When it comes to cleaning, we try to use as many techniques and different chemicals as possible to make the job easier. But is it worth it to spend money on various equipment, or chemical agents? Especially if there is centuries-old advice that is free, fast, effective and reusable what we literally throw away.
Cleaners. Source: vk.com
This is what many people in China still do today. Rice is very common there. And yes, you should wash your rice before you cook with it: to remove starch and other minerals from the surface.
Rice water. Source: ok.ru
How to make rice water for cleaning
Soak a cup of raw rice in two cups of water. Stir the rice quickly until the solution is milky. Use a strainer to remove the rice from the water (washed rice is ready to cook in rice bowls for dinner). Dip a clean cloth in rice water and use it to clean your items or surfaces.
Rice water. Source: hoff.ru
If you have more than you need, or cleaning and cooking are not on the same night, you you can store the rice water in an airtight bottle or jar and keep it refrigerated (no more weeks).
Another tip: if you're making rice water just for cleaning, look for white or fine grain white rice, as both contain a lot of starch and the result is richer rice water with a lower pH than most others varieties. Avoid basmati rice or brown rice as these types of rice do not have that much starch, which makes rice water such a good cleaning agent.
