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Tip Store: Cleaning: Kitchen

​Giving Older/Old Laminex Some Lustre

​The older and nearly past it laminex quandary. What will bring a bit of lustre back to such a faithful old servant bench top?

No shine left at all now, no barrier to stains any more. 

So didn't want to spend money trying to find something that would work. Too hit or miss. Out into the garage looking for a more industrial strength product that just might already be bought and paid for in stock. 

Armor All car products! No experience with them myself yet so far the finish is building up beautifully. Good enough for the car good enough for my bench. Right! :)
Contributed by Carol Ryan

​Never Waste a Rubber Glove Again!

Approximate $ Savings: $3.00 a month or at least $36.00 a year.

​ I believe it's the little things that add up in life, I started to wear rubber gloves when washing all the dishes to protect my hands. I started to accumulate left handed gloves as the right one would always break first lifting knives/cutlery out into the drainer. I now get a second left handed glove and wear it upside down on my right hand, provided the glove isn't too thick it isn't too uncomfortable to wear. I only need one new pair on hand now as you never know when one will POP!
Contributed by Carinna Johnstone, 13th January 2015

​Time for a Pantry Challenge

Have a good clean up of your pantry and keep it tidy. You'll be surprised of the things in there you didn't know you had. You can base your meals around these items to save on your next grocery bill and saves doubling up on things you already have.
​- Contributed by Bec, 16th July 2010 Bec - 16 July, 2010

Benchtop Stains: The Vinegar & Bi-carb Solution

Our kitchen has lots of lovely bench space, but it stains very easily. I sprinkle bi-carb soda on the stain, then spray vinegar over it, let it sit for a minute or so, then use a little elbow grease, and the stain is gone! It works better than any spray'n'wipe product I've found.
​- Contributed by Emma, Tannum Sands, 13th July 2009

​De-Scaling a Kettle

Vinegar is great for de-scaling the electric kettle is good but a lemon quartered is even better. Fill the kettle with water, add the cut lemon and boil. Leave for an hour or so, remove the lemon wedges and rinse-spotless!
​- Contributed by Kathryn, Bargo, 25th May 2009

​Stainless Steel Cleaner

Approximate $ Savings: $15-$35 depending on product used

A great stainless steel cleaner for everyday use. Just add half methylated spirits and half water to a spray container. Very handy. Also for stainless steel outside, you can slow down the process of tea-staining by giving your BBQ or balustrade a wash every time you are out watering you plants.
​- Contributed by Debbie, Buderim, 19th May 2009

​Clean the Inside of Your Electric Kettle

I found an easy way to clean the inside of my electric kettle. Just put 3 slices of lemon into kettle and fill with water. Boil but make sure you keep an eye on it as it froths. Works great. Saves buying a new kettle and no more sore knuckles.
​- Contributed by Elaine, Newtown, 20th May 2010

​Don't Cry Over Spilled Oil

Have you ever spilled olive oil or any other kind of oil for that matter? What a mess! The way to clean it up easily is to sprinkle a thick layer of flour over the top and let the flour absorb the oil (usually takes a few minutes). Then use a brush or some paper towelling to sweep it right into your dustpan and toss. Clean the area that was spilled on with some Windex or something similar to remove the oil and flour residues.
​- Contributed by Janice, Burpengary

​Flowerpot Under the

Plug the hole in the bottom of a terra cotta flower pot and use it to hold all your scrub buds, scourers etc under the sink. The terra cotta absorbs moisture, which will keep your them dry and rust-free.
​- Contributed by Sandra, Blackburn South, 26th December 2009

​Lining the Grill Makes Clean Up Easy

Having read of the trouble some people have in cleaning their George Foreman grillers, maybe they would like to use baking paper to line the grill before cooking. I get a piece of the baking paper and place meat on bottom half of the sheet and then fold top half over the meat then place on pre-heated griller. Meat cooks beautifully and griller only needs a quick wipe over. It may not be a money saver, but certainly is a time saver (I only use the cheap oven paper).
​- Contributed by Lyn, Taree, 11th December 2010

​Line Grills and BBQs with Baking Paper for Easy Clean Up

Instead of having to clean our George Forman grill, the BBQ or the electric frypan I place a layer of Homebrand baking paper on the heated surfaces (George will need a layer for top and bottom) and cook the food. Once cooked I throw away the soiled paper and wipe over the grill surfaces with a damp cloth. Easy! Aldi sells a wide baking paper roll which fits better the BBQ and frypan.
​- Contributed by Lynne, Port Pirie, 7th January 2010

​Easy Clean Sandwich Press

We have a "Panini" type sandwich toaster in our office lunchroom and after a few early disasters with melted cheese we now take our sandwich to work wrapped in baking paper - toasts beautifully and no mess to try and clean up on a fiery hot grill plate. All new workers are advised of this routine and we have a clean, hygienic toaster for the use of everyone
​- Contributed by Kaye, Forrestfield, 7th January 2010

​Give the Fans a Soak

I have another tip for cleaning ceiling fans that won't use electricity: if you put washing powder into a bathtub and fill with enough water to cover the fans you can fit as many fans as will fit in the bathtub and leave them to soak for about 30 minutes. When you pull them out they are as good as new. Rinse off under the tap, shake off and all good! Hope this is of help to some people.
​- Contributed by Naomi, 19th November 2009

​Clean Dishes for Half the Price

Approximate $ Savings: $100 plus per annum

Dishwashers have a larger detergent compartment than they need to help those with heavy handed family members believe they must fill the detergent hopper to overflowing to get best results. To run a dishwasher you need less than a teaspoon of powder, I purchase the Aldi Dishwasher Tablets and snap them in half in their individual packets, it stops the heavy handed using too much detergent. One 30 packet now lasts 2 months. Instead of rinse aid just use vinegar, it cleans the glasses well, does not leave cloudy marks and costs a few cents. Using vinegar also keeps your dishwasher clean. If you have a heavy pot load and a 2nd detergent hopper add a teaspoon of bicarb as well it really helps with the pasta bake dish, keeps the dishwasher clean and also costs just a few cents. No need to buy those fancy dishwasher cleaners we see on TV.
​- Contributed by Amanda, St. Helena, 3rd April 2009

​Easy Clean Kitchen Tiles - Everyone Can Do This

I used to spend money on expensive cleaning products to get the grime and oil and other cooking splatters off my tiles near my stove. Now I don't spend a cent on them and this is so much easier and environmentally friendly. There are two ways that I clean them. 1. Just after cooking with boiling water I move the pots out of the way, making sure the stove is off (and being mindful that it is still hot) and quickly wipe over tiles with a cloth. The steam from cooking has done all the work for me! 2. Mostly, I think it is safer to do it this way. I boil my jug (when making a cuppa) and position it near the tiles e.g.. the spout of jug facing the tiles. This works the same as above only it is safer to move the jug well away from the area to be cleaned. By the time I am finished wiping tiles over with ease, I am able to sit back and enjoy my cuppa. Too EASY and it doesn't cost a cent for cleaning products!
​- Contributed by Amy-Lee Steele, 3rd April 2009

​Boil the Kettle for Hot Water

When washing dishes, mopping the floor or doing other small cleaning jobs, instead of using hot water from tap, boil the kettle. This saves heaps on the water heating bill as it is cheaper to boil a kettle full of water than to refill a hot water tank and boil whole tank again. I halved my water heating bill over a year by remembering to do this.
​- Contributed by Melody, Altona, 4th September 2008

​Foiling a Greasy Mess

I have a gas cooktop with heavy cast iron trivets and I hated removing them just to wipe up some spills I would have whilst cooking. Now I clean my stove once a week by just putting foil over the stainless steel cooktop and at the end of the week I take the foil off and replace it with new foil. I also soak the stainless steel burner rings in hot soapy water and then clean them with steel wool. This saves time and elbow grease and a little bit of money by not wiping up the spills nightly and my stainless steel cooktop always looks great.
​- Contributed by Cathy, Eastwood, 13th August 2008

​Steam Clean Microwaved

Its hard to clean a microwave at times as the food gets hard and seems to stick well. Here is a simple solution. Get about 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and about 1 1/2 cups of water. Put these two ingredients together in a microwave safe bowl and put it in the microwave. Turn the microwave on high for about for about 7 minutes. This causes the difficult, hard food to soften, making it easy to wipe away. No expensive pastes or elbow grease needed.
​- Contributed by Sabina, Primrose Sands, 3rd March 2008

​Groovy Dishcloths for Nix

Don't throw out those stained and no longer presentable towels- and certainly don't give them to pets!! cut them into 15cm squares, and if you like hem with groovy blanket stitch, to use as great dishcloths and even still use as face washers.
​- Contributed by Elise, Katoomba, 29th December 2007

​Save in the Kitchen

Approximate $ Savings: $10 per month

I save money by extending the life of my household sponges/washcloths. Any sponge, wettex or Chux type cloth can go in the dishwasher with the dishes. These items now last up to a year instead of just 2 weeks.
​- Contributed by Elizabeth, Tamworth South, 27th September 2007

​Whiter, Brighter Kitchen Sink

​Approximate $ Savings: $200

​If you have a white discoloured kitchen sink or laundry tub just fill it up with bleach and water over night and it will look brand new for about $2 a saving of about $200 for the cost of a new one
​- Contributed by Julie, West Dapto, 30th July 2007

​No More Garbage Bags

Approximate $ Savings: $40 to $80 per year

​I used to go through a 13 gallon garbage bag each day, until I saw someone hang a grocery bag off a kitchen handle-when full, tie off & throw away in your weekly garbage pick up. I buy only two or three boxes of garbage bags a year now.
​- Contributed by Cheryl, Florida, 7th September 2007

​Fresher Dishwasher

Approximate $ Savings: $14.00

Instead of using rinse aid in your dishwasher all the time, which can get very expensive I dilute my rinse aid with plain pack white vinegar, which is cheap. White vinegar also keeps my dishwasher from smelling which eliminates me having to spend more money on further cleaning products.
- Contributed by Jan, Wellington Point, 5th September 2007

​Lemon, Oil and Salt for Cleaning

Clear everything off the bench top. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Then mix in a bowl some olive oil and salt, with juice of half a lemon, to a paste. Rub this all over the bench top, going over the spoilt area particularly. Leave for half an hour, then wipe off and polish with a soft cloth. This should help!
​- Contributed by Maia, Tascott, 8th August 2007

​Cut and Polish Stains Away

Use a mild cut and polish, the ones you use on your car. Most people have some in their garage, so shouldn't even have to buy a tin, just ask around. It's absolutely amazing what a tiny bit can do, I've even used it to fix a scratched watch face!
​- Contributed by Veronika, Dromedary, 8th August 2007

​Cleaning Magic

​To remove marks and stains from granite surfaces I would recommend one of those little white magic sponges you find in the cleaning aisle, somehow they clean without scouring.
​- Contributed by Emma, Morningside, 8th August 2007

​Use a Bit of Gumption

​Good old gumption removes every mark and stain off granite benches. We use it on our white quartz bench and it has removed coffee and paint stains as well as pen marks while not harming the precious stone at all.
​- Contributed by Alicia, Mansfield, 9th August 2007

​Easy Stainless Steel Cleaner

Approximate $ Savings: Free

To clean stainless steel after you've made boiled potatoes, reserve some of the water (without the froth). Use this water to wet your dishcloth then wring out. Use cloth to clean/polish any stainless steel areas, and they will gleam. Don't try storing this liquid though, as it will go slimy and stinky.
​- Contributed by Kate, Wendouree, 1st March 2007

​Burning the Base of Frypan or Saucepan

I was making custard and I burnt the custard to the bottom of the saucepan. It was so black and it would not come off no matter what I used. I remembered that vinegar is used for household cleaning. I poured about 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the saucepan and gave it a scrub, my saucepan now looks cleaner than ever
​- Contributed by Kim, 22nd January, 2007

​Smell Gone

Don't buy a stainless steel soap to remove onion smells from your hands, just wash your hands and rub them over the sink - smell gone!
​- Contributed by Amber, Newtown, May 9th 2005

​Quick Kettle Clean

To get the inside of your electric kettle clean, safely - add the juice of one lemon to the kettle and fill to just below the 'full' mark (as the juice makes the water 'bubble-up' once boiled). Boil the kettle, then empty. The orange scum will be removed. The kettle can now be used as normal.
​- Contributed by Bronwyn, Koonjup, May 6th 2005

​Absorb Smells in Fridge

Keep a carton of Baking Soda opened in the fridge to absorb smells. When it stops doing its job, tip it down the kitchen sink and flush down with water to clean and freshen the drainpipe.
​- Contributed by Sue, September 20th 2006

​Clean Inside of Kettle/Jug

I was pretty disgusted at the state of the inside of my electric jug (dark brown stain covered most of the inside of it) so to get rid of it without using cleaning chemicals, I found a lemon cut in quarters put inside of jug, filled with water, then brought to the boil cleaned it off. It might have to be boiled twice, if it is really badly stained but the results are amazing. The inside comes up like brand-new and as for the stains, it will be like they never existed. Try it, you'll be Amazed!
​- Contributed by Kaye, Mt. Saint Thomas, November 15th 2006

​Cheaper Liquid Soap Refills

Refill liquid soap dispensers with bubble bath. At around $2.00 for 1 litre of bubble bath instead of 375g for $4 for a refill of liquid soap, it is much cheaper.
​- Contributed by Debbie, Atwell, June 25th 2006

​Fridge Deodoriser

Keep a carton of Baking Soda opened in the fridge to absorb smells. When it stops doing its job, tip it down the kitchen sink and flush down with water to clean and freshen the drainpipe.
​- Contributed by Sue, September 20th 2006

Vanilla Scented Fridge Spray

I used to love using Vanilla Fridge spray because it was safe to use in the fridge and microwave and left a gorgeous vanilla fragrance. Now I make my own by filling a spray bottle with methylated spirit and adding a small amount of cheap imitation vanilla essence. If you like you can dilute it with a little water. Too easy and so cheap!
​- Contributed by Mary, McKinnon, October 6th 2006

​Easy Clean Chopping Board

I use a cheese board as my chopping board and to keep it clean, I pop a plastic bag from my shopping over it and, when finished using the board turn the plastic bag inside out and put all my rubbish into it ready for the bin.
​- Contributed by Elizabeth, Arundel, August 18th 2006

​Enjo Marblepaste for Cleaning the Stove

The best product I have ever come across is ENJO Marblepaste. You only need a small amount so it goes a very long way. I am not an ENJO representative.
​- Contributed by Wendy, Leopold, April 19th 2006

​Make Your Dish Brush Last Longer (and Longer...)

If you use a nylon brush to scrub your dishes, when it starts looking like it's worn out and due to be replaced, throw it on the top shelf of the dishwasher and wash with your next load of dishes. The brush comes out looking (almost!) as good as new. I've been doing this with my current brush and would have replaced it five times by now if I hadn't rejuvenated it using the dishwasher - and it's still going!
​- Contributed by Julie N., 14th February 2013