Hey there! As a busy mom of three now-grown children, I know how hard it can be to keep a clean house. With work, kids’ activities, and everything else on your plate, who has time for deep cleaning? The good news is you don’t need to spend hours scrubbing or tons of money on expensive cleaners to have a fresh, tidy home. I’m here to share my favorite simple household cleaning hacks that save time, money, and effort!
Use Baking Soda for More Than Just Baking
Baking soda is a super versatile cleaning product that costs only pennies per box.
Sprinkling some baking soda in the bottom of your trash cans will help absorb odors and prevent stains.
You can also make a baking soda paste with just baking soda and water to scrub away grime on sinks, tubs, appliances, and more.
The gentle abrasiveness lifts dirt without scratching surfaces.
For extra cleaning and deodorizing power, sprinkle baking soda on carpets and upholstery and let sit for up to an hour before vacuuming up.
Lift Stains with Lemon Juice
Another inexpensive but highly effective cleaning solution is lemon juice. The citric acid in lemons cuts through grease; it whitens, and freshens.
Dip half of a lemon in salt or baking soda to scrub stovetops and stainless steel.
For tea and coffee stains on mugs, rub lemon juice on the stains and let sit before rinsing.
To brighten and sanitize cutting boards, rub them with lemon halves.
You can also mix lemon juice with vinegar and water in a spray bottle for an all-purpose cleaner. The fresh lemon scent is a bonus!
Banish Dust with Old Socks
Dusting is a dreaded chore for many. Luckily you can quickly run a sock over surfaces like ceiling fans, lampshades, and cabinet tops to attract and trap dust.
For hard to reach areas like window blinds, put an old sock over your hand and run your covered hand across each slat. The sock acts like a Swiffer (but way cheaper- and it lasts a lot longer!). When you’re done just toss the dirty sock in the wash to reuse again. It’s cheap, reusable, and effective!
Clean Windows with Newspaper
Skip the paper towels and grab some old newspaper to get streak-free windows and mirrors.
Newspaper doesn’t leave lint like paper towels.
Simply wet the glass with spray cleaner or water, then polish clean with a crumpled up piece of newspaper. The ink actually helps the paper glide smoothly over the glass for a perfect shine.
Remove Grime with Magic Erasers
These amazing white sponges have an abrasive inner texture that easily lifts dirt, scuffs, and stains without damaging surfaces. Just wet the sponge, wring out excess water so it’s damp but not dripping, then rub away grime on walls, floors, countertops, appliances, bathrooms, and more. The sponges rinse clean as you use them and last for multiple cleanings before needing to be replaced. Way better than scrubbing!
Freshen with Dryer Sheets
Used dryer sheets have more than one purpose.
Stick one in your vacuum bag or canister to freshen as you clean carpets.
Place dryer sheets in drawers, closets, and suitcases to leave clothing and linens smelling fresh.
You can even slide sheets between couch cushions or under seat cushions on kitchen chairs to eliminate odors.
Whiten Grout with Peroxide
Is the grout around your sink and shower looking grubby? An easy way to whiten it is by letting hydrogen peroxide sit on the grout for 10-20 minutes, then scrubbing with an old toothbrush. The peroxide naturally bleaches and disinfects without harsh chemicals. Rinse cleaned areas well. You can also use this trick on dingy caulking.
Make a Natural Scrubber from Orange Peels
Don’t throw away your orange peels after juicing or eating the fruit. Place the peels in a food processor and pulse into a granulated texture. This makes an effective and environmentally-friendly scrubber. Sprinkle the orange peel granules on surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen to remove grime and make surfaces sparkle. The bonus is your house will smell fresh and citrusy too.
I hope these simple cleaning hacks give you a head start on a tidier home without spending a fortune or using up precious free time. Little tricks can go a long way in keeping your household sane and clean. What are some of your favorite cleaning shortcuts? Share in the comments below!
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