Household Hints
Adhesive marks Remove these with methylated spirits .
Ants Black pepper , baby powder or Borax sprinkled under rugs will deter ants .
Bird droppings If fresh , wash with warm water . If dried , scrape off excess with a mix of mild detergent and water , adding a few drops of ammonia to remove any stains .
Carpet Where carpet has been flattened by heavy furniture , place ice cubes on the area and the carpet will lift as the ice melts . To deodorise carpet , sprinkle generously with baking soda before vacuuming .
Carpet stains Wine : If just spilt , soda water can be used with a paper towel . If it has been there for some time , dampen the spot and apply Borax . Leave Borax on the stain until it is dry then vacuum .
Fruit juice : Make a solution with one teaspoon of Borax and ½ litre of warm water to sponge over the area .
Dog urine : Sponge with white vinegar and spray carpet with deodoriser e . g . Febreze .
Lipstick : Dab the spot with eucalyptus .
Oil : If just spilt , put talcum powder on the spot to absorb oil , then sponge with eucalyptus .
Excreta and vomit : Remove solid matter and mop up excess moisture . Sponge with white vinegar or soda water . Add a few drops of ' Nilodor ' to offset the smell .
Drains Pour a small amount of bleach down the sink to bring drains up nice and bright .
Doors A damp cloth is normally sufficient to clean doors , however , if they are heavily marked use a detergent solution . Do not use a scouring pad .
Eaves Use a garden hose and a stiff broom to remove cobwebs , dirt and dust .
Engine Oil Use kitty litter to soak up engine oil from driveways
Flies Keep crushed mint on the kitchen bench to deter flies from entering the kitchen , or leave some bay leaves on your windowsills . Mint also deters fleas .
Grouting For coloured grouting use Epsom salts and a soft brush to clean off residue . For white grouting use bleach with a soft brush to remove residue .
Guttering Gutters should be cleaned out regularly , especially prior to winter to avoid damage .
Hairspray To remove hairspray marks from mirrors , rub with a soft cloth with methylated spirits .
Insects and pests Sprinkle Borax powder around skirting boards or appliances to repel unwanted guests . Warning : Borax can be toxic to children and pets so use with caution .
Labels Sticky labels can be removed by rubbing with eucalyptus , tea tree oil , acetone or Brasso .
Laminex Most stains and marks can be removed by rubbing with toothpaste on a soft cloth .
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