If there’s anything we love, it’s a product that multitasks. Through the years, we’ve obsessively tried and tested many products to clean, sanitize, polish, refurbish, de-bug, de-clog, and de-stain (is this a word?) our home and these 5 products have always been the ones we’ve relied on to work reliably and safely for a bustling house full of kids.
(These are all our honest reviews and are not endorsed by any brands. These are really what we use!).
- VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA
Okay, okay, this is not groundbreaking news but hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. They work! The Batman and Robin of my pantry shelf. This dynamic duo is never in short supply in my kitchen. We’ve used them to clean and declog sinks and toilets (they sanitize and deodorize them too!) and can be used safely around the house. We have also utilized them individually with reliable success.
What do they do?
Removes slime
Vinegar on its own works great on “melting” hardened glue/Borax slime (we are soooo glad this trend is overrrrr!) on kids’ clothes, carseat covers and upholstery. (Soak and work well into the hard slime and let sit for 5-10 minutes before loading into the washing machine.)
Neutralizes body odor
A combo of vinegar, baking soda, dishwashing soap (which melts greasy residue) and water work well to
remove deodorant stains and sweaty underarm (and other pesky) odors—a good scrub (use a brush!) with this paste and an overnight soak (for the really, really stubborn ones) should do the trick before your usual load.
Cleans floors/surfaces
A bit of baking soda makes a good emergency cleanser for tile floors (and kitchen counter surfaces). We sprinkle about two tablespoons (for 2 liters of water) in our mop water for a good, light, gentle, daily cleaning. For a deeper clean, we use an organic all-purpose cleanser (Tip: the ratio of water to baking soda should be around 1 liter of water to 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Too much baking soda makes the floors too slimey and the residue harder to rinse off). Rinse off with a clean mop and water.
Washes fruit and veggies
One teaspoon of baking soda to 2 cups of water. Soak for two minutes. According to sources, this natural formula is an effective way to wash off pesticides. We also add rock salt for a natural double impact. Let sit for 5 minutes. (You’ll be surprised how dirty the water becomes.)
2. WD-40
Contrary to popular belief, this handy lubricating spray is not made of fish oil. Described as a “multi-use product”, WD-40 (or Water Displacement 40th formula) is good for squeaks, rusty joints and removing sticky goo, making this the miracle spray that will keep the peace (literally) in any household. (Warning: avoid spraying if kids are present. Although it declares a low oral toxicity when ingested, practice extreme caution during usage. Ventilate area well after use.)
What does it do?
Rust buster
The straw-like tube that comes with the container makes hard to reach spaces easy to reach. Works well on de-rusting padlocks, gate hinges, crib latches, stroller joints, and sticky cabinet hinges, truly a homemaker’s BFF. It can also be used to remove the sticky glue left behind by price tags.
Gets rid of squeaks
Squeaky doors and knobs are a parent’s worst nightmare especially if they’re trying to make a quick escape during naptime! A few well-directed spritzes of this “dry lubricant” can make naptimes and quick escapes less hit or miss. Yay! More me-time for mommy!
3.
MAGIC ERASER
Non-toxic and easy to use, the aptly named Mr. Clean Magic Eraser “magically” rubs off seemingly impossible markings left
behind by adults and kids alike—making this cleaning tool the jewel in my homemaker crown. This absorbent sponge acts like a soft abrasive that scrubs any stubborn stain into submission while keeping most surfaces unscathed.
The best part? You only need WATER! No need for soaps, solvents or cleansers. (Warning: avoid glossy finishes, stainless steel and colored surfaces).
*There are generic brands (ranging in price from Php50-Php130 for a pack) available in popular supermarkets and hardware stores, they perform effectively as well.
What does it do?
Erases permanent ink/crayon marks
Hard to clean crayon, pen ink, permanent marker scribbles, begone! We’ve also used this to clean up grubby fingerprints on doors, walls, door jambs, light switches and windowsills.
Shoe Cleaner
Our kids’ white sneakers never looked so good! Stubborn dirt, scuff marks, sporty scratches are cleaned up on rubber, and synthetic surfaces. (Tip: Test on a small area to make sure it doesn’t remove the sheen on some synthetics)
Degreases white boards
Parents and teachers alike love this! Over time, white boards develop a filmy surface residue, the eraser restores them back to their good-as-new state. And if you’ve ever used permanent marker accidentally (we have), this rubs it right off, whew!
Clears up (bathroom/kitchen) hard water stains
Blurry mirrors, shower stalls and bathroom fixtures get a new life!
4. TERRO ANT KILLER We’ve tried the chalk, the powder, the spray and various other DIY formulations we found on the internet but none have proven effective in killing household ants for the long haul. That is, until, we found Terro. Apply a small amount on the attached paper “targets” and watch the busy soldier ants bring this juicy poison (made with Borax) back to the queen. This is not an instant extermination, it takes a few days for the worker ants to do your job for you. Let them drink the sweet liquid undisturbed and they will bring it back to their queen, eventually killing the entire colony! You will be ant-free for months (we mean it, months!). A small bottle costs around P750 (Very pricey. But find that if we wait for the sale, we can buy a couple of bottles to stock up) from Robinsons HandyMan but oh-so-worth-it. Reapply once you discover a few die-hard stragglers wanting to make a comeback. What does it do? Kills ants and how…
5. COCONUT OIL A kitchen staple that’s not just good for your health but for your furniture too!
What does it do?
Wood Polisher
Did you know this old kitchen standby is great in reviving old wooden furniture or home accessories? A light rub and a few drops of this humble oil instantly revives dull, dried out and dusty wood surfaces—giving tired furniture a facelift.
Leather Goods Polisher
Bags, belts, shoes and all sorts of leather goods will get revived the natural way. (Watch that dried-out vintage leather bag you got from your mom come alive.)
Conditions and sanitizes wooden cutting boards
After washing, apply a generous rub of this natural antibacterial oil to kill existing bacteria embedded in wooden cutting boards. It will condition it and make it last longer too. Just make sure to wipe off the excess and wipe down with a clean cloth.
Nourishing bug spray
Its gentle, skin-friendly qualities make this the perfect carrier for essential oils. Mix with a few drops of citronella, lavender or lemongrass for the perfect DIY bug spray that also moisturizes your skin.
So, there you have it! Five household essentials that have stood the test of time and have been our army of reliable soldiers through raising three kids, moving to four different residences (and counting!) and coming face-to-face with messes/situations only moms can imagine.
