Vinegar, water are all you need for a simple clean

Question: Do you have any ideas for a homemade product that will clean hardwood floors and make them shiny?

Also, do you have a recipe for something to wash porcelain ceramic tile that doesn’t leave a dull, streaky finish? Love your ideas.  — Bella

Answer: To clean both hardwood floors and ceramic tile, combine: one tablespoon of vinegar with one gallon of water. Wipe and dry.

Do not over-wet the floor. Rinsing is not required because vinegar does not contain waxes or other agents that build-up on floors or leave streaks. Optional: add one teaspoon of cooking oil for cleaning hardwood floors.

To clean the grout on ceramic tile, make a paste of liquid laundry detergent and water. Apply to grout and scrub with an abrasive cloth.

If ceramic tile has a stain on it, make the same paste of liquid laundry detergent and water. Apply to stain and cover with plastic wrap. Tape down the edges of the plastic wrap so that no air gets inside.

Leave 12 hours and wipe. If stain remains, make a paste of baking soda and three per cent hydrogen peroxide. Cover the stain with solution and taped-down plastic wrap. Leave 12 hours and wipe.

Question: I have recently started smoking a pipe. Do you know of any solvent that will dissolve all the gunk that accumulates in the pipe without destroying the pipe itself? I enjoy your columns very much. — Garry

Answer: Place the pipe in a sealable bag and pour salt and rubbing alcohol into the pipe. Close the bag and shake (the bag, not yourself). Leave overnight and wipe, then rinse with water.

Question: We live in the country and have hard, rusty water. My Corelle dishes are turning a yellowish, brown colour because I have washed them in bleach.

Does this come off somehow and what can I do to get them white again? The finish may be coming off the cups on the outside. Thanks. — Mark

Answer: In my second book, I talk about a recipe I created called Corellabunga. This will bring your dishes back to their original colour.

In a large pot, combine three cups (750 millilitres) vinegar, four cups (one litre) water and two tablespoons (30 ml) citric acid; bring to a boil.

Set one Corelle dish in the boiling mixture for five minutes (the water must cover the dish). Once dry, your dishes will look brand new.

Napkin tips

Next time company comes, think cloth napkins. Cloth napkins, contrary to popular belief, are still better for the environment than paper, even though it takes water and energy to wash them.

Cloth napkins are so small — even if you have a big family, cloth napkins will only run you about one load of wash per week.

If you wash on cold, hang dry and use eco-friendly laundry soap, they just don’t add up to the same eco-badness as paper napkins.

Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.

I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a presenter on the topic: effective speaking or the power of words? Check out: Reena.ca