14 Forgotten Household Tricks From the Past That Still Work Wonders for Georgians

Your grandparents didn’t have TikTok hacks, but they sure had plenty of clever tricks up their sleeves.

From polishing furniture with kitchen staples to saving a buck by stretching supplies, old-school Georgia households ran like well-oiled machines.

A lot of these tricks have slipped through the cracks, but they’re still just as useful today.

Vinegar Fixes Almost Anything

Before multi-purpose sprays filled store shelves, vinegar was the cleaner of choice.

It wiped windows, freshened drains, and even handled coffee makers before special “descaling” bottles were a thing. A splash in a spray bottle could shine almost anything.

Laundry also benefited from vinegar. It softened fabrics, cut odors, and kept colors bright.

Why buy pricey boosters when a cheap jug still does the job?

Cooking wasn’t left out either. A little vinegar made boiled eggs easier to peel and meat easier to chew.

Modern tenderizers try to compete, but vinegar was first.

These days, vinegar often gets overlooked as just a salad topper. In reality, it’s one of the hardest-working staples in the pantry and still deserves daily use.

Baking Soda Cleans Carpets

Long before scented carpet powders appeared, families sprinkled baking soda straight from the box. Leave it overnight, vacuum in the morning, and odors were gone.

It was simple and cost almost nothing.

Pet owners especially swore by it. Baking soda soaked up smells without leaving behind heavy perfumes.

Parents liked it for another reason: it was safe. No need to worry about kids crawling or dogs licking their paws.

It kept carpets fresh without chemicals.

You can still buy fancy powders today, but the little yellow box is all you need. It’s proof that not every solution has to be high-tech.

Salt Scrubs Stains

Salt wasn’t just for cooking. People once reached for the shaker to clean coffee cups, polish sinks, or scrub cutting boards.

The gritty texture worked like a natural scouring pad.

It also came to the rescue for fabric stains. A quick sprinkle on fresh spills helped lift liquids before they set.

For wine or juice, salt often saved the day.

In the kitchen, cooks even used salt to clean cast-iron pans. It scrubbed without stripping away the seasoning, keeping skillets in good shape.

That trick still beats most modern scrubbers.

Lemon Juice Whitens and Shines

Before bleach pens and stain sticks, lemon juice was the natural whitener. People used it to brighten laundry, fade stains, and clean counters.

A quick squeeze worked wonders on dingy fabrics.

It doubled as a polish, too. Rubbing half a lemon on faucets or cutting boards left them shiny and fresh.

Paired with salt, it made a powerful duo for scrubbing.

The smell was part of the appeal. Instead of harsh chemical fumes, lemon left rooms smelling clean and crisp. It was like a free air freshener straight from the fruit bowl.

Lemons are still cheap and easy to find at any grocery store. They prove you don’t need a shelf full of bottles to keep a home looking good.

Newspaper Cleans Windows

Before glass cleaner brands like Windex took over, people wiped windows with crumpled newspaper.

The paper left glass streak-free and didn’t shed lint like rags. It was a simple swap that made a big difference.

The ink even helped polish the glass.

Instead of smudges, you’d get a clear shine that looked like it came from a professional cleaning.

It was also a budget trick. Families reused what was already lying around instead of buying extra supplies. Recycling came naturally back then.

While fewer homes keep stacks of newspapers today, the method still works.

Grab a sheet, spritz some cleaner, and you’ll see why it stuck around so long.

Coffee Grounds Deodorize

After brewing a pot of Maxwell House or Folgers, nothing went to waste.

Used coffee grounds were spread in the fridge to soak up smells. They worked just as well as baking soda.

People also scattered them in trash bins or sprinkled them down the sink. The gritty texture even freshened garbage disposals.

It was the ultimate second use for something already made.

Gardeners loved them, too. Coffee grounds enriched the soil and kept pests away.

Backyards across America smelled faintly like the morning brew.

Instead of tossing coffee grounds, try saving them for small jobs around the house. It’s recycling that smells good and saves money.

Potato Polishes Silver

When fancy silverware lost its shine, potatoes came to the rescue.

Boiled spuds left behind starchy water that doubled as a silver polish. Utensils soaked in it came out brighter.

People also rubbed raw potato slices on tarnished items. The natural starch lifted dull spots without harsh chemicals.

It was a surprising fix that actually worked.

This trick mattered when families brought out heirloom silver for holidays. Instead of buying special polish, potatoes handled the job for free. Dinner looked more elegant without extra expense.

Even now, a pot of potato water can shine up jewelry or utensils.

It’s one more reminder that food often doubled as a cleaner.

Bread Picks Up Glass

Broken glasses and bottles were once cleaned up with a loaf of Wonder Bread. The soft slice was pressed into tiny shards and picked them up safely.

It worked better than a broom for the smallest pieces.

Parents loved this trick because it kept kids and pets safe. No one wanted a sliver of glass stuck in a foot during dinner.

After mopping up, you just tossed the slice straight in the trash. No special tools required.

The next time a cup shatters, grab a slice of bread from the bag.

It’s still one of the smartest ways to tackle dangerous little shards.

Rice Dries Out Phones

Before phone insurance was common, rice was the rescue tool for soggy electronics. People buried wet phones in a bowl of uncooked grains and crossed their fingers.

It often worked surprisingly well.

The rice absorbed moisture overnight, pulling water out of the tiny parts inside. Families swore by it after spills in sinks or rainy days outside.

Even though tech companies now debate its effectiveness, plenty of Americans still use it.

For years, it was the first piece of advice you’d hear after a phone dunk.

The method may be old-fashioned, but it saved more than a few flip phones and iPods. Sometimes kitchen staples beat fancy gadgets.

Chalk Stops Humidity

Chalk wasn’t just for sidewalks. People once left sticks in closets and drawers to absorb moisture.

It kept linens fresh and prevented musty smells from creeping in.

Chalk worked like a natural dehumidifier. Instead of plug-in machines, you just tied up a bundle of chalk with string and let it hang.

Shoe closets and laundry rooms benefited most. Chalk kept shoes from smelling sour and laundry from getting damp.

A box of chalk was a quiet hero in many homes.

Even today, the trick still works. If you’ve got a humid spot in the house, a few sticks of chalk can make a difference.

Toothpaste Shines Jewelry

Before specialized cleaners lined the jewelry counter, toothpaste was the go-to. People rubbed it on rings and necklaces to bring back the sparkle.

The mild grit polished without scratching.

It was especially popular for silver and gold. A dab on an old toothbrush could revive dull pieces in minutes.

No need for a trip to the jeweler.

Parents even used it on kids’ trinkets and watches. It was gentle, safe, and always within reach. One tube did double duty in the bathroom and jewelry box.

Though fancier cleaners exist today, toothpaste still shines in a pinch. It proves some household hacks never lose their charm.

Olive Oil Fixes Squeaks

Before spray cans of WD-40 took over, many Americans reached for olive oil. A dab on door hinges or squeaky wheels quieted the noise instantly.

It was pantry magic.

The oil also worked on stuck zippers, scissors, and even squeaky toys. Instead of buying a dozen lubricants, one bottle handled them all.

It was safer, too.

Parents didn’t worry about kids handling toxic sprays when olive oil did the same job.

Today, it’s still worth trying olive oil before heading to the hardware store. That same bottle you use for cooking can keep your house running smoothly.

Honey Heals Scrapes

Before antibiotic creams filled bathroom cabinets, honey was a natural first-aid staple. Families dabbed it on small cuts and burns to soothe the skin and help it heal.

It wasn’t just folklore, either; honey has natural antibacterial qualities.

Parents especially liked it for kids.

A little honey was gentle, safe, and already in the kitchen. It worked when store-bought ointments weren’t handy.

Camping trips and outdoor chores often called for this trick. A jar of honey doubled as both sweetener and emergency medicine.

Even today, honey is studied for its healing powers. It’s proof that some of the oldest remedies still hold up in modern life.

Club Soda Lifts Stains

Long before spray bottles promised to “erase” spills, club soda was the quick fix. People poured it on wine, coffee, or juice stains before they set.

The fizz lifted liquids right out of the fabric.

Restaurants even swore by it. Waiters at diners and steakhouses carried bottles for accidents at tables. Club soda became a trusted sidekick in the service industry.

At home, it worked on carpets, couches, and clothes.