by Ann Johnson

Created on: October 09, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Throw everything else away- bi carb soda and white vinegar are the only two cleaning products to stock in the cupboard. Why waste money on expensive household cleaners when cheap, natural ones are already in your pantry?

In the bathroom vinegar can be used for cleaning toilets, removing soap scum and hard water deposits on the bath and basin, and also for removing metal tarnish from taps. Wash the shower curtain in vinegar to remove mould and soap residue. Rinse your hair with vinegar and water to help remove dandruff, or apply gently to sunburnt areas to remove the sting of the burn.

In the laundry soak new clothes in straight vinegar to prevent colour run, or put in final rinse to brighten colours. Use vinegar in the final rinse to reduce fluff and lint on clothes, or rub stains with vinegar to loosen before washing. You can remove odours like smoke from clothes by hanging garment over a hot bath with a cup of vinegar in it.

Vinegar can be used to unblock steam holes in the iron, clean various items like microwave, dishwasher, fridge, washing machine, or to remove stains from pots and pans. Dilute vinegar to clean glass items. You can get rid of weeds on paths by spraying them with vinegar. Soak items in vinegar to remove rust.

A vinegar and sugar mixture is said to get rid of hiccups and vinegar can relieve heartburn.

Equally as useful is bi carb soda, which, when mixed to a paste with water, can be used to clean baths, basins or sinks, oven or anywhere else you usually clean with a soft paste cleaner as it is a mild abrasive. Use it dry in a small container to deodorise the fridge. Use it as a paste to clean the barby, remove burnt food from pots and pans and even to whiten your teeth! You can get rid of the putrid odour from sandshoes by sprinkling with dry bi carb. Use a small amount in the bath water to soften skin, sooth sore muscles, ease nappy rash on babies or sooth rashes causes by chicken pox or measles.

Use a bi carb paste to remove the smell of onions on your hands after cutting. It can also be used to clean dishwashers and garbage disposal units by running the item through their usual paces, but with bi carb instead of commercial cleaners. Use it as a paste to clean coffee residue from coffee and tea pots.

The uses are endless for these cheap environmentally friendly products that live in the pantry.

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