I've somehow managed to harvest a bunch of cleaning ingredients. I mean, I know how it happened: I once put a bunch of homemade cleaning solutions to the test, so afterwards, while my home was clean and fresh, I was left with half-opened bottles of this, that, and the other underneath my sink.
It wasn't until it came to spring cleaning the under-sink cupboard that I realised just how busy these shelves are, so I opened the AI app on my phone with a mission: how can I put all of these ingredients to use to spring clean my home?
First up was glycerine, and I was in luck: apparently, glycerine is the best thing to use on grimy patio furniture. Mine was the perfect test — it hasn't been so much as touched with a sponge since last autumn. Grimy was an understatement, so what better test? Here's what happened when I applied this glycerine and water solution on my glass tables outside, and if I'd use it again. Spoiler alert: I wasn't disappointed.
A fast fix
Owning a glass outdoor table seems like a great idea until it comes to keeping it clean. Mine always looks dirty, which is a problem when I have guests over. I also find it a bit tedious to get looking properly clean — I fear it looks like there are always smear marks on it.
After making up my solution in an empty spray bottle (1 part glycerine, 5 parts water), I gave it a good shake. I headed outside and, armed with a dry microfiber cloth, I sprayed the solution liberally over both of my outdoor tables. Since glycerine is safe on skin, I also didn't feel the need to wear dishwashing gloves, which is a relief, as those things are high up on my hate list when it comes to doing chores.
Using the dry cloth, I wiped the table as normal, and I truly couldn't believe the difference! I didn't put in any elbow grease; I simply just lightly wiped it, as I would my kitchen countertops. The algae and dirt literally melted away, and I couldn't quite believe just how fast it worked. The best part? It didn't even leave any major smear marks behind.
After wiping half the table clean in seconds, I snapped a photo so you could really see the difference. Then I went on to tackle the other half. Once I was happy, I went over the entire table one last time with the spray and gave it another full wipe, being sure to properly buff in the solution. Remember: you don't need to add any water to your cloth or table!
While my table looked sparkling clean and there were no visible streaks, there was a slight anti-fog film on it. This is to be expected, and apparently, this layer can prevent dust build-up on surfaces, which is great for use indoors. My table wasn't sticky at all.
Good to know
Getting the balance right is key with this cleaning hack. You need to make sure that your solution is watered down enough, as otherwise, it'll leave a visible film on your surfaces, and they might become sticky.
Once I had made this solution and used some of it, I obviously had a lot of it left. So, I plan to label it and use it on my outdoor furniture all summer long. It gives me peace of mind when my toddler eats off the table, as I know I've cleaned it without using any harsh chemicals, and I already had this ingredient in my cupboard, so really it's a no-brainer.
It goes without saying: this doesn't banish any bacteria from your surfaces, so if you're worried about that, you'll also need to use some disinfectant between using this solution.
Glycerine is a great, non-toxic cleaning tool for use on various backyard items. Not just your furniture, but you can also use this to clean your grill and get it ready for the first cookout of the year. Why? It works hard to break down sticky residue and stains. And since it's derived from vegetables, it's safe in case you accidentally ingest it.
I'll also use this solution to clean my glass mirrors in my home while spring cleaning. It did a great job on my glass table, so let's see how it works inside and check its dust-repelling properties.
Last but definitely not least, you can use undiluted glycerine for spot stains. I'm talking berries and coffee — all of those pesky marks that you know you'll struggle to remove without elbow grease. It needs around 30 minutes to work, but it should be able to break down most stains with ease.
