Apparently mayonnaise isn't only for sandwiches.
Bruce Lubin, author of "Who Knew? Household Shortcuts," stopped by Studio 1A to share why mayonnaise belongs in your cleaning supplies kit and other cleaning tricks that are easy, quick and completely surprising.
Make bath toys germ free with hot glue.
While bath time is about getting clean, it might be making your child sick. Floating bath toys with small holes in the bottom can be filled with allergy-causing mold as moisture can remain inside and cause mold buildup. Before bringing in a new toy into bath time, simply seal the hole with a hot glue gun to keep water from penetrating the toy in the first place.
For older toys, soak them in a solution of 1 cup bleach mixed with 1 gallon of warm water for 1-2 hours to release the mold. Then scrub, rinse and allow them to dry before sealing with hot glue.
Get a water mark out of wood with mayonnaise.
Did a guest forget to use a coaster on your wood table? Get rid of the left-over mark by applying some mayonnaise, then wiping it off with a soft cloth.
Use hair spray to remove nail polish from wood.
If things got a little messy during mani/pedi night and a nail polish bottle tipped over on wood furniture or floors, rest easy. Spray a generous amount of hair spray on the nail polish stain, leave for 20 seconds and then wipe away. Repeat as many times as necessary to get rid of the polish.
Get rid of all the pet hair when vacuuming.
Removing animal hair from your pet’s favorite spot may seem impossible, but Lubin holds the key to conquering this task. Mix one part liquid fabric softener with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spritz it on the area before vacuuming. The hairs will adhere to the softener, making the little stinkers much easier to remove.
Use hair spray to remove pen marks from a purse.
Hair spray can also come in handy when it comes to removing pen marks from a leather handbag. Just spray it on the stain, then wipe it away.
Freshen up your home while vacuuming with vanilla extract.
Need a little help with odor control? Soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract, then place the cotton ball into your vacuum bag. Not only will the vacuum pick up dirt, but it will also release the vanilla smell as you go.
Use vodka to refresh potpourri.
When it comes to reviving your favorite potpourri, take a trip to the liquor cabinet. Pour a little vodka into a spray bottle, then spritz the potpourri, mixing it up so each piece is saturated. The vodka will release the potpourri’s scent, so go ahead and take a swig in celebration.
Conquer the bathroom with three products.
The bathroom always seems to have a need for more cleaning, but Lubin has three cleaning tips that will help it shine. For those moldy black lines stuck in the grout of your shower, use a laundry bleach pen. Swap out glass cleaner for aerosol air freshener to clean the mirror, as it will do the job and leave the room smelling great. Also, leave the store-bought shower spray on the shelf and instead mix 1 part vinegar with 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray as you would a commercial cleaner and wipe away the grime.