When it comes to maintaining a clean home, grandmothers really do know best, which is why their tips are often passed down for generations. What are some grandma-approved tidbits that Southern cleaning pros rely on to this day? We spoke with two experts who share seven helpful hints below.
Don’t Solely Use Water To Wash Fruit And Veggies
All you need to do to prep your fruit and veggies is to rinse them in the sink, right? According to Elizabeth Shields, the operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, there’s a bit more to this. Shields explains that her grandmother taught her to place produce in a bowl, sprinkle some baking soda into it, and let everything soak in water for five to 10 minutes. “You’ll see dirt and impurities floating to the top,” she says. “Then, just rinse [fruits and veggies well with cold water to finish.”
Use Baking Soda For Your Laundry, Too
Baking soda doesn’t just come in handy when washing off your fruits and vegetables. When it came to washing whites, Mariana Hofer, a brand manager and cleaning expert at Pinalen, Cloralen, and Ensueno, shares that her abuela never relied on detergent alone. Instead, she made sure to mix in some baking soda and bleach, too. “This kept her white clothes and linens looking bright,” Hofer says. “I still use this method with my own sheets, socks, and towels, and it works every time.”
Repurpose Old Clothes And Fabrics
Shields’s grandmother taught her the importance of finding alternate uses for old clothing and fabrics, rather than tossing them. “Cut them up into cleaning rags and put them to work,” she says. “They’re great for wiping down counters, dusting shelves, or even drying dishes.”
Only when these rags are super stained or falling apart should you part ways with them. “You won’t feel bad tossing them out because they’ve already done their time,” Shields says. “I’ve saved a lot on paper towels!”
Mop The Floors With Hot Water
Hofer’s abuela always viewed mopping the floors with hot water as a non-negotiable. “She believed it lifted dirt more easily and left the floors truly clean,” Hofer says. “She always worked in small sections so she could keep refreshing the bucket with hot water.” This is a practice that Hofer implements in her own home to this day. “When I use lukewarm water, the floors just don’t feel as clean,” she says.
Dishes Don’t Need To Be Done ASAP
Hate doing dishes? Adapt this tip from Shields’s grandmother, which will help make the task easier whenever you are ready to take it on.
“Just leave them soaking in the sink or fill up your pots with water,” Shields says. “That way, when you do get to it, they’ll be way easier to clean.”
Save Your Laundry For A Sunny Day
Another tidbit that Shields learned from her grandmother is that days when it’s nice out are the best ones to wash your sheets and towels…