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Loading...12 Ways to Use Temperature Instead of Chemicals to Clean
- Chaya, selected from Networx
- May 21, 2011
- 3:02 pm
- 497 comments
2. Boil away drain clogs
Verdict: Undetermined
Last year, I had a particularly nasty clog in a bathroom sink. My first line of attack was a pot of boiling water. It did nothing but, to be fair, drain chemicals and a hand auger also failed. I had to call in a local plumber. Since then, I have poured a monthly pot of boiling water down each drain to keep it clear. So far so good, but it’s hard to definitively say the boiling water is helping.
Some, including my plumber, recommend just using boiling water. Others say it should be followed by salt or sodium carbonate. Still others swear by a more complicated tincture: Thoroughly mix 1 part cream of tartar with four parts salt and four parts baking soda. Pour ¼-cup of the solution down the drain, then add one cup of boiling water. Watch it bubble, then flush with cold water.
For a slow or blocked drain, try pouring in one cup of salt and one cup of baking soda, then flush with a pot of boiling water.
3. Boil away pan stains
Verdict: Fail
We mixed two tablespoons baking soda with ½-cup vinegar in a non-stick frying pan with stubborn stains and burn marks, then giggled as we watched it fizz. We added a cup of water and boiled the mixture for 10 minutes. The pan was still stained at the end of the test, but the range was dirtier. Cover the pot to avoid splattering little white spots all over the stovetop. To be fair, this mixture may work on other stains, but it didn’t take care of the black spots on our pan.
4. Boil kettles clean
Verdict: Success
To remove calcium and lime deposits from coffeepots, kettles, etc., boil equal parts water and vinegar, then let it work overnight. Rinse thoroughly and the item should look like new. This has long worked perfectly on our electric kettle.
Read more: Conservation, Crafts & Design, Food, Green Home Decor, Green Kitchen Tips, Health & Safety, Home, Household Hints, Materials & Architecture, Non-Toxic Cleaning, cold water, hot water, temperature
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Chaya, selected from Networx
Networx.com empowers people to make educated, economical and Earth-friendly renovation and home repair choices. We are a community of homeowners, renters and contractors who are committed to sharing home improvement expertise and experience.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
people are talking
A little too pricey for me. Thanks Eric.
Hmm, this is how my own family has been making pesto for generations. I can remember when most peopl…
Duh
Very good information....Now if only I could get some sleep....
they are very good
497 comments
+ add your ownThank you for sharing.
Janice R. - it kills the ants too!!
they can be a nuisance, but they are part of the eco-system - maybe we should be looking at ways to live with the animals that we get in the way of, rather than kill the ones that get in our way - and many who don't get in our way at all.
I'm blessed I have a clothesline to hang my clothes . The sun really brightens them. Only use dryer when I have to!
ty
tanks
Thank you for the interesting article
Interesting.....
This past weekend I watched someone successfully remove small red wine stains (little spots, not a large area) by pouring boiling water through the fabric. We had a white cotton t-shirt that was pre-soaked in plain cold water, boiled a pan of water, held out the area with the stain and poured boiling water through the spots. They vanished. I was astounded. Not anxious to try it again, but I wouldn't hesitate to.
So much better for all concerned!
Thanks for these very helpful tips. I sure go with steam as a better choice over using chemicals.
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