Forget expensive cleaning products, use a POTATO to clean your home: Expert reveals science behind foods that tackle rust, limescale and stains
- Cleaning experts from London-based Hassle.com have revealed which food items can be used as substitutes to expensive cleaning products
- Acids in coke and vinegar are found in products and react to lift stains
- Mayonnaise contains oils and proteins that diminish marks on wood
- Potatoes and baking soda tackle rust because the oxalic acid in the potato mixes with the baking soda to dissolve it
By VICTORIA WOOLLASTON
PUBLISHED: 06:02 EST, 7 August 2014 | UPDATED: 08:43 EST, 7 August 2014
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For decades, food items have been touted as substitutes to expensive household cleaning products.
And now a cleaning expert has revealed the science behind why certain foods are so useful for tackling rust, removing stains and tightening cracks in wood.
This ranges from potatoes, banana skins, brazil nuts, vinegar to mayonnaise.
A cleaning expert has revealed which food items can be used as substitutes to expensive cleaning products, and also the science behind why they are so effective. For example, potatoes are effective at removing rust because the oxalic acid reacts with baking soda to dissolve the hydrated iron oxides
NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS
Bananas: Wipe the inside of the banana skin on the spot of leather that needs to be cleaned. When finished, rub with a damp cloth.
Cola: Pour into the toilet bowl and leave to sit for an hour to allow the acid to take effect. Clean the inside of the bowl with a toilet brush and flush away. Vinegar also works.
Tomato ketchup: Good for cleaning brass, copper and silver elements. Rub onto the area that needs cleaning, leave to work and wipe with a moist cloth.
Mayonnaise: Ideal for removing marks on wood. Use a cloth with a small amount of mayonnaise and wipe the mark that needs to be removed. Leave the oils to work and wipe away any residue with a clean cloth.
Brazil Nuts: Also effective on wood surfaces. Cut a nut in half and rub vigorously over any scratches.
Potatoes: Cut the potato in half and dip the side without peel into baking soda. When covered, firmly rub the potato on rusted areas.
Grapefruit: Remove limescale by cutting the grapefruit in half and sprinkling one half with salt. Scrub the area and rinse with water.
Coffee: Place dry ground coffee into an old margarine tub with holes in the lid. Place in the fridge and leave to eliminate odour.
For example, Alex Depledge, chief executive of cleaning site Hassle.com told MailOnline that tomato ketchup is good for cleaning brass, copper and silver elements.
'Tarnishing mainly occurs due to sulphur compounds in the air.
'When the ketchup is applied to the metal, the natural acid in the tomatoes reacts with the oxidising of the tarnished silver, brass or copper.'
'Potatoes and baking soda are effective at tackling rust because the oxalic acid in the potato mixes with the baking soda to help to dissolve the rust,' said Mrs Depledge.
Even the weakest levels of acid can dissolve and loosen the hydrated iron oxides found in rust.
Read more at source: Daily UK
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