Everyone loves a sparkling clean house, but everyone hates cleaning – right? We already know how to clean the germs in the office and car cleaning hacks, but now it’s time to tackle our homes, too. From handy bathroom cleaning hacks, to window cleaning hacks, what are the best household cleaning hacks? We have picked 10 of our favourite simple home cleaning hacks to help make cleaning less of a chore.
Here are 10 simple home cleaning hacks everyone should know:
1. Don’t dust with a wipe
You may think that using a wet wipe will be useful because it collects all of the dust on the surface. However, this is wrong. Using a wipe creates moisture, which means it is easy for new dust particles to stick onto surfaces. Instead, it is better to use a dry anti-static wipe.
If you don’t have one of these, you can polish your surfaces with a mixture of water and fabric softener which soak into your surfaces and prevent the quick return of dust and any build up on surfaces.
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2. Remember to disinfect your mop
Some people may think that after cleaning floors with a mop and cleaning solution, a simple rinse will be enough to clean the mop after usage – this isn’t enough. You should think about giving your mop a deep clean from time-to-time, as it can accumulate up to 1 billion bacteria per ten square feet.
As a result, it is wise to give your mop a thorough clean every now and again; every two months is a good time frame to go by. To do this, place the mop head into the washing machine at 60 degrees, which should rid your cleaning appliance of any nasties.
You may also like: What's the difference between regular cleaning and deep cleaning in the home?
3. Don’t clean windows on a sunny day
It may seem like a good idea, but in actual fact, you should avoid cleaning your windows on a sunny day. The reason behind this is that the heat of the sun will cause the car wash solution to dry too quickly, resulting in unsightly streak marks on your windows – the last thing you need.
Therefore, the best time to partake in this activity is on a cloudy day, using a combination of white vinegar and newspaper for ultimate sparkle.
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4. Use baking soda to clean your mattress
Pause for a moment. Do you really want to be inhaling strong and odorous chemicals as you sleep at night? Instead, strip your bedding from your mattress and sprinkle baking soda all over. Leave to settle for 3-4 hours and vacuum up any excess. Fresh again!
5. Don’t scrub stains
If you accidentally create a mark on your carpet, it is important for you to carefully ease the stain out rather than scrubbing hard, as this will spread the stain and damage your carpet and fibres will come apart.
Instead, add baking soda over the problem area and press down gently with a cloth, to ease out the stain. Once the area is completely dry, hoover up any residue and continue the process again until the stain is removed completely.
Would you like to find out more about stains? Read our stain removal guide. If you are still having trouble, do not hesitate to get in touch for our carpet cleaning services.
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6. Use tea bags to clean shoes
Have you ever found yourself ready to head outside and realise your shoes are dirty? A quick cleaning hack is to simply take a dried teabag and place them near the toes on the sole of the shoe. This method is particularly useful if you have dirty gym or sport-style shoes, as it absorbs moisture as well as any bad smells.
7. Use lemon to clean taps
Cleaning your taps can be challenging job, especially if they haven’t been cleaned in a long time. It is a known fact that citrus is proven to help clean anything – so if you have a grapefruit or a spare lemon laying around, try using them instead.
8. Use a homemade floor cleaner
Have you ever run out of floor cleaner in the middle of a job? Well, don’t fear, there is an easy way to make your very own homemade floor cleaner with ingredients you often find in your kitchen cupboards. All you need is rubbing alcohol, vinegar and water, and mix everything together to create a solution – if you want it to smell nice, add a few drops of essential oils.
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9. Use vinegar to clean bathroom tiles
Once you’ve hoovered your floor, you may want to create a natural homemade solution to help clean your bathroom tiles. One of the best cleaning hacks to clean any dirt and grime is creating a solution using half a cup of white vinegar to four and a half litres of warm water. Once you have applied this to your tiles using a mop, leave it to dry for a few minutes. Use an old toothbrush to scrub off any excess dirt or dust.
The natural cleaning solution is even more effective when you add a pinch of baking soda. Bear in mind that baking soda can create a film on tiles, but it should wipe off easily using soapy water to create a sparkling effect.
NOTE: If you’ve used some kind of natural stone, such as marble, refrain from using acidic cleaners.
10. Use baking soda to clean your oven
When it comes to cleaning an oven, it may seem like a tedious task, but it’s actually much easier than you may think if you follow clever oven cleaning hacks. For instance, mix half a cup of baking soda with water in a large bowl to create a paste. Spread this all over the bottom of your oven, whilst avoiding any heating elements, and leave it to rest overnight.
In the morning, all you have to do is simply wipe a damp cloth over the oven and remove the dried paste. If you need any help with removing any paste, spray some vinegar into the area and wipe the excess away. After this, your oven should look like brand-new despite minimal effort!
Feature image credit: Igisheva Maria / Shutterstock
