LITMIR.BIZ

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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.

LAUNDRY

      SWEET-SMELLING BABY CLOTHES

      Do you have a baby or small child at home? Add a cup of clear vinegar to each washload of baby clothes during the rinse cycle. This will break down the uric acid and leave the clothes lovely and soft as well as smelling fresh.

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      KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY

      If your washing machine isn’t taking all the powder from the detergent drawer, check you’re storing it properly – the powder will be sticky or hard if it’s in a damp place. If the detergent isn’t damp, it may be that the drawer’s water jets are blocked. A water softener such as Calgon will help protect the heating element and other parts of your washing machine, but it won’t stop limescale forming on the jets if you live in a hard-water area. To clean the jets, mix equal parts clear vinegar and water. Remove the drawer, then scrub the solution onto the roof of the empty compartment. Now run an idle wash – have the drum empty, set the machine to the hottest programme and add the maximum dose of detergent.

      SOFT TOWELS GUARANTEED

      Overusing fabric conditioner will actually make towels less absorbent and hard. If there’s a build-up it never actually gets rinsed out, and every time you use the washing machine, more and more is added and gets left behind. This will eventually make coloured fabrics look dull and whites grey. To keep the fluff factor in your towels, check you’re using enough detergent and include softener only every second or third time you wash them. Other times, use the same amount of clear vinegar as you would conditioner – add half a cup to the first rinse (tip it into the detergent drawer while the machine is filling with water). This is how they launder them commercially, which is probably why hotel towels stay so fluffy (and no – they won’t smell vinegary). Finally, rinse and spin well (this way you’ll eject more hard-water impurities). Line-drying helps to keep fibres fluffy; radiators do the opposite.

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      IT’S THE PITS

      How annoying is it when the armpits of your favourite shirts turn yellow and hard from sweat, and after a while normal washing just won’t hack it? Soak the stained area overnight in a solution of half clear vinegar, half water, then machine-wash as normal.

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      BACK TO BLACK

      When a black item turns an unappealing shade of grey over a number of washes, chances are this is because of a build-up of detergent left in the fabric, rather than actual loss of black dye. To sort this, soak the item for a few hours in a sink filled with warm water with a little clear vinegar. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly and machine-wash as normal.

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      SMOKE GETS UP YOUR NOSE

      Admittedly this is not an everyday occurrence, but house fires do happen. If you’re in the unfortunate position of trying to rescue smoke-damaged clothes, bedlinen and towels that are stinking, first sprinkle everything with bicarbonate of soda, then machine-wash twice, adding a cupful of vinegar to the drum for each cycle. If possible, hang everything outside on a washing line (which will help to get rid of the smell).

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      SEAL WITH A SPRITZ

      Nasty germs and smelly mould can lurk in your washing-machine seal. Mix equal quantities of water and clear vinegar in a spray bottle and squirt onto the inside of the seal. Leave for a few minutes then wipe clean.

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      LOOK AFTER YOUR IRON AND IT WILL LOOK AFTER YOU

      Most steam irons nowadays have some type of self-cleaning or anti-calc system – use these once a month according to the instructions on the packet and from the manufacturer. If your iron doesn’t have this feature, pour equal parts clear vinegar and tap water into the reservoir until it’s about one-third full. Turn the heat to medium and allow the iron to steam for 5–10 minutes until all the vinegar evaporates. Switch off the iron, then fill the reservoir with fresh water. Turn on the iron again to flush through any leftover mineral deposits and vinegar. Switch off, allow to cool, then wipe the base with a soft clean cloth. If you think the steam vents are still clogged, clear with a cotton bud dipped in water with a little vinegar added. To

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