As a child, your mother may have rattled on, ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ While this saying may strike fear into your heart, the process of cleaning no longer has to be one filled with dread and morose. While there are several aspects of cleaning that are unavoidable, such as having to do it it in the first place, there are several tips that streamline this boring, yet necessary, process. These hacks, as some may consider, reduce cleaning time while simultaneously enhancing your efficiency.
So before you reach for the broom and mop, take a moment to uncover the top 10 cleaning hacks to simplify your chore list.
Tip #1 – Clean Your Air With Ease
Locate your A/C and heating vents. Wrap a clean wash cloth around a butter knife, and saturate with an all-purpose cleaner. Poke the knife through each ventilation slot to not only clean the vent, but prevent dust and debris from circulating in your home.
Tip #2 – Make Your Cabinets Shine
In a mixing bowl, combine baking soda and olive oil until a creamy paste is made. Dip a standard toothbrush into the mixture and scrub directly on cabinets and other wood surfaces. This mixture does the job of two products – it remove dirt and debris while adding shine to the wood. Remove the paste with a clean cloth.
Tip #3 – Eliminate Bathroom Mirror and Fixture Gunk
Take a used dryer sheet (fabric softener sheet) from your dryer and wipe down your bathroom mirror and mixtures. This simple hack removes stubborn film from bathroom fixtures while adding a shine to even the messiest mirrors.
Tip #4 – Steam Clean Your Microwave
Is the inside of your microwave coated with an explosion from last night’s leftovers? Pour equal amounts of white vinegar and water into a microwave-safe bowl. Place two toothpicks in the bowl and microwave on high for two to three minutes. The water and vinegar steam microwave walls, and once completed, simply wipe away stains with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Tip #5 – Dry Gloves and Boots With Rice
Rice is more than a quick addition to dinner. If your gloves or boots are soaking wet, fill a sachet with plain rice and place directly in the gloves or boots. Allow the rice to soak up excess moisture overnight. The next morning, your once soaked items are now dry to the bone.
Tip #6 – Squeegee Your Pet Hair
If you have pets, then you understand the turmoil removing your four-legged friends hair out of any surface can be. Simplify this process by rubbing a standard squeegee (available at any hardware store) across a surface in short strokes. This hack works exceptionally well on carpet and fabric-covered seats.
Tip #7 – Reduce Drying Time
Need your freshly washed clothing dried in a hurry? Want to reduce your energy costs associated with running an electric clothes drier? Expedite drying time by placing a large, fully-dry, towel in the dryer with the wet clothing items. The dry towel actually attracts excess air moisture throughout the drying process, which yields surprisingly fast dry times.
Tip #8 – Naturally Remove Bathroom Odours
Keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean, even after bean-dip night, by placing five to 10 drops of peppermint, tea tree or lemon balm essential oils into the centre of a toilet paper roll. Any essential oil will do, but the aforementioned feature strong aromatic properties to maintain a fresh scent, even after Uncle Jim’s unfortunate visit.
Tip #9 – Remove Tough Colour Stains From Carpets
Pour rubbing alcohol directly on stains in your carpet. Allow the alcohol to soak for several minutes before blotting dry with a clean towel. Remember: Never scrub a stain, as this tends to spread the stain out into a mega-stain.
Tip #10 – Dissolve Burnt Debris in Pans
Fill the bottom of your cooking with with water, and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Heat the water and vinegar until it begins to boil. Remove from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Allow the baking soda to dissolve before emptying and scrubbing with a heavy-duty sponge.
