The Amish community is renowned for its simplicity, hard work, and hands-on approach to daily tasks. Cleaning is no exception. Drawing from a deep connection to nature and an emphasis on resourcefulness, the Amish have honed a plethora of efficient, eco-friendly cleaning methods. Here are 25 Amish-inspired cleaning tips and tricks to make your home sparkle:
- Cornmeal Carpet Cleaner: Sprinkle cornmeal on your carpet, let it sit for a while to absorb dirt and grime, then sweep or vacuum it up.
- Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This solution is effective for cleaning windows, counters, and many other surfaces.
- Toothpaste for Silver: Use plain white toothpaste to polish silver. Rub it on, then rinse and watch it shine.
- Lemon & Salt for Brass/Copper: Rub tarnished brass or copper with a half lemon dipped in salt, then buff with a cloth.
- Homemade Wood Polish: Combine lemon juice, olive oil, and a dash of vinegar for a natural wood polish.
- Newspaper for Glass: Use crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels to clean windows. It’s streak-free and eco-friendly.
- Baking Soda Scrub: Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive. It’s perfect for cleaning sinks, tubs, and even oven tops.
- Natural Air Freshener: Simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, apple peels, and orange rinds for a natural home fragrance.
- Vinegar for Laundry: Add white vinegar to laundry loads to soften clothes naturally and break down soap residue.
- Dusting with Socks: Slip an old sock onto your hand for an easy tool to dust blinds, baseboards, and other hard-to-reach places.
- Olive Oil for Stainless Steel: A little olive oil on a cloth can shine stainless steel appliances effectively.
- Homemade Drain Cleaner: Pour baking soda followed by vinegar down drains. Once the bubbling subsides, rinse with hot water.
- Natural Oven Cleaner: Make a paste of baking soda and water, spread it inside the oven, let sit overnight, then scrub and wipe clean.
- Walnut for Wood Scratches: Rub a walnut kernel over small scratches in wood furniture. The oils help hide the blemishes.
- Rice for Vases: Fill a vase with warm water, a drop of dish soap, and a handful of rice. Swirl to clean the inside of narrow vases.
- Banana Peel for Leaf Shine: Use the inside of a banana peel to wipe down dusty houseplant leaves and make them shine.
- Reusable Cleaning Cloths: Instead of disposable wipes, use old t-shirts or rags, which can be washed and reused.
- White Bread for Wall Marks: Remove marks from painted walls by gently rubbing with a piece of white bread.
- Club Soda for Fabric Stains: Immediately pour club soda onto fabric stains, like wine or juice, and watch the stain lift away.
- Alcohol for Ink Stains: Apply rubbing alcohol to ink stains on fabric, then wash as usual.
- Cream of Tartar for Appliances: Make a paste with cream of tartar and water to shine stainless steel and porcelain appliances.
- Salt for Cast Iron: Clean cast iron skillets with coarse salt and a cloth, avoiding soap which can strip the seasoning.
- Lemon to Freshen Garbage Disposal: Run a few lemon rinds through the garbage disposal and follow with cold water to freshen the drain.
- Potato for Broken Lightbulb: If a lightbulb breaks while still in the socket, turn off electricity and use a raw potato to safely remove the base.
- Preventative Cleaning: Adopt the Amish practice of cleaning tools and areas immediately after use. This reduces the need for deeper cleaning later.
These Amish cleaning techniques highlight a return to nature and a reliance on simple, homemade solutions. By integrating these into your cleaning routine, you can ensure a home that is not only clean but also environmentally responsible and reflective of the timeless wisdom of Amish traditions.
