Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with a few tablespoons of water into a spreadable paste, coat the oven interior, and let it sit overnight. Spray a little vinegar over the residue, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Smart Cleaning Tricks for a Gleaming Home
Skip the harsh chemicals -- these cleaning tricks rely on simple, safe ingredients you likely already have on hand to get your home gleaming from top to bottom.
Clean Your Oven With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Clean a Wood Cutting Board With Kosher Salt and Lemon
Sprinkle the board with coarse salt, then scrub it with a halved lemon down each side. Let it sit about five minutes before wiping clean with a sponge -- a good monthly routine for wood boards.
Use a Disposable Razor to Remove Paint From Clothes
Lay the clothing on an ironing board and gently scrape off paint with an old (not new) disposable razor to avoid damaging the fabric.
Clean Your Sofa and Remove Odors With Baking Soda
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the sofa, let it sit about 20 minutes to absorb odors, then vacuum. For stains, mix in a little white vinegar and washing-up liquid with warm water.
Clean Your Blinds With Water and White Vinegar
Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water, wet a sponge, and wipe down each slat once a month -- skip water altogether on wooden blinds.
Remove Oil Stains Out of Carpet With Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit 1-2 hours, or soak the garment in hot water with a few tablespoons of baking soda for about 15 minutes before gently washing.
Use a Hairdryer to Remove Water Rings From Wood
A nasty water ring on wood furniture isn't permanent -- a hair dryer on a low setting can often lift it right out.
Use Lemons to Remove Stains From Faucets
Press a halved lemon onto the faucet, secure it with a plastic bag and rubber band, and leave it for a few hours so the citric acid dissolves hard-water buildup.
Clean Your Tub With Baking Soda and Liquid Soap
Mix a teaspoon of liquid soap, baking soda, and a few drops of antibacterial soap into a paste -- it cleans a tub better than harsh chemicals like bleach.
Clean Stainless Steel With Cream of Tartar
Mix cream of tartar with a bit of water and rub it onto stainless steel to cut through grit and leave it sparkling.
Clean Cast Iron Dishes With Sea Salt
Sprinkle a tablespoon of sea salt onto the iron dish and scrub with a sponge, then rinse clean with warm water.
Clean Baseboards With Dryer Sheets
Swipe a used dryer sheet over dusty baseboards -- it cleans while also repelling dust and pet hair for longer-lasting results.
Remove Grease Stains With Chalk
Rub a piece of white chalk onto a grease stain and let it absorb the oil before brushing off. Repeat if needed before laundering -- a gentler option than hard scrubbing.
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