Читать книгу The Miracle of Vinegar - Emma Marsden - Страница 12
ОглавлениеSHOWER WITH COMPLIMENTS
Take a look at your shower screen, which was once clear and sparkling. Is it now opaque and covered with drip marks, soap scum and grotty bits of limescale? Bring it back to its pristine past: mix some bicarbonate of soda and clear vinegar to a smooth paste and then, using a nylon scourer, apply a layer of the mixture to the shower screen (as well as to any ceramic tiles); you’ll need to exercise a little elbow grease, too, which won’t do any harm to the screen. Leave for a few minutes then rinse off and buff dry to a gleaming shine using a microfibre cloth for glass/mirrors (the smooth, slinky type that’s similar to what you have in your glasses case for specs-cleaning) or, if you don’t have one of those, a few sheets of scrunched-up kitchen paper will do just as well.
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BRILLIANT BATH AND BASIN
Here’s a very effective, mildly abrasive but definitely non-scratchy cleaner for your bath and washbasins. In a bowl, mix together a loose paste of washing-up liquid, bicarbonate of soda and clear vinegar. Apply the mixture to the surface with a damp cloth, rubbing gently to clean away the dirt, then rinse down.
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PUT THE SPARKLE BACK INTO YOUR SHOWERHEAD
Is your chrome showerhead caked with limescale and the water flow really poor? Unscrew it and steep it overnight in a bowl filled with equal quantities of clear vinegar and water. By morning the scale will have miraculously softened and can be peeled off easily. Use a nylon scourer to remove any last stubborn bits. Note: don’t use this on special metal finishes, as the acid in the vinegar can easily damage the surface.
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TAKE THE GROT OUT OF YOUR GROUT
Grouting lines between tiles are absorbent and so latch onto scum and mildew – not a great look! Scrub these areas clean with a damp toothbrush dipped in a paste made of bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of vinegar and bleach, then rinse and buff dry.
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KEEP LIMESCALE IN THE LOO AT BAY
It’s one thing having limescale in your loo, but when it turns brown it’s a step too far. Salts and iron in water cause this, so you need to treat the limescale itself. One good way is to dissolve 250g citric acid powder (available from the chemist or a DIY shop) in a 5-litre bucket of hot water and pour slowly into the bowl. It’ll start to fizz as it dissolves the limescale, so swish it around with a loo brush to help. When the fizzing stops, flush. Repeat if necessary. Keep the scale at bay by pouring a bottle of clear vinegar into the bowl about once a month; leave overnight before flushing away.
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DECLOG THE BATH WASTE
Are you a fan of bath oil? If so, you could be in danger of clogging up the plughole as the oil attracts and collects hair, which eventually bungs up pipes and drains. If you notice that your bath is emptying more slowly than usual, pour a cup each of washing soda crystals and salt down the plughole, then add a cup of clear vinegar followed by a kettle of boiling water. Simultaneously have a go with the plunger – you might be horrified at what could emerge… but far better out than in. Rubber gloves are always a good idea if you’re a bit squeamish.
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A WEE PROBLEM SOLVED
As the mum of two males, I know that if you have small (or even big) boys living with you, you can be sure that some pee will land on the wall behind the cistern, leading to nasty niffs. To zap it immediately, wash with a 50:50 solution of vinegar and warm water. In the long run, it’s best to ensure boys are aiming properly (why can’t they just sit on the loo like the rest of us?). Supervise your small men, and make sure they press down every time… and actually look at what they’re doing! Also, get them into the habit of wiping the rim of the pan afterwards – it’ll soon become automatic.
