Cleaning hacks part 1

Cleaning Tips and Tricks
 written by: moleak
  As the person who does the cleaning in not one, but two households, I have found that, over time, I have been doing everything the hard way. And by the hard way, I mean the wrong way, which is to say the expensive way. I have never been able to resist the allure of expensive cleaning products which make your home smell like the Himalayas. But are they the best choice? Not always. Here are some tips, tricks, and life hacks to help you avoid the common cleaning pitfalls.

Tip #1 – Baking Soda

For reasons we cannot understand (science!) baking soda is one of the most versatile cleaning products you can use. And it isn't even a product! It can be used to clean your sofa, unclog drains, disinfect your oven (with vinegar), remove stains from carpets, freshen your mattress, remove grout, clean toilets, combine with vegetable oil to clean cabinets, and a whole host of other applications. If you have room for only one thing in your cleaning arsenal, it should be baking soda.

Tip #2 – Clean Carpets with an Iron

One of the most difficult, and often dirtiest, things to clean in a home is the carpet. You do not, however, need to hire expensive carpet cleaners to freshen up your rug. You simply need an iron, a clean cloth, some water, a cheap spray bottle, and some vinegar. Create a cleaning solution using one part of vinegar with two parts of water. Spray it on the stain, place the cloth over the solution, and iron using the steam setting for one minute. Voila! No more carpet stains.

Tip #3 – Cleaning the Oven

There are few life hacks you can use to make cleaning a greasy oven a piece of cake! One of them involves baking soda (naturally). Mix four tablespoons of white vinegar, five tablespoons of baking soda, and five drops of dishwashing liquid. Spread the solution over the oven, leave for 20 minutes, and wipe clean with a sponge. The alternative method requires almost no effort. Simply put 1/2 a cup of ammonia solution into a cold oven overnight and wipe clean the following day.

Tip #4 – Cleaning the Bathtub

Much like the carpet a bathroom can be an absolute nightmare to clean. Between the shower, bathtub, sink, tiles, and floor it can take days. That is, it can take days if you don’t use our hacks. Two such hacks involve cleaning the bathtub. Mix a tablespoon of soap with half a dozen drops of antibacterial oil and, of course, baking soda. Add some water and wipe the tub with a sponge. You'll be left with a sparkling tub that smells like a spa. You can also use grapefruit to clean the ever-frequent rings around the tub. Cut the fruit in half, add some salt, and scrub the stain.

Conclusion

Whether you're cleaning the home because it is spring cleaning season, you're moving, you have an upcoming inspection from your letting agency, it can be a hugely daunting task. We hope that with these life hacks, and some good elbow grease, you can get through that cleaning just a little bit faster. When in doub

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