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When unexpected spills and stains happen, households often rely on specialized commercial cleaners, yet many effective solutions are already sitting right in the pantry. Experts note that using existing kitchen staples not only saves money but also reduces single-use plastic waste and avoids buying unnecessary single-purpose bottles.
Olive Oil and Tomato Paste for Metal and Appliances
While disinfecting and cleaning are completely different processes, several common foods can effectively polish and restore surfaces around the house. According to Raquel Perez, owner of Karen’s Green Maids in Chicago, as reported by CNET, a tiny drop of olive oil applied to a microfiber cloth can minimize fingerprints on stainless steel appliances by altering how light reflects off the surface. Perez advises testing a small, hidden area first and using minimal oil to avoid creating a greasy texture. Meanwhile, tomato paste can act as a limited tarnish removal option for stainless steel, brass fixtures, or copper pots and pans. Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert and owner of Sparkly Maid Austin, explained to CNET that the acidity in tomato paste loosens oxidation while its thick consistency keeps the paste in contact with the surface.
Bread and Flour for Kitchen Messes and Sinks
Pantry items can also assist with unexpected kitchen mishaps, such as shattered glassware or greasy spills. Julian Silva, founder of Plastno, told CNET that soft bread crumbs are effective for grabbing tiny glass shards that a broom misses, provided the user presses the bread onto the area rather than rubbing it. Additionally, flour can restore shine to a stainless steel sink when applied as a finishing touch. Sham Zemichael, owner and operations manager of Costina Cleaning Services, told CNET that sprinkling a little flour over a clean, dry sink and rubbing it with a soft cloth removes residual grime, though he warns that damp sinks will turn the flour into a messy slurry.
Cream of Tartar, Potatoes, and Mayonnaise for Specialized Tasks
Other neglected baking supplies and sandwich ingredients offer unique cleaning benefits for ceramics, cast iron, and wooden furniture. Silva explained to CNET that mixing cream of tartar with a little water creates a mildly acidic abrasive that removes metal marks left by cutlery on ceramic plates and sinks without damaging the glaze. For cast iron care, Zemichael told CNET that cutting a potato in half and dipping it in baking soda helps remove light surface rust because the oxalic acid in potatoes loosens the buildup while the baking soda acts as a mild abrasive. Finally, Perez told CNET that mayonnaise can help fade water ring stains on certain types of wood, as the vegetable oil in full-fat mayonnaise helps displace moisture trapped inside the wood finish when left to sit under plastic wrap.
