All those things on your spring-cleaning checklist may seem overwhelming, but it’s so much easier than you think when you learn all the time-saving hacks: like putting the kid’s toys in the dishwasher, scrubbing soap scum with lemon, or even a whole lot more.
They are loaded with informative uses that allow you to freshen things up in a matter of an even five minutes or with a whole weekend planned for spring cleaning. Saving bucks on cleaning supplies is as easy as, say, making your own all-purpose cleaner using white vinegar.
1- All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe
In a spray bottle, mix one part white vinegar, one part water, the rind of one lemon, and a few sprigs of rosemary. Shake it well and let this mixture sit for a week, allowing it to infuse. This natural cleaner removes hard water stains, cleans out garbage cans, and wipes smudges off walls, among many uses. Remember that vinegar is not safe for all surfaces, such as natural stones or finished wood.
2- Soak oven racks in bath tub
Don’t waste the time struggling to scrub the oven racks in the sink. Soak them instead in the bath tub. Scrub racks with a medium or heavy duty scouring pad and grease-fighting dish soap. Our advice? Lay down towels in the tub to avoid scratches from the metal racks.
3- Suctioning blinds
Connect your soft-dusting brush to your vacuum and set the suction vacuum on the lowest setting possible. Close the blinds, hold the slats taut and slowly vacuum them; (for horizontal blinds, move from left to right, for vertical blinds move top to bottom). Now turn the slats the other way, and vacuum each slat again.
4- Cutting Boards Made Clean With Lemon
Really, even the most premium libraries tend to get stains over time. And if you believe that awful stain over there on your cutting board is going to stay permanently, think again. Rub the cut portion of a lemon on the board to get rid of heat and odor from any foods. You can also use salt or baking soda to give it an additional kick. Then put a coating of cutting board oil to nourish the wood.
5- Refresh window adornments in the dryer
Put your dryer to work! Quickly toss soft draperies, curtains, and valances in for 15 minutes on air-only or the lowest temperature your model offers and hang it back up to keep away wrinkles.
6- Put them in the washing machine
Almost all bed pillows can be washed in a washing machine! With a washing given for such things just once or twice a year, they can be washed with just a little effort during spring cleaning. Just don’t forget to check the manufacturer’s label for care instructions.
7- Remove carpet stains with dish soap
Mix 1/4 tsp. liquid dish soap and 1 cup water into a spray bottle, shaking well before spraying. Next, dampen the microfiber cloth with the sudsy solution and blot at the stain until it disappears. With the next spray bottle filled with clean water, spray over the same area to rinse out any leftover suds, then towel dry. You can also freshen carpets in-between deep cleans with a portable carpet cleaner.
8- Keep the toilet fresh with good old white vinegar
Mix white vinegar and baking soda to keep the toilet clean as well as to remove hard water stains. Start by draining the toilet bowl. Pour white vinegar into the toilet bowl until it covers the water line and let it sit overnight. Then, add one cup of baking soda to create an effervescent solution and start scrubbing until stains are gone, then flush.
9- Vacuum both sides of door mats
When they are going to be vacuumed from the reverse sides, dirt will be pushed by the suction into the floor, picking it up much easier. To purify outdoor mats, rinse them as well as let air dry. Pro tip: For best trapping of dirt, try two mats-one outside and one inside.
10- Scrub away soap scum with lemon
Since lemon juice is a natural acidic cleaner, it can get rid of soap scum. Dilute in water and spray on tub and shower, then scrub. Just keep in mind: Never use this mix on marble to avoid damaging it.
11- Steam clean microwave
Get rid of those stubborn stains from tomatoes for good. To de-microwave, use a big bowl that could fit in one of microwaves and pour in a cup of tap water, slice a lemon thinly and drop that inside, or add a few tablespoons of vinegar — putting it in the appliance calls for putting it on high for the next few minutes, or until the boiling and steamy window signals perfection, before opening the door for a cool five minutes. Remove the bowl and wipe the microwave inside and out with a sponge.
12- Ketchup for polishing copper vessels
Ketchup helps dissolve tarnish on the copper pots and other cookware made of copper. Just rub the sauce across the surface; if you come across particularly stubborn spots, add a little salt.
13- Cleaning (and disinfecting) the refrigerator bins is equally important
In addition to the daily wipe-down of the refrigerator interior shelves, the removable bins and shelves should be deep-cleaned occasionally. Taking out the door shelves and bins and washing them with warm, soapy water would help eliminate food bacteria and spillage. Remember to rinse and dry everything thoroughly before putting the shelves and bins back.
14- Putting plush toys in the dishwasher or washer
Parents should consider putting kids’ toys into either the dishwasher or washing machine. Put plastic toys through the dishwasher using either the crystal or quick cycle setting, avoiding heated dry. Stuffed animals should be checked for care labels: if machine washable, put in the washer inside a mesh bag or pillowcase and wash on gentle. And just for a quick spot clean, a lint roller can come in handy.
15- Machine washing with bleach for cleansing
In order to avoid bad odors, periodic cleansing of the washing machine is important by adding bleach and the washer-cleaning cycle on the machine. A washer cleaner such as GH Seal Star Tide Washing Machine Cleaner may also be used.
16- Steam-clean your mattress with a garment steamer
Undoubtedly, it is high time to look at under the bed sheets. Clean your mattress by first steaming with a high-performing steamer for clothes to kill dust mites at the surface. Vacuum-clean the mattress afterward while pressing down well with your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean atop and on the sides. After vacuuming, sanitize the mattress with a disinfecting spray like Lysol Fabric Disinfectant Spray.
17- Fresh up carpets with baking soda
For your carpet to become smell-free, scatter baking soda unto its surface. Using a soft-bristled brush, work the baking soda into the carpet and allow it to rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda from the carpet with a fresh bag or cleaned dirt cup.
18- Donate clothes that you have only worn once
Purge clothes and shoes that you have worn once, and chances are slim you will ever wear again. That might mean a bridesmaid dress, a Halloween costume, or perhaps a formal dress that you have outgrown. Anything you are unsure about should go through a fitting and then to the donation box for good measure. Then, keep an eye out for something stained, in need of repair, or simply worn out.
19- Do windows cleaning on a cool day
Another window-cleaning mistake so many people make is cleaning the windows on sunny days; instead, wait for a cloudy day. “Pull up the blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth,” explains Forté.
20- Dust with dryer sheets
Forget a scoured disposable duster from the store; you should probably try your luck with used dryer sheets. Gather the dust off furniture, air vents, ceiling fans, baseboards, and much more. The anti-static properties being great also serve for wiping down TVs, mirrors, and computer screens.