Home & Garden
15 genius cleaning tricks that will save you time
In our busy lives, it can be difficult to find the time – or, let’s face it, the motivation – to deal with the mountains of household chores we’re all faced with. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming to get back on track. BuzzFeed has found 15 incredibly smart, incredibly quick cleaning tricks that will change the way you do housework forever.
Take a look for yourself in the gallery above.
- Kill bacteria in your sponges by throwing them in the microwave for two minutes.
- Remove nasty smells from your couch by sprinkling baking soda all over and then vacuuming.
- Use an old, fluffy sock on your floor cleaner (e.g. Swiffer) instead of an expensive refill.
- Restore shine to your favourite jewellery by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide.
- Use a lemon to remove hard water stains from your shower.
- To clean stovetop rings, soak them overnight in a large zip-lock bag with ammonia.
- Dust ceiling fan blades with a pillowcase to catch the dust.
- Use a lint roller to dust fabric lampshades.
- Remove build up on your showerhead by tying a zip-lock bag filled with vinegar over it.
- Clear a blocked drain by pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
- Remove grease from cooking trays by scrubbing with aluminium foil and soap.
- Remove scratches from wooden furniture with ¼ cup vinegar and ¾ cup olive oil.
- Use a ketchup bottle lid with your vacuum to clean hard-to-reach nooks.
- Clean cast-iron pans with half a potato and salt.
- Polish your stainless steel appliances with cream of tartar.
Tell us in the comments below, what’s your number-one cleaning tip that saves time and effort?
Related links:
How often you really should wash your sheets, towels and curtains
20 must-know fixes for everyday household problems
How to clean your bathroom like a professional