Dryer sheets substitute

Soak a clean washcloth in liquid fabric softener and let it dry. Next time you do laundry, toss the washcloth in the dryer and let the steam do its job. The results are fresh scent garments and a lot of savings, since you can reuse the same washcloth for up to 30 loads.

Cleaning blinds easily

Soak a cloth with rubbing alcohol (or white vinegar) and wrap it around a silicone spatula, tying with rubber bands. The kitchen tool can easily access hard-to-reach areas, working between the slats, cleaning and disinfecting the blinds.

Stuck sliding doors

For a sliding door to glide without resistance, apply some furniture polish to the track and trim along the base. The product will dissolve the dirt and lubricate the track, at the same time that will remove prints from the trim and make it nice and shiny.

Remove odor from clothes

To remove persistent odor from your clothing, add a half cup of white vinegar to the washer after the detergent, and run the machine as usual. Acetic acid neutralizes odor compounds.

Cleaning the BBQ grill

Place a large sheet of aluminum foil over the grill while the coals are still red-hot. The foil will reduce food particles to a fine ash. Later, ball up the foil and use it to scrub away any burnt-on residues.

Cleaning grout lines

To remove mold and water deposits from bathroom grout lines, spray some shaving cream on them after your next hot shower. The steam will loosen the grease and the ingredients in the product will break down dirt and mildew. Wipe away residues with a damp cloth. You can use this method on any color of grout, since the cream does not contain bleach.

Sweat stain on white shirt

Turn the shirt inside out, soak a paper towel with white vinegar and press it on the stain for about 5 minutes. Place the garment in the washing machine and launder as usual.

Remove chocolate stain from silk

Scrape off as much as possible with a blunt edge. Using a clean soft sponge (or brush), gently rub the stain with a dab of mild dish-soaping and warm water. Rinse and let it dry.

Homemade air freshener

Place packing peanuts in a small bowl and spritz with a nice fragrance. The porous material will absorb the perfume, releasing the scent over the course of a few days. Once the fragrance is gone, just respray the peanuts.

Dirty windshield

When washer fluid does not work, you can clean your windshield using, carefully, a razor blade. It works well for all sticky mess, as such dead bugs, sap and many other greasy dirt.

Cleaning copper

Restore the bright shine of a copper item by soaking it in a container filled with cola soda for about an hour. The acid in the liquid makes the metal to look new without any effort.

Burnt oven grates

Leave oven grates soaking in an overnight cola soda bath, and just scrub away the blackened areas in the morning. The chemicals in the cola will loosen most of the burnt-on stuff.

Permanent marker stain

To remove a permanent marker stain from a hard surface, apply some hand sanitizer on the area and wipe away.

Save money on dish soap

Pour dish soap into an empty hand-soap container. A single pump will be enough to wash many dishes.

Cleaning a grinder

Place some white rice into the grinder and cycle through. The grain will trap any leftover spices, oils and aromas.

Clean dirt from shoes

Sprinkle some cornstarch onto the sole of each shoe. The powder will absorb any moisture, turning the mess into dried flakes that are easy to clean.

Remove sticky tar from a car

Spread some Russian dressing over the black tar. Let it sit for 5 minutes and wipe it all off with a clean cloth.

Removing coffee or tea stain

Sponge the stain with lukewarm water, and then gently rub with a little bit of glycerin.

Watermarks on leather

To remove watermarks from leather shoes or accessories, add a few drops of vinegar to a bowl of cool water and scrub the stains with a soft bristle brush until they are no longer visible. Let dry for about 8 hours.

Removing sweat stain from fabric

Apply a mixture of cream of tartar, crushed aspirin, and warm water to the area. Wait about 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.