Everyone loves a clean home, but doing the work can seem like an endless, exhausting and back-breaking task. Here are some tips and advice that everyone can benefit from, whether you’re a first-time homeowner or simply love a clean, fresh-smelling home for your family and want to make these tasks a little easier.
Sparkling Showers and Tubs
Cleaning soap scum off tubs and showers has to be one of the most sweaty and frustrating cleaning tasks of the week, but there’s nothing better than enjoying a properly clean shower. Fortunately, there’s a DIY solution that can make this task a lot easier! Get a clean spray bottle and fill it with 2 parts white distilled vinegar to 1 part dishwashing liquid and mix. It often mixes in easier if you heat the vinegar up a bit in the microwave.
Spray your shower and tub and leave it to soak in for an hour or two while you tackle other tasks. Don’t overdo it with the mixture – a light spray is perfect. Open a window or turn on the fan to prevent fumes from building up. Then, lightly scrub the tub and shower clean and rinse. Everything will be sparkling clean and streak-free!
Tackle That Pet Hair
You don’t need any expensive cleaning tools or brushes to get rid of pet hair – a pair of rubber dishwashing gloves will do wonders! Simply dampen the gloves and run them over your soft furnishings, curtains and even your clothes.
Freshen Up Your Mattress
Mattresses aren’t often addressed during the regular cleaning schedule but this simple advice makes it so much easier to enjoy a clean, fresh-smelling mattress. Simply strip the mattress of all your bedding, then mix a cup of baking soda with about 4 drops of your favorite essential oil, mix and sprinkle onto your mattress. You should cover it quite liberally, so feel free to double up on the mixture. Leave it to sit on the mattress for about 2 hours and vacuum thoroughly.
No More Streaky Windows
Cleaning windows is no one’s idea of a fun task, but it makes such a difference to your home! There’s an easy way to clean glass as well as any mirrored surfaces without leaving unsightly streaks. Simply mix 1 part hot water to 1 part white distilled vinegar in a bucket, dampen a sponge or squeegee and clean. Rinse any excess off your window frames and wipe the surface dry with newspaper or clean coffee filters. Always clean your windows when they’re not in direct sunlight.
Hygienically Clean Your Microwave
Microwaves can quickly become surprisingly dirty, filled with smells and spills. The easiest way to clean this kitchen essential is to get a sponge, some water, and a few drops of lemon essential oil. Mix the essential oil and water in a spray bottle and spray every surface inside your microwave thoroughly. Then dampen the sponge, put it in the microwave and switch it on for 2 minutes. Give it a few extra minutes to cool down, then open the microwave up and wipe down with the sponge. It will smell great and the steam will loosen all the mess inside so that it’s easy to clean.
Easy Cleaning for Your Dishwasher
First, empty your dishwasher and check the inside of your dishwasher to remove any solid waste caught in the drain trap. Then, put a dishwasher safe cup of white distilled vinegar on the top rack and run it on the hottest cycle possible. Then, sprinkle about a cup of baking soda into the dishwasher and run it again on the hottest cycle. Your dishwasher will be hygienic, stain-free and smelling clean.
Refresh Your Garbage Disposal
After a while, garbage disposals all start to smell, which really isn’t ideal in a kitchen. Cleaning it is easy if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but you can also give it a good, hygienic clean by popping some lemon quarters (with the rind on) down the disposal, followed by some water to flush it out.
Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner
This is a great money-saver and it’s so easy to make at home. All you have to do is combine 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle. It works well in the kitchen, and is ideal for all types of countertops as well as appliances.
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