Hacks That Will Make Cleaning Easier, Faster & Better!
Keeping a clean house often feels like a losing battle. After all, there are many surfaces in your home, and all of them attract different kinds of messes. But just because you’re facing a mountain doesn’t mean it’s insurmountable. In fact, if you’re anything like me, you probably can’t rest until you’ve figured out how to conquer the challenge. (Some people like to call this obsessive, but I prefer the word “determined.”)
I was recently reflecting on some of the DIY cleaning hacks, tips, and tricks I’ve learned and passed along, and it occurred to me that while I’ve shared some very helpful information over the years, it’s all scattered in different locations
To make things easier, I’ve compiled a list of some of my most indispensable cleaning hacks in one central place. Every tip on this list will save you time and effort — no matter what you’re trying to clean! I highly recommend bookmarking this post so you can return to it quickly whenever you have a cleaning conundrum to solve. These tips will come in especially handy when you have guests coming over on short notice.
Without further ado, read on for a roundup of 45 of my best home cleaning hacks. Just make sure to click on the green button below each item on the list to get more detailed instructions for most of our hacks. Enjoy and happy cleaning!
Use lemons to sanitize your garbage disposal.
When garbage disposals get stinky, the odor can overpower your whole kitchen. But who doesn’t love the vibrant scent of fresh lemon? This hack lets you smell that invigorating scent all the time. Even better? It couldn’t be easier. An added bonus? Your garbage disposal won’t just smell better, it will work better, too.
Things You Can Deep Clean Yourself and How to Do It
When it comes to basic cleaning and maintenance in your home, you probably have a standard routine down pat. But what about a deep cleaning strategy? Are you tempted to call in the pros when it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty areas of your home? Well, you can save your cash, because we’re bringing you the ultimate guide to deep cleaning those spots that don’t get daily—or even monthly—attention. Contrary to what you may have previously assumed, it’s not only possible but also downright easy to deep clean the following 11 things in your house.
You’re not alone if you didn’t realize that your washing machine needs its own deep clean sometimes. All sorts of gunk builds up in it while it’s doing its job. So about once or twice each year, it’s a good idea to give your washing machine a scrub down.
Step 1: Run a cycle.
Empty the machine and run a hot cycle using a washing machine cleaning agent.
Step 2: Clean the filter.
Find the filter and clean all built-up gunk out of it. You may want to wear gloves for this.
Step 3: Clean the detergent drawer.
If the detergent drawer is removable, hand wash it or put it in the dishwasher for a thorough cleanse.
Step 4: Clean the drum.
Pull back the lip of the rubber drum and check for mold and mildew. This is especially prevalent on front-loading washers. If there’s mold, scrub the drum with a mixture of bleach and water.
Step 5: Clean the outside.
Wipe down the outside of the machine. Detergent and dust can make it look dingy.
A regular deep cleaning keeps your fridge looking and smelling fresh. And since you store your food in there, a regular refresh is a good idea
How to Deep Clean the Kitchen
Last week I talked about my speed cleaning routine for the kitchen but sometimes that kitchen just needs a really deep clean! While I probably should ideally do this more often, I generally run through this list about once every 3-4 months, skipping any steps that aren’t really needed at the time
First off, don’t be overwhelmed with the list! I have put everything that I could think of in the checklist, but you may not need to do each task each time and some things you may do on a more regular basis anyways. You can run through the checklist all at once, or divide it up over a couple of days if that is easier for you. The biggest hurdle is usually just to get started!
No matter how you choose to clean, try following these simple rules to keep yourself on track and cut down on that cleaning time…
Start cleaning from the top of the room and work your way down. This is the fastest way to get things done and will cut down on dust falling on areas that you have already cleaned.
Clean the dirtiest things first in case the mess ends up spreading around.
Work from one side of the room to the other in a systematic fashion.
Dedicate a specific amount of cleaning time and then set a timer. Work as fast as you can within this time and don’t let yourself get distracted.
Stay in the kitchen!! I tend to get easily side tracked when I am cleaning, and often get distracted if I leave the room and see other things that need to be done. {Please tell me I am not alone in this!}
Quick Tidy
Before you officially start, take a few minutes to clear away items that do not belong in the kitchen and place them in a bin or basket to put away afterwards. Put any items from the counters into the cupboards if they have a spot to go so the counters are as clear as possible. If you are going to be doing the whole kitchen at once, I like to clear everything off of the counters and place them on the dining room table so that they are out of the way. It takes a few more minutes at the beginning, but will actually save time in the end. NOTE: This is just a quick tidy looking at things that are on the floor, obviously out of place, or that you know that you want to get rid of. Save big organizing projects for later!
How to deep clean your bedroom like a professional
Welcome to organization season! It’s that glorious time of year when you finally get down to business and go through your closets … but then you notice the layer of dust and grime that’s been building up in your home. Don’t panic! TODAY Home is here to help you tackle that cleaning to-do list.
Now it’s time to turn your bedroom into a clean and relaxing place to be. You’ll be crawling into clean sheets in a spotless room by nighttime. Let’s get started!
Here’s what you’ll need:
A powerful vacuum cleaner with attachments
Microfiber cloths or clean rags
Warm water and mild soap
Glass cleaner (or make your own by combining a 1-to-1 ratio of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle)
Disinfecting spray
A new cotton mop (the kind with the soft loops) or a clean, long-handled duster
Baking soda
Start a load of laundry
Strip the bed of sheets, pillowcases, comforter and mattress cover. Get your laundry started so the cycle can run while you’re working on the rest of the bedroom. (You should wash these every week or so.)
Down and down-alternative blankets can usually be machine washed in cool water and dried in the dryer. Just remember to set the temperature to low and add a wool ball (not a tennis ball) to the dryer to plump it up while it tumbles. Stop the cycle every 20-30 minutes to break up any clumps with your hands and let it run until you’re sure it’s completely dry.
CLEAN HOUSE TIPS FOR HOME SELLERS
TIPS FOR GETTING IT BUYER-READY
When a house is for sale, the goal is to make it as attractive as possible to potential buyers. The most cost-efficient way to spruce up the home is to clean it thoroughly. Here’s how to clean your house from top to bottom fast
GETTING RID OF CLUTTER
Many potential buyers may not see past dirt and clutter. If the house is crowded with the owner’s “stuff,” they will assume that the house is too small for their possessions. Too much clutter also poses a safety – and buying – hazard! A person who trips over items left on the stairs is unlikely to have a good feeling about the house. In addition, a clean, clutter-free environment is more attractive than a grimy, untidy one.
Begin by purging the house, including the basement, attic and garage, of items that are no longer needed. Things that are in good condition can be sold or donated to a charity. The remainder can be thrown in the trash. Rooms will appear more spacious, closets will look bigger and shelves will look roomier to potential buyers.
CLEAN HOUSE TIPS
Focus on the rooms that potential buyers are most interested in – living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. Look at each room as a potential buyer might and see what catches the eye first. Make that the starting point for the cleaning process. Then, follow the top-to-bottom, left-to-right rule for cleaning each room. That way, no surface is overlooked.
Give major attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Check the labels on cleaning products to make sure they are appropriate for the surfaces to be cleaned. Abrasive cleansers provide extra cleaning power for hard-to-remove soils like food particles and grease residue in sinks. However, they may be too harsh for surfaces that are easily scratched, such as laminate or solid surface countertops. In general, liquid and gel cleansers are less abrasive than powders