Cleaning hacks

Cleaning is tough work and it has to be done. But nobody wants to spend most of their free time cleaning so we have put together some simple hacks that will help you get that seemingly endless and mundane chore done faster. From cleaning hard to reach places to an easy way to get rid of sofa stains, here are some smart ways to keep things clean at home without breaking a sweat (or the bank, for that matter).

Bathroom tricks

Cleaning the bathroom is usually at the bottom of people’s list of chores, but again it has to be done. The good news is that there are easy ways to do it. To remove soap scum and grime that’s building up inside the shower, fill a small bowl with half vinegar and half dish soap and then get scrubbing. You can also use an old sponge or toothbrush and dip this in the same solution to clean hard to reach places. You can also make a solution of vegetable oil and baking soda, and then use an old toothbrush to scrub the gunk out of the corners of cabinet surfaces beneath the bathroom sink. Another lesson known tip: Rub lemon on faucets to remove water stains and spray your bathroom mirror with vodka (a cheap one will do) for a streak-free cleaning.

Sofa cleaning decoded

Baking soda can help remove any lingering smells and also break up any stains on the fabric. First brush off the surface of the couch, and then sprinkle baking soda on the area you want to clean. Just let it sit for about 20 minutes and then vacuum it up using the brush attachment. This will make your sofa smell-free and clean like never before. If you sofa is made of leather, then use shoe polish to get rid of scratches and scruff marks. To clean grease stains from cushion covers or sofa seats, just mix four parts rubbing alcohol with one part salt, and then rub the mixture into the stain. Let the surface dry and vacuum up any remaining salt if necessary.

For sparkling kitchen appliances

Microwaves can get pretty messy so once a week, make it a point, to put equal amounts of water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl (along with a small wooden object, like a toothpick, to prevent boiling or other dangers). Then set it on high for 5 to 10 minutes. Wait a couple minutes to let it cool, then when you open it up, all you have to do is wipe down the inside of the microwave with a sponge or paper towel.

Likewise, an easy way to clean your blender is to let it clean itself. A blender’s sharp blades and ridged interior can be tricky and dangerous to clean. So just fill the blender halfway with water, add a few drops of dish soap, and blend on high for 30 seconds. Wipe down the upper area with the soapy water and a sponge, then rinse.

Stainless steel appliances used in the kitchen are usually stained with fingerprints. All you need is a microfiber cloth (or just a soft cloth) and some rubbing alcohol to keep them sparkling clean. If you really want to get your stainless steel super clean then use a few drops of olive oil while wiping the surfaces every once in a while.

Also, you can tackle greasy buildup on your stove with oil. All you have to do is put a few drops of vegetable oil onto a paper towel and rub it across the greasy part. Once you’re done removing the greasy mess, just go over it with some kitchen cleaner if you want or you can leave it like that. The oil not only makes it shiny but helps to make cleanups in the future really easy as well.

The secret to gleaming wooden surfaces

To remove dust and dirt buildup from woodwork and make it look shiny and new, wipe it down using a mix of one-part lemon oil and one part white vinegar.

Rub the mixture onto the wooden surface to be cleaned using a soft cloth and, voila, it’s done. Alternatively, you can polish wooden surfaces using beer. It removes the dullness of years and adds a nice, shiny coat.

If you have nasty little water rings on your coffee table, just hold a blow dryer on high close to the ring and it will start to disappear after a few minutes. Once it’s gone, you can rub a little bit of olive oil on the area to recondition the wood.