Did you know that corn starch, baking powder and cream of tarter can be used for green cleaning? If we’re being honest we could probably admit that we wouldn’t normally think to grab those baking items when we are cleaning our homes. But you’ll be amazed at what they can clean!
Grease spots
Upholstery
To remove grease spots from upholstery, cover the spot with corn starch as quickly as possible. This will still work if it’s an older stain but it is faster and more effective if you can treat the grease spot right away. After covering the grease spot with the corn starch wait until as much of the grease as possible has been absorbed, then vacuum the area with an upholstery attachment. If the grease spot is stubborn you might need to repeat these steps until it has lifted.
Carpet
To remove grease stains from carpet follow the steps above to lift it from the carpet fibers.
Furniture polishing
After you polish the wood furniture sprinkle a small amount of corn starch over the surface of the furniture. Using a microfiber cloth, buff the wood surface until it is shiny. The corn starch will absorb any extra oil from the furniture polish and will leave your wood surfaces looking fabulous!
Crayon Marks
I hope I’m not the only one that sometimes gets crayon marks on the wall! Magic Erasers work great for getting crayon off of most surfaces but unfortunately it has taken the crayon, and paint, off my walls before!
To remove crayon marks, and not the paint on your walls make a thick paste of corn starch and water. You want it to be really thick otherwise it will just run down the wall. Dab the mixture on the colored area and let it completely dry. Once it has dried wipe it off with a dry microfiber cloth or a paper towel. {And yes I did draw that heart on the wall just for this post}. 🙂
Rust Stains
If you have stubborn rust stains in a sink or tub all you need is a bit of cream of tarter and hydrogen peroxide! Make a paste with the two ingredients and apply it to the rust spot(s). Scrub it with a nonabrasive pad or brush and once the stain has lifted, rinse with warm water. If it’s a really tough rust stain you might have to repeat.
Tea and Coffee Stains
If you have stained coffee cups, including your fine china, you can get the stains out with baking powder! Rinse the stained surface with water and pour out the excess, but don’t let it dry. Sprinkle baking powder over the stain and gently rub it with a soft sponge. Once the stain has lifted, rinse with water.
These tips are from the book Corn Starch Buff and Shine your Car and Other Incredible Uses by Betsy Rossen Elliot.
I love this. I have taken a secondhand couch, so I’m glad to know there is a natural way to treat some of the stains to a degree. It’s vintage, and I’m too afraid to to use chemicals on it.
Much love! I have missed you.
NewlyMynted
thanks for he tips. I use all that you post on line.
I found a pin for your website when I was looking for a way to remove crayon marks off my walls. I can say, today I tried it with the cornstarch: I mixed it to a paste consistency with water, put it on the crayon marks, and left it there to dry. I then wiped with a dry microfiber cloth, just like you said. Nothing happened. Yes, the paint didn’t come off, but neither did the crayon marks. 🙁 Just thought I’d post this for other hopefuls out there.
I’m so sorry it didn’t work for you. 🙁 Did you let it dry all the way? I had to leave mine for quite a while but the crayon came right off when I wiped it off.
Thanx fot the tips! I just used a mixture of white vinegar, cream of tartar, lemon juice, a smidgen of dish soap, and boiling hot water to clean a baking pan. It was a little rusted. I let the cream of tartar mixture sit in the pan for about 30-35 minutes. Scrubbed it with a green scrubby sponge and no more rust stains. It still has some baked on discoloration, but I’ll try to remove that another day.