I’m one of those people who would rather use an “old-wives tale” remedy over a modern day solution. I like hand-me-downs, repurpose items, and natural remedies. I also love books. Not just those you curl up with but those that cause you to dream and wish for a life that is displayed in the pages of beautiful homes and settings and those with pictures and illustrations that bring you joy.  One such book, given to me by my Sarah is: Forgotten ways for Modern Days by Rachelle Blondel. I just love this book.

I’d like to share with you something that I tried in the book and it actually worked and worked well.  

I happen to have a variety of vases. I have old vases and new vases, well they’re not so new anymore since they were wedding gifts over 30 years ago, I come from a home of antiques, so 30 years isn’t that old.

When we relocated to the south, I needed to clean all the items that packed up and boxed when setting up my new home. When cleaning my vases for display, I was unable to get the bottoms clean and shiny, so I usually would ignore it and just clean it to the best of my ability. A remedy I came across in the book mentioned above solved this problem using common household items: eggs and lemons.

You take raw eggshells (save them after your breakfast) and clean them with warm soapy water and allow to air dry. Place the crumbled eggshells and the squeeze of a lemon in the bottom of the vase. You can leave it there for several hours or days if needed.  That was not the case for me.  I am way too impatient to wait several days, I’m lucky if I waited several hours.  I do suggest that you swirl and shake and swizzle so the eggshells can get into any nooks and crannies. 

Once you waited as long as you can bear, you empty the vase and wash in hot soapy water and allow to dry and there you have it, a sparkling, shiny vase with the stubborn dust and dirt gone!

Give it a try, I think you’ll love the outcome.