Never Miss a New Post! Click here to subscribe to our emails! Some cleaning fixes for patent leather shoes & bags How do you clean your patent leather shoes and handbags? My advice: if you have a well-stocked kitchen cupboard, you don’t need to bother with commercial patent leather cleaners. I originally shared this how-to on the blog five years ago, and was recently reminded of it when a Miss Thrifty reader called June emailed asking how to clean a “sticky” patent leather handbag purchased from a charity shop. All you need is a little olive oil and a couple of soft cloths! Dip a cloth in the oil and rub it over the shoes or bag. Leave for 20 – 40 minutes, then wipe off with a clean cloth.  This cleans the leather, keeps it from cracking or scuffing – and costs practically nothing. This has always worked a treat for me, for cleaning patent leather shoes, boots and handbags. Here is a turn-up though: when June tried olive oil cleaner, on my advice, it didn’t work!

The bag was still sticky. cost to clean air conditioning coilThis puzzled me, just because olive oil works so well. heater duct cleaning costLooking around fashion forums, however, I note that “sticky” patent leather is a known issue: apparently the glue can degrade over time, if the item is stored in an extremely humid environment.best value vacuum cleaner 2013 australia If you have sticky patent leather on your hands and olive oil does nothing, you may have to write your patent leather off as spoiled, but according to the forums there are a couple of tried-and-tested cleaning solutions you should try first. dryer vent cleaning equipment

You can watch and wait: leave the item for a while, to see if it dries out by itself. the best hoover vacuum cleanerOr you can try white vinegar. clean leather car seats with a home remedyThe use of nail polish remover is also recommended, but that stuff is (literally) paint stripper, so I’d only use it as a last resort. UPDATE: Thanks to Miss Thrifty readers Julie (below) and Carol, who got in touch to say that Vaseline is also a good fix. Use it as you would the olive oil. Image credit: Beth Georgette.Step 1: Tools And SuppliesShow All ItemsTools:Supplies;**Optional**Share your On Facebook or Instagram #homesogood Our customers love to get on social media, post selfies and share their #homesogood with the world! We love it too!Follow me over to the blog for more homemade goodness . . .

When I was researching for our series on Cleaning House With Essential Oils, I discovered a whole section on how to clean your car with essential oils. Even your car can be taken care of naturally, just like your home. These recipes can be used in any vehicle, car truck, camper, or RV. So here we go. What oils to use Lemon, Lavender, Orange, Eucalyptus Globulus, Cedarwood, Pine, Tea Tree, Wintergreen, Peppermint, Spearmint, Here are some good recipes to try on your car. For glass cleaners, you can go to some of the articles in our Cleaning House With Essential Oils series like The Basics and Bathrooms. Use protective gloves with these cleaners. 1 cup White Vinegar 4-6 drops essential oil(s) of choice 1 slice of bread Fill a small bowl with vinegar and essential oils. Add a piece of bread on top of liquid and place inside the vehicle to absorb odors. Remove after 24 hours. Easy Citrus Car Wash 1/4 cup Castile Soap 10 drops Lemon or Orange oil

Fill a bucket with the water and soap, stir until mixed and then add the essential oil and stir again. Using a soft cloth or sponge, wash the exterior of your car from top down, one section at a time. Rinse each area well with clean water before the soap has a chance to dry. 1/2 cup Lemon Juice 6 drops Eucalyptus Globulus or Mint oil 1/4 cup Liquid Castile Soap 3 tablespoons Baking Soda Mix water, lemon juice, essential oil(s), and soap in a bucket and stir in baking soda until blended. With a soft cloth or sponge, wash the exterior of your car from the top down, working in sections. Rinse each area well with clean water before the soap dries. 2 cups Baking Soda 2 cups Vinegar or Lemon Juice 5 drops Lemon, Lime, or Orange oil Combine baking soda, water, and soap in a bucket or other container. Add the vinegar and essential oil(s) and mix well. Apply with a brush to get in between the tire treads. Wash one tire at a time, rinsing each before moving on to the next.

1/4 cup Baking Soda 1 1/2 tablespoons Liquid Castile Soap 8 drops Eucalyptus Radiata or Black Pine oil Combine all ingredients in a plastic bowl and mix well. Dip a cloth, brush, or sponge in the wash and scrub each headlight. Rinse several times with a wet cloth or sponge or with a garden hose. 3 tablespoons Carnauba Wax 1 cup Linseed oil 6 drops Orange or Lemon oil Melt waxes and linseed oil together in a double boiler, stirring often. Add the essential oil(s), stir once, and immediately remove from heat. Pour mixture into a clean coffee can. (Note: the can will become hot.)  Using gloves or a potholder, place the coffee can in a place where it will be undisturbed for a few days. When the wax has completely hardened, tap the sides of the can until the wax breaks free. Turn out the wax and rub it directly into your car. Dip a soft cloth into the lemon juice and squeeze dry. Polish the waxed car with the lemon-soaked cloth, then buff to a shine with a dry cloth.

Lavender Leather Upholstery Cleaner 1/2 cup Soap Flakes 1 cup Hot Water 6 drops Lavender oil Dissolve soap flakes in hot water. Add essential oil and blend well. Apply formula with a soft brush, using gentle downward strokes. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Buff dry with a towel. Follow with he Upholstery Conditioner (down below) Fragrant Leather Upholstery Conditioner 1/2 cup Olive Oil 1/4 cup strong Rosemary Tea Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and shake well before every use. Lightly spray onto upholstery and buff with a dry cloth. 4 cups Hot Water 1 cup Washing Soda Crystals Combine ingredients in a plastic container. Wet a clean rag in the water and gently dab away at any stains. 1/2 cup Baking Soda 10 drops Lavender oil (or oil of your choice) Add oils to baking soda and mix well with a fork. Break up oil clumps to insure the oil is evenly distributed. Sprinkle liberally over your carpets and upholstery.

Leave for a half hour. When you vacuum your caret, move the vacuum very slowly, going with the grain of the carpet. 1/2 cup oil based soap 10 drops Cedarwood oil Combine all ingredients in a small plastic spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto dashboard and wipe clean with a soft cloth. Mat and Carpet Cleaner 1/2 gallon Hot Water 1/2 cup Liquid Soap 12 drops Wintergreen or Peppermint oil Combine all ingredients in a bucket or pail. Stir thoroughly to mix. Vacuum loose dirt from carpeting and mats. Remove mats from the car and clean by dipping a brush into the cleaning solution and rubbing into the carpet fibers. Rinse the mats with a hose and allow them to dry in the sun. Clean the carpeting on the floor of the car by dipping brush into the cleaning solution and rubbing into the carpet. Wipe with a dry towel. Vacuum again when completely dry. 1/4 cup Washing Soda 25 drops Tea Tree oil 20 drops Citrus oil of choice Pour washing soda into a plastic jug or pitcher, one with a tight fitting cap and preferably a pour spout.

Bring the water and vinegar to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add to the pitcher. Cap the pitcher and shake to dissolve the washing soda. (Careful It will be hot.) Add the essential oils and shake some more. Slowly pour the solution over a cool engine (one that has not been run for at least an hour.) Use a stiff brush to loosen oil and grease. Rinse with a garden hose or pour clean water over the engine several times. Leave the engine exposed to the air until completely dry. 4 drops Lime or Orange oil Water, to make a paste Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or cup and blend well, using only enough water to make a paste or medium thickness. Apply the paste to battery terminals with an old toothbrush and scrub until clean.  Wipe the terminals clean with a slightly damp cloth, then wipe again with a dry cloth. Here you go with something new to do for your car. What has worked for you? Please share with all of us in the comment section down below.