Everyday Household Hack Heroes

There are some items that have so many valuable benefits, that I wanted to create a special chapter just for these household heroes.  These are seven items that are super cheap, have countless uses and should be the items you always have stocked in your pantry. 

Let’s take a look at these household heroes that will make your life incredibly easier and in some cases, will keep you healthier!

1. Lemons.  Slice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one-half of the lemon into a cup.  Add warm (or if you are like me, hot) water into the cup and drink it every morning.  Not only does warm lemon water help you lose weight, it improves digestion, boosts your immune system, reduces inflammation, contains antibacterial and antiviral properties and boosts your brain power. 

 2. Epsom Salt.  Epsom Salt is one of the most versatile items you can have in your home.  While it is excellent for soaking in the bathtub to soothe sprains and strains, it can be used as a laxative and to cure pink eye.  It’s also useful for cleaning tile floors, bathtubs, removing burnt food from pots and pans, regenerating car batteries, and has multiple uses in gardening. 

 It can be used to draw out splinters, reduce inflammation, relieve gout pain, be used directly on bites and stings to relieve pain and can help eliminate blackheads. Epsom salt also has use in crafts, like creating snow and a frosted look on your windows in the winter.  The uses of Epsom salt are endless, and it is super cheap.  Keep a box or bag of it in your bathroom.

 3. Coconut Oil.  Coconut oil can be used in cooking, as beauty remedies, as toothpaste, lip balm and toothpaste.  It can heal canker sores and season cast iron frying pans.  This versatile oil can also be used as an insect repellant, can be used as a substitute for WD-40, as furniture polish, a leather shoe cleaner and to remove sticky residue from items.  As an added bonus, substituting coconut oil for canola and vegetable oils can aid in weight loss.

 4. White Vinegar.  White vinegar offers some incredible cleaning properties.  I always keep a large bottle of it in my home.  To remove soap and scum build up from your shower head, simply add some vinegar to a bag and tie it around the shower head.  Let it sit overnight and then run the shower in the morning.  Your shower head will look brand new.  

White vinegar can be used with baking soda to unclog and deodorize your drains.  It can be used to disinfect cutting boards as well as steam clean your microwave when you combine it with water.

 5. Toothpaste.  Toothpaste is an excellent cleaning agent.  You can use it to clean the leather part of your sneakers, clean fine jewelry and remove crayon marks from your walls.  It can also be used to defog goggles and glasses, as well as to buff out small scratches on items.  Toothpaste is also an amazing deodorizer for your hands when you can’t get the smell of garlic off them, even after washing.

 6. Coffee Filters.  Even if you aren’t a coffee drinker, coffee filters are cheap and have many issues.  I use coffee filters as a mitt when cleaning windows, mirrors and wine glasses.  They don’t leave any streaks and are lint free.  Using the filters in between expensive dinnerware when storing those helps prevent scratches and chips.  They are also great to use at the bottom of flower pots because it prevents the soil from leaking out when watered.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has some great antibacterial properties that offer endless uses.  I like using one part peroxide to one part water to use as a great disinfecting mouthwash.  You can also combine it with baking soda to deep clean your teeth and whiten them. 

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to disinfect cutting boards, dishwashers, sponges, toilets and bathtubs.  You can also use a little in your sink with water to remove pesticides and dirt from fruits and veggies.