Hints and tips for Kitchens and Glass

China teapots often have a brown stain caused by tannin. Remove this by pouring a strong, hot soda solution into the pot. Leave to stand overnight then scrub and rinse thoroughly.

Aluminum pots with dark stains are cleaned by boiling 2 tsp of tartar to 1 liter of water in them.
Make drinking glasses shine brightly by putting them Into water to which you have added some baking-powder. Afterwards leave to dry.  

To clean deposits in glass decanters use 12.5 ml salt and 500ml of vinegar, leave to stand for a while and rinse. Crushed egg shells in hot water also will work, just let them stand and shake  occasionally.

A good glass cleaner is :1/2 cup each ammonia and meththylated spirit with 7 cups cold water- place in a spray bottle, wipe the window with newspaper after 30 seconds. Another recipe is use paraffin, methylated spirits and water in equal quantities use as the previous recipe. For mirrors you can use room freshener which also cleans and leaves a lovely smell.

To remove kettle fur, half fill the kettle with potato peel, top up with water and boil for about an hour. Empty it, shake out fur and rinse thoroughly

A thermos flask will not smell musty if two lumps of sugar are kept in it when stored.

Chalk absorbs moisture and can be used in toolboxes and cutlery drawers to prevent rust.

Martha Stewart says three alka seltzer tablets  down a drain followed by a cupful of vinegar, then followed after a few minutes by hot water will unblock it. Citric acid can also be used.  2 teaspoons of common soda ( bicarb) in a tablespoon of vinegar moves grease fast as well. A tablespoon of sugar soap and 1/2 liter of boiling water works as well. 2 tablespoons of salt and boiling water is also a standby.

If you cook with grease use paper to clean the pot and keep this for lighting the braai fires.

If the coffee percolator is getting miserly with it’s water, flush 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar with hot soapy water though it and then run a cycle of hot clean water.

Use glycerine or Vaseline to oil kitchen appliances, this will ensure no unpleasant flavors leak though.

Hang plastic bags in a cupboard for dusters and other small items, much easier to locate.