Oh shock, a stain! You've only been inattentive for a second and it's already happened. Anyone who cooks, washes and cleans regularly knows that sometimes the seemingly simplest things don't work the way you thought they would. Grease splashes on your fresh blouse, the sauce burns or the sink gets blocked. Fortunately, there are our clever SOS household tricks for most cases, which will solve the problem in no time - without expensive special products. Just with the help of household remedies such as salt or vinegar.
Egg whites don't set
Annoying: You stir and stir, but somehow it still doesn't turn into a solid mass. It can usually be saved with our household trick no. 1: simply add a few drops of lemon juice or a pinch of salt. If the cream doesn't stiffen, pour it into a metal bowl and chill. Then continue to whip slowly.
Knives get rust stains
These occur when different metals come into contact with each other. Therefore, always put them in the dishwasher separately from other items of cutlery.
Herbs are wilted
Cut the stems and then immediately place the herbs in a glass of sugar water: it acts as a kind of nutrient solution. Leave them in the water for around 10 minutes before replacing the water.
Grease splashes on the blouse
This mishap requires speed: immediately sprinkle plenty of salt on the affected area. It will soak up the grease and the blouse will be easier to wash clean afterwards. Did you already know our ingenious household trick against make-up stains? Glass cleaner really does help here: put it on a piece of kitchen paper and rub the affected area thoroughly with it.
Sink is blocked
Simple household remedies can help here: add three tablespoons of baking soda, immediately pour in half a cup of vinegar and close the sink. Carbonic acid is produced and the drain starts to bubble. As soon as the bubbling stops, rinse thoroughly with boiling hot water.
Dripping shower head
If this happens, it is usually due to calcified nozzles. Unscrew the shower head and soak it in quick descaler for kettles or coffee machines for about 10 minutes. Rinse the outside of the shower head, refit and rinse thoroughly.
Wax stains on the tablecloth
Everyone knows this one! Our household trick against nasty wax stains on the tablecloth? Simply place the fabric in the freezer until the wax is so hard that it can be removed. Place the remaining grease stain between two sheets of blotting paper and carefully go over it with an iron.
Tar marks on the cups
Looks unsightly, but is easy to remove: sprinkle salt on the edges, then wipe out with kitchen paper and rinse thoroughly. To remove deposits in the thermos flask, pour in some baking soda, fill up with hot water and leave to soak well. Then pour out and rinse thoroughly with water.
Sauce is burnt
Don't throw it away straight away! Pour the sauce into another pan and add a piece of raw potato - it will absorb the burnt flavor. If the sauce is too greasy: leave to cool and skim off the fat with a ladle.
Blinds are dusty
Wrap a damp cleaning cloth around a plastic scraper. Dip it in a little methylated spirits and run it slowly over the individual slats. This will remove all deposits.