Windows and mirrors will ‘sparkle’ if cleaned with leftover drink

People could use some of their favourite tipple to get their glass and mirrors sparkling at home using this cleaning ‘hack’ from the 1940s. Some may feel like this is a waste, but the results speak for themselves.

Appearing on one of the latest episodes of Stacey Solomon’s TV series Sort Your Life Out, Iwan Carrington shared a window-cleaning solution that makes glass sparkle and shine like new. It relies on two ingredients that many people may already have at home.

In a short segment on the BBC show, he said: “I’ve decanted a little bit of leftover gin. All you need to do is mix it half and half with water, and it works really well for cleaning your windows and mirrors.”

Gin is an effective glass cleaner because its high alcohol content cuts through grease and evaporates quickly, leaving mirrors and windows streak-free. It can also clean jewellery and remove mould, making it a versatile household cleaner.

This tip works if people have plain, juniper-based gin on hand. Avoid using coloured or flavoured types that contain sugar, syrup, or other additives.

People were quick to joke that, although the cleaning solution appeared to work, there was some confusion about having ‘leftover’ alcohol. One person asked: “What is ‘leftover gin’?“

Another said: ” Leftover gin? We don’t know her!” Someone else posted: ” What is this ‘leftover gin’ you speak of? None in this house for sure!”

And, one more commented: “Drink the gin, then you don’t care about the windows!” Someone pointed out that it might work well in a pinch, for example, if the shops aren’t open, but it’s a solution that likely costs a lot more than pre-made glass cleaners.

They said: “Gin is about £20 a bottle and glass cleaner is about £2. What is wrong with people? What’s next? Leftover champagne makes your toilet sparkle?”

In other cleaning tips, Brits are being urged to put a common item in the fridge to banish odours. Leftover foods and spillages are usually the culprits of bad fridge smells, but even after removing these, some odours can still cling on.

Instead of making a hot drink, placing a dry tea bag in the fridge can help to naturally absorb bad odours. The porous paper of tea bags not only makes them effective natural moisture absorbers, but the tea itself also contains tannins, chemical compounds with antioxidant effects that help fight odour-causing bacteria and eliminate unpleasant smells.

It’s a great natural alternative to keeping your fridge smelling fresh, rather than resorting to harsher chemicals, which are in most household cleaning products. In its online advice on making use of leftover tea bags, Food Republic said: “Most people use baking soda as a fridge deodoriser, thanks to its alkaline properties that neutralise acidic odour molecules.

“However, baking soda doesn’t necessarily add a pleasant smell, and it can get in the way. (This is especially true when your fridge is packed too tightly, which is a common mistake everyone makes.)

“That’s where tea bags come in. Tea leaves are high in tannins, naturally absorbent, and balance acidic pH. All of these features can help trap odour molecules while giving off a subtle, fresh aroma. Plus, it’s a clever way to reuse tea bags you’d otherwise toss.”