Cleaning the house can sometimes appear like an endless task. Despite all our efforts, dust re-appears, stains re-appear and the kitchen always gets messy every day! The bright side however is that cleanliness doesn’t necessarily require expensive products or laborious tasks.
There are a number of clever cleaning tips that will make your life easier, save time and keep your home clean with minimal effort.
There are still many people out there that are using old cleaning methods that are consuming additional time and energy. Simple everyday products such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon, toothpaste and even newspapers can transform your house’s cleaning! Easy tricks and inexpensive, simple to use and ideal solutions for busy families.
Here you will discover some of the best cleaning hacks, stain-removal techniques and smart home cleaning ideas that many people still don’t know about.
The Importance of Smart Cleaning
Smart cleaning is not all about giving your home a good look. It also helps you:
- Save time every day
- Minimise stress and mess
- Eliminate germs and odors!
- Keep furniture and appliances safe.
- Save money on costly cleaning products – Go to the Dollar store or hardware store to find the supplies you need.
There are a few tricks that make cleaning quicker and easier.
Use Baking Soda for Bad Smells
Baking Soda is one the best natural cleaners. It can eliminate odors from shoes, refrigerators, carpets and garbage cans.
How to Use:
- Place tiny bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator.
- Sprinkle on carpets prior to vacuuming.
- Leave some smelly shoes in the room overnight.
This is a great way to naturally freshen up your home without using sprays, powders or gels.
Steam the Kitchen and Cutlery!
Food splashes quickly get food on microwaves. Scrubbing them can be difficult.
Easy Trick:
- Fill a bowl with water.
- Add lemon slices.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes.
Steam helps to remove grease and dirt. Afterwards, just use a cloth to wipe down the microwave.
This is one of the most simple kitchen cleaning hacks.
Use Vinegar to Remove Water Stains
Glass on bathroom taps and shower is often marked with white water.
Smart Solution:
Mix equal parts of:
- White vinegar
- Water
Spray on the stained area and let sit for 10 minutes. Afterwards, dry with a wipe.
Your bathroom fittings will look as good as new.
Use Toothpaste to Clean Sneakers
White shoes get dirty easily. Instead of buying expensive cleaners, use toothpaste.
Steps:
- Apply white toothpaste on dirty areas.
- Gently scrub using an old toothbrush.
- Use a wet cloth to clean.
You’ll have a much cleaner pair of shoes in no time.
Newspaper for Shiny Glass
Often paper towels will leave a streak on windows and mirrors.
Better Trick:
Use old newspaper, glass cleaner or vinegar spray.
Clears mirrors and windows without streaks.
Smart Cleaning Table
Kitchen Cleaning Tricks That Can Save You Time
The kitchen is usually the messiest area in the house. Oil, food stains and smells accumulate rapidly.
Use Ice Cubes to Clean Garbage Disposal
Add ice cubes and lemon peels to the garbage disposal if the sink has an odor. Operate it for a couple of seconds.
This eliminates odor and makes the knives sharper.
Use Dish Soap to Wash Greasy Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets collect oil over time.
Quick Method:
- Pour warm water in a pan and add dish soap.
- Use a soft cloth to clean any cabinets.
Grease will be removed safely, without harming surfaces.
Place Boiling Water in the Tube
Place boiling water in the tube and allow it to simmer for a few minutes.
Weekly addition of hot boiling water to kitchen sinks. It naturally eliminates oil and food deposits.
Bedroom and Living Room Cleaning Tips
Clean Ceiling Fans with Pillowcases
A lot of dust can build up inside a ceiling fan.
Smart Trick:
- Put a pillowcase over each fan blade.
- Slowly pull it back.
The dust will remain in the pillowcase rather than landing on the floor.
Lint Roller for Lampshades
Use a lint roller to clean dust off lampshades, cushions and cloth furniture.
It is more efficient than a cloth.
Use Rubber Gloves to Remove Pet Hair
For those who have pets, pet hair may adhere to any surface.
Easy Method:
Use rubber gloves and rub sofas and carpets. Hair is easily attached to gloves.
Bathroom Cleaning Tricks
Moisture and bacteria can cause bathroom to require regular cleaning.
Use Vinegar for Shower Heads
Mineral build-up can cause shower heads to become blocked.
Solution:
- Place vinegar in a plastic bag.
- Tie it around the shower head overnight.
The next morning, rinse it with water.
Shaving Cream for Mirrors
Put a bit of shaving gel on bathroom mirrors and wipe down.
This will prevent fogging of mirrors after hot showers.
Cleaning of the Toilets using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Add baking soda and vinegar to toilet bowl. Wait 10 minutes and lightly scrub.
It is natural stain and odor remover.
Daily Habits That Help Keep Your Home Cleaner
It’s little habits that can mean big things, sometimes every day.
Helpful Habits:
- Make your bed every day in the morning
- Clean dishes after eating / drinking.
- If at all possible, leave shoes outside.
- Wipe kitchen counters every day of the week
- Regularly remove unused items from the clutter.
The following simple tips help to minimize dirt accumulation and make clean-up easier in the future.
Common Errors People Make When Cleaning
Many people do not know that they make mistakes, even while cleaning.
Common Mistakes:
- Excessive use of cleaning product is a common mistake to make.
- Combining strong chemicals together
- Use a clean window cleaner in the sun.
- Don’t forget to wash sponges and cloths
- Removing stains with a scrubbing effect that is too strong
These are some of the most common household surface damage and money-saving mistakes.