Whether you are cleaning your house by overhauling everything, or you are just tidying up your rooms, the process can be tiring, time-consuming plus it can cost you cash. That said, you can always save yourself the frustration if you get hold of a few tricks that will make cleaning so much easier.
Well, that’s what this article is all about! We have compiled a detailed guide covering easy hacks that will make cleaning a convenient and fun experience for you.
1) Use dryer sheets for more than clothes
Other than using dryer sheets to soften your clothes, you can use them for multiple different purposes. Here are a few ways to use them:
- Dusting the television and PC screens in your home
- Cleaning pet hair from the furniture and clothing
- Removing rings from toilets
- Removing crayon marks
- Cleaning your iron box
- Scrubbing bugs
2) Use lemon to deal with smell in your garbage disposal
To remove the odor in your garbage disposal, try tossing some leftover lemon down there. That will banish the bad smells from accumulated food you dispose of. Cut a few slices of lemon and place them near a litter box. That will neutralize the unpleasant odors and will save you from having to purchase a special polish for stainless steel. Here are some more tips for your garbage disposal: https://www.candwplumbing.com/garbage-disposal/food-garbage-disposal/
3) Clean your blender after use
This should not be a hard task. Put the blender pitcher back on the base, then pour hot water inside immediately after use. Turn on the blender and let it run for about 10 seconds. Rinse the blender with dish soap thoroughly. It shouldn’t take you more than three minutes, and it will save you the hassle of cleaning it later.
4) Clean sponge with vinegar
Sponges can be dirty in that they can accumulate bacteria so fast. You, therefore, need to clean them regularly. You can do so by soaking a sponge in a mixture of 1 cup of water and a half cup of white vinegar and leave it overnight. Rinse and squeeze the sponge several times to remove all accumulated cleaning liquid. Proceed to put the wet sponge in the microwave and heat it on High for about two minutes to rid it of all the water.
5) Get your tiles sparkling again
Once you sweep or vacuum the floor, the next step is to run a mop over the floor in even and gentle strokes. Use a detergent or vinegar with water to clean your tiles. You can use a toothbrush to scrub off and remove the stubborn stains. After that, dry the floor using a clean piece of cloth.
6) Cleaning dusty baseboards fast
To clean those dirty baseboards, start by vacuuming the room to remove all traces of dust. Run a wet sponge across the baseboard to remove all dust and dirt that may be staining the baseboard. Use a damp rag to remove the leftover soap residue from the baseboard.
7) Unclog your air vents
When your air vents accumulate dust, the next thing you experience is a stuffy room. Unclogging the air vents also means freshening the air in your room. You can clean it by soft vacuuming or using a wet piece of cloth to remove the dust.
8) Deal with hard water spots
If your cleaning routine involves using hard water, you are likely to see stains that are often caused by minerals building up. Well, white vinegar will sort you out as it removes the stubborn stains from things like faucets, leaving them sparkling clean.
9) Cleaning the blinds without removing them
To remove the dust from the screens, mix water and vinegar in a bowl and equal measure. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in the bowl containing the mixture. Proceed to turn the blinds one way and wipe them while holding the bottom rail. You can also turn them the other way and clean off any dirt using the microfiber.
10) Add baking soda to your laundry routine
Do you want shinier clothes without destroying the fabric? Just add a cup of baking soda in the bucket you are using to wash the clothes. You are bound to get shinier and cleaner results!
11) Fight fabric stains using salt
Yes, salt can help you handle tough fabric stains. You will need to mix a quart of water with five tablespoons of salt. Proceed to sponge the mixture onto the stained area, and repeat until you get rid of the stain. Then, go ahead and wash your clothes like you always do.
12) Use a microfiber cloth to clean the stainless steel appliances
Stainless steel appliances are super shiny when sparkling clean. But, a few touches here and there stains them, meaning you have to clean them. Just get a soft microfiber cloth and dip it in a bowl of warm water mixed with mild dish detergent. Wipe the surface, and rinse the fabric, then wipe again. Use a towel to dry it to prevent water spots. In case the fingerprints persist, spray a glass cleaner on a soft cloth and gently wipe away the prints from the surface.
13) Use vinegar to clean shower scum
Mix equal amounts of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Add one tablespoon of dish detergent to the mixture. Proceed to spray the solution on the soap scum and allow it to sit for about a quarter an hour. Scrub it with a soft bristle scrub brush and rinse thoroughly with hot water. Ensure to dry thoroughly.
14) Use baking soda to clean your couch
Mix equal amounts of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Add one tablespoon of dish detergent to the mixture. Proceed to spray the solution on the soap scum and allow it to sit for about a quarter an hour. Scrub it with a soft bristle scrub brush and rinse thoroughly with hot water. Ensure to dry thoroughly.
15) Clean your computer fast and safely
As a precaution, do not use any corrosive liquid like ethyl acid or ammonia in cleaning your computer. To clean it comfortably and safely, follow the following steps:
- Switch off the computer and unplug from the power source.
- Pour some white vinegar on a soft cloth or microfiber and scrub the keyboard carefully to remove all the dust
- Use a soft cloth soaked in white vinegar to wipe away dirt from the screen.
- Wipe the screen in a circular motion to clean thoroughly.
16) Use vinegar to clean your glasses
Soak an absorbent and disposable paper towel in a small amount of vinegar. Use it to wipe the glass clean.
17) Get rid of grease stain using alcohol and salt
Grease stains are some of the toughest to remove from any surface. Dealing with them is easier if you mix alcohol and a few tablespoons of salt. Use the mixture to scrub the stained surface. Allow for the surface to dry and then vacuum any salt that may be remaining.
18) Use tape and a lint roller to clean
Adhesive tape can pick up dust and dirt around your house at ease. Try it out and keep surfaces in your home clean.
19) Brighten your sneakers with toothpaste.
Brushing a little toothpaste on the white parts of your sneakers will remove all the stains and annoying spots and make them look new again.
20.) Get rid of cabinet gunk
Just dampen a clean, dry cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe down the greasy cabinets. Proceed to rinse the fabric in warm water, wring it to remove excess water, and use it to wipe the cabinetry clean. Ensure to dry the damp surfaces using a paper towel to remove moisture spots.
21) Use vinegar, water, and baking soda to clean a burnt pan
Add water to the brim of a pot and add a cup of white vinegar to form a solution. Heat the solution until it boils. Add four tablespoons of baking soda to the boiled mixture and let it sit for about a minute. Scrub and wipe the dough out of the pan then rinse.
22) Pick up shards of glass
It is common for glasses to fall and break on your floor. You will have to pick up the tiny pieces as they pose the danger of piercing and cutting flesh. Now, to clean up the broken glass, use a broom and the dustpan to sweep up the broken shards from the floor. If the pieces are too tiny, you can opt to use a damp paper towel folded in half. Avoid using a vacuum as that may destroy your machine.
23) Clean up spilled glitter from your floor
Use a damp towel to sweep the glitter into a concentrated area. Then use the vacuum hose to collect the bulk of glitter spill on a carpet. You can use a lint roller or a tape to remove any remaining majority glitter.
24) Clean your rings, give them a shine
The best way to clean your rings is by soaking them in a solution of warm water and dishwashing soap for about half an hour. Gently brush them with a very soft brush and rinse under warm running water. It’s a simple method that will leave them sparkling again.
Be sure not to use chemicals that may destroy the metal or deposit rust.
25) Fight the usual household stains
Different substances may stain your floor, sheets, baseboards, or couches. Here’s how to remove the stains and leave your house stainless clean:
- Removing juice stains requires that you use a teaspoon of dishwashing soap mixed with a cup of water. You can then scrub the stained surface and rinse.
- In case you lie on your sheets and stain them with lipstick, you can remove it by rubbing alcohol on the clothing then wash with standard detergents.
- For gravy stain, ensure to scrape off the excess gravy. Sprinkle baking soda in the stain then using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry cleaning solvent. Blot off until the solvent is absorbed and the stain completely removed.
- To remove the mustard stain, rub a heavy-duty liquid detergent onto the stain and let the fabric sit for about ten minutes. Rinse the stained area thoroughly and repeat the procedure until all the stains are eradicated.
- It’s not uncommon for wine to pour on your best attire, but that is not the end of you wearing them. It is pretty easy to remove wine stains as all you need to do is blot it out with water and then add a detergent solution to make the cleaning more effective.
- A solution of white vinegar and liquid dishwashing soap will work perfectly in blotting out any gum stains. What you need to do is a sponge on the solution, wait for about ten minutes, and then blot it off with a clean piece of cloth until it wears out completely.
26) Unblock clogged drain
You don’t need to spend a lot purchasing cleaning products to unclog your drain. All you need to do is to dump ½ a cup of soda and let it sit for about five minutes. Then pour a mixture of one cup of vinegar, followed by boiling water down the drain. You can repeat the process to unclog your drain.
27) Deal with smelly sneakers
The idea of smell coming from your sneakers will give you sleepless nights, besides creating a general discomfort in the house.
To control that, you can sprinkle some baking soda in the shoes to freshen them. You can remove the dust when you are about to wear the sneakers
28) Remove dirt from the bottom of cleats and sneakers using a toothbrush
There’s no doubt that your fasteners or maybe sneakers get to collect a lot of dirt, some of which might be sticky. Just pour running hot water on the soles and use a toothbrush to remove the dirt.
29) Clean your microwave using vinegar
Your microwave is one of the most utilized tools in your kitchen. It accumulates food residue that may also favor the accumulation of bacteria. To clean it effectively, put a mixture of water and white vinegar in the safe bowl. Set the microwave on High for about ten minutes, then switch off and allow it to steam for around two minutes. Using a paper towel, wipe down the inside of the microwave to remove all the dirt.
30) Clean your dishwasher using vinegar
A dishwasher can only wash the dishes if it is clean. To clean it, you can place a cup of white vinegar in the dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine. Then run the dishwasher through a hot water cycle, as this will wash away the grease and grime while also removing the musty odors. To rinse the dishwasher, sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom then run a short, hot water cycle. That will freshen the smell of the dishwasher, and it will be free from stains.
31) Clean the stove knobs, grates and drip pans
This doesn’t require any effort! Just get them in the dishwasher, run it in a cycle for about five minutes. The results will certainly be awesome!
32) Cleaning a cast iron skillet and prolong its life
You need to remove the stuck-on food residuals by scrubbing the pan with a paste of coarse salt and warm water. Proceed to rinse or wipe with a paper towel. Thoroughly dry the pan using a cloth or dry it on the stove over low heat.
33) Use magic erasers to clean virtually anything!
Magic erasers work magic in cleaning a variety of items in your house. You can use it to clean the following:
- Removing crayons and pen marks off the walls and the furniture in your house
- Removing tarnish from jewelry and silver utensils
- Removing permanent markers from whiteboards
- Removing scum from your shower.
34) Clean red wine stains on your wall
Red wine stains from the walls can also be removed using magic erasers. This method can leave your walls impressionably clean.
35) Dry your clothes faster
Could you be getting late and want to use your wet clothes? Just speed up the water-absorption process. Place a fresh, dry towel into a standard dryer, and you have it sorted. You can also try ironing each garment to steam out the water.
36) Dust using vacuum attachments
Vacuum attachments can also be used to clean virtually anywhere in your house. You can unclog air vents, clean and dust the cabinets, and the blinds as well. This trick will save you a considerable amount of cleaning time.
