Sometimes, the old ways really are the best. Modern cleaning products and gadgets have made plenty of household jobs quicker and easier, but some old-school staples still stand the test and more than deserve a place in our cupboards.
From practical tools to simple cleaning remedies, our grandmothers had all the tips and tricks when it came to cleaning the home, and it’s about time we listened. These are the vintage grandma cleaning products we should all still be using today for sparkling clean homes.
They may not come with fancy packaging or a specialist spray for every surface, but these tried-and-tested favourites have earned their keep over generations. If your usual cleaning routine isn’t quite cutting it, it could be time to take a leaf out of your grandma’s cleaning book.
Soda crystals for greasy jobs and laundry
Soda crystals, also known as washing soda, are crystals of sodium carbonate - a stronger alkali than bicarbonate of soda. Making them particularly useful for cutting through grease: dissolve them in warm water to clean greasy pans or an extractor hood, following the instructions on the packet. They can also help with heavily soiled laundry, either added to a wash or used as a pre-soak for greasy work clothes. They work by helping to lift grease and soften hard water, so your detergent can do its job more effectively.
They’re a hardworking old-school staple, but they’re too strong for every job. Wear gloves if the label advises, and don’t use them on aluminium, delicate fabrics or waxed surfaces. Grandma trusted them, but always be sure to check the packet first.
Beeswax polish for suitable wooden furniture
Beeswax polish is best saved for waxed wooden furniture. It helps maintain the finish and bring back a gentle sheen, making it great for when a favourite table is looking a little dull. Rub a small amount in with a soft cloth, then buff with a clean one. Just check the furniture’s finish first: beeswax isn’t going to work for every modern coating, and it can make floors dangerously slippery.
Bicarbonate of soda for targeted jobs
Bicarbonate of soda might already live in your baking cupboard, but it’s worth keeping a little aside for cleaning, too. I remember my granny mixing up a paste whenever I spilt something on my clothes, which was often.
Its fine, mildly abrasive texture makes it useful for loosening baked-on food from pans and lifting tea and coffee stains from mugs. Mix a little with water to make a paste, then rub gently with a soft cloth or sponge. It can also help freshen smelly bins or shoes and tackle small patches of grime around the kitchen. It’s a handy all-rounder, from stain busting to deodorising, don’t underestimate it.
White vinegar for limescale-prone areas
White vinegar is a classic option for tackling some limescale deposits around the home. For a light build-up, dampen a cloth with diluted vinegar, hold it against the affected area briefly, then wipe, rinse and dry. Check the surface and product instructions first, and don’t leave vinegar sitting on a surface for longer than necessary. Because it’s acidic, it can damage natural stone such as marble and limestone, so keep it well away from those surfaces. Beyond limescale, diluted white vinegar can also clean glass and mirrors, helping shift fingerprints and leave them looking brighter. Grandma knew what she was doing, even if there might be the occasional whiff of a chip shop.
A chamois leather for glass
Before glass-cleaning cloths became a kitchen-drawer staple, a chamois leather was a reliable faithful for our grandparents to dry and polish windows. It’s soft, reusable and can be useful for finishing glasses after you’ve washed them too, helping to remove the last few drops of water. Keep it clean and use it only on a surface that’s already free of grit, so you don’t drag dirt across the glass. Modern microfibre cloths may be easier to care for, but if you have a chamois tucked away, it could be worth giving it another outing.
A carpet brush for rugs and stairs
A carpet brush is a useful little sidekick for the bits of the home the vacuum doesn’t always handle brilliantly. Use it to gather up loose crumbs, brush away surface fluff or tidy the edges of rugs and stairs between vacuuming. I started using one after finding one in my grandparents house and it’s amazing the amount of hair it dragged up - especially useful for those living with furry friends.
Work gently and check the care instructions first, especially on delicate or loop-pile carpets, as vigorous brushing could snag or disturb the fibres. It won’t replace the vacuum, but it can help sort out those small, annoying spots or gather hair clumps seemingly invisible to the eye.