Cleaning out the pantry could be all you need to disinfect your home. Here's our list of top ten surprising cleaners... most of which you probably already own! From lemonade to mothballs, you'll be surprised at what you can use to clean.
View the slideshow above for creative uses on those random items laying around your pantry!
For more unusual cleaning tips, check out Unusual Uses For Cooking Spray and Unusual Uses For Mayo.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
1) Lemonade: To clean and deodorize, pour a few scoops of dry sugar-free lemonade (or Tang!) into your dishwasher detergent compartment and run an empty cycle. You may not notice the difference, but next time your child crawls into the dishwasher during a game of hide-and-seek, you'll be the best mom ever.
Photo Credit: Alamy
2) Salt: The next time you let your daughter crack the eggs on pancake day and she spills, sprinkle a few dashes of salt on the gooey yolk. Let sit a few minutes and wipe clean with a paper towel.
Photo Credit: flickr/
3) Tin Lids: Save a few tin can lids from your mother's spaghetti night and place them underneath your honey and jam bottles to keep sticky edges from taking over your cabinets. You'll thank us when the ants don't.
Photo Credit: flickr/seriykotik1970
4) Hairdryer: Removing tags and labels from gifts. Just plug in and blow on high. No more embarrassing adhesives!
Photo Credit: Getty
5) Floss: Cleaning the goo (the official word, I'm sure) from sink faucets and other hard-to-reach crevices. Minty flavor optional.
Photo Credit: jupiterimages
6) Newspaper: Place a few crumpled sheets of newspaper -- preferably the sports section, of course -- to deodorize your son's soccer cleats overnight.
Photo Credit: Getty
7) Vegetable Oil: Shine your best leather shoes with the same oil you stir-fry with. Dab a bit of vegetable oil on a cotton ball to remove scuffs and protect leather.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
8) Mothballs: Yes, they stink like your grandfather's attic and keep insects at bay, but they also prevent silver from tarnishing. Stash a few with your silver to keep it shiny and bright while in storage.
Photo Credit: flickr/Bryen
9) Cotton Balls: Dab a bit of vanilla extract onto a few cotton balls and place in the compartments of your too-smelly fridge. The cotton will absorb the bad scent, leaving the good!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
10) Old Socks: Never found the pair to last season's Christmas sock? Use it as a replacement Swiffer pad to save your floors and your dough. (Hint: Wash it first, especially if it's spent time in your son's aforementioned soccer cleat.)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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