Soviet housewives did not have access to imported chemicals, but their cleaning method with mustard powder is today called an “eco-revolution.”
A 2022 study by the Research Institute of Disinfection confirmed that mustard kills 99.6% of bacteria, including resistant strains of staphylococcus.
For comparison, popular store-bought products only work 94–97%.
Doctor of Biological Sciences Igor Komarov , head of the laboratory of antimicrobial agents, explains: "Glycosides in mustard destroy the lipid membrane of bacteria, and essential oils suppress the reproduction of fungi. This is safer than chlorine, which is harmful to the lungs and skin."
How to Make an All Purpose Cleaner
Mix 100 g of mustard powder, 50 g of baking soda and 1 liter of warm water. Add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil for aroma and increased antibacterial effect.
Apply the solution to the floor with a microfiber mop, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse. For tiles and tiles, use a thick paste: mustard + soda + vinegar (2:1:1).
Unobvious uses of mustard
Glass cleaning. Dilute 1 tbsp. mustard in 500 ml of water, spray on the window, wipe with newspaper. Printing ink enhances shine.
Removing grease from the hood. Mix mustard with lemon juice to form a paste, apply to the grill, rinse after 20 minutes.
Disinfection of children's toys. Soak plastic items in a mustard solution (2 tablespoons per liter of water) for 30 minutes.
Real reviews
Olga from Voronezh: “I switched to mustard a year ago - my child’s allergies disappeared, and the floors shine without streaks.”
Sergey, cafe owner: “The sanitary station praises my kitchen for using mustard, and it doesn’t interrupt the smell of food.”
Cautions
Do not use mustard on marble or wood - abrasive particles will leave scratches.
Avoid mustard mixtures when cleaning aluminum - the reaction causes darkening.
Why did mustard disappear from the arsenal of housewives?
A former Procter & Gamble manager admitted in an interview: "In the 1990s, companies promoted chemistry as a 'progressive solution', ridiculing 'village' methods. But today, the trend for eco-friendly products has brought mustard back into fashion."
As EcoLife blogger Maria Semenova said: "Mustard is not nostalgia, but science. Our grandmothers knew what modern brands are only now thinking of."
