10 Cleaning Hacks You Need to Know
Ever wonder how some people get their homes to an impossible level of cleanliness you could only dream of? There’s likely a reason, and it might be much easier to implement into your cleaning regimen than you think. Here are ten essential cleaning hacks to help you cut corners during chores without worrying about sacrificing a good clean.
1. Let It Sit
Many cleaning products need a moment for the chemicals to get going. It’s wise to spray down things like soap scum, give it a minute or two, then start cleaning. It’ll be easier to wipe off, and the surface will also be cleaner.
2. Use Your Dishwasher to Its Full Potential
Did you know you can use your dishwasher to clean more than just dishes? Throw in bathroom accessories, plastic toys (provided the heat dry isn’t on), pet dishes, and even garden tools for a much faster and generally better clean.
3. Use a Toothbrush to Clean Grout
Use a (new) toothbrush to clean your grout, and you’ll never go back. Make sure you don’t keep this toothbrush anywhere near the ones that go in your mouth, and use the first tip of letting the cleaner sit to take full advantage of this cleaning hack.
4. Clean Your Washer
It’s important to clean everything that cleans other things. If you’ve never cleaned your washer or dishwasher before, you’d be surprised how much nicer your dishes and clothes turn out the next time you run a cycle!
5. Use Socks for Dusting
Sure, a feather duster is nice, in theory. But what about when you need to get to those hard-to-reach areas like blinds? Try using an old sock and putting it over your hand to get even more control over your dusting. This technique is fantastic for dealing with dusty blinds but is great for all surfaces.
6. Use Vinegar Liberally
Vinegar is truly an all-purpose home cleaning solution. You may want to dilute it in certain situations, especially if the smell isn’t what you bargained for. But in others, using pure vinegar to address things like hard water stains or soot on the walls and ceilings is a fantastic and natural way to have a cleaner home.
7. Use Baking Soda Liberally (Sometimes With Vinegar!)
Baking soda is another pantry staple that can revolutionize your cleaning game. You can often combine it with vinegar to create an all-purpose cleaning paste or use it as a furniture or upholstery deodorizer. Either way, chances are that you already have some, so it should be easy to add to your rotation.
8. The Magic of Magic Erasers
Sponges and brushes can undoubtedly get the job done most of the time. But where they can’t, magic erasers work their magic. There are cheaper off-brands that work just as well, and you can use them on virtually every surface in your home.
9. Hire Professionals
Is outsourcing the cleaning to professionals a cleaning hack? Absolutely! If a hack is about saving time and energy, this one fits the bill even more than the others on the list. It’s never a bad idea to have others help with your cleaning tasks, but it’s perfect if you’re feeling overwhelmed by how much you have on your to-do list.
10. Organization Is Everything
Having a plan for your cleaning regimen is vital if you want things to get done and go smoothly.
But more than that, it’s equally essential to have everything you need in a place you can easily access. Group cleaners and tools you’d use for similar tasks in the same spot, ideally in caddies or buckets that you can transport to various rooms throughout the home as you clean them.
Get Your Time Back With Cleaning Hacks
No homeowner is safe from the endless loop of chores. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make things easier on yourself with hacks like these. They’re the first steps to reclaiming your weekend afternoons while keeping your home clean and pristine!
And you can always call the pros; they’ll take the burden of cleaning your home off your hands!
