Here’s a charming and practical list of Top 10 Favorite Old-Time Cleaning Tips—rooted in tradition, still wildly effective today, and perfectly in step with the Welcome Home way of keeping house with beauty and intention:
Whether you’re deep cleaning for spring or just giving your space a little love, these timeless tips bring intention, sustainability, and a touch of nostalgia into your home routine.
1. Vinegar + Baking Soda = Magic
This dynamic duo has been around for generations. Use baking soda to scrub stainless steel or porcelain, and vinegar to cut through grease and shine windows. Together, they’re a gentle powerhouse for drains, grout, and more.
2. Polish Wood with Olive Oil and Lemon
Mix two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice to create a nourishing, natural polish for wood furniture. Bonus: it smells like sunshine and Sunday mornings.
3. Line Drawers with Lavender Sachets
A centuries-old practice, dried lavender in linen sachets keeps drawers fresh and linens fragrant. It also discourages moths—a beautiful win-win.
4. Air It Out
Before central air, people relied on fresh breezes. Open your windows for an hour a day to circulate fresh air and lift the mood of your home.
5. Boil Citrus to Clear the Air
Simmer orange or lemon peels with a cinnamon stick on the stove for a warm, inviting, all-natural home fragrance. It's like a cozy hug for your kitchen.
6. Use Newspaper for Streak-Free Glass
Grandma knew best: crumpled newspaper (with a vinegar and water spray) leaves glass and mirrors sparkling, without the lint paper towels leave behind.
7. Clean Copper with Ketchup
It sounds odd, but it works—dab ketchup on copper pots or pans, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse and polish. The acidity lifts tarnish like a charm.
8. Salt for Scrubbing
Coarse salt is perfect for scrubbing cutting boards or cast iron pans. It’s gentle, effective, and naturally antibacterial.
9. Shake Out Rugs and Tablecloths Outdoors
Before vacuum cleaners, rugs were beaten and shaken out in the sunshine. It’s still the best way to freshen linens and get rid of dust without harsh chemicals.
10. Keep Linen Fresh with Sunshine
Hang your linens outside to dry whenever possible. Sunlight naturally brightens whites, kills bacteria, and leaves behind that irresistible “clean laundry” scent.
