Cleaning frequency depends on lifestyle and can feel like a looming task. There’s always a lot of cleaning to be done but with limited time and little desire to spend hours scrubbing after work, an efficient solution is needed. Thankfully, results can be achieved without dedicating hours and using ingredients already on hand, avoiding the need to buy more eco-friendly cleaning products. Here are some tried and tested tips to get you going.
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1. Refresh Microwave with Steam
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Steam-clean your microwave by placing a bowl of lemon juice inside and microwaving it for 2 minutes, or until the lemon juice boils. This trick generates steam that helps loosen any residue clinging to the microwave walls. Afterward, wipe down the interior with a cloth, leaving behind a refreshing citrus aroma.
2. Eliminate Wine Stains on Carpets
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Although wine stains can pose a challenge, there’s a solution with club soda. Start by spraying the stain with club soda, then gently blot it with a microfiber cloth. Repeat this procedure until the stain disappears. Note that rubbing alcohol, clear vodka, and even white wine can be utilized for this cleaning technique.
3. Clean your Ceiling Fan Using a Pillowcase
To clean fans, cover each blade with a pillowcase and wipe. This ensures dust is collected inside the pillowcase instead of settling on your furniture and floors.
4. Clean Blinds with Socks
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Start by placing an old sock on one hand and lightly moistening it with water. Next, grasp each blind panel and glide your hand covered with the sock along the length of the slats, effectively removing dust from both sides.
5. Remove Water Marks with Shaving Cream
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Remove water stains from shower glass effectively using shaving cream. Simply apply the shaving cream, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe it off.
6. Shine with Lemon Oil and Vinegar
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Woodwork and wooden furnishings accumulate dust and dirt with time, requiring regular cleaning to maintain their shine. For an eco-friendly and shiny cleaning hack, combine equal parts lemon oil and white vinegar.
7. Eliminate Hard Water Stains
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Remove hard water stains by soaking paper towels in undiluted vinegar, placing them on the buildup overnight, then scrubbing and rinsing.
8. Use Microfiber Dusters
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Clean efficiently with microfiber products, which use an electrostatic charge to attract and hold dust. They outperform traditional methods like dry rags and feather dusters. Machine-washable and reusable, they save money over disposable options. Air dry them for continued softness, and avoid bleach or fabric softener to maintain effectiveness.
9. Polish Surfaces Using Olive Oil
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Buff surfaces, such as stainless-steel pots, pans, and appliances, with olive oil applied on a soft cloth in circular motions to effectively clean and polish them.
10. Freshen your Garbage Disposal with Lemons
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Freshen and cleanse your garbage disposal by using lemons or limes. Given the regular dirty work it handles, maintaining cleanliness and preventing clogs is crucial. Simply cut the citrus fruit into quarters, and with the water running, insert the pieces one by one into the disposal.
11. Use Rubber Gloves to Eliminate Pet Hair
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To tackle pet hair that your regular vacuum may miss, opt for rubber gloves, which effectively gather remaining hair when rubbed against fabric due to their elasticity. Simply slide them on, rub down areas needing extra cleaning, and then rinse the gloves under running water to remove the collected hair.
12. Freshen Upholstery
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Banish unpleasant odors from upholstery by blending vinegar, water, and a preferred essential oil like lavender. Pre-test the solution on a hidden spot for colorfastness before applying it to the rest of the upholstery, as it often retains odors. If safe, spray the mixture on the remaining upholstery, then vacuum once dry.
13. Clean the Mattress
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Refresh your mattress by combining baking soda and vinegar. Spray vinegar on the mattress, sprinkle with baking soda, cover with a towel, and let sit for one to two hours before vacuuming. Another method that can be used for mattress cleaning is to employ a garment steamer to thoroughly treat the top, sides, and box springs, eliminating dust mites. Follow up with your vacuum’s upholstery tool to remove deceased mites. Address stains with a carpet and upholstery cleaner, ensuring not to over-wet the mattress.
14. Clean the Gadgets
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Utilize damp microfiber cloths to clean shared tech like TV remotes, keyboards, and game controllers, followed by disinfectant-treated cloths for germs. Make sure to keep surfaces wet for 5 minutes, then wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. Repeat twice weekly. For keyboard crevices, tap gently and use a folded sticky note to remove stubborn dirt
15. Clean the Grout
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Clean grimy grout by making a paste of baking soda and water, applying it with an old toothbrush, spraying vinegar over it to create a bubbling mixture, scrubbing with a brush or old electric toothbrush head, and rinsing tiles well with water afterward.
16. Cut the Dirt
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To keep dirt out of the house, use a high-quality dirt-trapping doormat. Regularly shake it outside and vacuum it weekly. Check if it’s machine washable, but be cautious as some mats may be heavy when wet.
17. Sparkling Clean Windows
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Achieve sparkling windows by spraying a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to nine parts water onto the glass and wiping it with a lint-free cloth. Then, use a chamois leather or glass polishing microfiber cloth to buff them to a brilliant shine.
18. Use Soda Crystals
Soda crystals are versatile cleaners, useful for deodorizing washing machines, removing burnt-on residue from pans, keeping sinks and drains fresh, and clearing moss and algae from patios. To unclog plugholes and drains, pour in half a cup of soda crystals followed by boiling water, but remember to wear gloves as they can irritate the skin.
19. Use Lemon to Clean the Cutting Board
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To freshen up your wooden cutting board, sprinkle salt on it and scrub it with half a lemon. Rinse and repeat if necessary for a clean board.
20. Refresh your Refrigerator
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Freshen up your refrigerator with the aroma of coffee. Just place dry ground coffee in a bowl inside the fridge. The coffee grounds will absorb any unpleasant odors, keeping your fridge smelling clean and fresh.
21. Scrub your Cast Iron with a Potato
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Clean your cast-iron skillet with a potato. Sprinkle salt inside, then use a halved potato to scrub in circles. Rinse and dry.
22. Clean the Coffee Maker
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Clean your coffee maker with vinegar. Fill the chamber with equal parts vinegar and water, then run the machine. Flush with water afterward. Repeat until clean.
23. Renew Cloudy Glasses
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Restore clarity to cloudy glasses by soaking them in white vinegar for five minutes to dissolve hard-water mineral buildup. Hand rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth for sparkling results
24. Make an All-Purpose Cleaner
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Create a versatile kitchen cleaner with this homemade recipe. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Apply to surfaces and wipe away messes with a sponge. Rinse with a damp cloth if necessary.
25. Clean your Sponge
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Keep your sponge bacteria-free by microwaving it for 30 seconds or running it through the dishwasher. Remember to let it cool before use.
