So, we all say we want a clean home, right? Like, “Oh I feel so much better in a clean space,” and sure. Yeah, me too, absolutely. But then suddenly it’s two months later and you’re looking at the top of the fridge like it’s an archaeological dig site. I don’t know what happens. Time just skips. Or you think you’re keeping up, but then you get close and you notice a layer of … something, in the corners. And don’t get me started on ceiling fans. Anyway—here’s the deal—these aren’t revolutionary, but these are the things that creep up on you until your whole house has developed a fine patina. So. I have 14. You can mix and match, or do them all and feel mildly triumphant for about six hours.
1. Dust-Free Fans
When’s the last time you cleaned the blades of your ceiling fans? Probably not recently. Slip an old pillowcase over top of each blade to wipe off dust. The pillowcase will trap the dust inside so that it’s not going all over the room.
2. Clean Enamel Dishes
If you have enamel dishes or pans, you know all too well how quickly they can become coated in burnt-on food residue. Just soak them in a solution of baking soda and hot water to break down the residue with no scrubbing required.
3. Sparkling Mirrors
The key to sparkling clean mirrors? Use rubbing alcohol! They’ll be shining and disinfected all at the same time.
4. Clean Shower Curtain
Don’t forget to clean your shower curtain every once in a while! Pop it in the washing machine with a bit of distilled vinegar to rid bacteria and that mildew smell.
If you’re looking for an effortless way to tackle this chore, this full guide to cleaning your shower curtain might just change your routine for good.
5. Germ-Free Washing Machine
You might be surprised to learn that washing machines can become filled with bacteria over time. To make sure that your washing machine stays clean and free of germs, pour some some distilled vinegar in on an empty wash cycle.
6. Dust-Free Blinds
Use a handheld vacuum or longer attachment to vacuum the dust right off your blinds.
7. Sparkling Microwave
To both clean and disinfect your microwave, fill a shallow bowl with water and a few lemon slices. Heat up the bowl for a minute or so. The lemon water will create steam in the microwave, and you can simply wipe the microwave clean with a damp cloth afterwards.
8. Shiny Stainless Sinks
To clean and disinfect a stainless steel sink, scrub it down with a combination of baking soda and distilled vinegar. Afterwards, rinse with plain water.
9. Clean Stove Burner Grates
To clean grimy stove burner grates, put them in a Ziploc bag, fill the bag with ammonia, and let them soak for about an hour. When the time’s up, wash them with dish soap and warm water, rinse them, dry them, and voila!
10. Clean Grout
To make dirty grout clean again, make a paste using baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the grout, let it sit for about 20 minutes, then use a damp cloth to remove the residue.
11. Fresh Towels
To remove that stale, mildew smell from towels, add a cup of distilled vinegar into the washing machine and run on a regular cycle.
12. Toilet Cleaning Hack
Don’t forget to clean all the nooks and crannies around your toilet. Wrap a disinfecting wipe around a screwdriver and use it to clean all of the hard-to-reach places.
13. Clean A Wooden Cutting Board
To clean and disinfect a wooden cutting board, sprinkle the surface with coarse salt. Use the fleshy half of a lemon to scrub the salt into the board. Afterwards, rinse with water.
14. Dust-Free Baseboards
Wipe down your baseboards with a dryer sheet! The dryer sheet will trap the dust more effectively and will leave the baseboards less likely to collect dust in the first place.
