Though it may not entirely feel like it, we are only a couple of weeks from the start of spring. For many homeowners, that means it’s also time to tackle spring cleaning. While that may seem like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. We’ve searched for some of the best cleaning hacks to help with spring cleaning (as well as everyday cleaning) to get your home tidier without requiring as much time and effort. Here are 10 great ones we found.
Steam-Clean Your Microwave
Steam is a great way to clean many things in your home, but that is especially true of your microwave. Rather than scrub and scrub, let the steam loosen up stuck-on grime so you just have to wipe it away. There are a few ways to do this:
- Lemon juice: Place a bowl of lemon juice in your microwave and set the microwave for 2 minutes or until the lemon juice comes to a boil. This will create steam that will loosen debris stuck in the microwave. Simply wipe the inside of the microwave with a cloth or paper towel once the steam has loosed everything up.
- Water only: Fill a microwave-safe bowl halfway with water, place it in the center of the turntable, and bring the water to a boil. Turn the microwave off and leave the door closed for 15 minutes. Then, wipe the dirt and grime out of the microwave with a paper towel or cloth.
- Water and white vinegar: Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 to 2 cups of water and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar (you could also add a couple of drops of essential oils if you prefer). Run your microwave for 5 minutes to allow the mixture to boil and steam up the microwave, then wipe the microwave out with a cloth or paper towel.
Clean Your Dishwasher with Baking Soda and Vinegar
To keep your dishwasher running efficiently and free of dirt and odors, you should clean it regularly (most manufacturers recommend once a month). There are dishwasher cleaners you can buy, but if you prefer to use ingredients you may already have, baking soda and white vinegar will do the trick. Make sure the dishwasher is empty, then add 1 cup of baking soda to the bottom and let it sit overnight. Then run the hottest cycle possible using vinegar instead of detergent.
Lemons/Limes or Vinegar Eliminate Disposal Odors
Every homeowner knows that over time, smells can build up in your garbage disposal. There are a couple of quick, inexpensive ways to eliminate odor:
- Lemon or Lime: Thinly slice your lemon or lime, making sure that the portion of fruit you will use is free of seeds. Slip the slices down the disposal, then turn it on and let it grind the fruit up.
- Vinegar: Freeze vinegar in an ice-cube tray, then run the cubes through the disposal. In addition to getting rid of odors, this method can also help sharpen the blades.
Use Coffee Filters to Clean Glass
Looking for a streak-free shine on your windows, mirrors, and other glass in your home? Reach for a coffee filter. Constructed of lint-free paper, coffee filters are a great alternative to paper towels and other cloths that can leave lint and streaks behind.
Clean a Ceiling Fan Using a Pillowcase
We gave full details on the pillowcase method of cleaning ceiling fan blades in this blog post last year, but this hack is too good not to share again. Basically, slip an old pillowcase over each fan blade and wipe away dust. This will keep dust from falling on anything below it.
Clean Blinds with a Sock
There are many ways to clean blinds, from special tools at hardware stores to using your vacuum, but one quick, easy way to do it is with an old sock. Put it on your hand, spritz it with water, then grip each blind panel with your sock-covered hand from one end to the other. This will remove dust from both sides of the slat.
Use a Paint Roller to Clean Ceilings
Ceilings are an often-overlooked area when it comes to cleaning, in part because it can be difficult and messy to do so. To make it easier to clean and avoid knocking dust down onto your floor or furniture, use a dampened high-nap paint roller. Put it on an extension pole for easy reach, and you’ll be collecting dust and cobwebs in no time.
Lemon Oil and Vinegar Can Keep Shine on Wood
If you own wood furnishing or have woodwork in your home, you know keeping it clean and shiny can be tricky. Regular wipe-downs are key to this, but if you want an environmentally-friendly way to keep the shine, mix 1 part lemon oil and 1 part white vinegar to use as a cleaner.
Windshield Repellant for Glass Shower Doors
Once you’ve got the streak-free shine on your glass shower doors, help prevent a buildup of water stains with a water repellent used for windshields (for example, RainX). Simply spray a coating of the repellent on the glass and wipe it down lightly. Even with the repellent on your glass, you will still want to squeegee after each shower to help keep the glass clean.
Remove Pet Hair with Rubber Gloves
If you own a pet, you know the battle to keep your home hair-free can be never-ending. One quick, easy way to rid your furniture of pet hair is with rubber gloves. Simply put the gloves on your hands and run them over the surface of your furniture. This will cause the pet fur to gather in a ball that you can then easily grab and throw away.
Looking for your dream home? Liberty Homes has been building new homes in Utah for nearly 30 years. We take pride in our trade, crafting each home as if it were our own. Our quality, affordable homes are energy smart and thoughtfully personalized for your active Utah lifestyle. We currently have townhomes available in Salt Lake County, single-family homes in Heber City, and 55-plus single-family homes in West Jordan. Contact us today to find your dream home.
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