Mayonnaise as a cleaning hack
Mayonnaise belongs in more than sandwiches. Thanks to its oil base and creamy texture, it can tackle a handful of household cleaning tasks that might surprise you. Below are several practical uses that keep every original tip intact.
Hide and reduce scratches on wood
When small scratches appear on a wood floor or countertop, olive oil is the usual go-to. If you don’t have olive oil handy, mayonnaise will do the job. First clean the area with an oil-based soap to remove dirt and grime. Then spread a generous layer of mayo over the scratch, let it sit overnight, and wipe it away the next morning with a damp cloth. The oils help minimize the appearance of abrasions.
Remove sticker residue
Mayonnaise’s oil content is effective at breaking down adhesive. To remove leftover glue from a sticker on glass or another surface, apply mayo to the spot, wait about 20 minutes, then wipe it off with a damp cloth. The sticker residue should come away, leaving the surface clean.
Refresh artificial plants
Artificial houseplants collect dust and can look flat. Rubbing a thin layer of mayonnaise over their leaves gives them a glossy, lifelike sheen. Some people say this works on live houseplants too, but that risks clogging pores and harming real foliage, so avoid doing that. For faux greenery, mayo can quickly revive the look.
Polish stainless steel
Fingerprints and smudges show up quickly on stainless steel. A small amount of mayonnaise applied to the spot, then wiped off immediately and buffed with a clean cloth, removes grime and leaves a polished finish. If you don’t have mayo, baby oil can be used in the same way.