Nine unusual cleaning products to use this Christmas

Shaving foam, shampoo and toothpaste are among the products Brits should use to clean the house before putting up Christmas decorations.

Experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk have researched nine genius ways to use everyday products as cheap and easy solutions to help remove stubborn stains and scruffs.

As inflation rates rise during the cost-of-living crisis, prices of household products such as stain removers and surface sprays are among typical goods to increase at an alarming rate.

There are little changes which can be made to a cleaning routine to cut the costs of buying expensive products, from using salt to remove stains from pans to using a condiment favourite to help clean off watermarks on surfaces.

The researchers found that using these inexpensive products will help give the home a spotless finish and are recommending the tips be used before the family comes over for Christmas.

Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “With many families struggling to afford the raised prices of goods in the shops, we wanted to find out which random products can be used as a cheaper cleaning method to spruce up the home this Christmas.

“We’ve found peculiar ways that everyday products can be used around the home to help with cleaning, from using shaving foam to clean the toilet to using vinegar to give your surfaces a polished look.

“These simple and effective alternatives to cleaning can help to cut back on weekly expenses while leaving homes with a flawless finish after they’re used to good work.”

“We recommend making use of these tips before any decorations are displayed otherwise the house will look like a festive mess.”

Here are nine unusual products identified by Online-Bedrooms.co.uk as inexpensive cleaning products:

1. Salt

If you’ve been left with a burnt pan after cooking, then have a go at using salt as a quick solution to save the endless scrubbing. Soak the pan as normal and boil with hot water, then scrub over the pan with salt particularly over the burnt areas, which can help clean the area in only a few minutes.

2. White vinegar

It’s a simple trick to fix the showerhead covered in heavy limescale. Place the shower head in a plastic bag filled with white vinegar for around 30 minutes and the residue should fade once you run it over with water.

3. Nail varnish remover

As an alternative to putting your white shoes in the washing machine all day, simply soak a cotton ball with some nail varnish remover to get rid of scuff marks, but also as a way to revive the gleaming bright white colour on slightly worn out shoes.

4. Mayonnaise

Removing watermarks can be a tricky task to get right, as sometimes removing watermarks can lead to further marks being made. While it’s more commonly associated as a tasty condiment, spreading out mayonnaise on watermarks and leaving it on for 10 minutes before wiping off, can help take the marks off smoothly and quickly.

5. Shaving foam

To get rid of unwanted toilet stains or a urine odour which won’t go away even after using bleach, try spraying some leftover shaving foam into the toilet to help eliminate unwanted bathroom smells.

6. Toothpaste

It’s often referred to as a mild abrasive, but using toothpaste isn’t just good for brushing your teeth or removing shoe scuffs, it’s also a great way to clean your sinks. Have a go at using toothpaste to achieve a sparkling shine on your sink.

7. Coconut oil

Create a dust-solving solution by mixing coconut oil with water and white vinegar. Using coconut oil will help prevent a build-up of dust in all areas of the house from behind the TV to the surface of bedside tables.

8. Newspaper

It’s an alternative to using a microfiber cloth for the mirror, but once you’ve sprayed either vinegar or a surface solution, grab a used newspaper, scrunch it up and get wiping to achieve a streak free finish.

9. Baking soda

To cut the costs of cleaning the washing machine in half, opt for a bag of baking soda instead of cleaning solvent. Use one cup of the product to put in the detergent drawer and then turn on the machine for a 15-minute hot cycle to remove any mouldy smells and stains ahead of the next wash.