In a pinch, I often polish leather shoes with olive oil. I always feel a little sheepish doing it because it garners surprise from friends and family. But it really is an effective and natural way to maintain your shoes: simply apply cold-pressed nut oil, olive oil, or beeswax to leather and buff with a cloth...
Other natural cleaning alternatives :
- When doing craft projects with children, put a little baking soda into tempera paints. It keeps the paint fresh and smooth and makes it easier to clean up.
- Want to go label-less but don't want to use a chemical goo remover? Use vinegar instead: apply several coats of white vinegar to labels or decals, give it time to soak in, and after a few minutes the label will rub off. Also use vinegar to remove no-slip decals from bathtubs: saturate the decals with hot vinegar, let sit, then remove.
- Remove streaks from stainless steel by rubbing it with club soda.
- Prevent moths with a homemade mixture that's fit to eat: Mix ½ C rosemary, ½ C mint, ¼ C thyme, ¼ C ginseng, and a pinch of cloves. Put in cheesecloth bags and distribute in closets and drawers.
Image via SynchroLux
I have several antique Syrian wooden mosiac tables that I clean with olive oil. It is very gentle and they look beautiful afterwards. In fact, I suspect that I have just given myself a task for this afternoon, damnit.
view stufankjian's profile
I wonder if this is a good use of cooking oil that has gone rancid. Anybody know the science? I could be smelling like the last dregs of the truffle-infused olive oil . . .
view guido's profile
Petroleum jelly also works well for shoes and shining marble table tops. A little goes a long way.
view ksmile's profile
You can also polish your shoes with a banana peel (I have yet to try this!) Here's a video: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/28/polish-your-shoes-with-a_n_161559.html
view Amy A's profile
Thanks for the tip I have, some past the use date, walnut oil to use up. I'll try it.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
In a pinch, I've also used hand lotion or lip balm as an emergency cover up for scuffed toes.
view Annieo's profile