TRADITIONAL PRODUCT USES

To remove limescale and watermarks from your draining board, spray a small amount of White Vinegar and wipe. Especially effective on stainless steel.

Waste disposal units Borax helps deodorise waste disposal units by neutralising acidic odours. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons in the drain, let it stand for at least 15 minutes, then flush with water for a few seconds with the unit switched on. This treatment can be used for sink drains too.

Cooker Hoods To help get rid of grease and odours mix a strong solution of borax in the sink and leave the filter to soak for 15 minutes before rinsing.

In the Bathroom

Baths, basins and showers If a scouring powder is required, mix equal quantities of salt, Bicarbonate of Soda and Borax, and sprinkle on a damp sponge or soft cloth and clean. This can even be used on plastic surfaces without scratching. Rinse thoroughly. White Vinegar is an efficient way to remove limescale and soap scum from baths, sinks, tiles and shower screens. Leave to soak on stubborn stains, and rinse clean. (White Vinegar should not be applied to metal plated surfaces)

Lavatory pans White Vinegar will clear limescale from around the lavatory bowl; add to the bowl and leave over night before flushing away. A severely scaled bowl may need more than one application. Borax is great at deodorising the toilet bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of Borax into the bowl, then swish around with the toilet brush. Let it stand for 30 minutes or if possible, overnight. The bowl will be as fresh as ever

Mirrors An effective way to make your bathroom mirrors gleam without frustrating streaks is to use White Vinegar. Simply spray, and wipe the surface with a clean cloth.

Waste pipes To deodorise your bathroom drains, and prevent odours from resurfacing, pour half a cup of Bicarbonate of Soda down the drain while running warm tap water. This will neutralise odours for a fresh drain.

Floors and vinyl tiles Bicarbonate of Soda can be used to remove the dirt and grime from a bathroom tile or vinyl floor quickly and easily. Mix a half cup in a bucket of warm water, mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor.

Shower curtains Clean and deodorise your vinyl shower curtains by sprinkling Bicarb directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtains and rinse clean. Hang to dry.

Bathroom waste baskets Keep bathroom wastebaskets fresh-smelling with just a sprinkle of Bicarbonate of Soda. Apply regularly as you add to the basket.

Septic tanks Soap Flakes, Aqua Softna, Bicarbonate of Soda, Borax and Laundry Starch are all safe to use with septic tank sewage systems.

Around The House

Deodorising Here's a tip to remember – if you use Bicarbonate of Soda as a fridge or cupboard deodoriser, pour the contents of the old box down the drain to get two uses for the price of one! If your drains lead to a septic tank, Bicarb will help keep the pH balance in the tank at the right level.

Pet odours Borax is a very effective odour neutraliser. Spills on carpets or upholstery will cause stains or leave offensive odours. Borax can help with some of these problem stains. Before treating carpet or upholstery, test an unexposed area with a Borax paste to make sure the dye is colour-fast to spot treatment. Deodorise Pet Bedding: Eliminate odours from pet bedding by sprinkling liberally with Bicarbonate of Soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odours), then vacuum up. Deter your pet: Another quick, simple method of removing pet urine odour on furniture is to spray White Vinegar to the affected area. This will remove the unpleasant smell and deter your pet from returning to the same spot.

Mattresses and spills Neutralise urine and sour spilled milk odours from mattresses and mattress covers by dampening the spot and sprinkling Borax over it. Rub the Borax into the areas and let dry. Brush or vacuum to remove the dry Borax.

Cleaning Windows and Mirrors An ideal method of achieving clean, streak free windows is to use White Vinegar, and buff using an old newspaper – leaving you with windows your neighbours will envy.

Cleaning fruit and vegetables Bicarbonate of Soda is a safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a CLEAN damp sponge, scrub and rinse.

Wooden Floors Indoor wooden and laminate flooring can be cleaned with Soap Flakes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards to remove the soap suds.

Decorating Use a paste made from Laundry Starch to clean stains off wallpapers. (Test for colourfastness first!) Rub on with a soft, clean cloth and then brush off.

Carpets and rugs Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the carpet. Leave for 15 minutes and then vacuum off. To clean a muddy spot, sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the damp area. When dry, vacuum off.