Saving Your Scraps

By Donna Cosola, The Cleaning Authority

Our kitchens are full of condiments that we use for cooking and every day eating.  But did you know that most of these household regulars have uses beyond our kitchens?  Here are some ways to save and reuse your kitchen scraps.

Vinegar:

-Stain remover: Spots in carpets can be removed with a simple dilution of one part vinegar, one-sixteenth part lemon juice and eight parts of distilled water.

-Produce cleaner: Vinegar can help remove bacteria and pesticide residue from fruits and vegetables.  Mix three parts water to one part white vinegar and dispense in a spray bottle.

-Sticker remover: Vinegar can be used as a solvent to dissolve many common adhesives.  Put a small amount on a towel and use as a substitute for Goo Gone.

Olive Oil:

-Earache Relief:  Very carefully use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax.  Some recommend heating the olive oil first, but be sure to it’s not too hot!

-Skin Renewer:  Add olive oil to a warm bath for a good healthy soak.  Another option is combining oil with sea salt, applying the mixture to the skin and then rinsing for softer, healthier skin.

Ketchup:

-Copper Shiner:  Massage ketchup over copper pots, and the acid will dissolve the tarnish away.  For stubborn spots, add a pinch of table salt while you polish.

-Hair Color Corrector: After exposure to chlorine, which is found in most swimming pools, apply ketchup to your hair and rinse after 20 minutes.  This will prevent any discoloration often caused by pool chemicals.

Watch Patch for more of my household and green tips, and visit me on Eve, too.