42 truly extraordinary uses for household staples you already own

While quarantining in our own homes, we seem to be pivoting to two essential paradigms: cleaning as much as possible and using as little as possible. We arrive here in this article at the intersection of these two things. Here are some of the most adept and efficient ways to get the most out of what you already have.

No scrub pad? Use aluminium foil as a temporary replacement. Crumple a handful and scour to polish stainless steel pots (foil may damage nonstick pots).

Here are other brilliant uses for aluminium foil.

Mix one part vinegar with four parts water. Pour on the sweat stain and soak for one minute. Wash in a regular cycle.

To loosen stubborn glue dried on scissors or a benchtop, cover it with WD-40. It can dissolve the adhesive components of even strong glue to make it easier to remove.

Fill the chamber of a drip coffeemaker with water. Drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets. Once they dissolve, run a brew cycle to wash the machine’s tubes. Rinse the chamber two to three times, then run another brew cycle with plain water. The sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid in the effervescent heartburn aid make it a powerhouse cleaner.

Conventional cleaners don’t dissolve stubborn soap build-up on shower doors. Spray the glass with cooking spray and leave for 30 minutes. The oil slides between the glass and the soap scum, making it easy to wash. Wipe off with soapy water (use a wet sponge with a drop of dishwashing liquid).

Fido leaving your furniture furry? Lightly dampen a sponge, and rub it across upholstery. It will easily lift pet hair from the surface.

Discover more cleaning hacks that every dog or cat owner should know. 

Just cooked fish? Painted a room? Pour vinegar into a glass or bowl, and set it in the affected room for 30 minutes.

Here are more top tips for banishing bad smells in your home. 

Wood handles on tools splinter over time. To protect your tools, spray a generous amount of WD-40 on the wood. This displaces moisture from the surface and creates a barrier against corrosive elements in the environment that can cause splintering.

For almost effortless oven cleaning, fill a bowl with ammonia and set it in an unheated oven overnight; remove the bowl the next day. The ammonia’s fumes will have loosened the gunk so you can wipe it off with a wet sponge or paper towel.

Here are 20 more clever uses for ammonia you’ll wish you knew sooner.