loving this thread...have nothing to add at the moment but keep the tips coming!

My Amazon account is blowing up!

Urnex Cafiza is supposed to be used as an espresso machine cleaner, but it is also extremely effective at cleaning cooked on crud in pots and pans (i.e. baked on oil/ grease). If I have a stainless steel pan with stuff that does not come off easily, I fill up the pan with hot water, sprinkle this in it, mix and let sit for an hour or so. Also works great on getting the interior of insulated coffee carafes sparkly clean :).

To wash cloth shoes, I rinse them in water, scrub the inside with an old toothbrush (reserved for that purpose), place the shoes in a small plastic tub of warm water, plop a couple of denture tablets in the water, and let them soak until the water turns clear. Then, rinse the shoes thoroughly and air dry. The shoes come out nicely fresh, clean, and deodorized. (I bought denture tablets specifically to clean shoes)

Denture tablets are also great for cleaning your toilet bowls. Throw a few in close the lid, leave it. You can get cheap ones at dollar stores.

Yes the sprayway company makes a great glass cleaner too.

I highly recommend this awesome spoon rest that also holds the lid to your pot. So the lid doesn't drip all over. Very simple and easy. It holds a heavy cast iron lid.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ALGZGTW/ref=psdcmw_289770_t1_B01M5JOU5X

I use denture tablets to clean flower vases.

I use the Sprayaway stainless cleaner on my black granite composite sink. It makes it look new again.

This tip was inspired seeing yeonassky's comment in the heat & humidity thread. My PCP recommended Advil liquid gel caps at the very first sign of a potential migraine. She said gel caps are the fastest way to get something into your system (besides an injectable drug). So if your pain reliever comes in a gel cap form, opt for that for (hopefully) quick pain relief.

ok, what a great thread! I have well water and terrible iron stains on my toilets and sinks. I discovered this product below that CHANGED my life!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pumie-Scouring-Stick/23098372?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=335&adid=22222222227016881683&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=52574782391&wl4=pla-84455959991&wl5=9007563&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=111830463&wl11=online&wl12=23098372&wl13=&veh=sem

This works so well I was surprised. I used a whole stick in my toilet and sure enough, it became completely stain free. I HIGHLY recommend. It did not scratch my porcelain either.

I agree on the gel caps for pain relief. I use Aleve gel caps. They work really fast. I really try not to take them, but when I do need them, those are my go-to. I will get sinus headaches, and I used to get menstrual related headaches every darn month. One benefit of menopause is that I rarely have a headache, and certainly no more hormonal ones.

I use Johnson & Johnson's furniture polish on our stainless steel appliances, composite sink and to polish our dark granite. Samsung's stainless steel is very finicky and it's the only thing that seems to work. It also makes the sink look new and after wiping it on our granite, it looks like it's just been professionally polished

Both for cleaning up cat urine on concrete, and to deodorize carpet that has suffered the same, I discovered (when my elderly cat started having problems) that treating the areas first with hydrogen peroxide front and back, waiting until it stops fizzing (if there was a heavy accident, and lots of fizz, then repeat until a fresh dousing doesn't fizz) and following with an application of Nature's Miracle will almost always completely remove the odor. Actually, on concrete the NM wasn't usually needed. I also took the area rug out after this treatment and rinsed it with my power washer.

For those hard to clean iron stains in sinks and tubs I've turned to ZUD. It's not always easy to find but I have found it on Amazon.

Here are a few of my tried-and-true items:

Excedrin Migraine--the only thing that works for me

Barkeeper's Friend--cleans so many things

Miracle Cloths--I have a huge stack of these

Tide Original--the only laundry detergent I use

Spot Shot--great for animal and all sorts of stains

Nature's Miracle--only thing that really takes cat urine smell out

Crocs--so easy to slip on and clean for outside/garden shoes

Cotton jersey sheets--the Walmart brand is my favorite

Afrin--I don't get colds very often but if I do this is the only thing that opens a blocked nose. Have to be careful to only use for a couple days.

Justin's Almond Butter--my favorite; doesn't need stirring!

Keurig Mini, and Starbuck's Italian roast single cup coffee--My morning java

Polartec anorak jacket--great light jacket as the weather gets cooler

A cat. Can't imagine life without one of these!

I'll add another one: Lands End packable down coat. I used it for my trip to China in December. It really is awesome for travel and folds down tiny into its own pocket. Plus, I was able to wash it when I got home--given the high pollution I was exposed to, this was a good feature. It is available in regular, petite, and tall sizes. I wanted something that covered my butt, but shorter versions are available, too.

I hate bulky coats, so this one is great.

https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-lightweight-down-packable-parka/id_308478?sku_0=::28S

I got tired of struggling with plastic wrap and the rickety boxes it comes in. I bought this from amazon and it works great. I also bought the parchment paper one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009POH9EW?psc=1

What do you all use for just dusting.

Lyban, Norwex cloths ;) !

See the post at the top Guardsman dust cloths, they are excellent. My cleaning ladies now use them after loving mine. They grab and hold. I have severe dust allergies so I can't have a feather duster that puts dust in the air. They are at Kroger and Walmart etc.

I use the Guardsman dusters too and like them. Throw them in the wash. I think BBB sells them too.

I have ordered the Bio Clean for my MB toilet that has an area the brush won't reach. Also ordered the Sprayway SS cleaner. I'll report back after I've tried them.

Good thread! Here're a few of mine (I posted some of this on the decorating side just the other day):

Barkeeper's Friend for removing rust, metal & fruit/tea, etc. stains from dishware - china, pyrex, plastic & porcelain - tile & sinks/tubs/toilets too.

Lysol I.C. spray cleaner & a scrubby sponge for removing stains (& just about everything else) from formica - esp. permanent marker.

& I also use 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean & disinfect all kinds of surfaces. It's really good in the bathroom. I put a spray nozzle from window cleaner or similar on the large size bottles. The squirt tops from dish soap bottles can work well too.

Also, I buy citric acid crystals @ the bulk food store to use for dissolving lime/calcium deposits on all kinds of surfaces. You can sprinkle them on a wet sponge or dissolve them in hot water & they work great to clean stainless steel cookware w/ mineral deposits or burnt/stuck on residue. Citric acid is the active ingredient in Barkeeper's Friend, I believe.

I use Kleen Glo for spots and stubborn marks on walls and kitchen cupboards etc. I also use it to help remove stubborn food stuff off of pots and pans. I like that it is environmentally friendly. That's a plus around here with all the pets and humans. :)

Several years ago while making Thanksgivibg dinner, as I was ladeling gravy into the gravy boat, I accidentally poured a full laden onto my hand. I don't know why, but I instantly thought of the jar of Carmex in my purse. I sent my DD to run and get it and I slathered on a good amount, rubbing gently where I felt the burn. It did sting for a minute or so, but it never got red like you would expect from a bad burn. No blisters, no pain, no trace of where the gravy had been. I did apply it at least 3 times, thinking the fresh application was pulling out the burning/pain. I now keep a jar in the drawer in the kitchen as do all my kids as well as friends that I've told this story to.

I'm with Olychick on the Bio-clean. Our local glass store recommended it for removing water stains from shower doors. Mine were so bad! I tried everything but nothing cleaned the glass, until this:

I hesitate to share the before and after because the glass was embarrassing, but here it is:

Amj0517, is it safe to use on stainless steel? The person who pet sits for me neglected to wipe water drips from the front of the fridge, now I have marks on one door which i've found impossible to remove.

Following along with what patty_cakes said about Carmex, I found that Aquaphor, while only so-so for cold sores, is the best thing ever for blisters when hiking.

amj0517, I think we've discovered two different Bio-clean brands! I knew there were others because when I tried to find the company that made my free sample, I kept getting hits on different ones than the one I wanted. That's the reason I posted a link to the one I am recommending. But it's good to know that if someone gets a different product than the one I used, that it's also good. I don't know if yours is an environmentally safe one or not, though? Seems like the name would indicate that, but being manufactured by usaluminum gave me pause to wonder.

This is my Bio-clean - Bio-Clean is a line of commercial and residential cleaning products containing non-chemical, non-acidic based cleaning ingredients.
Bio-Clean will cause no harm or damage to skin if contacted. Bio-Clean
is safe to use on glass, shower doors, boats and even pots and pans!
Most importantly, it works better than you can imagine!

I ordered the cream, but I see it comes in a liquid as well.

writersbloc, do you put it on to prevent blisters? or after to make them heal faster? I have one DD leaving for camp tomorrow and her hiking shoes are new. I'd like to send some just in case but don't want to give her the wrong instructions. Thanks!

I mostly put it on when I started to get hot spots, but the one day I did get blisters was a rest day when I was out wandering around in crocs with no socks in the rain all day, and it helped those, too. I wouldn't put it on broken skin.

ETA I put it on when I went to bed at night, and things were usually much better next morning.

Pattycakes - the bottle says not to use on anything that may be scratched by a mild abrasive. I'm not sure if it would damage stainless steel.

Olychick - I knew there were several items under the same name. I attempted to find mine online when my local store didn't have it in stock, but I couldn't find it. I will say mine isn't natural... this instructions stated to wear gloves. I'm happy to hear that yours is safer AND effective. I'll check that out next time.

pattycakes, mine is safe for stainless!

Patty cakes the stainless steel cleaner I recommended will take those right off your fridge. I had them too but all gone now. Sprayway stainless steel cleaner.

Sheesh! I've been using Sprayway for glass since the early 70's!!!

At our ACE, I've had some of these products in my Hsw/Ktw Dept for MANY YEARS now. We go thru 75+ cans of Sprayway a month. I've gotta get the Bio-Clean in a more prominent spot. The Sprayway SS clnr is fairly popular too. The Guardsman stuff? I've been there 15 yrs now, & their line is staying put!!!!

Distilled white vinegar is great for the hard-water issues too! Some plumbing firms buy a bunch for clearing all kinds of stuff!

Faron

My stuff arrived yesterday. I brought the box inside and dropped it on a stool. A while later I heard this sound coming from somewhere. I tracked it down and found the callus remover and turned on inside the box!! I tried that thing out - great device. I tried it on DH but he was resistant but I will go after his heels with it again when I can get him to cooperate. Haven't tried the hard water stuff yet but I need to use it around my kitchen faucet. Is it safe for granite or do I need to test it first?

Faron, I've tried d.w. vinegar on all the things I cleaned with Bio-clean and it had no effect at all. I think our ACE gave out free samples of the cream - but unfortunately I couldn't remember where I'd gotten it until after I'd ordered from the company. I'll get it at ACE next time, if I live long enough to use it all up.

3katz, it says on their website (if you got the same bio-clean I have) that it's safe for granite (and tombstones!) and other stone. I'd probably still test it.

Will the Bii-clean bring back the shine to granite, or do they need sealing? Or some sort of polishing? They've gotten so dull and they've only been in 9 years.

Pattycakes, you should contact the company. I only have experience with it on porcelain and shower fixtures.

Thank you again for all these ideas. I already had the Guardsman cloths and love them. My amazon order came today with the plastic wrap container and also the pot lid/spoon rest holder. Happy Day!

Nitrile gloves....keep a box in the kitchen for handling chicken and anything I don't want on my hands. they come in very handy.

Not only is Lavendar oil wonderful as an aromatherapy, it's fantastic for 'killing' an itch! I was out weeding the other day and put on my old pair of flats, no socks, rather than my boots. Of course as I was almost to the end of my weeding, I must have stepped onto a fireant mound. I immediately started smacking my foot while running toward the house, then remembered I had given my Calamine lotion to my son. Not too long ago I read something about lavendar being used for either bug bites or itching, and knew I had a bottle of essential oil. I reached for it in the bottom of the cabinet, took off the cap, and poured it onto my fingertips, rubbing a gererous amount onto my foot. The itching stopped almost immediately, and I didn't get any of the little raised bumps. It was as though I wasn't even bitten. It's now in the same kitchen drawer as the Carmex. Close to the stove and not too far fro the back door. ;)

at the moment I have nothing to add but have been avidly following along. thank you for all the suggestions.......and I will likely be looking into the glass cleaner

I received the Spraway and the Bio-Clean.

The Sprayway did take away the water drip marks and made the SS look nice. But it seems like it is a lot like WD-40 but with a citrus scent added. Do not spray it down near the floor or you'll end up with a slick, oily puddle. I will continue to use it because it is the only thing so far that has taken away the water marks.

Bio-Clean.....I have a Toto toilet that has an area at the bottom of the bowl that a brush won't reach. I have tried everything.....vinegar, CLR, bleach, Coke. What has worked best so far are denture tablets but even they don't get the job done anymore. Well, unfortunately neither did Bio-Clean. It did take away one small spot higher up in the bowl though. I think if it were liquid instead of gel it may have worked better at the bottom. I turned off the water and flushed so there was little water. I squeezed a bunch into the bottom and let it sit all day. I flushed later that night and it took away just a little bit. Looks like I will have to empty the bowl and scrub it by hand....yuk! But hopefully Bio-clean will work with hand scrubbing. We have another Toto in the powder room that doesn't have the same broblem but it is also difficult to clean. They flush great, but cleaning is a pain. I'd really like to get rid of both of them.

I have mentioned this before but thought of it again when I was using the stuff this morning for cat barf. Zep Advanced Oxy Carpet and Upholstery Stain Remover. Spray, let dry, vacuum. Sometimes you need to apply more than once but it has worked for me on every kind of cat barf, red wine, blood, red cake frosting, stains from sofa legs, various food and beverage slops, etc.

Also PeeDar - cat pee detector. I got this after my cat was diagnosed with Feline Urological Syndrome - something that unfortunately surfaced while I was out of town on vacation. I had to find where she had pee'd so I could clean and spray it with the enzyme stuff - I use Simple Solution. It's a little flashlight that lights up pee spots in the dark like a black light. It works but as I was forewarned by the reviews, you may be horrified at how much gunk lights up on your carpet. I noted this in the house I moved into a couple years ago and it has increased my sense of urgency to remove the carpet and replace with wood floor.

Joanie, I did have to (well, I did, assuming I'd have to) scrub with bio-clean. It says to do small areas at a time. I didn't use exceptional muscle on anything, just like I was cleaning with Comet or something similar. I like that it rinses much cleaner than powdered cleansers. I used it a couple of days ago on my 35 year old stainless sink and it looks like new. I'm going to tackle my toilets with it, too. Just haven't worked up to it yet.

I just used the frowned uponed Magic Erasers to clean the hull of Sunfish sailboat. No scratches to the gel coat. Before and after.

Impressive!

olychick, I tried this and for the first time in a long time my shower looks nice! And it didn't require a lot of elbow grease, either! Thanks for the tip.

There seem to be other companies/products with similar names, so be sure to use the link.
Bio-clean Ultimate Hard Water Stain Remover

Imhappy, I'mgladyou'rehappy! lol

Yes, I love this stuff, but there are others with the same name. I ordered from the company just to make sure I got what I wanted.

Yay!

Since I lost all my favorite things to the flood I will need to buy them all again.

Fabulous list!!!!