Everyday Cheapskate: Spring Ahead!

Mary Hunt on Mar 24, 2025

Believe your eyes -- it's spring! Time to bid farewell to the snowblower, gas up the lawnmower and let the sunshine in (whether your allergies approve or not). And what better way to welcome the season than with a few simple money-saving tips to freshen up your home and yard?

DIY GLASS CLEANER

Forget expensive window sprays -- your pantry has everything you need for a streak-free shine. Mix:

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup white vinegar

8 drops Blue Dawn (or other dishwashing liquid)

1 gallon warm water

Mix all ingredients well and pour into a spray bottle. Just like that, you've got a powerhouse cleaner for pennies.

NEWSPAPER KNOW-HOW

Skip the paper towels and go old school with newspaper. It cleans windows better with fewer streaks, and don't worry -- the ink won't smudge your glass. Your hands? Maybe. But that's what soap is for. Want a cleaner option? Check with your local newspaper printing plant for roll ends of unused newsprint -- free and landfill-friendly!

CLOUDY DAY RULE

If the sun is shining, step away from the Windex. Wash windows on a cloudy day instead. The slower drying time means fewer streaks -- unless you enjoy washing them twice.

STREAK DETECTIVE

For a foolproof way to spot streaks, use vertical strokes outside and horizontal strokes inside. That way, when the streaks inevitably show up (because, let's be honest, they will), you'll know which side to blame.

WINDOWSILL RESCUE

Dingy windowsills? Wipe them down with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. The results will make you wonder why you waited until spring.

OOPS! PAINT ON THE CARPET?

Q: Help! I dripped latex paint on my new carpeting, and it dried hard. I think it's ruined!

A: Breathe. Your carpet's not doomed just yet. Grab lacquer thinner (not paint thinner) from the hardware store. Dampen a clean white cloth and let the thinner soak into the dried latex paint. After a few minutes, gently blot -- don't scrub! The paint should loosen. Test in a hidden spot first and, as always, keep this stuff away from kids and pets. For a stubborn situation, repeat and resaturate as necessary.

FRESH HERBS, FRESH START

Even if you've managed to kill a cactus, you can grow herbs. They're practically foolproof! For a head start, skip the seeds and buy herb seedlings at a nursery. Basil, dill and parsley are easy to grow, and they don't throw tantrums if you forget to water them.

No yard? No problem. Herbs thrive in pots on a patio or sunny windowsill. The more you snip them, the more they grow -- so plan ahead and harvest in the morning after the dew dries but before the sun gets too hot.

A little tip: Fresh herbs are about three times weaker than dried herbs, so adjust your recipes accordingly unless you enjoy bland spaghetti sauce.

AERATE WHILE YOU MOW

Who needs fancy lawn aerators? Slip on a pair of golf shoes or spiked athletic shoes while mowing, and you'll aerate the soil with every step. Your grass will get the oxygen and water it craves, and you'll keep an extra $60 to $100 in your wallet.

A SMARTER WEED KILLER

For a nontoxic weed solution that won't break the bank, mix up this simple recipe:

1 cup table salt

1 gallon white vinegar (5% acidity)

8 drops liquid dish soap (helps it stick)

Pour into a spray bottle and target those pesky weeds. Warning: This stuff means business. Repeated use will sterilize the soil, so don't spray near plants you want to keep. It's best for driveways, sidewalk cracks and areas where nothing should grow (ever).

Prefer a less permanent fix? Skip the salt but be ready to reapply.

Spring is all about fresh starts, and a little effort now will save you time, money and frustration later. So roll up your sleeves, get to work -- and remember, if the windows are too clean, the birds will remind you why they shouldn't be.

Happy spring!

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Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, "Ask Mary." This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book "Debt-Proof Living."