in your oven or barbecue.
As a microwave cleaner/deodorizer. Add lemon slices to a microwave-safe bowl of water and heat it in the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds. Old food odors will be neutralize and food stains will wipe away easily!
As a lime scaler. Cut a lemon in half and rub it on the sink or faucet to elminate lime buildup.
As a refrigerator deodorizer. No baking soda on hand? Half a lemon stored in the fridge will help control and eliminate unpleasant smells.
As a toilet cleaner. Mix a 1/2 cup of borax with a half cup of lemon juice for a powerful toilet cleaner that will leave the commode smelling extra clean.
As a glass cleaner. Mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice with a half gallon of water for a cleaner that leaves windows and mirrors sparkling.
As a furniture polish. Buff furniture to a high shine with a mixture of 2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice!
As a drain cleaner. Hot lemon juice and baking soda is a great drain cleaner that’s safe in a septic system. To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh, throw in some lemon peel while it’s running.
As an air freshener. Equal parts lemon juice and water added to an atomizer creates a wonderful, chemical-free air freshener for your home or automobile.
Bonus tip: When lemons get dry and hard, place them in a hot oven for a few minutes to refresh them!
The unique, microfiber weave of Miracle Cloth is more effective at removing dust, dirt, germs, grease and lime safely and effectively. Miracle Cloths last longer than conventional cleaning cloths, reducing environmental impact and saving you money. They do require special care, though, so use these helpful tips for getting the most out of your Miracle Cloths and making them last longer:
• While cleaning, rinse Miracle Cloth frequently in warm water to help prevent streaks and dirt build-up.
• Miracle Cloth cleans with plain water – no chemicals needed! If you do use chemical cleaners, keep in mind it may take two or three washings to completely remove their residue from the microfiber.
• Don’t use fabric softener on your Miracle Cloths, either in the washer (liquids) or the dryer (dryer sheets). Fabric softeners can diminish the powerful cleaning qualities of the microfiber. You don’t need to worry about static cling; this is a normal quality of microfiber cleaning cloths.
• Wash your Miracle Cloths in warm water. Dry them thoroughly to keep them from developing a mildew odor. Don’t wash them with cotton fabrics, as lint from the cotton can stick to the microfiber and be left behind on the surfaces you later clean.
Copper and brass fixtures looking dull? Half a lemon with salt sprinkled over the cut side is a fast, all-natural polisher! Just rub it over the metal and rinse thoroughly. Note: use this method on SOLID brass fixtures only, and be sure to test it in an inconspicuous spot first (a good idea with any polisher).
Smelly feet? Turn your socks into all-natural odor-eaters with this easy concoction! Mix a 1/4 cup of baking soda with a gallon of warm water and soak freshly washed socks in it for a half hour. Run the socks through the rinse cycle your washer and dry as usual. Voila! No more stink!
Winter’s finally over! But are soot and soil marks still hanging around the bricks on your fireplace? Mix together a cup of washing soda (not baking soda, look for it it in the laundry section of your local store) and a gallon of hot water and apply it with a stiff brush (and a lot of elbow grease!) to the stained bricks. Wipe clean with some old rags. You can even use this solution to scrub outdoor stucco walls! Tip: Be sure to cover the carpet around the fireplace with an old sheet or drop cloth. You may also want to have your fireplace checked, since excessive soot and smoke can be a sign that the chimney is not drawing properly.
Put a wet dishcloth in the center of your microwave, set the power to “high,” and zap it for 30-40 seconds. The resulting steam will loosen up any cooked-on spills. Once the cloth has cooled down a little, use it to wipe out the inside of the oven. Voila – you’re done!
Extra tip: To keep the microwave smelling fresh, add 3 or 4 lemon slices to a bowl of water, set the power to “high” and microwave it for at least 30 seconds.
Corduroy fabric is warm, sturdy and stylish! Keep corduroy garments looking their best by turning them inside out for laundering. Wash them in warm water on the delicate cycle. You can dry corduroy clothes in the dryer, but don’t let them dry all the way – take them out while they’re still damp, smooth out seams and pockets, then hang them up to finish drying. Iron them on the “wrong” side so the pile won’t get crushed. To fluff it up even more, brush against the nap with a soft brush.
