How frequent you clean depends on a lot of factors, including lifestyle and whether or not you can afford someone to do it for you. It’s a chore and it can be overwhelming.
Got some serious house cleaning to do, but don’t have the time to do it? No one likes spending an hour or two vacuuming the floors or wiping the windows. You might have grown up in a house that put off the housework until the weekend, then everyone put on their rags and spent a day tackling dust and grime.
Yet there are ways to get the house cleaning done without having to invest hours of your day. Better yet, you don’t need any harsh chemicals to do it; chances are you have just the right ingredients sitting in your pantry.
Here are 10 cleaning hacks for those who want to save time, money and their sanity.
Use olive oil to buff surfaces
The health benefits of olive oil have long been known, but did you know it can also help clean your house?
If you have stainless steel items — think pots, pans and appliances — placing olive oil on a soft cloth and rubbing it in a circular motion will help buff out dirty spots.
Baking soda and vinegar is the perfect bath and toilet cleaner
Mix yourself 1 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda with some hot water and pour it into an empty tub. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
Then, fill your tub with hot water until it’s roughly 1/4 quarter filled. Allow it to sit for an additional 5 minutes.
After that, release the plug and allow the water to drain. Rinse your tub thoroughly.
You can use the same solution to clean your toilet. Allow the mix to soak before flushing. Don’t forget to wipe your toilet seat.
Use lemon oil to steam your microwave and degrease your oven
Essential oils are handy for things like cleaning toilets and shining sinks and tubs. They can also be used to clean your microwave.
Add 15 drops of lemon essential oil and 1.5 cups of water to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5-10 minutes. Allow the steam to condense on the inside walls and ceilings of your microwave. Then, wipe away any softened food with a sponge.
Not only does lemon oil smell nice, it is great for degreasing those stubborn stains.
Spray a mixture of 1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar and lemon essential oil onto your stovetop or oven. Wipe clean. For tougher stains, sprinkle baking soda first and then spray and wipe.
Zap a damp sponge
Once you’ve cleaned your microwave, kill the bacteria on your sponge. Put a clean, damp sponge or cloth on the tray of your microwave. Set it on high for 2 minutes.
Wipe out the microwave with a paper towel.
Get rid of pet hair with rubber gloves
Got pets? Hate finding pet hair on your clothes or furniture? A vacuum is good for removing some of it, but it won’t get all of it. This is where rubber gloves can help!
Pop them on your hands and rub them across any area you think needs extra attention.
The rubber is like an adhesive when pressed against fabric. Simply rinse the gloves when your done and the hair will come free.
Use a pillow case to clean ceiling fans
Do you use a rag to clean your ceiling fans? What about those stockings that are designed to protect the blades? It’s frustrating when you clean them and the dust falls to the floor (or onto your furniture). Instead, use a pillow case.
Slip it over the fan blades and wipe back towards you one at a time. The dust collects in the case and you can take it outside to shake it out.
Use old socks to clean blinds
This would have to be one of the most kid-friendly hacks we’ve seen.
Using a 50-50 vinegar and water mixture and an old (but clean) sock, swipe the sock over each section and watch the dirt come right off the blinds.
Dishwashers can clean more than glasses and plates
The potential of your dishwasher goes well beyond glasses, crockery and cutlery. Check out these things you can safely clean in your dishwasher:
- Hair brushes and combs
- Makeup brushes
- Mouth guards
- Refrigerator shelves
- Shower heads
- Thongs and canvas shoes
Get rid of water stains with shaving cream
Did you ever consider shaving cream as a cleaning solution? Apparently, it’s great for getting rid of water stains from your shower glass.
Apply the shaving cream and let it sit for 15 minutes or more. Then wipe off.
A DIY glass cleaner
Save yourself some dollars and make your own glass cleaner.
You’ll need to mix white vinegar, distilled water, drops of essential oil and shake.
Use it to clean windows, mirrors and even your shower glass.
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