8 Cleaning Tips You Should Steal from These Italian Grandmothers
Not only are Italians known for their impeccable wine taste and from-scratch cooking and baking skills, but they’re also pretty well-known for their sparkling-clean homes. If you’re lucky enough to have Italian relatives, then you’re probably privy to generations-old tips and tricks for keeping a home smelling and looking great.
If you don’t have Italian blood, don’t be dismayed: You, too, can benefit from the unmatched cleaning wisdom of Italian grandmas. Here are eight tried-and-true cleaning trips, sourced from someone else’s Nonna.
1. Don’t mix bleach with other cleaners.
This is a rule of thumb EVERYONE should know. You should never mix bleach with other cleaners (just dilute it with water, per package instructions). Bleach and others chemicals, including ammonia-based cleaners and vinegar, can create potentially toxic fumes. One Kitchn reader said that her grandma learned this the hard way. (Don’t worry, she ended up being fine!)
2. Use mayo to remove water rings from wood.
Another reason to keep mayo stocked in your fridge at all times: The oil in this common condiment seeps into moisture, removing pesky water rings from wood! Just cover the water rings on your wood table with a liberal coating of mayo, allow it to sit for a few hours, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
3. Keep white vinegar around for, well, everything.
“My mother always said white vinegar cleans everything,” one reader told us. Maybe you already knew vinegar is an effective cleaner, but did you know it also cuts through mildew, grease, stains, and more? The following are just a few ways you can use vinegar in your home: to clean windows, descale the coffee maker, remove buildup from faucets, and eliminate lingering food odors. The opportunities are endless!
4. Mix talc and Dawn for oil stains on laundry.
Dawn may be your go-to for banishing grease from dishes, but did you know it’s also an effective way to remove oil stains from clothes? One Italian grandma suggests pairing it with another common household item: “Oil stains on clothes come out if you mix talc powder and Dawn dishwashing liquid to form a paste on the stain, then let it sit for a few minutes before throwing it in the laundry.”
5. Clean stainless steel sinks with WD-40.
It’s a must for squeaky doors, but a few Italian grandmas we spoke with also swore by WD-40 for sprucing up stainless steel sinks. Spray the stuff all over the sink, then scrub it down with water. Clean the sink with soap and water to remove any lingering residue.
6. Wash the floor on your hands and knees.
Mops and brooms are good and all, but a few Italian Nonnas said you’ve really gotta get on your hands and knees to get the job done right. You’ll be able to get into the crevices for detailed grout work and you won’t miss any spots.
7. Use rubbing alcohol as your all-purpose cleaner.
One chef’s great-grandma swore by this DIY, all-purpose cleaner. Simply mix a gallon of water, one bottle of rubbing alcohol, and two tablespoons of your go-to dish soap; add to a spray bottle; and use it to clean your counters and floors!
8. Splash ACV in your dishwasher for shiny glasses.
Maybe you’ve used white vinegar in the dishwasher for extra shine. One Food52 commenter’s Italian relative suggests apple cider vinegar as an alternative. Just fill a bowl or mug with ACV add it to the dishwasher before you run your load, and your dishes will come out shining.
Do you have an Italian grandmother? Has she taught you any brilliant cleaning tips? If so, please share them in the comments below!