Sprinkling salt on a cutting board and scrubbing with half a lemon kills bacteria with the citric juice while the salt scrubs away food particles; the other half of the lemon works just as well to shine up faucets afterward.
Four Natural Cleaning and Beauty Tricks for Summer
Cleaning with natural, edible ingredients is an easy way to avoid harsh chemicals on surfaces where food gets prepped and eaten. Here are a few favorites, plus a couple of beauty tricks using a bathroom staple.
Disinfect a Cutting Board With Lemon and Salt
Clean Counters With a Vinegar Solution
A homemade mix of half water and half vinegar cleans countertops naturally; a few drops of a favorite essential oil can mellow the vinegar scent for anyone who isn't a fan.
Mattify Oily Skin With Baby Powder
A small amount patted onto greasy skin soaks up excess oil for a shine-free complexion.
Fight Foot Odor and Blisters With Baby Powder
Sprinkled on feet and in shoes, baby powder absorbs moisture to cut down on odor, and brushed onto blister-prone spots like heels and toes it creates a friction-reducing barrier; a talc-free version made from cornstarch or arrowroot works just as well for anyone avoiding talc.
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This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →