7 nostalgic cleaning tips – passed down through generations – that actually work

Sometimes, with all the cleaning hacks and innovations online, we forget where it all began – with the humble scrubbing brush and the handy broom.

Importantly, though, most of what we know and love today about cleaning is based on the past. Whether it's a new gadget for busting dust or a product promising sparkling results in seconds, there's usually a time-honored, traditional method that gets the job done just as effectively and tends to be cheaper, too.

So, among all the cleaning tips and myths, it turns out that sometimes, mothers know best. Here, I spoke to mine to find out the nostalgic cleaning tips she still uses and loves and why.

1. Shining windows with newspaper

When it comes to how to clean a window without streaks, my mother's tip is to use an old newspaper. 'A bunch of scrunched newspaper is brilliant for shining windows,' she says.

To do so, simply clean them as usual with window cleaners, such as Windex Glass and Window Cleaner Spray Bottle available at Amazon, and a microfiber cloth. Then, use an old piece of newspaper to scrub in circular motions to wipe away residue and make them shine.

If you prefer not to use chemicals when cleaning, why not try cleaning with vinegar and make a homemade vinegar glass cleaner? Erin Zanelli, co-founder and CFO of Tranquil Home explains, 'From countertops to glass, my grandmother swore by a simple white vinegar and water solution. This natural cleaner cuts through grime, leaves surfaces streak-free, and doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals.

'Vinegar’s acidity breaks down dirt and kills some bacteria, making it a versatile cleaner.' Pair these with another nostalgic tip – taking advice from Barbara 'Babs' Costello on streak-free window cleaning, for seriously sparkling results.

2. Oxygen bleach for stain removal

As content editor on Solved here at H&G, Chiana Dickson is no stranger to putting cleaning hacks to the test around her home. But, it's her Grandmother's stain removal trick that she relies on when in a fix.

She says, 'My nan is a magician when it comes to getting stains out of clothing. Be it food, sweat, sunscreen, or blood, there are never any traces left behind when she has had her hands on it.'

Her secret? A powerful oxygen-based cleaner, such as the Molly's Suds Oxygen Whitener available at Amazon, is a chlorine-free, powerful bleach alternative. 'Her golden rule for stain removal is to thoroughly soak the item in warm water, before scrubbing the oxygen cleaner into the stain,' continues Dickson. 'She then lets it sit for a few hours with another small scoop resting on top of the stain. Then she washes as normal with another scoop in the drum of her washing machine.

'The beauty of the method is that Oxygen bleach works on both color and white fabrics, so nothing will be damaged,' which is why it's one of the secret laundry ingredients that cleaning pros swear by.

'Another secret is her perseverance,' adds Dickson. Not all stains will come out the first time, but give it enough goes and almost anything will lift!'

3. Using Brasso to clean china

I was certainly skeptical about this cleaning tip, but my mother works in an antique shop in London and swears by using Brasso Multi-Purpose Metal Polish available at Amazon to remove marks from products for display – not from metal, but from China.

As bizarre as this may sound, she says, 'When cleaning secondhand china before I put them on sale, I rub them with Brasso on a clean cloth, and all the scuffs and dark cutlery marks come off almost immediately. It's the best result for something so quick and simple,' readying china pieces for display.

4. Soap bars for great smelling laundry

While not necessarily a cleaning tip, per se, growing up my mother always kept soap bars in her closet to make laundry smell better, and now it's something I always do, too.

There is something so simply luxurious about pulling clothing out and finding, no matter how long it has been stored away, that it still smells amazing – which is why this is one of the things people with nice-smelling closets always do.

I love the way you can customize your soap for a signature scent, but, if you prefer something less fragrant, a charcoal bag or opened box of baking soda will work wonders to keep laundry smelling nice for longer, too.

This is a simple trick that Zanelli learned from her grandmother, who dubs baking soda one of her 'favorite multi-taskers.' She says, 'It's a mild abrasive and natural deodorizer, perfect for lifting stains and eliminating odors.'

5. Vinegar and baking soda for drains

For a DIY drain cleaning solution professionals swear by, Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless, recommends cleaning with baking soda and vinegar. 'My Grandma swore by vinegar for just about everything!' she says.

'It's a classic – simply sprinkle the baking soda in, pour vinegar over it, and let the fizz do its magic before flushing with hot water. It's natural, super effective, and honestly, kind of fun to watch!'

You can also use this combination to unclog a dishwasher, so it's a brilliant nostalgic cleaning tip to master.

6. Using lemon juice to clean the toilet

Around the house, there are many things that benefit from cleaning with lemon juice, and, when cleaning the bathroom, my mother uses it to tackle the toilet.

To do so, all you need to do is squeeze the juice of one lemon into the toilet, around the toilet bowl. If using bottled juice, such as the Great Value Lemon 100% Juice available at Walmart, this will equate to roughly two to three tablespoons.

Then, let it sit for between 30 and 60 minutes (or overnight, as any longer won't harm your toilet) before giving it a thorough scrub with a brush, such as the Clorox ToiletWand Toilet Cleaning Kit available at Amazon. This works effectively due to the acidity of lemon juice, which is why I use lemon to scrub my sink.

Recently, Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved at H&G also tried cleaning stubborn faucet limescale with lemon juice and loved the results.

7. Line-drying laundry for crisp linens

There are so many benefits of air-drying laundry, which is a nostalgic cleaning tip that Zanelli learned from her mother.

She says, 'Drying clothes on the line was more than just a practical habit for my mom – it was a way to infuse them with the fresh scent of the outdoors and achieve that crisp, airy feel you just can't get from a dryer.

'It's a tradition I've continued for sheets wherever possible. Nothing is better than getting into a bed with sheets dried in the sun!'

Sunlight also acts as a natural whitener and disinfectant, meaning it works well to get dingy whites white again, while fresh air enhances the scent of clean laundry.

Next, learn about our budget cleaning hacks for expert-approved tips to skip expensive methods and still achieve beautiful, spotless results.