We are all busy. And though we don't have much time to deep clean our houses, we do appreciate a nice, tidy home. How do we balance the busyness of our lives with cleaning house?
The answer lies in finding simple hacks to make cleaning faster and more efficient. With these easy household hints and cleaning tips, you can cut your cleaning time and
still have a clean home.
1. Quickly wipe down walls or windowsCleaning your walls or windows used to be a long and hard process. It involved buckets of water, multiple cleaning rags, and tons and tons of towels. Luckily, you can transform the wall-cleaning process into a fast, easy chore. All you need is a spray bottle and a Swiffer-style mop. A quick wipe-down, and you're done.
2. Clean grimy air vents (h/t Home Sweet Homebodies)The air return vent to your HVAC system naturally builds up dirt and grime over time. It often "sticks" all too well, so a simple dusting just isn't enough to remove it. Don't waste time with the mindless cleaning of each little fin. You can speed the process up by using a good degreaser and a plastic butter knife wrapped in a cleaning cloth. Just slide in and wipe.
3. Prevent glass cooktop stains Your glass cooktop looked beautiful when it was brand new, but now it's a bit less shiny. Stains can easily bake on. To keep your cooktop looking shiny, pull out a Magic Eraser or use cleaning wax. A hot towel on top of baking soda can also work wonders.
4. Keep the toilet cleaner where you need it You'll never have to scrub your toilet if you give it consistent little cleanings throughout the week. This is a simple task if you keep the cleaner (i.e. Pine Sol) in the toilet brush holder. All you need to do is swish the brush around the bowl and flush. All done!
5. Polish your stainless sink A nice, shiny sink makes your kitchen look extra tidy. It isn't complicated to make your stainless steel shine like new — all you need are a few items from your pantry and bath. Try using a mixture of baking soda and warm water. If stains persist, cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide may help remove them. After rinsing and drying, you can rub a bit of flour over the surface to create a brilliant sparkle.
6. Wipe your blinds Cleaning window blinds is another chore that takes a long time. It's a pain to hold and wipe each blade. Secure microfiber cloths to tongs with rubber bands to create an easy blind-cleaning tool.
7. Find small items (h/t Instructables) If you've dropped an earring back, pin or other small, delicate item, you may not be able to find it under furniture or in a dark room. All you need to do is slip a pair of pantyhose over your vacuum attachment to create a "catch" for small items you don't want vacuumed up.
8. Stop scrubbing your burnersNo need to scrub your stovetop burners anymore! Simply slip each burner in a closeable plastic bag and fill with ammonia. Allow to soak overnight. In the morning, the build up will wipe right off.
9. Use your washing machineYou can easily refresh a grungy shower curtain by simply washing it in your washing machine with a few towels. The towels help scrub it clean and protect it from damage. Try using baking soda for the freshest clean.
10. Get rid of a funky spray When your shower head starts spraying everywhere but on you, it might be time to try and remove the hard water deposits that are clogging it. Don't worry about taking it down and scrubbing. You can use a plastic bag of vinegar for an overnight soak to dissolve any calcium buildup and lime deposits.
These tips will speed up your cleaning routine and keep those difficult-to- clean areas shining. Share how you do it with your friends and family on Facebook!
