Of all the chores we have to do, cleaning has to be the most tedious. Sure, it's nice having a spotless house, but the actual process of getting it to hat point can mean hours and hours of scrubbing and inhaling harsh chemicals. And of course, it's only a (short) matter of time before all that dirt and mess builds right back up, especially if you share your home with kids or pets. If you've ever hoped for an easier way to spend a bit less time cleaning your house and more time enjoying it, don't worry— there are ways to cut down on both time and effort while you tidy up.
Call me lazy, but I'm a huge sucker for anything that cuts down on my chore time. So you can imagine how excited I was when I learned about these hacks that help make cleaning up the bathroom a breeze! Even better is that you don't have to empty your wallet shopping for expensive cleaning products; these easy DIY cleaning wipes do the job of pricey brand-name wipes at a fraction of the cost! I don't think cleaning will ever be a "fun" activity, but it's nice to know that there are ways to make it less of a pain.
If you want some easy ways to make your whole house sparkle, take a look at these simple hacks. You'll be amazed at how much time you'll save! I thought number 12 was completely crazy, but now that I've tried it myself, I'm never going back to my old cleaning ways!
Make sure you SHARE these cleaning tricks with everyone you know!
1. Cover your refrigerator shelves in plastic wrap
Cleaning gunk off refrigerator shelves can be a tedious and time-consuming endeavor. But if you spend a little time putting plastic wrap on your shelves instead, all you have to do is pull it off and replace it when it gets a bit too gross.
2. Blend soapy water to clean the tough spots in your blender
Getting those hard-to-reach spots in your blender when you're washing it can be a pain in the neck. An easier way to make sure all those nooks and crannies don't have any leftover smoothie in them is to fill up the machine with soapy water and turn the blender on. You'll be amazed at how clean it gets with almost no effort!
3. Steam your microwave to remove stuck-on food
When it comes time to remove the dried pasta sauce that exploded all over your microwave oven, let some lemon water do the hard work for you. Put a cup of water with a couple lemon wedges in the microwave and heat it up until it's boiling. The steam will loosen up any yucky stuff, and all you'll have to do is wipe it off.
4. Make your room smell better with dryer sheets
Not a fan of that musty smell that your vents blow out? Hang a dryer sheet in front of them. It's like a really cheap air freshener!
5. Use vodka to freshen up your mattress
If you sleep on it enough, your mattress is guaranteed to get pretty icky, but you can't exactly throw something that big in the washing machine. The solution might be hiding in your liquor cabinet! Fill a spray bottle with vodka, and add a few drops of essential oil. Spraying it onto your mattress will not only kill a bunch of germs, but also leave your mattress smelling nice and fresh.
6. Use an onion to clean your grill
To get all the ick off your grill, cut a white onion in half, stick a fork in the rounded side, and rub the flat side on the grates while the grill is still hot. Not only will your grill be nice and smooth, but the next thing you cook on it will also have a bit of extra flavor!
7. Use a squeegee to remove pet hair from carpeting and furniture.
Your vacuum might not pick up all that pet hair, but a simple squeegee will help pick up all that fuzz and clump it together. Once it's loosened up, all you have to do is pick it up and throw it out!
8. Use a lint roller to get the dust off lampshades.
Lampshades can really be a pain to clean… unless you have a lint roller nearby. Just roll it right over all that dust and watch that gray surface magically become white again.
9. Clean a shower head with vinegar and a plastic bag
If your shower head is a bit plugged up, fill a plastic bag with some distilled white vinegar, then fit it around your shower head and fasten it on with a rubber band. Let it sit for an hour, and when you remove it, you'll be shocked at all your new-found water pressure.
10. Use Play-Doh to pick up glitter
Glitter has a tendency to show up long after we think we've swept it all up. Get rid of it all by using a ball of fresh Play-Doh and stamping it on all the areas that have been plagued with the sparkly stuff. You'll be surprised at how well it picks it up!
11. Remove nail polish from carpeting with rubbing alcohol.
A microfiber cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol will take even the darkest polish stains out of a carpet or bed sheet.
12. Use a potato to clean a cheese grater.
I know, I know— this one is weird. Potatoes contain oxalic acid, which is commonly used as a cleaning agent. When combined with this spud's hard texture, cheesy gunk doesn't stand a chance when you grind a potato against your grater.
13. Scrub a glass baking dish with aluminum foil.
All that baked-on yuckiness is a lot easier to get off when you put a bit of dish soap onto a crumpled-up ball of aluminum foil. It requires some scrubbing, but a lot less than you'd need with a sponge.
14. Use bleach to transform cutting boards.
Stains, smells, and germs are no match for a combination of bleach and water. Soak your plastic cutting board in this mixture and let it sit in the sink for an hour. When you take it out, it'll be like you have a brand new board.
15. Clean your cabinet doors with oil and baking soda.
All the stuff that accumulates on kitchen cabinets can be removed with a mixture of vegetable or coconut oil and baking soda. Use a toothbrush to scrub it onto the wood and watch as your cabinets regain their luster.
Don't forget to SHARE these time-saving tips with everyone you know!
