Do you wonder how you can clean your brass and pewter ornaments? Some of our key products including Soda Crystals, White Vinegar and Citric Acid can get the job done effectively. Washing brass and pewter ornaments in a strong, hot solution of Soda Crystals first, will enable them to be polished much more easily. For heavily tarnished items, use White Vinegar or a Citric Acid solution.

Cane and wicker furniture can be cleaned after a wash with a regular Soda Crystals solution. As an added benefit, Soda Crystals help to harden the cane and tighten sagging seats. However, do be mindful that loose lacquer or varnish may be removed by Soda Crystals.

Using a carpet cleaning machine at home delivers excellent results at an affordable price, making carpets looks brand new! Brand name carpet cleaning solutions can be expensive, but a cost effective alternative is traditional White Vinegar! Simply use a mixture of four litres of hot water and half a cup of White Vinegar in the water tank of the carpet cleaner and get to work! This solution will not only clean carpets, but it will remove soapy residue from previous cleanings! White Vinegar does not contain bleach, chlorine or any phosphates, so it is not harmful to you, your children or pets. As with all carpet cleaners, it is advisable to test it out on an inconspicuous area first.

To spot clean stains or pet ‘accidents’ on colour-fast carpets, spray with white vinegar and dab dry; try not to scrub the area as this can damage the pile. To deodorise, sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the carpet. Leave it to absorb the odours for at least 15 minutes or preferably overnight and then vacuum off

Pure Liquid Soap is gentle on delicate curtains and throws. It is made from pure soap with no added detergents or brighteners that can damage delicate fabrics. Check the washing instructions on the curtains and throws to see if it’s safe to place them in a washing machine. Then simply add the recommended amount of Pure Liquid Soap to the machine drawer. If hand washing is recommended, add a capful of Liquid Soap to a bathtub of lukewarm water and wash using a gentle ‘plunge and squeeze’ action with your hands.

Soda Crystals are handy when it comes to removing leftover wallpaper paste. Make up a regular solution of Soda Crystals and use it as a sugar soap after stripping wallpaper. It will help remove leftover wallpaper paste and you can prepare the wall for its next covering.

Bicarbonate of Soda and White Vinegar are both great natural deodorisers. Place an open dish of Bicarbonate of Soda in a cupboard, bathroom, or fridge to neutralise odours. This will need to be replaced every three months. You can pour the used powder down the drain; followed by 100ml White Vinegar and this will help keep it clear.

To freshen and deodorise the room, and banish cooking or smoky smells, simply spray the area with White Vinegar. The odour of the vinegar will dissipate, leaving you with a fresh, clean smell. You can also add your favourite essential oil to the mix, and this will leave your home smelling sweet

Bicarb Cream’s mild abrasive properties will remove dirty marks from doors and other painted woodwork, without scratching. Simply pour some on to a microfibre cloth and gently wipe the affected surface. Wipe the surface again with a clean, damp area of the cloth to remove any residue.

Soda Crystals can dissolve grease and because of this they’re great for unblocking drains and wastepipes. Use a strong solution to flush drains regularly to keep them free from grease.

To neutralise odour, pour 2 cups of Bicarbonate of Soda down the plug hole, leave for 15 minutes and flush with hot water.

Bicarb Cream cleans hard surfaces including aluminium, chrome, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel and tin without scratching.

Simply pour it on to a microfibre cloth and gently wipe over the surface. Then wipe the surface again with a clean damp area of the cloth to remove any residue.

One way to keep your windows clean and streak-free windows is to use White Vinegar. Spray with some White Vinegar then buff with a microfibre cloth. For very dirty windows and mirrors, clean them first with mild Soda Crystal solution or Liquid Soda Crystals, then polish off with some White Vinegar. Do not use White Vinegar on frosted glass or leaded glass windows (with exposed lead).

Keep your cut flowers fresh for longer. Just add a tablespoon of white vinegar  into the water (more if you have hard water). This helps prevent the water becoming too alkali, which encourages the growth of a callous on the end of the stem. Remember to cut the stalks at an angle with a sharp knife (never scissors, which crush the stem). This removes the callous and provides a greater surface area for water intake and removes any bacteria growing on the end. Either cut the stem underwater or place each one immediately into the water to stop air blocking the vascular system.

Also add a teaspoon of sugar if the flowers didn’t come with some plant food. By replacing the water every few days (with some vinegar and sugar) and cutting another centimetre off the stem, you will maximise the flowers’ life.

Leather shoes:
To remove salt stains that are left behind in winter wipe the shoes with a solution made up of equal parts of White Vinegar and water. Once the shoes are dry Polish to protect the leather.

Sports shoes:
Remove dirt and marks by wiping them off with a microfibre cloth using a 10p-size dollop of Liquid Bicarb.

Make your own natural furniture polish with this simple method. Mix three tablespoons of olive oil with one tablespoon of White Vinegar in a glass or ceramic jar. Using a soft cloth, try the polish on an inconspicuous area of the furniture first. Once you are happy with the effect, rub the polish over the furniture in a circular motion and leave it to air dry. White rings left by cups, scratches and other marks can also be reduced using these two simple ingredients

Good make-up brushes can make a real difference. Keep them in good working condition by giving them a weekly clean.

To clean your make-up brushes, combine equal parts of White Vinegar and warm water in a tumbler. Leave the brushes to soak in the solution for one minute. Then work it deep into the bristles in gentle circular motions.

After this, rinse the brushes thoroughly with warm water until the water runs clear. Reshape the brushes into their natural form and lay them flat to ensure the bristles are not bent and that water doesn’t leak into the handles. Avoid using a hairdryer or the radiator to dry the brushes, as heat can damage the bristles.

Once the brushes are dry, simply store them upright or place them in a make-up bag or make-up brush roll, away from other cosmetics.

Use Bicarbonate of Soda to neutralise urine and sour spilled milk odours from mattresses and mattress covers. Dampen the stained spot and sprinkle some Bicarb on it. Rub the Bicarbonate of Soda into the affected area and leave it to dry. Once it’s dry, brush or vacuum off the dry Bicarb

A wipe with a regular solution of Soda Crystals will brighten metal Venetian blinds and help to shrug off dust. For wooden Venetian blinds, make up a solution of Pure Liquid Soap in warm water and wipe down.

Unpleasant smells from old books come from the high moisture content and possible mould growth on the pages. Simply place your book open in a freezer bag with four tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda, seal the bag and leave it for two to three weeks. After this, remove the book from the bag and the bicarb will have absorbed the mustiness without harming your book.

Brighten up paintwork and uPVC window frames by wiping them down with Liquid Soda Crystals. Alternatively, you can use a regular solution of Soda Crystals and warm water. You can also use this same solution to prepare bare wood to be painted.

Bicarb Cream is also a fantastic product for cleaning uPVC window frames and garden furniture.

Bicarbonate of Soda is a very effective odour neutraliser. Spills on carpets or upholstery can cause stains and leave unwanted odours. Borax Substitute can help remove some of these problem stains. Before treating carpet or upholstery, test a small unexposed area with a paste made from Borax Substitute and Bicarbonate of Soda and some water. This will help to ensure the dye is colour-fast.

Deodorise pet bedding:
You can eliminate odours from pet bedding with a liberal sprinkling of Bicarbonate of Soda. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odours), then vacuum off.

Deter your pet:
Another quick, simple method of removing pet urine odour on furniture is to spray White Vinegar on the affected area. This will remove the unpleasant smell and deter your pet from returning to the same spot.

If you own a dog or a cat, you know sometimes little accidents can happen. These can result in unsightly and odorous stains on carpets and soft furnishings. When cleaning up these ‘accidents’ it is important to remove the odour as well as the stain, as the smell can encourage your pets to return to the same place.

White Vinegar is a proven ingredient that aids in removing both urine stains and the odour for good. Always test it on a small, inconspicuous patch of fabric before using it on large areas to prevent damage.

To remove stains and odours, simply make up a solution by combining one part of White Vinegar to two parts of warm water. Soak a clean cloth in the solution and dab the affected area. When the solution has dried, wipe away the residue and the stain using a clean cloth and some warm water. After the area has been cleaned, cover it with some Bicarbonate of Soda and leave it overnight before vacuuming.

Keeping your cat off certain surfaces in your home can also be a problem, as they tend to favour high areas such as tabletops, kitchen counters, bookshelves, windowsills and even fireplace mantles. Discourage your cat from perching on such spots by spraying the surfaces with White Vinegar.

White Vinegar can remove sticky labels from surfaces. Simply spray it on to the label and then place a cloth or kitchen towel over the label. Leave it to treat for 30 minutes and the label will be much easier to remove.

Shaving brushes need a regular maintenance routine to prevent the growth of bacteria, product build-up, as well as bent and loose bristles.

After every shave, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm water. Then shake off the excess water and hang the brush upside down on a brush stand with room for the air to circulate. Leaving a brush wet can lead to mildew, which could affect your skin. Even if you have to place the brush in a toiletry bag after a gym session for instance, make sure you take it out to air dry as soon as possible.

Your brush should also be deep cleaned every two to three months, as oils from your face and product build-up can affect the absorbency of the bristles and consequently, how effective the brush is. Caring for a shaving brush will also extend its lifespan, saving you money in the long run.

To deep clean your shaving brush, mix one tablespoon of Borax Substitute with a few drops of warm water to make a thick paste. Rub the paste into the brush, working it into each hair, right down to the base. Leave the paste on the brush overnight before rinsing it thoroughly with warm water in the morning.

To put the shine back into silverware*, simply line a bowl with foil, add two cups of Soda Crystals, and fill the bowl till its half full of hot water and ensure that the crystals have dissolved. Then submerge the silverware in the solution and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. The chemical reaction between the Soda Crystals and the aluminium foil will generate hydrogen to remove the silver oxide (the tarnish). Next, gently rub the silver with a cloth, to remove any dirt. Take the silverware out of the water and use a clean cloth to buff dry.

*Do not use Soda Crystals on aluminium or plated silver and use rubber gloves during prolonged exposure. Soft stones such as opals should not be cleaned using Soda Crystals.

If you’re looking to give your sofa a boost or prolong the life of an investment piece, here are some top tips to help keep your upholstered furniture looking fabulous all year round. Dab the upholstery with a mild solution of Soda Crystals or use Liquid Soda Crystals to get rid of stains and freshen up the fabric. Be careful not to scrub wool or other upholstery fabrics as this can damage them. For leather or woollen sofas, a solution of Pure Liquid Soap is best, while stubborn stains can be tackled with Oxi Boost. Always test fabrics for colour-fastness beforehand.

Keep steam mops operating at maximum efficiency by descaling them periodically with white vinegar or citric acid. Use 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water and run the solution through the chamber/mop. refill and run through with plain tap water.

You can clean out waste and recycling bins with a regular Soda Crystals solution or Liquid Soda Crystals. Add a handful of Bicarbonate of Soda in the bottom of the bin to deodorise it.

To clean outdoor wooden floors and decking, prepare a medium solution of Soda Crystals. To prepare wooden flooring for varnishing or painting, make sure that all debris and flakes are removed and mop the area with a strong Soda Crystals solution. Indoor wooden and laminate flooring can be cleaned with Pure Liquid Soap. Mop with fresh water afterwards to remove the soap suds.