Cleaning takes up far more time than anyone would like. If we don’t spend a significant amount of time cleaning, we suffer for it with dirt and clutter and unpleasant smells around the house. Happily, there are plenty of ways to cut down on your cleaning time, and we’ve gathered over a dozen right here.
Some involve tricks that will speed up otherwise slow cleaning processes, some are recipes that will clean more efficiently than commercial cleaners (or at least save you a trip to the store), and some are advice on how to clean cleaning supplies, so you don’t waste time trying to clean with something dirty. All are valuable. Check them out below.
Gas Grill Cleaning
In the summer months, gas grills get a lot of use. Most people remember to clean the grate but neglect the rest of the grill. To have a grill that looks top-notch, and not like a grimy mess, you’ll need to clean the whole thing regularly. You’ll need several things to get started and make sure you wear old clothes because you are sure to get a little messy, but this tutorial will show you exactly how to do it.
Microfiber Couch
Microfiber is very tricky to clean, and a lot of your standard cleaners should not be used on it. Rubbing alcohol, though, can be safely used if you are careful, and it will remove most spots and stains. This “how-to” post will explain exactly how you can clean that dirty microfiber couch and will answer some common questions about cleaning couches.
Carpet Stains
Carpet stains can be a disaster, particularly if they are something extra stainings, like red wine or Kool-Aid. But you don’t need expensive commercial stain removers, just make your own carpet stain remover and you can truly get even that tough stain off your carpet. All you need is some clear Windex, a towel, and an iron. This method works with even set-in stains. Check it out.
Bleach Gel
Bleach gel is great for spot removal on white laundry. Just remember, since it contains bleach, you don’t want to use it on any colored items as you will have to remove stains from your clothes afterward. Just keep a bottle handy for whenever you need it. You can make your own for hardly any money with this handy recipe. All you need is bleach, cornstarch, water, and a container with an applicator.
Pack N Play
If you have a young child, chances are you have a pack-and-play. You may wipe it down regularly, but that is not enough. You need to wash them thoroughly now and then. These directions will tell you exactly how to get your pack-and-play clean. Depending on where you live (humid vs. dry) and the material the mattress is made out of, you may want to forgo soaking the bed as well.
Greasy Floors
If you cook a lot, you know your kitchen is prone to greasy floors, even if you clean frequently. Grease is one of the toughest things to get out of floors, so your standard floor cleaning supplies might not do. This recipe is specially designed to cut through grease on floors and get your kitchen floor cleaner than it’s been in a long time.
Toilet Hard Water Stains
Hard water stains in your toilet can make your toilet look disgusting, and they are so hard to get rid of. Plus, even when you do, the minute your back is turned they reappear. It’s a constant struggle. This article has the perfect way to get rid of water stains (without using harsh chemicals). All you need is a pumice stone.
Smell-Fresh TowelsÂ
One of the best things about washing towels is the comforting clean smell afterward, but so often that fresh-clean smell from just-out-of-the-dryer towels you remember from your childhood (or just last week) isn’t there. It’s probably your detergent or fabric softener, but a little baking soda and vinegar can fix it right up and make those towels smell great again. Check out how here.
 Microwave Cleaning
No matter how hard you try to prevent it, microwave stains happen. Before you know it, your microwave has all sorts of gross things inside it. Cleaning all the stuck on gunk is awkward and difficult, but there is an easy way to do it. You just need a bowl and some vinegar to start. Check out these directions to see how easy cleaning your microwave can be.
Tubs
If you have ever tried to clean tubs with stuck on rings, you may have noticed that despite all the commercial brands’ claims, it is extremely difficult to remove those rings. A lot of scrubbing and cleaner is involved, if they ever come off at all. But this amazing bathtub trick actually lets you get rid of those rings without any scrubbing at all. All you need is Dawn dish soap and vinegar (and about an hour to let it sit).
Bathroom Upkeep
Dish wands are also great for bathroom walls and surfaces. You’ll need to rinse everything off after, but they are perfect for a quick wipe down and good for harder to reach places. They are especially great for quick cleaning of the bathtub. Just keep it on hand for easy access. See exactly how to use them to clean your bathroom right here.
Dusting
Sure, commercial brand dusting spray has been around for a long time. That’s how Pledge became a household name, after all. But you can make your inexpensive dusting spray that works wonders right at home. This tutorial will teach you exactly how to whip this great spray up. It’s easy!
Grout
If you have a toothbrush and some homemade staples, like baking soda, cleaning grout isn’t hard to do. While many of us overlook grout, shining up those spaces between the tile can make a huge difference to how clean your floor looks. This guide will give you an easy homemade recipe for cleaning grout and tell you step-by-step how to do it.
Stove Burners
The more you cook, the scarier your stove burners become. Since all that gunk is burnt on, it may seem impossible to get it all off, at least without exhausting yourself and making your fingers bleed with all the scrubbing. But this no-scrub method will have those burners like new in no time, with minimal effort from you!
Shower Head
After a while, particularly if you have hard water, your shower head will get calcium deposits and need to be cleaned. In addition to looking pretty funky, calcium build-up can affect how well your shower head performs, blocking some openings and causing others to spray in wild directions. Luckily, cleaning your shower head is easy. All you need is a baggy and some vinegar. Check out how to clean your showerhead with these directions.
Vodka Cleaning
Use vodka to clean windows, deodorize clothes, and shine kitchen sinks. And that’s only a few things vodka can be used before besides drinking. You can even use it to help preserve cut flowers and to kill weeds (just depends on how much you use and what you mix it with). Check out how to use vodka for these cleaning tasks and several others right here.
Clean Gas Stove Burners
If it’s been awhile since you took the burners and drip pans off your stove and gave the gas stove burners a good cleaning, you’re probably frightened by all the burnt on gunk that’s been hiding under there.
It may seem impossible to get off at first, but with a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, you can have them looking great again in no time.
Shower Mold
Mold in your shower is a scary thing, but with all the moisture and humidity, it’s incredibly easy to get. Cleaning regularly with a good homemade shower cleaner can help the buildup of mold. Unfortunately, it is tough to get rid of. This tutorial will tell you how to remove the mold and keep it gone. Best of all, you just need two items: bleach and cotton beauty coils (cotton balls would also probably work, but depending how big the moldy area is, you’ll need a lot of them)
Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners do a great job cleaning, but only if they are cleaned regularly themselves. Vacuum cleaners may appear to be difficult or time-consuming to clean, but they really aren’t! Each vacuum cleaner has a slightly different cleaning method, so be sure to check your instructions. If you have a Dyson, or if you just want a general vacuum cleaning guide, check this tutorial for detailed pictures and instructions.
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