Most people don’t enjoy cleaning, which is why they search for cleaning hacks.

Unfortunately, though, it’s one of those things that has to get done, like it or not.

Now, are you ready for some good news? If you know a few essential cleaning hacks, you can make cleaning easier, faster, and less miserable than ever before.

Hack #1:

Vinegar and Water Can Clean Almost Anything

One simple tip that may surprise you is that two simple ingredients- white vinegar and water- can clean just about anything. And, as a bonus, this simple mixture is much, much cheaper than the standard commercial cleaning products.

To make this “magic mixture” yourself, combine equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on surfaces and wipe up with a cloth. You’ll find that surfaces gleam and odors are eliminated with ease.

vinegar

For those rare tough stains that this mixture doesn’t work on, add a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the mix and shake well. That should do the trick

Hack #2:

Lint Rollers Make Screens Look Like New

Window screens and screen doors look nice when they’re first installed. However, they quickly become a gross mess of splattered bugs, cobwebs, and other outdoor grime and grit.

Cleaning them seems impossible, but not if you know this simple hack.

A lint roller, the kind you use on clothes, is perfect for getting the grime out of the tiny crevices of a screen door. Try it for yourself, and you’ll be amazed at how much you pick up. You’ll be even more surprised at how like new your screens will look when you’re done.

Hack #3:

Use Dryer Sheets for a Deep Toilet Clean

Just as you wouldn’t expect lint rollers to work on screens, you might not expect dryer sheets to work on your toilet. But, surprise surprise, they do.

These robust sheets are particularly helpful for removing rings from the toilet bowl as well as other stuck on stains.

toilet bowl

So, pop on some gloves, grab a dryer sheet and go to work on your toilet. You will be amazed at what this sheet can get out. The secret lies in its robust, abrasive texture. In fact, that texture also makes dryer sheets an excellent choice for cleaning baseboards and buffing out any small scratches or scuffs you find around the home.

Hack #4:

Get Rid of Gross Garbage Disposal Odor with a Toothbrush

There’s nothing worse than getting a whiff of some disgusting, rotting smell coming from your garbage disposal.

When this happens, run the disposal thoroughly for a while. If the smell is still there, then stuck-on crud is likely to blame. Fortunately, there is an easy way to get rid of it.

Grab a toothbrush (NOT one you plan to use again), lift up the little folds on the garbage disposal, and then brush away the grossness, using water as needed as you go.

This is an easy way to get rid of all of those odor-causing food and trash particles and to ensure your house smells fresh again. And, for some bonus good smells, run a few slices of fresh lemon through the garbage disposal. The sweet, citrusy aroma should positively permeate your home.

violet toothbrush

Hack #5:

Eliminate Odors with Baking Soda

You just learned how to eliminate odors from your garbage disposal, but what about those odors elsewhere? Or, even worse, those odors you can’t pinpoint.

For strange smells lurking in a room, a freshly-opened package of baking soda shoved in a corner can work wonders. Baking soda naturally absorbs odors, so after a day or so, you should notice a vast improvement.

baking soda

You can also sprinkle baking soda on your carpets before vacuuming to absorb odor, in the cat litter box, or anywhere else you think could use a “smell pick me up.”

Hack #6:

Make Sponges Sparkle

Reusing your cleaning sponges is an easy way to save money, but it’s also an easy way to spread germs and bacteria if you’re not careful.

Fortunately, it’s easy to get your sponges looking great again and to get rid of potentially harmful bacteria.

sponge

Just add your sponges to the dishwasher next time you run a load. You will find that, after drying, they perk up quite nicely. And, even more importantly, they will be fresh, clean, and ready for you to use all over again.

Hack #7:

Lemons or Limes Can Detox Your Garbage Disposal

This is another one of those cleaning hacks that are so obvious you won’t believe you didn’t think of it yourself. All you need to do is cut a fresh lemon or lime into quarters.

Next, while you have the water running, put the lemon pieces one by one into the disposal. While the disposal is doing its thing, you’ll notice that the foul smell will start to dissipate. This is an even better cleaning hack when compared to our previous one that features a toothbrush.

Vodka Removes Carpet Stains

We’re all about vacuums here, but sometimes a vacuum just isn’t enough. Fortunately, if you’ve got some vodka lying around, then you can use it to remove carpet stains with relative ease.

First, you need to blot the stain, then pour the vodka onto it. And that’s about it. Use a clean sponge to rub it in harder if it seems to be persistent.

NOTE: You need clear vodka for this to work, not the colored and flavored variations.

Use Shaving Cream For Water Stains

You would’ve probably never guessed that shaving cream could be used for cleaning, right? To everyone’s surprise, yes, you can use shaving cream to get rid of those foul-smelling water stains.

And the best part? The process is as simple as it can get. All you need to do is pour shaving cream on the affected area, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe it off with a clean napkin, cloth, or anything else that’s similar.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, cleaning doesn’t have to be significant pain. In fact, it can even be fun, especially if you try out these simple cleaning hacks. There are much more out there too, so do your research to make cleaning easier than ever before. With that said, we wish you the best of luck in combating nasty and annoying stains. Also, please be considerate and share this article with others who might be seeking this type of advice. Thank you!

Related Post: Dry Carpet Cleaning – How to Dry Clean at Home