16 Ultimate Home Cleaning Hacks
In this day and age, with people having so little time to interact with those living close by, keeping the house clean is becoming less and less frequent. It is impossible to overlook the need to clean one’s home. The initial guideline to personal health is to maintain yourself and the area around you sanitary. Germs could inhabit you and your home if not addressed. If you don’t have the means or time to employ a maid service, this guide will be helpful in keeping your home spick and span while staying healthy. If you consider this article to be too extensive, check out our brief guide on home cleaning. We have put together a selection of 16 amazing home cleaning tips. This encompasses advice and strategies that you may not have known about. So don your cleaning gloves and let’s begin!
1. Cabinet Cleaning
Kitchen cabinets tend to get messy, usually around the knobs or in the corners. Thankfully, they’re not difficult to get rid off.
You should combine baking soda with any type of vegetable oil. This mixture should have a similar consistency to that of toothpaste. Take an old toothbrush and clean the edges and corners of cupboards. You’ll have clean surfaces in no time.
2. Cleaning The Sponges
Everyone has cleaning sponges in their kitchens. Without these sponges, it would be very challenging to do the cleaning. Eventually, their condition worsens and they become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. If the items are so far gone that they are beyond repair, dispose of them. Disinfect them if they’re still intact before you utilize them again.
To clean kitchen sponges, add some water (lemon juice if you have it) and heat it in the microwave on high setting for two minutes. This should kill off any microbes inside them, making the sponges hygienic and free of germs.
3. Cleaning The Garbage Disposal
Mix water and vinegar in the ratio 1:8. Chop up a lemon into tiny pieces. Pour the blend of vinegar and water into the ice cube tray and place a piece of lemon in every slot. Freeze this mixture.
Put the ice cubes in the garbage disposal, start the device and leave the tap running for a few seconds. Make sure all the ice is ground. This is a straightforward trick to quickly remove any particles lodged between blades, while also improving the sharpness and eliminating any odors of the equipment. This is one of the best home cleaning hacks.
4. Cleaning The Shower Head
Yet again, here is a great, no-hassle way to clean off hard water buildup on showerheads and other metal surfaces. You will require a bag which does not let out any liquids, elastic bands, distilled white vinegar, and water. Pour the vinegar into a plastic bag and secure the bag around the shower-head with rubber bands. Wait at least a few hours to let it sit and then rinse off with regular water in the morning. All hard water stains will be magically removed.
Soak a cloth in white vinegar or spritz some onto steel surfaces for cleaning. Rinse with plain water after a few hours. This is one of the best home cleaning hacks.
5. Cleaning Grout From The Shower Cleaning Tile
Grout is typically a material that is used to fill in the gaps between tiles and other similar surfaces. Eventually, they may become unsightly, especially if contrasted with lighter colored walls/tiles. A homemade grout cleaner that works tremendously is a great way to get rid of them.
In order to complete your task, you will require a stiff-bristled brush, baking soda, and a bit of bleach. Mix together a quarter cup of bleach with three-quarters of a cup of baking soda until it turns into a paste. Put this on patches of the skin which are infected and allow it to remain there for a short while. Using bleach is usually sufficient, but if you really want the best outcome, then you should give it a good scrubbing. Do not forget to put on your safety gloves when working with substances like bleach. This is one of the best home cleaning hacks.
6. The Bathtub Drain
Baths tubs tend to become full of dirt and clutter, and the most typical source of a clogged drain is human hair (ick). For unclogging a bathtub drain, you need a screwdriver, narrow pliers, some paper towels, vinegar, and baking soda.
Take out the drain plug and use the screwdriver to take out the insert. You should see some really disgusting gooey debris there. Clean the area with paper towels and then utilize thin pliers to take away the sticky substance. The gross part is now over. Pour baking soda into the mixture until it starts to bubble, then add an equal amount of vinegar. Allow 15 minutes to pass and then rinse off with normal tap water. Put back the plug, and you’re done!
7. Carpet Cleaning
Carpets get a lot of wear and tear from the people who live in the house, and so it’s typical for them to pick up hard-to-remove stains and a lot of dirt particles. Although it is easy to vacuum dust away, further resources are required to get rid of stains.
All you require is baking soda, a liquid laundry detergent, vinegar, and some warm water. As step 1, drop baking soda/cornstarch on the stains. Allow it to rest for thirty minutes and then suck it up with a vacuum cleaner. Once that task is finished, combine liquid soap, a tablespoonful of vinegar, and warm water. Scrub the stained area with a sponge soaked in the detergent mixture. Soak up the vinegar-detergent solution from the carpet with a fresh dry sponge. Your stain would’ve faded considerably!
8. Easy Mattress Cleaning
An accumulation of dust within a mattress may cause severe allergies for some individuals. It is recommended that mattresses which are used often should be cleaned every couple of months.
In order to freshen up your mattress without having to put in too much effort, you’ll need to use some essential oil, some baking soda, as well as your dependable vacuum cleaner. Uncap a container of baking soda and put in a few drops of aromatic oil. Cover the top and shake the container to blend the oil and the soda together. Spread this around your mattress and let it sit for about an hour. Sweep the mattress with a vacuum cleaner to guarantee all the baking soda is gone. This is extremely efficient in getting rid of dust mites and other hazardous germs.
9. Removing Pet Hair
Having a pet is a wonderful feeling indeed. Be alert if you own a pet with fur, as it can be linked to a number of illnesses, including the serious ailment Toxoplasmosis. It would be beneficial to get rid of any animal fur in your home on a regular basis to protect from bacteria.
Damp rubber works wonders for removing pet hair. You will just have to moisten your rubber gloves and thoroughly clean the furniture and other surfaces. To remove cat/dog fur from carpets, use a squeegee to wipe it away. This is one of the best home cleaning hacks.
10. Curtains
It is advised that you should clean your curtains twice a year. It is advisable to increase the number of times one cleans if you or someone in your family suffers from an allergy to dust. Mold and mildew can build up on your curtains, which can lead to problems with your respiratory health if it isn’t addressed.
Before starting to clean, use a vacuum cleaner or duster to dust the curtains. For best results when cleaning your curtains, set your machine to a gentle, cold-water cycle to avoid causing damage or changing their shape. Next, hang the curtains while they’re still slightly damp. By adding more weight, the fabric can be stretched out to its full length, eliminating any folds or wrinkles.
Once dried, iron the material lightly. If there is any sort of design on your curtains, place a thin white cloth in between the iron and fabric when pressing.
Before putting your curtains in the wash, remove any ornaments or adornments connected to them.
Examine the directions printed on your window drapes if you need guidance regarding the proper care of the fabric. You can also perform a test to verify that the detergent you are using is suitable.
You may want to consider getting a dry cleaning professional to take care of your curtains if they are made of thicker material.
11. Ceiling & Standing Fans
It is fairly easy to take care of standing fans while cleaning, however it is a hassle to climb up the ladder to clean ceiling fans. It may not be desirable, but it is essential that you do a thorough cleaning at least every three months. Weekly use of an extendable duster is necessary to avoid a large accumulation of dust. This way, you would not have to ascend the ladder for the purpose!
Cover the blade of the object with your old pillowcase, then pull it away, directing the dust into the pillowcase instead of the floor.
You can make your own dust deterrent by combining liquid fabric softener and water in a 1:4 ratio. This will inhibit dust from collecting. Apply the product to a microfiber cloth and clean both faces of the fan blade.
Don’t forget to clean the motor of the fan in addition to scrubbing the blades.
12. Throw Pillows
You should freshen up your throw pillows every 3 months by cleaning them. You shouldn’t keep the throw pillows on the couch all the time since they come in contact with your neck and head, however, they make great company when spending an afternoon lounging.
Take off the cushion cover from the cushion insert if it is possible and clean it separately. Examine the material your throw pillow is made of. Examining the care instruction is an efficient way to find out how you should preserve the item. Fabrics such as velvet and silk need to be sent for dry-cleaning, whereas cotton and polyester can be laundered using regular, delicate techniques.
Make sure that the cushion pad and its covering are totally dry, either through exposure to the sun or by utilizing the dryer (according to the instructions given on the laundry care label), prior to putting it to use. If the cushions aren’t able to be taken off, you have the option to vacuum, use steam cleaning, or hire a dry cleaning service.
13. Upholstery
It is normally suggested to give your furniture a good scrubbing at least once a year, and even more often if you have children or furry friends living with you. You should take care of and regularly clean your throw pillows.
In order to get the job done, you will require a microfiber cloth that is free of dirt, a vacuum cleaner, and a canister of pressurized air. Spend 5 minutes using a suction tool, beginning at the top of the area and move it to the right while going downwards. This technique is essential for fabrics that dirt adheres to, such as velvet, chenille, and suede. When laundering delicate items like silk, it is best to use a light suction strength. Employ the container of pressurized air to expel any extra debris from hard-to-reach places and crevices.
If you don’t want to expend much energy, but still want the job done, you can try using an Extendable Sticky Mop & Lint Roller to remove hair and lint without lugging a big vacuum cleaner around.
To get rid of stains and spots, it’s best to address them as soon as possible by dabbing them with a clean white cloth. Before using an upholstery cleaner, make sure that it works well by trying it on a small area and checking the care labels of the material.
Avoid direct sunlight on your sofas and chairs. The material can be ruined by the ultraviolet rays that are present in direct sunlight. Secondly, it is important to vacuum your upholstery to keep dust from assembling and blocking the material.
14. Tile Grout
The material that fills the gaps around your tiles, known as grout, can build up over time. In Singapore, where humidity is high, there is lots of moisture in the air, leading to the proliferation of mold. If ignored, it will create an unattractive line between your tiles.
These critters are capable of popping up not only in the kitchen, but they can even be found in the restroom as well. Mold being a major component of grout can cause respiratory issues if it isn’t cleaned off.
To create the most successful outcome, stir together one-quarter of a cup of hydrogen peroxide, one cup of salt, and a single cup of baking soda in a pail. Substitute the words: Then, take a grout brush or an outdated toothbrush, submerge it in the combination, and apply it across the grout.
Apply vinegar to your tiles and wipe them clean on a weekly basis to prevent grout residue from accumulating.
15. Air Conditioner
It is recommended that you clean your air conditioning unit annually, but for those who operate it on a daily basis, it should be serviced every 2-3 months. If you don’t keep up with maintenance of your air conditioner, you could find a huge buildup of mold, mildew, and dust. Activating your air conditioner will disperse particles into your residence, which can be damaging to your wellbeing.
16. Microwave
The microwave is frequently utilized for warming up leftovers and is often spotted with age-old food spots. The mess that is created gets even more difficult to clean up when there is a lot of dirt left behind. It is a good idea to wipe down your microwave once a week and to thoroughly clean it every two months.
You can use the vinegar or lemon hack. Take a cup of water and add one tablespoon of white vinegar. Place the bowl in the microwave, increase the temperature, and let it sit for a period of 5 minutes. A different solution to sanitizing your microwave is to utilize the lemon strategy. Combine the juice of one lemon with 1 cup of liquid, then throw in the chopped lemon halves. Microwave the mixture.
Like an oven, any food particles caught on the walls will become unstuck and you can remove them with a paper towel.