Cleaning can feel like a tedious chore. But with the right tips and tricks, it doesn’t have to be! Here are 15 genius cleaning hacks to make your life easier.
Use Vinegar for Shiny Chrome and Stainless Steel
Vinegar is a magical cleaning ingredient. The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves mineral deposits and grease easily.
To clean chrome and stainless steel fixtures:
- Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle
- Spray directly onto chrome or stainless steel surfaces
- Wipe down with a microfiber cloth
The vinegar will remove water spots and streaks, leaving your fixtures looking shiny and new!
Clean Window Tracks with Essential Oils
Window and sliding door tracks inevitably get filled with dirt and dust. They are hard to access and clean.
Here’s an easy solution:
- Add a few drops of essential oils like lemon, eucalyptus or peppermint to a damp cloth
- Run the cloth along the window tracks to clean grime and leave a fresh scent
The natural cleaning properties of essential oils cut through the gunk easily. The antimicrobial properties also help sanitize the tracks.
Use Salt to Clean Cast Iron
Cast iron is versatile but requires proper care. Salt is an effective and gentle abrasive for cleaning cast iron cookware.
- Pour a generous amount of kosher or sea salt into the cookware
- Scrub with a paper towel or damp cloth
- Rinse and dry thoroughly
The salt will lift stuck-on food residue without damaging the seasoning. This prevents having to use soap which can strip the seasoning. Your cast iron will be clean and ready for next use!
Lint-Free Cleaning with Pantyhose
Having pantyhose on hand provides a quick solution for lint-free cleaning!
- Cut a leg off old pantyhose
- Slide over hand and use as a dusting mitt
- The nylon material attracts dust magnetically
Pantyhose pick up dust and lint easily from blinds, ceiling fans and more without annoying lint residue. Toss in the wash to reuse.
Freshen Carpets with Baking Soda
Carpets hold lots of dirt, grime and odors. Baking soda refreshes and deodorizes carpets beautifully.
- Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the carpet
- Let sit for up to 30 minutes to absorb odors
- Vacuum thoroughly to lift dirt and soda
The baking soda loosens and lifts dirt while absorbing unpleasant odors from pets, smoke, food spills etc. Its mildly abrasive texture scrubs the carpet clean gently.
Clean Ceiling Fan Blades with Pillowcases
Pillowcases make cleaning ceiling fan blades a breeze!
- Slip a pillowcase over one fan blade at a time
- Hold the base and wipe down towards the tip
- The fabric allows you to grip and clean both sides easily
The pillowcase method prevents you from having to climb a ladder repeatedly. It protects your hands from dust and provides a thorough clean.
Freshen Smelly Drains with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Slow-running and smelly kitchen drains are a common problem. This two-ingredient solution tackles clogs and odors.
- Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain
- Follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover
- Let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing
The baking soda and vinegar undergo a chemical reaction that produces CO2 bubbles. These help dislodge gunk, grease and residue that causes odors. This clears and deodorizes drains.
Clean Tile Grout with Oxygen Bleach
Grout easily gets grimy. Oxygen bleach (like Oxiclean) mixed with water makes a fantastic grout cleaner.
- Add 1/2 cup oxygen bleach to a bucket of warm water
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the paste into discolored grout
- Rinse and wipe away
The oxygen bleach solution is tough on stains but won’t hurt grout or tile. The small toothbrush bristles let you attack the grungy grout easily.
Dust Blinds with Fabric Softener Sheets
Here’s an uncommon tool for dusting blinds – fabric softener sheets!
- Simply wipe down each blind with a dryer sheet
- The anti-static properties lift dust easily
- Leaves a fresh linen scent too!
Fabric softener sheets are designed to reduce static cling which makes them attach to dust easily. And reusable dryer balls keep your sheets handy.
Fix Furniture Scratches with Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is perfect for disguising scratches and scuffs on wooden furniture.
- Rub a small amount of oil into the scratch with a soft cloth
- Buff away excess to blend with surrounding finish
The oil’s color matches most wood finishes closely. It nourishes the wood while filling in superficial scratches seamlessly.
Clean Makeup Brushes with Olive Oil
Olive oil thoroughly removes makeup buildup on brushes.
- Swirl brush bristles in dish soap first
- Add a few drops of olive oil and massage into bristles
- Rinse and let air dry
The oil breaks down pigment and binds to makeup for easy rinsing. It moisturizes bristles while removing every trace of color.
Dust Blinds with Fabric Softener Sheets
Here’s an uncommon tool for dusting blinds – fabric softener sheets!
- Simply wipe down each blind with a dryer sheet
- The anti-static properties lift dust easily
- Leaves a fresh linen scent too!
Fabric softener sheets are designed to reduce static cling which makes them attach to dust easily. And reusable dryer balls keep your sheets handy.
Freshen Stinky Shoes with Tea Bags
Used tea bags absorb moist odors easily. Stuff them in stinky shoes or gym bags overnight. The tea leaves’ tannins have antibacterial properties that freshen and deodorize.
Toss used bags in the compost. Place new tea bags instead to keep odors away. The next morning, your shoes will smell clean!
Summary
These cleaning hacks prove you don’t need fancy equipment or a ton of time to get a clean home. Simple kitchen staples like vinegar, baking soda and olive oil double as non-toxic cleaners. And everyday items like pillowcases, pantyhose and tea make cleaning faster and easier.
Implement these genius shortcuts to tackle cleaning efficiently while saving money. Your home will be sparkling clean in no time! Which tip are you excited to try first?
