We're always looking for new ways to clean the grime from thrift store finds and restore their former glory . I have a planter addiction and have a few in my collection with stubborn hard water deposits in them. Nothing would get them out: soaking for hours, magic eraser (a favorite), goo gone, conventional scrubbing, until I tried my roommate's Brillo steel wool soap pads out of desperation.
Before: You can see this planter isn't fit to sell, I was about to get desperate and mark it on deep clearance, donate it, or fill it with a succulent to try to sell it (Which would have been a waste, potted planters never sell for me anymore.)
After: The Planter is like new again, yay! Took a couple of scrubbing and rinsing sessions but happened rather quickly. I used the method on two more planters which I was promptly able to sell for $50.00 instead of $2.00 on clearance!
Favorite Thrift Store Cleaners Review:
1) Goo Gone for very stubborn sticker and other sticky residue.
2) Magic Eraser (or similar knock-offs) for brightening dull finds, sticker residue, pen/marker marks, practically anything! Can quickly make old things look like new again! Just spot check first because it can "erase" paint.
No damage befell the planters, I never would have thought to use the Brillo steel wool soap pads before since they're rarely in my apartment but it makes perfect sense. I'm sure it'll work for the most stubborn stuck-on grime, but I'd spot-check to ensure it doesn't damage the surface first. (This would be perfect for teapots too which often have hard water deposits.)
What are your favorite methods for cleaning up thrifted finds? Any spot cleaning tips for clothing? I'm always looking for more. For thrifted finds and myself, I'm clumsy...
my favorites are .....lighter fluid which you can buy to refill cigarette lighters and a q-tip to get stickers off books without damaging the cover. a regular eraser will often remove marks from books and other items. baking soda with a little water for removing utensil marks and other grime from coffee mugs.
ReplyDeleteI have those same orange polka dot salt and pepper shakers in my store :)
Thanks for the tips Nancy. I tried a baking soda/water paste on these planters but the brillo pads were the only thing that removed the hard water deposits. That was the hardest thing I've ever tried to remove.
DeleteHave you ever tried goo gone on books to get the same result? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried goo gone on books. I like the lighter fluid because it evaporates really fast. The goo gone might work too.
DeleteI used to have a whole cupboard full of special cleaners but have found I only really use two: Bar Keeper's Friend and Windex. And Wright's Cream Polish for polishing silver/silverplate. That's about it!
ReplyDeleteI used magic erasers for awhile until I realized it stripped the glaze right off of dishware and pottery before I realized it. I've never tried Brillo pads, but knowing me I would scratch the crap out of stuff with it.
:)
I wanted to try barkeeper's friend for my planter problem but was happy I tried what I had on hand, it really cut through the hard water deposits and didn't hurt these particular glazed ceramics despite the hard scrubbing. I definitely wouldn't use them for anything but sturdy glazed ceramics and the intended baking/cookingware. I usually just use my magic eraser and water, sometimes windex, and sometimes those pop-up cleaning wipes when I'm in a hurry. They're great to keep in the car while you're hunting so you can clean up the finds immediately.
DeleteGood tips here! I'll try to remember them, but if I don't, at least I know where to come!
ReplyDeleteOnce you use 'em you'll remember them and won't go back :)
DeleteDon't forget the blow dryer trick for stickers!
ReplyDeleteI like go-gone for stickers but that may work well for surfaces that would get a grease stain on it if you used anything else. Thanks for the tip! I'll have to test that one and see what happens.
DeleteThis post couldn't have come at a more perfect time! I bought a large set of dishes and one of the plates have those damn white calcium stains on it. I tried magic eraser, goo gone, everything...and the stain still wouldn't come out. I figure, if magic eraser doesn't work, its a lost cause.....going to run out and get some brillo pads today! I use pledge or favor or whatever kind of basic wood polish spray to clean my books. Doesn't damage the covers. Just for a nice basic clean, and a nice smell, My book store owner friend at the flea market gave me that tip, and she's been doing it for over 20 years, so she knows what she is talking about. She also uses lighter fluid for ink and stickers. I never tried that...otherwise, I use goo gone and magic eraser for everything else.
ReplyDeleteHope it works for you, let me know if it does! I use goo gone and magic eraser for basically everything, too. Love the pledge idea for a nice pine-scented, clean book!
Delete(Although I secretly like that old-book-smell.)
DeleteI use Magic Erasers for Pyres (removes rust stains), ketchup on copper, Clorox bleach pens on linens, weak bleach solution for stained enamel, warm coconut oil to condition wood, denture tablets for stained china and my favorite...my Dremmel with the appropriate brush for the material to remove rust.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! You are dedicated to remove rust with a Dremmel! Good idea!
DeleteThanks for sharing the Brillo pad trick. Never thought to try those. I am a frequent user of Goo Gone as well :)
ReplyDeleteFor stains on clothes, I use a bar of Fels Naptha soap. Moisten the soap, rub into the stain, let sit a little while, wash out.
My mom used to keep that soap around, I may need to invest in another bar to try on grease/blood (told you I'm clumsy. Injury related blood. Yes.) /juice stains that come up around these parts.
DeleteThe best cleanser for thrift items from my years of experience is Bon Ami. Bon Ami has been manufactured since the late 1800's. Beats Brillo hands down - a canister of it lasts a lot longer than a Brillo pad. It doesn't scratch surfaces. It is extremely cheap. It is all natural. It scrubs like nothing you've ever seen to get off sticky grime, grease, and dirt quickly and easily. It rinses off clean with no residue. I ALWAYS have this on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteI was reading the tips and thinking, no one has mentioned Bon Ami, which is everything Keith has said.It doesn't scratch and can clean coffee and tea stain out of mugs, marks on Pyrex, baked on grease on cookware and leaves no residue. Goo gone is great for sticky things, no matter how much sticky there is. I will try the lighter fluid, because G.G. can leave a mark. I have used ketchup on copper, with salt and lemon too. Want to try the polish on some book covers.Oxi Clean has cleaned some AWFUL, unknown stains on linesn. Soaking stoneware in peroide has worked for me. Funny, I hate housework but give me a dirty, challenging thrift find and I am Suzie homemaker, up for the challenge. Oh, and blue Dawn and vinegar is an awesome cleaning compo. Blue Dawn can clean the filthiest cooking utensiles.
DeleteIt's like a scouring powder? I've tried that on some things like calcium and it would not budge but I'd be willing to try Bon Ami and see how it goes. Oxi Clean never seemed to work for me either but I know Blue Dawn and peroxide can be awesome depending on what you're doing :D
DeleteI like the package design, too. The little chick is cute.
DeleteThanks for sharing these tips:)
ReplyDeleteNo prob!
DeleteIntroduce yourself to Bon Ami. I am sure it will become a regular on your cleanser shelf.
ReplyDeleteI shall :D Would prefer something more natural over the brillo pads anyway if it works, those were used out of desperation.
DeleteHere's a bonus tip, which is to store your wet Brillo pad in a ziploc bag in the freezer so it won't rust between uses.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! ;-)
Katy
Thank yee!
DeleteI've never tried this, but another seller told me that those denture cleaners that you have to dissolve in water work well on stains in mugs, cups, and teapots.
ReplyDeleteTo get rid of cigarette smells, try pouring baking soda into the item or if it's something like a book, sprinkle the baking soda in-between the pages and place the book in a zip-loc bag for at least a couple of days or even a week to remove the odor.
I've heard of the denture tablets but haven't used them. Heard they're good for toilets too!
DeleteExcellent post. Thanks for sharing such a informative post.
ReplyDeletecleaning products in chennai