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All-Purpose
Cleaner: 50ml vinegar, 120ml bicarbonate of soda and 50ml
cloudy ammonia. Mix ingredients in 4 litres of hot water.
This is a safe solution for all areas and can be rinsed off with
water. Put the solution in a simple pump-action spray bottle
or pour straight on to your cleaning cloth. Shake the mixture
well before use. Avoid inhaling ammonia vapour.
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Cane: Wipe
cane over with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.
Dry out of doors, if possible, on a warm day.
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Carpets:
To deodorise and fully clean carpets, mix one part borax (a natural
salt) with two parts cornmeal. Sprinkle liberally, leave for
about and hour and vacuum. If you have some tough stains, blot
with vinegar in soapy water. For quick deodorising, spinkle
the carpet with bicarbonate of soda, then vacuum.
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Disinfectant:
Pure tea tree oil is a natural and effective disinfectant. It
can be added to your general cleaners, and is also a handy
antiseptic for cuts or bites.
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Lino
or tile floors: Use the All-purpose cleaner. If you
want a lemon-fresh smell, add a tablespoon of lemon essence to the
rinse water. You can also use a soap, vinegar and water
solution for washing floors.
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Floor
polish: Use bees wax to polish. Or melt 1 tablespoon
of paraffin wax in a double boiler then add a few drops of lemon
essence an dapply with a rag. Allow to dry then polish.
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Furniture
polish: Rub with a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice or
wipe over with a chamois leather wrung out in water and vinegar.
Polish with a soft, dry cloth. Or dissolve 1 teaspoon of lemon
oil in 1 pint of mineral oil and apply with a rag.
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Heat
marks on furniture: Rub with a paste of olive oil or vegetable
oil plus salt or cigarette ash. Remove paste and give the
piece a coat of wax polish.
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Leather:
Remove stains from leather using a solution of vinegar and warm
water. To finish, rube over with olive oil.
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Mirrors:
Use 125ml of white vinegar mixed with 1 litre of water. Rub
dry with a newspaper for an even finish.
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Wood:
A few drops of vinegar in 250ml of water is enough for daily or
weekly use (60ml of vinegar to 1 litre of water if you are making a
large batch). Dip the cloth in this mixture and wring it out
until it is just damp. Run it over the polished surface then
buff with a soft cloth. For more thorough and less frequent
polishing, mix two parts vegetable oil or olive oil with one part
lemon juice. Shake mixture well before use.
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Varnished
surfaces: Wipe over with strained cold tea.
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Vinyl
upholstery: Wash with a strong solution of cider vinegar
then rinse and dry well.
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Wallpaper:
Remove all dust with a feather duster or vacuum cleaner. Wipe
the wall down with 2-day-old, thick slices of bread. For vinyl
wallpaper, clean with a warm cloth and white vinegar.
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Windows:
Use a solution of 125ml of white vinegar and 1 litre of water.
Rub dry to avoid streaking. If windows are very grubby, wash
with soapy water first.