1. Use your vacuum attachments!
I obviously love to clean, so when I got my new Dyson, I couldn’t wait to use every single attachment that came in that box! And turns out, they’re all super useful.
I use them to dust/clean the blinds, vents, cabinets and pretty much anything else that I notice is dusty as I make my way through the house. Plus, if you need to do a quick clean maybe before guests come over, just grab those attachments and they’ll get the work done in a hurry!
2. Use Magic Erasers on pretty much anything
I’m not exaggerating when I say that when all else fails, I turn to Magic Erasers to clean pretty much any and everything in my house, including:
- Converse shoes (white tip & sides)
- Faucets
- Shower curtain liners
- Sinks
- Toilets
- Bathtubs
- Toothbrush holders
They really are magical — and the best part is, you can get the brand name Mr. Clean sponges at the dollar stores, as well as the off brand cheaper versions that most often work just as well!
3. Easy way to clean the microwave
Microwaves can get messy, but there’s an easy way to make it shine again.
Put equal amounts of water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl (along with a small wooden object, like a toothpick, to prevent boiling or other dangers). Then set it on high for 5 to 10 minutes. Wait a couple minutes to let it cool, then when you open it up, all you have to do is wipe down the inside of the microwave with a sponge or paper towel. Voila! Clean microwave without the hassle of expensive (and often non-effective) cleaners. You can also add lemon to the mixture for a fresh, clean scent!
4. Speed up the clothes-drying process
In a hurry and put your clothes in the dryer a little late? Just throw a dry towel in there and it’ll help soak up some of the excess moisture! And if you’re worried about towel fuzz, just turn your clothing inside out while it dries.
5. Remove common household stains
Most of these will work on furniture and carpet, too!
- Juice: Blot with solution of 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid (like Ivory) in 1 cup warm water. Red-dye remover works on red fruit punch.
- Gum: Dab with extra-strength Bengay, heat with hair dryer, scrape with press-to-seal bag. Blot with detergent solution and rinse.
- Gravy: Pretreat with a paste of Fels-Naptha soap, then wash. Repeat if necessary. Don’t put item in the dryer until the stain is gone.
- Mustard: Apply repeated applications of detergent solution to remove solids. When stain is reduced, rinse and dry in bright sunlight.
- Lipstick: Blot with acetone-based nail-polish remover, followed by the detergent solution, and rinse.
- Wine: Blot with water. If stain remains, try detergent solution. 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is effective on red wine.
