10 Spring Cleaning Hacks for your Home
It’s that time of year again, the kitchen needs cleaning, the basement needs organizing and the kid’s playroom is overwhelming with toys. The thought of starting your spring cleaning can tend to feel like daunting task. W are here to bring you 10 spring cleaning hacks to help you make the process a lot more manageable for yourself and your family.
1. Effectively clean the inside of your microwave without scrubbing.
The inside of the microwave can be a scary place if it’s left too long without getting wiped out. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 to 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil and zap the mixture for five minutes. This will make the food stains able to be quickly wiped awy.
2. Wash Your Windows on a Cloudy Day.
For a quick made-at-home window-washing solution, mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water or add one teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid to several gallons of water. But time your cleaning wisely: Sunshine will cause your windows to dry too quickly, leaving streaks.
3. Dust With Fabric Softener Sheets.
Dryer sheets are a cheap substitute for more expensive electrostatic cloths, and they work just as well. Lone socks that have lost their mates, when worn as a mitten, also work for dusting tight areas and Venetian blinds. Always remember to work top to bottom when dusting to avoid wasting time going over surfaces twice.
4. Use Your Dishwasher for More Than Dishes.
There are tons of things that you can clean in the dishwasher that don’t have anything to do with place settings. Once every few months, toss some of the following into the dishwasher for a deep clean: contact lens cases, hair brushes, makeup brushes, pet dishes, plastic kids toys, refrigerator shelves, soap dishes, tweezers, various knobs and pulls, and even your shower-head (if it’s removable).
5. Clean Your Showerhead.
If your shower head isn’t detachable and thus can’t be run through the dishwasher, you can clean it by letting it soak in vinegar overnight. First, fill a sandwich baggie with vinegar and then carefully secure the bag over the shower head so it’s fully submerged—you can use an elastic hair tie or rubber band. Leave the whole thing to soak overnight.
6. Freshen Up Your Garbage Disposal.
It’s easier than you’d think to clean your garbage disposal. First, run a few ice cubes through to sharpen and clean the impellers. Then, add a few lemon or orange peels in while the disposal is running to remove odors and start fresh with a mild citrus scent.
7. Organize your fridge and cabinets with rotating turntables.
Don’t limit rotating turntables and Lazy Susans to your tabletops. After discarding old condiments and spices, organize your pantries and refrigerator with this useful storage hack.
8. Know your couch or rug before cleaning it
Don’t ruin your upholstered furniture by using the wrong cleaner. Not all manufacturer labels state what type of solvent to use. Familiarize yourself with the cleaning codes below.
Upholstery Cleaning Labels:
W: Use water-based cleaning solutions.
S: Use dry-cleaning solvents. Do not saturate. Do not use water.
S-W: Use water-based cleaners or dry-cleaning solvents.
X: Use a vacuum or brush only.
9. Use Velcro strips to keep drawer organizers in place.
Attach the grippy strips to one end of your drawer and the other to your drawer organizers. This keeps the organizers in place, but lets you remove them when needed.
10. Use a butter knife to clean air vents.
Don’t let that dust build up for another minute; use a butter knife to reach those tough get places between and behind your vents. Simply wrap the knife in a rag and wipe between the slats. Then, open the windows and run your central air to fill your home with fresh spring air (just be sure your heat or AC isn’t on while you’re running the fan).