30 Amazing Cleaning Hacks You'll Wish You New Sooner
Article by Best life online
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend nearly 40 minutes a day cleaning their homes. But with the exception of those who truly find dusting their baseboards and scrubbing their ovens akin to bliss, most of us would rather be using that time for more enjoyable activities. Fortunately, you can reclaim those precious minutes with these genius cleaning hacks that only the pros know. Get ready to have your home looking twice as spotless in half the time.
Instead, rub a little bit of shaving cream (anything but the gel kind) into the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight, and then blot it dry. Just make sure that you test this method out on a hidden area of your couch before actually putting it to use, as there is always a small chance of damaging the fabric.
Getting on your hands and knees to clean your baseboards is anything but enjoyable. The good news? You can keep them clean and keep your house smelling fresh with one clever trick. Just attach a dryer sheet to your Swiffer in place of a microfiber cloth and you’ll pick up all that unwanted dust while simultaneously lending a sweet scent to your home.
That grime stuck to your cookie sheets and frying pans is no match for your dryer sheets. Simply put your dirty pan or sheet in your sink with a little dish soap, warm water, and a dryer sheet and let the combo sit for an hour or two; when you’re ready to pour out the water, the mess will easily wipe away.
The next time you’re at the supermarket, make sure to throw an extra grapefruit into your cart—not for eating, but for cleaning. According to the money-saving DIY experts at The Krazy Coupon Lady, this citrus fruit is the perfect solution for a dirty tub. Just cut the fruit open and cover it in salt. “The salt creates an abrasive texture while the citric acid in the grapefruit will help break down stains,” they explain.
You might have heard that cleaning with a wet mop is akin to washing your floors with dirty water. And it turns out, it kind of is. Research suggests that when stored wet, mops support so much bacterial growth that they can’t even be cleaned through chemical disinfection.
However, when laundered and dried, mops are perfectly sanitary. That’s why you’ll want to ditch your traditional mop in favor of a mop that is machine washable.
You use your kitchen sponge to clean utensils, dishes, and even countertops. Ironically enough, though, this might be spreading millions of bacteria throughout your home.
The solution? Slightly dampen your sponge, pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds on full power, and you’ll reduce the amount of bacterial contamination on it by up to 99 percent, according to research published in 2006 in the Journal of Environmental Health. Just make sure your sponge doesn’t have any metal scrubbers or you’ll be adding “buy a new microwave” to your list of things to do.
