{
  "id": 14904895,
  "title": "I learned this old-school cleaning hack from my grandma – and it’s genius",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/i-learned-this-old-school-cleaning-hack-from-my-grandma-and-its-genius",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-16T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/home/i-learned-this-old-school-cleaning-hack-from-my-grandma-and-its-genius"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "My grandmother's old house holidays hold cherished memories for me—a time when my twin sister and I shared a double bed, forbidden to venture beyond the invisible center line. While she wasn’t a culinary virtuoso, her household expertise shone through her practical cleaning tips, which still guide me today. One aspect of her cleaning routine that stood out was her minimalist approach: she didn’t possess a cluttered arsenal of cleaning products, relying instead on a handful of essentials to maintain her home’s cleanliness. Her legacy lives on as I gradually embrace more natural cleaning methods, such as utilizing baking soda and vinegar for tasks like unclogging sink drains and combating limescale. Among her time-tested methods, one technique remains etched in my memory—her ingenious use of old newspaper. Her newspaper wasn’t just a source of news; it became a secret weapon for achieving spotless surfaces. Nowadays, while physical newspapers might be less common, I still buy a weekend paper and keep it handy for cleaning purposes. In addition to its indoor applications, newspaper proves useful outside by acting as an effective barrier against weed growth in gardens.",
  "summary": "My grandma’s secret to streak-free windows is hiding in your recycling bin.",
  "key_points": [
    "Grandma's minimalist cleaning approach used few products",
    "Baking soda and vinegar replaced cluttered cleaning arsenal",
    "Newspaper became secret weapon for spotless surfaces"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}