Have you ever felt overwhelmed shopping for home cleaning products? It seems like there are so many solutions for every type of cleaning chore. The fact that these products do not come cheap adds another important factor in how you should choose too. If you check these products, they are overloaded with chemicals. These chemical solutions are not only harmful to the environment but can also be risky to your health.
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The good news is that you do not have to spend a lot of money on cleaning products! There are a lot of home remedies when it comes to cleaning using items that are already in your home. Not only are these DIY cleaning solutions cheap but they also provide a quick and easy solution for your cleaning needs.
Use baking soda to refresh your mattress
As time passes, your mattress loses its aroma and starts attracting mites. Before you know it, it obviously looks old and slept-in. Soon, it will eventually lose its comfort factor. You must keep your mattress fresh and clean all the time for health and sanitary purposes.
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You can restore freshness to your mattress again with the help of baking soda. To keep your mattress smelling good, you should also add some essential oils to the mix. Sprinkle the solution all over your mattress and this will help rejuvenate the mattress inside and out. If you are dealing with mites, you should use Rosemary, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus, or Clove essential oils. They can help deter the mites.
Use the dishwasher to clean hairbrushes
Hairbrushes are difficult to clean because of all the hair that gets stuck in the bristles. But did you know that aside from that, your hairbrush is a breeding ground for thousands of bacteria? A study made at the University of Arizona discovered that there are 3,500 bacteria colonies on one hairbrush. You do not only need to clean it – you have to sanitize it too!
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Lucky enough, your dishwasher can solve both the cleaning and sanitizing problem for you. All you have to do is place your hairbrush in it and wash it on a high heat setting so it gets cleaned and sanitized.
Use nail polish remover to refresh your shoes
Do you have a particular favorite pair of shoes that you always wear and you notice that it is starting to wear off? Or do your sneakers have stains that you can not scrub off? You only need a nail polish remover to get your shoes looking like new again.
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Simply dab a small amount of nail polish remover on the stain and wipe it clean with a wet paper towel or rag. For refreshing purposes, just do the same thing on the entire surface. Repeat the process until your shoes start to look more vibrant!
Use coffee filters to dust electronics
Your electronics can easily gather dust as they are mostly in a fixed position in a room. The dust that buildups on the surface of electronics are usually hard to remove because most clothing surfaces are not effective enough to gather them – the effect is that the dust buildup is just being smeared around. Aside from that, since these are electronics, you can not use liquid cleaning agents on them.
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Most people will get rid of the dust using air cans. But not everybody has one or is comfortable using one on their electronics. A cleaning hack that you can use is to clean the dust off with coffee filters instead. The dust and grime will easily cling to the coffee filter because of its composition and texture.
Use adhesives to clean your keyboard
The computer keyboard is a magnet of food particles, dust, and bacteria. You hardly notice it until there is an obvious buildup. Just think about all the time you spend pressing on those keys then grabbing food with your fingers or touching your face. Gross, right? But the small spaces in between keys can be difficult to clean.
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The trick is to use adhesives like scotch tape or the sticky side of the post-it notes to clean your keyboard. It is an incredibly easy and effective way to lift up all the particles, grime, and gunk that have formed around the keys of your keyboard.
Use socks or a pillowcase to dust ceiling fans
Ceiling fans can build up dust and dirt when neglected. They are also difficult to clean because you have to stand on a chair or ladder and when you dust them off, the dust gets to you or they fall off everywhere in the room.
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The good news is that you can make this task easier by running the blades through a sock or pillowcase. Make sure you turn the socks inside-out since the dust will stick more on the fluffier side of the sock. Also, the pillowcase should not be made out of smooth fabric since this type of fabric is not that effective in catching dust.
Use socks to dust window blinds
Cleaning window blinds can be a messy job because they can build up a lot of dust and grime in just a few days. You risk the dust and dirt getting to you, falling to the floor, or sending them across the room.
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The best way to clean window blinds is to use an old sock, turned inside out. The fluffy side of the sock can easily catch the dirt and dust before they come loose as you wipe the blinds! You no longer have to worry about inhaling dust or having more things to clean up!
Use clear alcohol to clean your carpet
Carpet stains can be bad and if it is a dark stain, they stick out like a sore thumb. Aside from that, some stains blend in the carpet that you do not get to clean off right away because you did not notice them. Carpet cleaning can be very expensive. The good news is that you can easily deal with these stains by yourself.
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All you have to do is wipe the stains using clear alcohol like vodka or rubbing alcohol and some cotton swabs or a clean rag. You get to remove your carpet stains with less effort and expense! No need for expensive carpet cleaning services unless you really need it!
Use clear alcohol to get rid of couch stains
Dry cleaning your couch will end up with you paying a very high bill. Not only that but the cleaning products used can be very strong and toxic. Did you know that you can save yourself a lot of money by just using clear alcohol on your couch stains?
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In fact, the more potent the alcohol, the more effective it will be as a cleaning agent. at this note, undiluted vodka is the best way to go. You can also use rubbing alcohol, which is easier to find and cheaper. This cleaning hack does not only gets rid of the stain but also eliminates any odor.
Use a squeegee to clean pet hair for spaces that are hard to reach
If you have pets, then you know you have to clean all the time – otherwise, you will have pet hair buildup in your home and that is not a pretty and sanitary sight. But somehow, vacuuming can not do a thorough job – especially for spots that are hard to reach like corners, edges, spaces between wooden floors, or overhead areas.
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You can use the squeegee that is meant for your car to reach the pet hair on these hard-to-reach areas. Pet hair can easily be gathered and often, they have handles that make it easier for you to reach most surfaces.
Use oil and vinegar to get rid of pet odors
Pet odors in your furniture and carpets or rugs can be challenging to get rid of. Especially when we are talking about pet accidents indoors. The smell can be absorbed deeply in the furniture and the floor.
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All you have to do is just place vinegar and oil in a spray bottle. The vinegar will take the smell with it as it evaporates. So the stronger the smell, the more vinegar you need. Another tip to help your pet avoid using the same spot as a bathroom again is to place a few drops of essential oils in the area.
Clean air vents with old butter knives
Air vents can quickly accumulate dust. If they are neglected, the dust forms into veils that open like curtains when you use the AC or heat. It can also distribute dust and dirt throughout the room.
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An old butter knife can be very helpful when it comes to cleaning the air vents. It can easily clear out any dust or lint that may have gathered. The butter knife can also clean out the crevices of areas that are hard to reach.
Use olive oil to clean pots and pans
Ever tried scrubbing down a pot or pan clean because it had burned-on grime only to find that you ended up scratching or damaging them? This can easily be avoided if you use olive oil when you clean your pots and pans.
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Olive oil is a natural solvent that can easily break down burned-on grime and baked grease. It can even act as a stain remover for your titanium, steel, iron, and non-stick pots and pans.
Use vegetable oil and baking soda to clean greasy surfaces
Kitchen cabinets, counters, and other surfaces can end up with a greasy layer as you cook – especially in the areas near your stove and oven. Cleaning off that greasy feeling can be a problem especially for delicate surfaces.
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You can use a combination of vegetable oil and baking soda to address this problem. It is a cleaning solution that is abrasive enough to clean off the greasy layer without damaging a delicate surface. Spray on the solution then wipe the surface clean with paper towels or a clean rag.
Use chalk to clean grease from walls
Your kitchen walls can have grease marks too from all the cooking that you are doing. Grease marks can also turn up in other parts of the house with high traffic like the area by the doors.
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All you have to do is rub some chalk on these grease marks. The chalk will soak up the grease. Make sure to let it sit in the blemish for about 5 minutes. Then, wipe the area with a soapy paper towel. Pat dry after with another paper towel.
Use lemon and vinegar to refresh your microwave
If your microwave has stains or baked-on food, it will start to smell. So you need to clean and refresh it. Otherwise, the smell will affect the next meal you place in the microwave. However, it is an electrical appliance so how can you do this without ruining it?
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All you have to do is place a quarter cup of white vinegar and lemon slices in a bowl. Place it inside the microwave for a few minutes. When you open the microwave after, you can immediately tell that the oven smells fresher and cleaner, with a lemony scent. You can also use the time to easily wipe off any stains or baked-on food inside since the vapor from the mixture will soften the stain.
Use stale bread to clean your coffee grinder
Cleaning a coffee grinder can be challenging. Coffee grounds can get stuck in different parts like crevices, grooves, and rims. The finer you grind your coffee, the harder it will be to spot out these stuck particles until a buildup occurs. A build-up of fine coffee grains can discolor your coffee grinder and affect the taste of your coffee.
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A genius way to deal with this is to use stale bread. All you have to do is waddle it up on the coffee grinder. Make sure you cover the bottom thoroughly. The fine particles will stick to the bread. Run the grinder while the bread is in.
Use lemon and salt to clean your wooden cutting board
A cutting board should always be clean and sanitized since you are using it for the food you eat. But cleaning a cutting board is not just all about sanitary purposes. Every time you use a knife on it, it creates a crevice on the surface where tiny food particles and juices can get stuck to. You must also get rid of these particles to ensure that your cutting board is completely clean.
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One way to pull this off is to use salt and lemon juice the next time you clean your cutting board. The combination of the two will act as a natural abrasive that will help you scrub the cutting board clean. The salt will work on the surface of the cutting board while the lemon juice will help decompose the stains that were absorbed by the cutting board.
Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to sterilize plastic cutting boards
Cutting boards made out of plastic should be cleaned differently from the way you clean wooden cutting boards. Since the surfaces are different, they need a different cleaning solution to be sanitized and clean enough to use for your next meal.
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A good DIY hack is to make a special connection made out of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dishwashing soap. The combination will give you a thick and bubbly solution. You just have to scrub this solution on the plastic cutting board with a clean sponge or washcloth then rinse well. This will leave your plastic cutting board with a fresh and clean smell.
Use a toothbrush to clean a toaster
A toaster is one of the most difficult things to clean. Most cleaning brushes can get stuck in the toaster. The metal ones can even damage the machine. It is definitely an appliance that you can not use a standard kitchen brush on.
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The best alternative is to use a plastic toothbrush. The bristles are soft but firm enough to be effective as a cleaning tool. It is also small enough for you to move it around the slats and easily clean hard-to-reach areas inside the toaster.
Use bread to clean spills on delicate surfaces
Delicate surfaces like wood or bamboo should be cleaned immediately when a spill takes place. This is because the wood can quickly absorb the spill and this could discolor and stain them. The delicate structure of the surface will make it hard to clean.
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You can use bread to clean it up quickly. Get a slice or two and turn the bread into a ball shape. Use it like you would a sponge. The bread balls will quickly soak up the spill before they can be absorbed.
Use lemon oil to clean your oven
Almost every oven cleaning product has lemon oil in the mix – even the commercial chemical ones. This is because lemon oil is an effective aromatic solvent for the oven. In fact, lemon oil is really the only thing you need to clean your oven.
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Using lemon oil alone without the harmful chemicals that commercial cleaning products is not only safer but actually does a better job in cleaning your oven. You will be doing less scrubbing with lemon oil alone.
Use vinegar and baking soda to clean oven racks
Have you tried baking and the food just spills over as it bubbles or overflows while it cooks? This can cause food particles and grease to get stuck and baked on the racks. If you leave them be, they can smell and affect the taste of your next baked dish. Cleaning your oven racks all the time is important!
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You can get oven racks clean by soaking them in a vinegar and baking soda mixture. The baking soda will break down the baked bits on the racks. The vinegar will absorb the oil and grease. Once the baked particles are soft enough to break away from the rack, all you have to do is wipe them away and then clean the racks as you normally would.
Use baking soda to clean your overhead cooking vent
Grease buildup on your overhead cooking vent or stovetop can be difficult to clean – especially if you have neglected that area for months. The good news is that you can make the job a whole lot easier for you with baking soda.
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All you have to do is create a paste using baking soda and hot water. Base the amount of baking soda you need to use on the buildup and area that you need to clean. The thicker the buildup, the more baking soda you should use. Look for a container that fits the vent and immerse it in the mixture for a few minutes to allow the baking soda to dissolve the grease.
Use ammonia to clean burner covers
Stovetops and burner covers can become greasy from all the cooking you do. Scrubbing the gas stove clean can be a major and messy task because you need to take apart the burner covers to clean them thoroughly.
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Fortunately, you do not have to do all these gruesome tasks often with this DIY hack. Just get a Ziploc bag and fill it with a bit of ammonia. Then, seal the burner covers in the bag overnight. You will find that the ammonia will dissolve the grease and oil from the burner covers on the next day, making it easier for you to clean them.
Use baking soda and vinegar to sanitize your dishwasher
A lot of people make the assumption that a dishwasher is already clean as is. After all, you are always using it to clean your dishes. However, there are areas that you should still keep clean. There may be microbes and bacteria in there that you would not want to be on your dishes.
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You should sanitize your dishwasher with baking soda and vinegar. All you have to do is pour the bottle of vinegar into the dishwasher and empty a box of baking soda into the vinegar. Then, run the dishwasher for one cycle.
Use a toothbrush to clean your garbage disposer
Have you checked your garbage disposer lately? You may not notice it immediately because it is difficult to see but chances are it is covered with gunk. Most people do not notice this until it starts to smell.
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You should scrub the blades of your garbage disposer using an old toothbrush. This helps clean the small areas thoroughly. If you want to get rid of the smell, mix baking soda, and lemon juice and scrub the area with the mixture. This will not only get rid of the smell but will also keep pests away.
Use vinegar and baking soda to unclog a drain
A drain can easily get clogged by a lot of things, whether it is in the kitchen or in the bathroom. Food particles, hairballs, and other debris can easily get in the way. A clogged drain is a dirty drain.
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You can use baking soda and vinegar to unclog your drain and clean it at the same time. First, pour hot water down the drain. Then, pour half a cup of baking soda. Lastly, pour half a cup of vinegar down the drain. Wait for about 5 minutes to give the reaction of these combined ingredients to dissolve whatever buildup is blocking the way.
Use shaving cream to get rid of stains in the bathroom
Do you have stubborn stains in your bathroom that is not caused by corrosion or rust? Most of the time, we could hardly tell what cost these stains so it is hard to determine the right cleaning solution for them.
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But these stains can easily be solved with the help of shaving cream. All you have to do is place them on the stains and let them sit for 15 minutes. Right after, wipe away the shaving cream and you will see that the shaving cream dissolved them.
Use baking soda and vinegar to clean your bathtub
Your bathtub is the place where you soak and wash your body so you must keep it clean. One of the best ways to make sure there will be no buildup in your tub is to combine the cleaning properties of baking soda and vinegar. This cleaning combination can help you get rid of stains that are in the drain and grooves.
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To make a cleaning solution out of the two, mix half a cup of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar, and hot water. Pour the mixture in the tub and make sure that you can cover the entire surface of the bathtub’s bottom. Then, add more hot water to the bathtub until it is a quarter full. Let the whole solution sit in there for about 5 minutes before you drain the tub. Make sure you rinse the tub thoroughly right after.
Use essential oils to get rid of toilet bowl stains
Stubborn toilet bowl stains can be challenging. Using potent and harsh cleaning chemicals can end up you discoloring the area. Most people do not consider taking a gentler approach like this hack with essential oils.
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A mixture of different essential oils can actually loosen any buildup that is causing the stain. Mix 15 drops of tea tree oil and 15 drops of either orange or lemon essential oil. Let the mixture sit in the toilet bowl for about 30 minutes. Then, scrub the stains clean. You will find that the stains are easier to get rid of now because the acidity of the citrus and the solvency of the tea tree oil have decomposed the buildup. This solution disinfects your bowl too!
Use Pine-Sol to refresh a toilet brush
The toilet bowl brush should be sanitized all the time. Because it sits in a carriage where it is dried off, there may be other things in the carriage or germs and bacteria that survived on the brush after you cleaned the toilet bowl.
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It is best to place Pine-Sol in the toilet bowl and use it to clean your toilet brush after you clean the toilet bowl. The cleaning agent will sanitize the toilet brush and it will also leave a fresh scent.
Use the washing machine to clean toys
If you have toddlers, that means you have a lot of toys around. Toys must be clean because they stay on the floor all the time and may even be in contact with the mouths of your pets. They can easily be germ carriers.
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You should clean your children’s toys regularly and you do not need to do it individually – use your washing machine! Just place the toys in a laundry or mesh bag and put them in the washer. Never just dump the toys as is – this can ruin your washing machine. Sterilize by using hot water, laundry soap, and a tiny amount of color-safe bleach.
Use an old shirt to clear out the lint filter
Lint buildup does not only make your clothes dirty but it is actually dangerous. If you do not clear out the lint filter regularly, it can cause a fire. In fact, campers collect lint and bring it with them because they are great fire starters. So you should never allow the lint to grow as a thick layer on the lint filter.
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But cleaning out a lint filter is also a messy job. Your hands often end up feeling dry and dusty after handling all that lint. One easy way to deal with this is to use an old shirt and swipe the lint filter clean. The lint will easily cling to the fabric, making you finish the task in just a few minutes!
Use tennis bowls when you wash your pillows
Pillows are hard to wash because they often lose their form and fluff after going through the washing machine. This is because the washing process fills the pillow up with water then they shrink the drying process because of the heat in the dryer.
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To avoid all this from happening, you should avoid using heat and place tennis balls in the dryer. The tennis balls will absorb all the moisture so the pillow can dry faster and shrink less. Use the highest spin cycle on your machine so that it will lessen the time your pillow goes through in the dryer.
Use a seam ripper to clean and clear out your vacuum head
Of course, cleaning tools also need to be cleaned and one of these tools is the vacuum. If you do not clean your vacuum regularly, it may no longer work effectively because it gets clogged by dirt or items that could be tangled up in the vacuum head.
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You can use a seam ripper to clean and clear out a vacuum head. The seam ripper is effective enough to clear out hair strands, fabric threads, and other small items that could have been stuck in the roller or inside the vacuum head.
Use a toilet paper roll as a vacuum attachment
The brown cardboard cylinder for toilet papers can become very handy for a vacuum attachment. You can use it to protect the nozzle of your vacuum to clean crevices since the toilet paper roll can easily be folded to fit and adjust to smaller spaces.
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You can also use this hack to protect your vacuum if you do not want the nozzle to get dirty. This is useful in dark and damp areas such as cabinet corners, shower windows, or the area around your toilet bowl.
Use wet paper towels on outdoor grills
Doing your barbecue on a dirty outdoor grill is a big no-no. You need to clean the grill all the time to make sure that your food will be safe and clean. And the best time to clean your grill is immediately after you use it.
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While your grill is still hot, cover the whole area with wet paper towels. This will look like you wrapped the whole surface with a blanket. The effect is that the oil and grease will bake onto the paper towels and not the grill. Since the grill is covered by wet paper towels. the steam will break apart the oil and grease. When the grill is cool, all you have to do is peel off the paper towels!
Use a lint roller to dust off screens
A lot of dust, insects, dirt, animal droppings, debris, hair, and lint can accumulate on your window and door screens. Especially if you always have your doors and windows open and the wind blows through the screens.
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To avoid having to take them down and scrubbing them with soapy water all the time, you should just run a lint roller over them every day. This saves you from having to do a bigger and more time-consuming cleaning task.
Winter is the best time to clean your gutter
You read that right. Clean your gutter during winter. Most people clean their gutters when they do their Spring cleaning but it is actually easier to clean up your gutters during the dead of winter.
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Think about it – by then, all the gunk in the gutter will be frozen. You can easily get rid of them in chunks of ice! You no longer have to deal with slime or creepy crawlies. Just make sure that you wrap up well to protect yourself from the cold!