Keeping a clean house is a never-ending chore.
But you shouldn’t have to break the bank or waste loads of time in the process.
In fact, it’s possible to have a squeaky-clean home using items commonly found in the kitchen, medicine cabinet, or even the sock drawer.
I sent out a request for cleaning hacks on social media and people delivered. Check out the list below to see their suggestions.
Note: Each of these tips were reviewed by Richland Public Health to ensure they don’t pose any health hazards.
1. Clean the inside of a microwave by placing two lemon halves into a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water and microwave on high for about three minutes. This makes it easy to wipe down surfaces instead of scrubbing. –Kayla Garrabrant
2. Use a bucket full of warm water and a squirt of Ajax dish soap to clean windows. –Shawna Layland
3. When cleaning laminate floors, use 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar. Add some drops of an essential oil like lemon or peppermint for a fresh scent. –Lori Atkins
4. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar with detergent to remove odor from laundry. –Tracy Graziani
5. Use an old sock to dust blinds. –Cassie Taylor
6. Use lemon juice to clean a bad “bake-on” on an oven floor. –Elizabeth Dawson
7. For a shiny sink, sprinkle it with baking soda, just enough to cover the surface, and add a few drops of lemon essential oil. Scrub, rinse and let air dry. Use this same method to clean the tub, except add a squirt or two of Castile soap before scrubbing. –Leah Reel
8. Use Dawn dish soap to get rid of grease stains on clothing. Drizzle some dish soap on the stain, lather and then wash as instructed by the garment label. –Kara F
9. Clean windows using rubbing alcohol or newspaper to avoid streaks. –Priscilla Gaskins and Candace Harrell
10. Use equal parts water and white vinegar to remove hard water deposits. –Tracy Graziani
11. Create a natural multipurpose spray that cuts through grease and dirt by mixing 1 cup water with 1 cup white vinegar, 10 drops peppermint or lemon essential oil and 1/4 cup lemon juice. –Electra Metz
12. Let clothes sit in hot water, 1/2 cup white vinegar and a squirt of dish soap for 30 minutes and then wash to remove crayon. –Becca Webb
13. Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and a squirt of Dawn dish soap to remove carpet stains. –Allie Bechtler
14. Use vodka to deodorize the carpet. First use carpet cleaner to remove stains, then saturate the spot with vodka (spot test to ensure no discoloration) and let air dry. Repeat if necessary. –Sara Vrooman
15. Get rid of water stains on shower glass using shaving cream. Apply for about 10 minutes and then wipe clean. –Lynn Ernsberger
One final note: Cleaning hacks are fun and useful, but always err on the side of caution. Don’t get too hasty with mixing cleaners, as certain combinations can cause more harm than good. One example is mixing ammonia (found in window, multipurpose and toilet bowl cleaners) and bleach, which can cause the release of toxic vapors.
