10 Old-Fashioned Tricks Your Grandma Kept to Herself

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Have you ever wondered how your grandma managed to keep her household running smoothly with simple, everyday items? Many of her tricks are not just quaint relics of the past but practical solutions that are incredibly useful even today. Surprisingly, 75% of people are now interested in eco-friendly living, according to a recent survey by Nielsen.

This trend highlights the relevance of timeless advice. Here are 10 of these old-fashioned tricks that your grandma likely kept to herself but that can be incredibly useful today.

Whiten Clothes with Lemon Juice

10 Old-Fashioned Tricks Your Grandma Kept to Herself — Image Credit: Monfocus/pixabay

Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can brighten your white clothes without the harsh chemicals in traditional bleach. Mix a gallon of hot water with the juice of a lemon and soak your faded whites for an hour or two.

Afterward, rinse them and hang them outside to dry in the sunshine. The citric acid in the lemon juice helps break down lingering stains, while the sun acts as a natural whitener, leaving your clothes bright and fresh.

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Why spend money on costly cleaning products when you can craft highly efficient cleaning solutions using everyday household items? Vinegar, baking soda, salt, and borax are powerful cleaning agents.

For example, mix equal vinegar and water to clean countertops, mirrors, and windows. Baking soda and water form a paste that can scrub grime from your stovetop and bathtub. These homemade solutions are not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly.

Use a Drying Rack Indoors

Drying clothes indoors using a drying rack is an energy-efficient alternative to a tumble dryer, especially during winter.

Place a sturdy drying rack in a well-ventilated area to allow your clothes to air dry naturally. This method saves on electricity and helps prolong the life of your clothes by reducing wear and tear from high-heat drying.

Bake Multiple Items at Once

Make the most of your oven’s heat by baking several dishes. This old-fashioned trick saves both energy and time. If you’re preparing a casserole, why not throw in a batch of cookies or a loaf of bread simultaneously? This way, you maximize the use of your oven and have multiple meals or treats ready in one go.

Create a Rag Bin

Don’t throw away stained or holey clothing—start a rag bin instead. Soft linens and T-shirt fabrics make excellent cleaning cloths for various tasks around the house.

Not only does this reduce waste, but it also saves you money on disposable paper towels. Keep a dedicated bin for these rags; you’ll always have a supply of reusable cleaning cloths.

Tea Stain Linens to Save Them

Revive stained tea towels and linens by tea-staining them. Steep black tea bags in hot water, then soak the linens to give them a beautiful antique brown color.

This hides existing stains and adds a vintage charm to your kitchen textiles. Plus, it’s a great way to extend the life of your linens and reduce waste.

Eat Simple Meals and Snacks

15 Fruits You Should NEVER Refrigerate — Image provided by: Suzy Hazelwood

Grandma knew how to make the most out of simple, wholesome ingredients. Cook with basics like oatmeal, beans, and soup for nutritious and filling meals.

Opt for simple snacks like apples, nuts, cheese, or hard-boiled eggs instead of pre-packaged options. These choices are not only healthier but also more economical and environmentally friendly.

Reuse Parchment Paper and Foil

Instead of throwing away parchment paper or clean aluminum foil after a single use, fold them neatly and store them for future use.

These materials can often be reused multiple times before they wear out, saving you money and reducing waste. Just make sure they’re clean and not torn before reusing them.

Grow Your Own Flowers

Grow your own flowers to add beauty to your home without spending a fortune on store-bought bouquets. Whether you have a garden or just a few pots on your balcony, planting flowers can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to decorate your space.

You can also gather wildflowers to create rustic arrangements, adding a natural and personal touch to your home decor.

Repurpose Old Fabrics

Before tossing out those old sheets or curtains, consider repurposing them. Old sheets can be transformed into charming curtains by measuring, cutting, and sewing a simple hem. This adds a unique touch to your home decor and saves you money.

Get creative with other fabrics, too—turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags or use fabric scraps for DIY projects like pillow covers and tote bags.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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