10 Old-Fashioned Cleaning Tips from Grandma – Dollarsanity

There’s something about old-fashioned cleaning that’s always made sense to me.

No fancy sprays, no long ingredient lists just simple stuff that actually works. I picked up a lot of these tips from watching how things were done before everything came in a plastic bottle.

These are the kinds of tricks that use what you already have at home, and they still do the job just as well today.

Here are some of my favorite old-school cleaning tips, just like the ones grandma used.

Use Salt to Soak Up Moisture from Your Carpet

If you ever deal with damp carpets like after a spill or even a small flood try using salt. Seriously, it’s an old trick that my grandad used when our house flooded, and it actually works.

Just sprinkle a good amount of coarse salt over the wet area. It helps pull the moisture out of the carpet and can even stop that musty smell from setting in.

Let it sit for a few hours, or overnight if you can, then vacuum it all up. You’ll probably be surprised at how much it helps. It’s not a fix for a full-on disaster, but for small spots or leftover dampness, it’s one of those simple, old-fashioned tricks that still holds up.

It works because salt is naturally absorbent and it literally pulls moisture out of whatever it touches. When you sprinkle coarse salt over a damp carpet, the salt starts drawing water up from the fibers and padding underneath.

It’s kind of like how salt preserves food by pulling out moisture to stop bacteria and mold from growing. That same principle applies here.

Besides soaking up the water, salt also helps reduce odors and can slow down mildew or mold from forming, especially if you get to it early.

It’s not just drying the carpet it’s also helping to keep it from smelling or turning musty. And because salt is gritty, it can even loosen dirt or debris stuck in the carpet fibers, making your vacuuming more effective afterward.

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Use Vinegar for Everything

Back in the day, vinegar was grandma’s go-to cleaner for just about everything. It’s cheap, natural, and works without any harsh chemicals. She would mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it all over the house.

It worked great on kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, sinks, and even sticky spots. If she wanted it to smell nicer, she’d throw in a few lemon peels or drops of essential oil.

or windows and mirrors, she’d spray that same vinegar mix and wipe it down with crumpled newspaper. It always left the glass shiny and streak-free, no fancy sprays needed. Vinegar also came in handy for cleaning the coffee maker and kettle. She would run a mix of vinegar and water through them to get rid of limescale, then run plain water through a few times after to rinse it out.

Grandma even used vinegar in the laundry. She’d pour about half a cup into the rinse cycle to soften clothes, get rid of soap build-up, and make musty towels smell fresh again. If a pet had an accident, she’d blot up the mess, spray it with straight vinegar, let it sit, and then blot it again. It got rid of the smell without needing special sprays.

She also used vinegar to clean the toilet. Just pour in a cup, let it sit for a bit, and give it a quick scrub. It worked like a charm. Grandma didn’t need a cupboard full of cleaning products, just a bottle of vinegar and a little effort.

Here’s how she used it:

All-Purpose Spray Cleaner

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use it to:

• Wipe down kitchen counters and bathroom surfaces
• Clean sinks and faucets
• Remove sticky residue
• Sanitize cutting boards (after rinsing)

Optional: add a few drops of essential oil or a strip of lemon peel for a fresher scent.

Glass & Mirror Cleaner

Forget commercial glass sprays—vinegar leaves a streak-free shine.

• Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water
• Spray on windows or mirrors
• Wipe with crumpled newspaper or a lint-free cloth

Coffee Maker & Kettle Descaler

Run vinegar through your coffee maker to remove lime buildup.

• Fill reservoir with equal parts vinegar and water
• Run a full brew cycle (no coffee grounds)
• Run a couple of cycles with clean water after to rinse

Laundry Booster

Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle to:

• Soften clothes naturally (no fabric softener needed)
• Remove soap residue
• Eliminate mildew smell from towels

Pet Accident Cleaner

Vinegar breaks down the ammonia in pet urine and neutralizes odors.

• Blot up the mess
• Spray with straight white vinegar
• Let sit 10–15 minutes, then blot and let dry

Toilet Cleaner

Pour a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 15–30 minutes.

• Scrub with a toilet brush for a chemical-free clean

Shine Windows with Newspaper

When cleaning supplies were simple and nothing went to waste, grandma had a clever trick for getting crystal-clear windows: newspaper. Instead of using paper towels, which often left lint and streaks behind, she’d grab an old newspaper, crumple it up, and use it with her homemade vinegar cleaner.

She’d mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz it directly onto the glass. Then she’d wipe it down using the newspaper in circular motions. The result? Clean, streak-free windows that sparkled in the sunlight.

The reason this worked so well is because newspaper is made from dense fibers that don’t leave behind fuzz, and the slight texture helped scrub away smudges. It also didn’t contain the coatings or softeners that some paper towels do, which can leave a film on the glass.

Grandma loved using what she had on hand. No need for fancy microfiber cloths or expensive glass cleaners just a splash of vinegar and yesterday’s paper did the job just fine.

Sprinkle Baking Soda on Carpets

One of grandma’s simplest and most effective tricks for freshening up carpets was using plain old baking soda. No need for pricey carpet powders or sprays—just a box of baking soda from the kitchen shelf did the job beautifully.

She would generously sprinkle dry baking soda all over the carpet, especially in high-traffic areas or places where odors tended to build up, like near the front door or under the couch. Then she’d let it sit for at least 15 to 30 minutes, sometimes even longer if the carpet needed a deep refresh.

While the baking soda sat, it worked like a sponge, absorbing smells from pets, spills, or just everyday foot traffic. Because it’s naturally deodorizing, it pulled out bad odors without masking them with artificial fragrances.

After the wait, she’d vacuum it all up slowly and thoroughly. Not only did the carpet smell cleaner, but it also looked a bit fresher, too.

If she wanted to add a light scent, grandma might mix a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or lemon) into the baking soda before sprinkling.

Clean Wood Furniture with Olive Oil & Vinegar

Grandma didn’t need commercial wood polish to keep her furniture looking beautiful. She used a simple old-fashioned mixture of olive oil and vinegar a vintage trick passed down through generations. It was gentle, natural, and brought out the warmth and shine in wood without any harsh chemicals.

To make it, she’d combine two parts olive oil with one part white vinegar. The vinegar helped clean the surface by cutting through grime and fingerprints, while the olive oil nourished the wood and gave it a soft, natural glow. She’d dip a soft cloth into the mixture, wring it out slightly, and then gently rub it into the wood following the grain.

After applying it, she’d let it sit for a few minutes before buffing with a clean dry cloth. The result was smooth, gleaming furniture that looked well cared for and smelled fresh too. This vintage method worked wonders on everything from dining tables to old dressers and rocking chairs.

It was also frugal, using ingredients already found in the kitchen. No fancy polish, no waste just time-tested way to keep wood furniture looking rich and well-loved. This simple routine helped preserve the furniture’s beauty for years.

Boil Lemon Peels to Freshen the Kitchen

Grandma had a simple way to make the whole kitchen smell clean and fresh she’d boil lemon peels on the stove. No air fresheners, no sprays just the natural scent of citrus wafting through the house. It was one of her favorite tricks, especially after cooking something strong-smelling like fish, onions, or cabbage.

Whenever she used lemons for tea, baking, or cleaning, she’d save the peels instead of throwing them out. Then, she’d toss a handful into a small pot of water, bring it to a boil, and let it simmer on low. Within minutes, the steam would carry that bright, clean lemon scent into every corner of the kitchen.

Sometimes, she’d get creative and add a few extras like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or a splash of vanilla extract to give the room a cozy or spicy scent. It wasn’t just about the smell, either. The warm, humid air helped loosen grease and freshen up the space after a big day of cooking.

This little habit was a perfect example of grandma’s frugal wisdom—using up scraps, avoiding chemicals, and keeping the house inviting in the simplest way possible. It’s an easy trick anyone can do, and it still works just as well today.

Use Salt to Clean Cast Iron

To clean cast iron the old-fashioned way, people used coarse salt as a natural scrub. This vintage method avoids soap, which can strip away the seasoning that gives cast iron its nonstick surface and rich flavor over time. The salt works as a gentle abrasive to remove stuck-on food without damaging the pan.

After cooking, while the pan is still warm, a generous handful of coarse salt is sprinkled into the skillet. A cloth, wooden spoon, or even half a potato is used to scrub the salt around the surface. It breaks down grease and food bits without the need for chemicals or soaking.

Once clean, the salt is discarded and the pan is wiped out or quickly rinsed with warm water. To prevent rust, the pan is dried thoroughly with a towel and warmed briefly on the stove. A thin layer of oil is then rubbed in to maintain the seasoning.

This simple, old-fashioned cleaning method keeps cast iron in top shape and helps it last for generations. It’s a no-fuss, chemical-free approach that honors how things were done before modern detergents took over.

Whiten Laundry with Lemon Juice & Sunlight

Before commercial bleach was common, lemon juice and sunlight were the trusted way to whiten laundry. This old-fashioned method is gentle on fabrics and doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals. It’s especially useful for whites that have become dull or slightly stained over time.

To use this vintage trick, freshly squeezed lemon juice is added to a bucket or basin of warm water. Clothes are soaked in the mixture for an hour or more, depending on how much brightening is needed. The natural acid in the lemon juice helps break down stains and lift discoloration.

After soaking, the clothes are laid out in direct sunlight to dry. Sunlight acts as a natural bleaching agent, and when combined with the lemon juice, it helps to whiten fabric even more. This is especially effective for cotton items like shirts, linens, and towels.

The process not only brightens whites but also leaves laundry smelling fresh and clean. It’s a simple, chemical-free alternative that makes use of what’s already on hand just lemons, water, and a sunny day.

Use Old Socks as Dusting Mitts

Using old socks as dusting mitts is a clever, vintage cleaning tip that turns worn-out clothing into something useful again. Instead of throwing out socks with holes or mismatched pairs, they can be repurposed into soft, reusable dusters… no need to buy special cloths or disposable wipes.

To use this simple method, just slip a clean sock over your hand like a glove. It fits snugly and makes it easy to reach into corners, around furniture legs, or along baseboards. The fabric naturally picks up dust and hair, especially if it’s made of cotton or other absorbent material. For better results, the sock can be lightly dampened or sprayed with a bit of homemade cleaner.

This old-fashioned hack is perfect for dusting blinds, shelves, ceiling fans, or even indoor plants. Once the cleaning is done, the sock can be shaken out, tossed in the wash, and used again.

Clean the Oven with Baking Soda Paste

Cleaning the oven with baking soda paste is an old-fashioned, no-chemical method that’s both safe and effective. Long before strong store-bought cleaners were common, this simple mixture was used to cut through grease and burnt-on residue without harsh fumes or scrubbing pads.

To make the paste, mix baking soda with just enough water to form a thick, spreadable consistency. The paste is then applied generously to the inside of the oven—especially on the bottom, sides, and door where grime tends to build up. It’s best to avoid the heating elements.

Once applied, the paste should sit for several hours or overnight. During this time, the baking soda softens baked-on food and absorbs grease. After the wait, the paste is wiped away using a damp cloth or sponge. For stubborn spots, a plastic scraper or more paste can be used.

If any residue remains, a quick spray of vinegar helps lift the rest and adds some fizz for extra cleaning power. This method leaves the oven clean and odor-free, using only basic kitchen ingredients.

Polish Metal with Flour, Vinegar & Salt

Polishing metal with a mixture of flour, vinegar, and salt is a time-tested, old-fashioned method that brings back shine without using commercial polishes. This simple combination works especially well on tarnished copper, brass, and other non-coated metals that have lost their luster.

To make the polish, combine equal parts flour, white vinegar, and salt to create a thick paste. The vinegar breaks down tarnish, the salt acts as a gentle abrasive, and the flour helps bind everything together so it sticks to the surface. The paste is then rubbed onto the metal using a soft cloth or sponge.

Once applied, the paste should sit on the metal for about 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, it works to loosen grime and oxidation. Afterward, it can be gently scrubbed and then rinsed off with warm water. A dry, soft cloth is used to buff the surface until it shines.

Hi, I’m Ashley a freelance writer who’s passionate about personal finance. Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the power of money and how it can shape our lives. I’ve spent years learning everything I can about budgeting, saving, investing and retirement planning. So if you are looking for tips, advice, or just a little bit of inspiration to help you on your financial journey, you have come to the right place. I am always here to help, and I am excited to share my passion for personal finance with you.