It's that time of year when you feel like deep cleaning, decluttering, and ridding the house of everything you feel is bogging you down. We get it! After spending the winter months more cooped up than any other season, you start to grow anxious due to the chores you've been ignoring and the clutter you've avoided sorting and organizing. The key here is to work smarter, not harder, and these tips/tricks will help you do just that.
BONUS TIP: Remember you don't have to tackle everything at once. Keep it manageable by taking it room by room, and time yourself! If you notice it only takes you 5 minutes to clean the baseboards, it won't seem so overwhelming next time.
1. CLEAN CEILINGS FANS WITH A PILLOWCASE
This ingenious hack prevents dust and dirt from falling down on you and your floors during the dusting process. Place the pillowcase over the blades one at a time and wipe, catching all the dust in the case for easy disposal.
2. CLEAN BLINDS WITH A SOCK
Blinds are awkwardly shaped and difficult to clean with traditional dusters and cloths. Opt for a sock-gloved hand instead, which is much easier to maneuver. Wet the sock with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution before you get started for dust- and debris-free blinds.
Blinds are awkwardly shaped and difficult to clean with traditional dusters and cloths. Opt for a sock-gloved hand instead, which is much easier to maneuver. Wet the sock with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution before you get started for dust- and debris-free blinds.
3. WAX YOUR STOVETOP
After you’ve scrubbed the grime off your stovetop, apply a thin layer of car wax and then buff it off with a clean towel. Not only will this make it look shiny and new, but it will also make wiping off future spills a breeze.
After you’ve scrubbed the grime off your stovetop, apply a thin layer of car wax and then buff it off with a clean towel. Not only will this make it look shiny and new, but it will also make wiping off future spills a breeze.
4. CLEAN CEILINGS WITH A PAINT ROLLER
Ceilings can be hard to reach and, by extension, awkward to clean. However, they do need a bit of attention now and again. When the time comes, reach for a high-nap paint roller, which will collect dust and cobwebs without damaging stucco and other textured finishes.
Ceilings can be hard to reach and, by extension, awkward to clean. However, they do need a bit of attention now and again. When the time comes, reach for a high-nap paint roller, which will collect dust and cobwebs without damaging stucco and other textured finishes.
5. SPOT-CLEAN FURNITURE WITH BABY WIPES
If you happen to have some laying around, baby wipes are useful for spot-cleaning fabric furniture pieces since they aren't too moist, clean gently, and dry quickly.
If you happen to have some laying around, baby wipes are useful for spot-cleaning fabric furniture pieces since they aren't too moist, clean gently, and dry quickly.
6. 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, hairbrushes, 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).
7. CLEAN BASEBOARDS WITH A DRYER SHEET
Baseboards accumulate large amounts of dust, dirt and hair, especially if you have pets. Luckily, a dryer sheet – fresh out of the box or saved from your last load of laundry – will attract dust, dirt and hair while imparting its anti-static properties to the surface, keeping your baseboards clean longer.
Baseboards accumulate large amounts of dust, dirt and hair, especially if you have pets. Luckily, a dryer sheet – fresh out of the box or saved from your last load of laundry – will attract dust, dirt and hair while imparting its anti-static properties to the surface, keeping your baseboards clean longer.
8. USE A LEMON TO CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL FAUCETS
Just cut the lemon in half and start rubbing to remove hard water stains and rust from any stainless steel in the bathroom or kitchen. Plus, this leaves behind a fresh, natural, citrusy scent instead of harsh chemical fumes.
Just cut the lemon in half and start rubbing to remove hard water stains and rust from any stainless steel in the bathroom or kitchen. Plus, this leaves behind a fresh, natural, citrusy scent instead of harsh chemical fumes.
9. GET OIL STAINS OUT OF CARPET USING BAKING SODA
Oil-based stains are often a pain to remove. If you have one on your carpet, spread a thick layer of baking soda over the affected area, let it sit until a crust forms, then vacuum off the excess. Repeat the process if the stain is not fully removed on the first try.
Oil-based stains are often a pain to remove. If you have one on your carpet, spread a thick layer of baking soda over the affected area, let it sit until a crust forms, then vacuum off the excess. Repeat the process if the stain is not fully removed on the first try.
10. USE A SQUEEGEE TO REMOVE HAIR FROM CARPET
Carpet has an unfortunate tendency to collect hair and vacuuming alone can only do so much. Rubber has natural gripping properties and can dislodge hair that is deeply embedded in the fibres, so reach for a squeegee or even a pair of rubber gloves and get to work. Once the trapped hair is dislodged, vacuum the carpet normally to remove it.
Carpet has an unfortunate tendency to collect hair and vacuuming alone can only do so much. Rubber has natural gripping properties and can dislodge hair that is deeply embedded in the fibres, so reach for a squeegee or even a pair of rubber gloves and get to work. Once the trapped hair is dislodged, vacuum the carpet normally to remove it.
11. CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE WITH STEAM
Microwave mishaps are bound to happen, and the result is often a lot of stuck-on stains and gunk. To loosen this buildup, place a bowl or measuring cup filled with a water-and-vinegar solution (one tablespoon of vinegar per cup of water) into the microwave and run on high until the liquid comes to a boil. Leave the microwave door closed long enough for steam to penetrate, then wipe out the inside with a damp cloth or sponge.
Microwave mishaps are bound to happen, and the result is often a lot of stuck-on stains and gunk. To loosen this buildup, place a bowl or measuring cup filled with a water-and-vinegar solution (one tablespoon of vinegar per cup of water) into the microwave and run on high until the liquid comes to a boil. Leave the microwave door closed long enough for steam to penetrate, then wipe out the inside with a damp cloth or sponge.
12. USE A HAIRDRYER TO BANISH WATER RINGS
Someone hasn’t been using a coaster and now your wood coffee table paid the price and has those telltale white water rings. Try erasing them with a hairdryer. Simply blast the offending spot on high heat until it starts to disappear. Once it’s gone, rub a little bit of olive oil on the area to recondition the wood.
Someone hasn’t been using a coaster and now your wood coffee table paid the price and has those telltale white water rings. Try erasing them with a hairdryer. Simply blast the offending spot on high heat until it starts to disappear. Once it’s gone, rub a little bit of olive oil on the area to recondition the wood.
We hope this list was a good source and reminder for spring cleaning tips and tricks. Enjoy your spring cleaning adventures, and good luck! You got this!
Sources/Inspo - check them out for more tips and tricks!
