10 Low-Cost Household Hacks That Make Luxury Feel Stupid (2 of 6)

2. Ketchup for Copper and Brass

It sounds like a prank, but it works. Squirt some ketchup onto tarnished copper or brass pots and pans and start rubbing it with a soft cloth. Let it sit briefly if needed, then rinse with warm water and dry. The mild acids help the metal get its color back.

3. White Vinegar: The Mold, Gunk, and Grime Killer

Plain white vinegar is a cleaning legend. It helps discourage mold, mildew, and some bacteria and is perfect for those hard-to-reach spots.

Has it been a while since you’ve cleaned the coffeemaker? Fill the reservoir with half vinegar, half water. Run a brew cycle, stop halfway for an hour, then finish and flush with a few cycles of clean water, and enjoy knowing you’re not drinking last year’s dirty bean water.

What about those muck-filled drains? Vinegar can clean those as well! Pour that baby into the drain, let it do its job for about 30-40 minutes, then flush with cold water—easy-peasy.

And lastly, vinegar can help clear those congested nozzles of your showerhead. For this, pour a bunch of vinegar into a plastic bag, submerge the showerhead, tie it up, leave it like that for 6-8 hours, and give it a good rinse after.