Cleaning Tips and Tricks
for life’s mishaps
“Life happens…clean it up!”
LAUNDRY
Rethink the linen closet.
Tackle an overflowing storage spot by adding an over-the-door rack for extra towels. Shelf dividers stop folded washcloths from toppling over, and baskets corral surplus toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
Organize sheet sets folded within one of the pillowcases.
Fight musty smells with an open vessel of baking soda placed near your sheets and towels to prevent a stale smell.
Soften fuzzy towels.
If you have hard water, mineral buildup can make your towels extra scratchy. To lift deposits, wash the towels in the hottest water possible, and add 1 cup of ammonia and nothing else.
Fluff feather pillows.
Yep, feather pillows can get washed and dried in the machine. Load two pillows at a time for balance and use only a small amount of detergent. Wash them on a delicate cycle with an extra rinse, then tumble dry on low with several clean tennis balls to poof them back up.
Remove pills from sweaters.
Textured scrub sponges make quick work of tidying up a worn sweater. Gently run it across the garment to banish fuzz.
Make a "right away" laundry bin.
Don't get stuck with a dirty soccer uniform or ballet costume the day your kid needs it. Add an extra "priority" basket to your routine and never be empty-handed again.
Iron clothes when they're damp.
The moisture helps release wrinkles, so press your peskiest pieces right out of the dryer (or use the spray feature on your iron).
Home Organization
Put a tidy bath on autopilot.
Shed expired and unused items as well as bulky packaging. Instead, store products in easy-in-and-out jars, bags, and baskets.
DIY
Restore your shower pressure.
Unclog your shower head by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water and pouring it into a plastic bag. Tie the bag around the shower head to immerse the holes in the solution and secure with a twist tie. Let soak up to an hour, then remove and wipe away the loosened deposits.
KITCHEN
Freshen your microwave.
Make caked-on grime easier to wipe off by heating a cup of water, several tablespoons of vinegar, and a chopped-up lemon on high until the microwave's window is steamy. Let the bowl sit for 5 minutes before you open the door, and wipe the inside clean with ease.
De-stink the garbage disposal.
Run a few lemon rinds through the disposal and follow with cold water to dispel any sour odors.
Fill your dishwasher — but not with dishes.
Plastic toys, toothbrush holders, and pet bowls are just a few of the items that can get clean the hands-off way.
Revive cloudy glasses.
Remove built-up film from hard-water minerals by soaking stemware in white vinegar for five minutes. Then rinse by hand and dry with a microfiber cloth.
Remove coffee stains from mugs.
When your favorite ceramic cup contains a stubborn unsightly ring, squirt a little dish soap in it and add some baking soda for additional abrasion, then clean as usual. Or you can use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to wipe off marks.
Get stains out of a cutting board.
Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to remove food stains and smells. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.
CLEANING MYTHS
Vinegar cleans everything.
Web is full of inexpensive cleaning solutions, but you can’t use all of them in every part of your home. Case in point? While it’s true that vinegar is an effective and cheap natural cleaner, it’s still quite acidic and should never be used on granite, stone, or marble. It can also strip the seal off of waxed furniture. Go ahead and use vinegar to clean — just be smart about where and how.
Wood polish is great for furniture and floors.
Most of the wood polish you find on grocery store shelves contains a ton of unnatural ingredients. They make your wood look shiny and new, but they also leave behind a waxy buildup that can have the opposite effect over time, making everything appear greasy and dull.
You don’t really need any kind of cleaner to properly care for the wood in your home. To get it good and clean, just hand polish your furniture with a damp microfiber cloth.
Wash your windows on a sunny day
The sunshine should help you see all the spots you’re missing, right? Wrong. A sunny day is actually the worst time to clean windows. When the sun heats up your windows, you get streaks because the soap and water dries too quickly, leaving you with more work and more effort. Instead, wash windows on a cloudy day to get the best results.
Quick Tips
Shine plants with mayo.
Take a tip from professional florists: Clean dusty potted plants with some mild soap and water, then use a paper towel to rub a drop of mayo into the tops of leaves to make them extra vibrant.
Make sneakers bright again.
Get your white tennis shoes to their just-out-of-the-box state by hand washing with a mild soap and water, then clean rubber soles and sides with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
Sanitize your phone
The icky truth: Your cell might harbor more germs than toilet seat. Zap germs by wiping with a sanitizer wipe, and give your TV remote, computer mouse, light switches, and door handles the same treatment while you're at it.
Clean out candleholders.
Save a pretty container when the candle's spent by placing container in freezer overnight. The next morning the remaining candle wax will pop right out. Rinsing the container with steaming hot water and scooping out the wax residue inside with a paper towel.
Clean the car without a vacuum.
Stash a lint roller in the glove compartment to pick up stray crumbs and pet hair. It can fit in nooks and crannies where your vacuum can’t reach.
Shine silver in a pinch.
Notice your favorite ring, bracelet, or serving spoon looking a bit dull? Wet it, rub with a little toothpaste, rinse, and dry with a clean cloth for instant sparkle.
Scoop up pet hair with a rubber glove.
After you're through washing dishes, don't remove your damp gloves. Take a detour through the living room and quickly pick up any visible pet hair.
Wipe down your purse.
It's kind of remarkable how some things we touch daily, we rarely clean — your purse is another one of those. About half all women's bags have fecal bacteria on them, so give it a swipe with a disinfectant wipe.
