Cleaning is often regarded as a tedious task, and it becomes even more frustrating when you lack the appropriate tools or time for a thorough cleanse. It can be particularly challenging to find the motivation to scrub floors and walls, especially when you have limited free time on your hands.
The beauty of these cleaning hacks lies in their simplicity and affordability. Most of the ingredients needed for these hacks are likely already available in your pantry. Whether it’s using vinegar to clean your bathtub or using a lemon to remove rust from taps, these hacks offer convenient solutions to make your cleaning routine much more manageable. Not only do they save you time and effort, but they also help you avoid the need for expensive and harsh cleaning products. With these budget-friendly alternatives, maintaining a clean and tidy home becomes a breeze.
1. Rust-free surfaces
Rust can be unsightly and detrimental to the durability of household items. Vigorously scrubbing these surfaces is not an ideal solution, as it can be harsh on both your hands and the object. Opting to use a lemon for cleaning provides the best alternative.
To begin, take a lemon and cut it in half, then dip one of the halves into some table salt. Now, utilize this salt-coated lemon as a scrub to effectively eliminate rust. The natural acidity of the lemon will aid in breaking down and removing the rust. It’s essential to address the rust in its early stages before it becomes more challenging to clean.
2. Perfect looking lampshades
If you’re concerned about the possibility of damaging your valuable lampshades during the cleaning process, here’s a simple method to restore their appearance without any fear of causing harm. All you need is an adhesive lint roller. Thanks to its sticky surface, you won’t have to exert any pressure while removing dust and debris from the lampshades. This gentle approach ensures a safe and effective cleaning experience.
One of the notable advantages of this hack is its versatility. The lint roller can effectively clean lampshades made from various materials, although it tends to perform exceptionally well on smoother surfaces. Moreover, the cleanup process is hassle-free—simply peel off the used layer of the lint roller once you’re finished, ensuring a convenient and quick cleanup.
3. Binge watch on a clear TV screen
When it comes to cleaning TV and computer screens, it can be challenging to achieve a streak-free and mark-free result. These blemishes can significantly impact your viewing experience, leading to repeated cleaning attempts. However, there’s a simple alternative to using a regular cloth: a coffee filter.
Coffee filters are excellent for screen cleaning due to their gentle and non-abrasive texture. They are designed to trap fine particles without leaving any residue behind. By using a coffee filter, you can effectively remove dust, fingerprints, and smudges without worrying about streaks or marks on the screen. It provides a convenient and efficient solution for maintaining a crystal-clear viewing experience.
4. Polishing chrome faucets
Dull chrome faucets can diminish the overall appeal of your bathroom, and attempting to restore their shine without resorting to harsh chemicals can be a time-consuming process. Luckily, there’s a straightforward method to bring back their mirror-like gleam using baby oil and a cotton ball.
To restore the shine to your chrome faucet, follow these steps: Take a cotton ball and apply a small amount of baby oil to it. Gently rub the cotton ball on the chrome surface of the faucet for a few minutes. The baby oil will work to polish the faucet, leaving it with a glossy, shiny appearance. Once finished, you’ll be delighted to see your reflection in the gleaming chrome and feel a sense of pride in your successful cleaning endeavor.
5. Clean granite countertops
Granite countertops are widely favored for their elegance and appeal in kitchen spaces. To effectively clean and restore their pristine condition, you can utilize a DIY detergent mix combined with water. Gather the following supplies: water, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and a paper towel. With these simple ingredients, you’ll be able to achieve a clean and sparkling granite countertop that looks as good as new.
To create an effective cleaning solution for your granite countertops, follow these steps:
- In a container, combine two cups of water, one-fourth cup of rubbing alcohol, and six drops of dishwashing liquid.
- Mix the ingredients well to create a homogeneous solution.
- Take a paper towel and soak it in the cleaning mixture.
- Gently rub the dampened paper towel onto the granite surface, ensuring to cover all areas.
- As you clean, the mixture will work to disinfect the surface while effectively removing dust, grime, and any food marks that may be present.
By following these instructions, you’ll be able to clean your granite countertops thoroughly, leaving them fresh, sanitized, and free from any unsightly residue.
6. Cleaning knobs and cabinet hardware
Regularly cleaning your cabinet hardware and knobs is essential to maintain their shine and prevent the buildup of dust. While it may not fall into the category of deep cleaning, it is an important task that shouldn’t be overlooked. Just like mopping floors and surfaces, keeping your cabinet hardware clean contributes to an overall tidy and well-maintained space. By including this simple task in your cleaning routine, you can ensure that your cabinet hardware remains in optimal condition and continues to enhance the appearance of your cabinets.
Grab an old toothbrush and lather it up with some oil soap. Gently scrub the hardware and knobs to clean the dirt. Wipe these surfaces with a soft cloth or an old t-shirt. Your cabinets will look good as new in no time.
7. Remove rust rings
When metallic items are left on surfaces like shower floors or countertops for an extended period, they can leave behind unsightly rust rings. Common culprits include shampoo bottles or toothpaste holders. If these stains are not promptly addressed, they can become incredibly challenging to clean. It is crucial to be vigilant and catch them early to prevent stubborn rust stains from setting in. Regular inspection and immediate action are key to ensuring a clean and rust-free surface.
To effectively remove rust stains from affected surfaces, you can create a paste using lemon juice and cream of tartar. Here’s what you need to do:
- In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and cream of tartar to form a paste. The exact proportions will depend on the size of the stain, but starting with equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar is a good guideline.
- Apply the paste generously to the rust-stained area, ensuring it is fully covered.
- Allow the paste to sit on the stain for about 10-15 minutes. This gives the lemon juice and cream of tartar mixture time to work on breaking down the rust.
- After the designated time, take an old toothbrush and scrub the area vigorously. The bristles of the toothbrush will help lift and remove the rust stains.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove any remaining residue from the paste.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean the surface, leaving it free from any trace of rust. Your guests will be unaware that there was ever a stain, and your surfaces will regain their pristine appearance.
8. Clear glass shower doors
Cleaning glass doors can be a challenging task, especially after showering. Despite using a squeegee, it’s common for the glass door to lose its spotless and transparent appearance over time.
For optimal results in cleaning glass doors, it is recommended to use a stiff brush along with a suitable window cleaner instead of relying solely on a soft cloth or squeegee. The brush will provide more effective scrubbing action, allowing you to tackle stubborn soap scum and steam marks that accumulate after showering. By using a window cleaner in combination with a stiff brush, you can achieve a more thorough cleaning and restore the glass door’s transparency and spotless appearance.
9. Deep clean oven
After multiple cooking sessions, it’s common for ovens to accumulate grime and become seemingly neglected. The combination of steam and heat can exacerbate the situation by causing food spills to harden and stick. To effectively clean your oven, you can create a paste by mixing one cup of baking soda with dish soap.
To prepare a thick paste for cleaning your oven, add water to the mixture of baking soda and dish soap until it reaches a consistency similar to pancake batter. This will help create a spreadable paste that can be easily applied to the dirty areas inside the oven.
Once you have the paste ready, follow these steps:
- Spread the paste evenly over the dirty areas inside the oven, ensuring complete coverage.
- Allow the paste to sit and work its magic for fifteen to twenty minutes. This will give it enough time to loosen and break down the accumulated grime.
- After the designated time has passed, wipe down the interior of the oven using a dry cloth or sponge. The paste will have loosened the dirt and grease, making it easier to remove.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean your oven and restore its cleanliness. The baking soda and dish soap mixture, when combined with water, provides a powerful and natural cleaning solution.
10. Gas stove clean-up
If you’ve been postponing the task of cleaning your gas stove, worry not! There’s a simple cleaning hack to help you out. Grab an old bowl and combine baking soda, water, and hydrogen peroxide. Mix them together to form a thick paste that can be used to cover the surface of your stove.
Apply this mixture, then let it sit on the stove and do its work to remove the food particles and dirt. Use a sponge or soft cloth to gently wipe away the mixture. Your stove will look clean and feel fresh to use again.
11. Clear oven door
If your oven door becomes foggy, it can be difficult to observe your food cooking properly. Fortunately, baking soda can be a useful tool for cleaning the oven door. Simply sprinkle a layer of baking soda onto the surface and then cover it with a damp towel or old t-shirt.
For an enhanced cleaning action, you have the option to soak the towel in soapy water. Allow the soaked towel to work on the surface for a duration of fifteen minutes, effectively loosening any dirt and grime. Once the designated time has passed, use the same towel to wipe the surface, employing small circular motions. This method ensures a thorough cleaning, leaving the door looking pristine without any streaks.
12. Stove burners clean-up
Stovetop burners often accumulate dirt and food spills after cooking, requiring regular cleaning. However, excessive scrubbing is not necessary. You can create a thick paste by combining baking soda and dish soap to effectively clean the burners.
To clean your stovetop burners effectively, follow these steps:
- Apply the baking soda and dish soap paste evenly onto the surface of the stove burners. Ensure that all areas are covered.
- Let the paste sit on the burners for approximately twenty minutes. During this time, the mixture will work on the dirt and grime, loosening them for easy removal.
- After the designated time has passed, take a soft, damp cloth and gently wipe away the paste along with the dirt. The combination of the paste and the cloth will help lift off the loosened dirt without the need for excessive scrubbing.
By following these instructions, you can clean your stovetop burners effectively and efficiently. The baking soda and dish soap paste serves as a powerful cleaning agent, making the task easier while leaving your stovetop looking clean and refreshed.
13. Bye-bye greasy stains
Steam and oil splatter may make your kitchen surfaces greasy and make it feel like it’s beyond cleaning. Don’t lose hope. Just get some mineral oil and a paper towel for this next hack that will have your kitchen grease-free.
Add a few drops of mineral oil to a paper towel or cloth and use it to wipe the greasy surfaces and objects. The mineral oil will break down the grease and make cleaning up afterward easier. Once you are done rubbing the mineral oil, use the paper towel to wipe the surfaces again.
14. Clean your microwave oven
With regular use, your microwave will likely have a variety of watermarks and food splatters. When you notice stains, it’s time to deep clean the inside before they fully set in. For this cleaning hack, you’ll need a microwave-safe bowl.
Fill the bowl with some water and lemon juice. Microwave the solution until it begins to boil and releases steam — the steam will loosen up the grime inside. Now gently wipe these stains and enjoy a fresh and clean microwave.
15. Deep clean for bathtub
Every weekend, you should deep clean your bathtub to ensure it is free from bacteria and dust. You may do this using cleaning agents such as bleach. Make sure to wear gloves and properly ventilate the area when you use harsh materials.
First, you have to fill your bathtub with hot water. Now, add a large scoop of oxygen bleach to the water and let it do its magic. Keep this mixture in the tub overnight and drain it the next morning. Spray the tub to remove any residues and enjoy a sparkling bathtub.
16. Stress-free air conditioner vent cleaning
Air conditioner vents accumulate a lot of dust, and their position makes them hard to reach and even harder to clean. And you cannot call a professional each time to get them cleaned. However, you can use objects around the house to get the same results.
Soak a towel in the cleaning solution and wring out the excess, then tie it around a stick, such as a knife. Run the knife through the vents to grab and clean the dust. The towel will easily collect the dirt and dust, leaving the vent clean.
17. Plastic cutting boards clean-up
Plastic cutting boards are convenient in comparison to wooden ones, as they won’t grow mold so easily. However, they may develop deep food stains that can be challenging to clean. Use this hack before you toss out your well-worn cutting board.
Soak the plastic cutting boards in a water and bleach mix. Let them sit in this mix for an hour or two for the bleach to work on the stain. Remove the boards and wash them with regular dish soap and leave them to air dry.
18. Dust-free blinds
Few things are more frustrating to clean than blinds. Cleaning each slat can take hours. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to clean those tricky dust collectors. Just take a pair of tongs and a damp cloth; secure the cloth around the utensil using rubber bands.
Use these tongs to gently wipe each blind and remove dust that’s sitting on the surface. This is a smart way to clean the blinds as all the dust will stick to the damp towel, and you’ll have way less cleaning to do once done.
19. Effective floor carpet cleaning
Tired of your carpets being dirty? Use this simple trick to clean them up! Hydrogen peroxide and soap are all you need to get rid of stubborn carpet stains. Spray a few drops of hydrogen peroxide and soap, diluted in water, then scrub the problem area.
You may use a soft bristle toothbrush to work on the stains. This cleaning method will leave your carpet clean and free from stains — no need to replace carpets or call in professionals to do an expensive cleaning each time you want to clean up before guests come over.
20. Natural window washing
If you do not want to use harsh chemicals to clean the windows in your home, just grab an onion. It makes for a great window cleaner! Cut an onion in half to rub it all over the glass to remove stains.
Wipe the windows with a soft cloth afterward, and you’ll be amazed to see how clear and dirt-free the windows look. You might never go back to chemical cleaners after using this hack to achieve streak-free windows. Who would have thought that onions were so versatile?
21. Sparkling steel sink
Steel sinks sometimes develop brown spots due to hard water and get marks that are hard to clean with dish soap. If you want to get your steel sink clean, we have the hack for you! You’ll be amazed that you do not need any heavy-duty cleansers or brushes for this one.
Clean your sink as usual and let it dry. Sprinkle some flour on the sink and let it sit for some time. Wipe the flour using a cloth or a towel and see that the sink looks polished, just like new.
22. Clean iron soleplate
Irons are a staple household appliance, but they can be tricky to clean, and using metallic scrubbers and tools to clean its soleplate may damage it forever. To preserve the iron soleplate and have it working for longer, just use some baking soda or vinegar.
Dip a piece of cloth or tissue in vinegar and gently wipe away the dirt and burnt fabric residue from the soleplate. You may also use baking soda or salt. Rub it on the soleplate and be careful not to get it inside the steam holes.
23. Fresh smelling kitchen
Is your kitchen smelly but you can’t find the source? The culprit may be a dirty garbage disposal. No amount of air freshener will work unless you clean it well. Use your old toothbrush to clean the dirt and get rid of nasty-smelling garbage.
You may use dish soap to remove the garbage, grease, and food stuck inside the splash guard. After you’re done scrubbing, clean the disposal area with hot water to remove any lingering smell and debris. Cleaning it regularly will keep your kitchen odor-free.
24. Restore beautiful vases
Vases tend to accumulate dirt, and a buildup inside can discolor the glass. If they are tall and thin, you will not be able to reach all the corners and do a thorough enough job at cleaning. Rather than sitting with a frustratingly dirty vase, you can use broken eggshells to get these hard-to-reach areas.
Just add the eggshells to the vase along with some hot water and dishwashing liquid. Swirl them around to remove the dirt. This hack gets bonus points for being zero waste by using kitchen scraps to clean around the house.
25. Washing machine cleanse
If your washing machine is dirty with grime buildup and limescale, it may not seem hygienic to wash clothes in it. Moreover, it impacts the working and capacity of the washing machine. There are a few ways to fix this.
Use some bleach, vinegar, or citric acid to clean the machine. Just add your solution of choice to the empty machine and let it run on the hottest cycle. Your machine will clean itself without any hard scrubbing. With a clean drum, you’ll feel great when you put in your next load!
26. Old to new furniture
Your old furniture can use some freshening up after being used for years. Just sprinkle some baking soda over the fabric and let it sit on the material for twenty to thirty minutes. Now grab a stiff brush and a vacuum cleaner.
Use the brush to remove excess baking soda by dusting it off, and the vacuum cleaner pulls up dust, dirt, and leftover baking soda. This will leave your furniture as fresh as new. Do this regularly for the disinfection of your furniture.
27. Soft and clean microfiber furniture
For those who have microfiber furniture, a regular cleaning cloth won’t do. You just need a stiff cleaning brush and rubbing alcohol to make it look as good as new. Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and apply it to the dirty area.
Rub the desired area with a clean sponge to remove dirt. Always ensure to use a white sponge to prevent any color transfer to the furniture. Now, go over the same area with a stiff brush and let it dry.
28. No more brown spots on cups
If you forget to wash your coffee or teacup for a few hours, you’ll see it has brown spots that are hard to remove no matter how much you scrub. Even dish soap doesn’t work well on these. If you want to get your cup as clean as when you first bought it, give this hack a try.
Next time you use a lemon, do not throw away the zest — instead, make your own cup cleanser with some lemon zest and salt. You can rub it on the cup to get rid of stubborn brown marks. Lemon and salt are food safe so there’s no need to worry about harsh chemicals.
29. Burnt pan struggles
Burnt pans are a nightmare to clean. You may soak them in water, but the burnt food may not move at all. Adding some vinegar to the pan and bringing it to a boil will quickly break down the burnt food.
After this, rub baking soda over the burnt areas to remove the residues completely. This will leave your pan looking shiny. You may air dry the pan or dry it with a cloth or sponge. No more need for harsh scrubbing to keep your pans looking clean.
30. Sparkling white bathtubs
You can make your bathtubs white like snow again with some bleach and cotton balls. Soak the cotton balls in bleach and keep them along the edges of the tub. This will work on the dirt and grime stuck around the edges.
Not only will it work on grime, but it’ll clean up any mold that has started to grow in these damp areas. Let this sit overnight and remove it in the morning. Spray some water over these areas to reveal your snow-white bathtub.
31. Clean pans and pots
There are so many pan cleaning hacks to try, it’s hard to know which to try first. This is the easiest one as you do not need chemicals or to boil the pans to clean them. You just need a potato and some salt.
Cut a potato in half and dip it in coarse salt. Rub the pan with this half-cut raw potato and watch it work its magic. Your pan will be free from any food marks, burnt food residues, and brown spots.
32. Shiny bathroom faucets
Hard water and soap may make your faucets appear dull and leave marks on the surface. This can get hard to clean if left for a long time and affects the aesthetics of your bathroom. Get your faucet shiny and looking good as new in no time.
For this hack, you only need one ingredient: vinegar. Saturate paper towels with vinegar and wrap them around the faucet for 30-50 minutes. You can also use a vinegar-filled ziplock. You’ll see the faucet is sparkling and free from harsh watermarks and dirt.
33. Rice for coffee grinder
If you are a coffee fan, you’ll notice that the coffee grinder will need cleaning every now and then. And you may observe that even after cleaning it with dish soap, some odor may remain. This may be hard to remove and linger in your next cup of coffee.
Fill the grinder halfway with rice and grind it for a minute until it’s completely pulverized. This will remove any dirt and odor from the grinder. Remove rice and clean the insides of the grinder with a damp paper towel.
34. Repairing leather furniture
Leather sofas and recliners add charm to the living space. However, they may require repairing and upkeep to keep them in good condition, or the material may deteriorate. Moreover, you may also notice white marks on the surface after some years.
You won’t have to replace your loved furniture if you spot some scratches and discoloration. Just use shoe polish that’s the same color as your furniture. The polish will act as a reparative for the material and make it last longer.
35. Spotless mirrors
Dirty mirrors can bring down the look of any room. Bathroom mirrors get dirty quickly due to dust, water splashes, fingerprints, and steam. No matter how hard you clean, it’ll always leave marks if you don’t use the right products.
To effectively clean mirrors, use a solution of half water and half vinegar and spray it on the mirror. You may also add essential oil drops such as lavender or lemon for a light scent. This solution will leave the mirror crystal clean.
36. Toothpaste to the rescue
Plastic objects may develop greasy dirt and dust on the surface, and you cannot possibly wash all these objects. Dusting greasy surfaces will do little to nothing in cleaning the buildup. You can use toothpaste to easily clean plastic surfaces.
Take an old towel or cloth and dip it in some warm water. Apply toothpaste to it and wipe the greasy dirt off of these plastic surfaces. The dirt will come off without too much scrubbing and scratching in only a few seconds.
37. Dust-free air vents
Air vents are susceptible to dust, which may affect the overall air quality. Using dusters may be an additional task for you if you are already struggling to keep everything clean. Try this hack if you find yourself needing to clean the air vents frequently.
Consider waxing all the air vents to keep them cleaner for a long time. The wax will prevent the dust from collecting and will not have a massive buildup when you need to clean them later, making them easier to clean.
38. Reach walls and ceilings
Cleaning spider webs and dust from the walls and ceilings is not in everyone’s reach. You may miss some spots, even if you use a telescoping pole with a duster on it. But there’s a cleaning hack to clean every corner of your home.
Use your mop to clean these hard-to-reach areas and see how effective it is in not just removing dust but also preventing buildup. You may use the mop dry or dampen it a little, depending upon the paint types on the walls and ceilings.
39. Clean tiles
The space between the tiles is hard to clean and may build mold over time if not regularly cleaned well. Just spraying tiles with some water may not do the trick to deep clean the dirt, mildew, and water stains.
Grab a sponge and dampen it with some water. Now, dip it in baking soda and scrub the tiles to remove stains, mold, and mildew. The baking soda will leave your tiles looking fresh and clean. Do not forget to wear gloves for this one.
40. Spotless sink
Dirty sinks are disgusting to look at and even worse for your health. Instead of wasting hours scrubbing it, sprinkle some baking soda in the sink. Let it sit in the sink for some time before the next cleaning step.
Clean the sink with a sponge that is dipped in hydrogen peroxide to remove all the dirt and stains. Your sink will start to look clean and spotless like it used to be. There will be no yellow and brown spots on the surface.
41. Deep cleanse for oven vent filters
You’ll be surprised to see the amount of dirt oven vent filters can accumulate, even after only a few weeks. For deep cleaning oven vent filters, all you need is a big bowl large enough to accommodate the filters and some borax.
Fill the bowl with hot water, add borax, and mix it together. Drop the oven vent filters in the bowl and let them soak for a good twenty minutes. After this, remove the vents from the bowl and run them under water to clean thoroughly. Leave them to air dry before reinstallation.
42. Easy washing machine drum clean up
The washing machine drum may have detergent stains, and lint stuck to the insides. Putting your clothes in a dirty drum doesn’t feel like an effective way to wash your wardrobe. You can clean the machine drum with the use of baking soda and vinegar. Mix these with some water to make a paste.
Take a sponge, soak it in the mixture, and gently wipe the insides of the drum. While cleaning, make sure not to damage or scratch anything. Pay attention to the rubber seal, too, for safe and effective cleaning. How easy is that?
43. Stain-free carpet
Here’s how you can clean your carpet using less harsh cleaning materials. Dilute one part of white vinegar with two parts of water to make a cleaning solution. Soak an old towel in this mixture and wring out the excess.
Place the soaked towel over the dirty area and let it sit on it for a few minutes. Now, grab a steam iron and press it over the damp towel for thirty seconds. The stain will come off and freshen up the carpet fabrics.
44. Fresh wood cutting boards
Cutting boards get very dirty after use, and the chopped food may get inside the crevices. This cannot be cleaned and disinfected with water and dish soap even if you scrub it hard. You need a little something extra to clean it properly.
Cut a lemon and put some coarse salt on the board. Use the cut lemon to scrub the board along with the salt. The lemon will remove bad odor and food stains from the board. It’s a food-safe way to clean your cutting board.
45. Dishes from old to new
With use, plates and dishes lose their luster and start to look as if they were decades old. You can make your old dishes sparkle again with this simple trick. This does not even require any harsh chemicals to clean them.
Take a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub the dishes. Let it work on the stains and marks for some time and wash with hot water. Leave the dishes to dry and see how shiny and new they look now.
