After cleaning for so many years, and trying new products and cleaning ideas, there always seems to be someone else who has devised some better ways to speed up their cleaning, and spend less energy while at it. The best thing about it is that you do not necessarily have to buy expensive cleaning products to clean your home, when there are things like vinegar, baking soda, and peroxide that can get the work done better. Here are 21 clever ways to clean your home better for less:
- Remove clutter – Eliminate clutter to reduce the workload and make it easier to clean
- Start with places that clean fastest – Start cleaning with areas that clean easily and fast to get a psychological boost
- Cluster your tasks – Do as many tasks as you can in one room before moving on to the next
- Use a cleaning trolley – Use a cleaning trolley or basket to carry all your supplies as you move from one room to the next, so you don’t have to keep running back to the cleaning closet every time you need something
- Use paper towels – Install paper towel racks in places that are prone to spills and require daily clean-up, like the bathroom, baby’s room, garage, and kitchen
- Preserve your abrasive cleaning powders – Use tape to cover half the holes on the top of your abrasive powder can to avoid wastage
- Use a tennis ball to clean scuff marks – New tennis balls are great for wiping scuff marks off woodwork, vinyl, tile, and painted walls.
- Use a sock and stick to clean corners – Slip an old sock over a stick and secure it with a string to dust hard-to-reach corners
- Remove scuff marks on vinyl flooring – Scuff marks can be removed by applying a drop of baby oil over them for a few minutes and then wiping them off. Use a typewriter eraser to remove black heel marks.
- Remove mould on wood floors – Use dry-cleaning fluid for light mould and bleach or disinfectant for deeply embedded mould. Re-wax to restore the shine and keep the area well ventilated.
- Remove mould and mildew on tiles and shower curtains – spread an equal mixture of lemon juice and baking powder on the surface. Leave it for a couple of hours and then rinse.
- Clean your windows – Mix 25% vinegar with 75% tepid water, wear rubber gloves, immerse an old cotton towel in the mixture, and rub heavily on the windows. Buff them with newspaper afterwards.
- Clean the chandeliers – Use a feather duster or blow-dryer set on low for quick cleaning. For tougher jobs, mix one portion of vodka with five of water in a spray bottle, spray on fixtures, blow-dry, and polish.
- Remove crayon marks on gloss or painted walls – Remove by spraying hairspray on the stain and wiping with a piece of cloth
- Remove ink spots on wallpaper – Pat the spots with a cotton swab dampened with chlorine bleach, and then rinse with a sponge dipped in clear water.
- Remove cobwebs – Use a vacuum cleaner tool or broom covered with cloth to lift cobwebs away from the wall to keep them from staining the surfaces.
- Clean fridge seals – Simply use a toothbrush and some toothpaste to clean the seals
- Clean the dishwasher – Pour half a cup of white vinegar into the detergent cup and run the empty appliance for a complete cycle.
- Clean the oven door – Use a paint scraper to remove food and grease marks
- Clean the garbage disposal – Toss in a handful of ice cubes – every few weeks – and turn it on to break up the grease and clean it (very noisy). Run cold water and add some lemon, lime, or orange to ward of odours.
- Clean the safety devices – Carbon monoxide and fire alarms are usually installed where you cook and can get easily covered in greasy residue. Use a feather duster wrapped in a dry towel to wipe them down.
Use these tips and some more to keep your home clean and organised.
Remember tackle just a few cleaning tasks a week so you don’t get overwhelmed.
HAPPY CLEANING!!
