Try these 10 quick and safe DIY cleaning hacks the next time you need to clean your home. You may be able to get the job done with things you already have in your pantry.
Whether you live with a large family or all on your own, cleaning can seem like a neverending responsibility. Even if you tidy every inch of your home over a weekend, by Monday or Tuesday, there will be new things to pick up or wash.
That means you’re probably used to running to the store for cleaning supplies. When was the last time you thought about the ingredients in those bottles? People are becoming more aware of the chemicals they’re using to clean their homes and choosing to use something more eco-friendly.
1. Put Lemons Down the Disposal
Sometimes the sink disposal gets a nasty odor. Although you may run it with hot water on full blast every night, there are still crevices where food gets stuck and left to rot.
Skip the chemical treatments for your disposal and put a lemon down there instead. After you take it apart to clean the blades, cut a lemon into quarters and drop each piece into the disposal as it runs. You will get a pleasantly fresh scent, and the acidity of the lemon helps clean it.
2. Use Olive Oil for Buffing
If you cook more often than not, you’ve probably seen some burn marks on the bottom of your pots and pans. You could spend an hour scrubbing them with a chemical cleaner, or you could break out a little olive oil.
Olive oil naturally loosens stains and grime from any surfaces. Pour a few drops on the bottom of cookware to buff off blemishes or use a bit to polish stainless steel surfaces. Wipe down anything you clean afterward with warm water.
3. Clean With Baking Soda
Baking soda is used in tons of recipes, but it can also be used to clean. It’s a classified sodium bicarbonate substance, which means it balances pH levels by neutralizing acids. That makes it a powerful cleaner for eliminating stains and odors from sinks, tubs, and countertops. Sprinkle it as a dry scouring powder for maximum effectiveness.
4. Remove Stains With Vodka
When you find a stain on your shirt or the carpet, pour a little vodka over it. The high alcohol content in vodka lifts stains from fabrics so they look good as new. Give it 10 minutes to work before washing the stain away.
5. Stick With Water
Do you have leather furniture in your home that needs cleaning? Don’t purchase expensive solutions when all you need is water. Pour some water on a damp cloth and wipe away grime gently to prevent throwing off the pH balance in the leather.
6. Stock up on Essential Oils
Essential oils are great in a diffuser, but they’ll make your bathroom smell great too if you use them to clean your toilet. Combine your favorite scent with vinegar and spray around the toilet bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush. You can also use this mixture to wipe down the seat and lid.
7. Microwave Your Sponge
Kitchen sponges are used every day, so it’s easy to think they are clean after you rinse them. In reality, that sponge grows over 54 billion bacteria in each cubic centimeter, whether it’s rinsed out or not. If you regularly microwave it for five to 10 minutes in 2 cups of water with a few drops of lemon juice, that bacteria will be a thing of the past.
8. Make Your Own Glass Cleaner
Skip the chemical glass cleaner the next time you wipe down your windows and make your own instead. Mix water, vinegar, and essential oils in a spray bottle to clean glass without leaving smudges behind.
9. Steam the Microwave
Sometimes one of the dirtiest spots in the house is the microwave. You can easily remove splattered sauce and cheese from the microwave walls by nuking a bowl of water for a few minutes. It naturally steams the appliance and loosens stains, so you can easily wipe them away.
10. Scrub Your Shower
Shower tiles collect mold quickly and become discolored over time. Spray them with hydrogen peroxide to whiten and clean each tile. This is a naturally occurring compound that breaks down water molecules, so it eliminates stains and mold.
Get Creative With Cleaning
You don’t have to rely on chemical solutions to have a clean home. Get creative with your cleaning and try these quick and safe DIY cleaning hacks to see how much better and more affordable they really are.
