13 Brilliant Cleaning Hacks

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Hey! Since I love to clean, I thought I would round up some of the best and my most favorite cleaning hacks I’ve learned over the years.  

Most of these use simple, everyday products you probably already have around your house!  And the best part is, you can pick up and do them on a whim.  Like when you suddenly find you have an extra 10 minutes to kill.  OK, 5 minutes.  Let’s be real.

My Favorite Cleaning Hacks

Here are some of my favorite cleaning hacks to help keep your home in tip top shape. I hope these help you!

1. Freshen your disposal with lemon

We always have lemons in the house.  We use them for adding to water and recipes and they are just so dang pretty in bowls on your counter!  I always cut one of mine up and throw in down the disposal.  It smells so good and will freshen your disposal for you.

2. Use fuzzy socks to dust whatever whenever

If you have those {super comfy fuzzy socks}, they are perfect to throw over your hands and dust blinds, tables, ceiling fans etc.  The dust sticks right to them!  You can even dampen them a bit to up the sticky factor.  Then, just throw in the wash when you’re done.

3. Hack to Clean Oven Racks

For those oven racks caked with brown grease, simply fill a tub with dryer sheets, hot water and dawn soap (dawn is optional) and let it sit for a few hours.  The dryer sheets break down the grease so all you need to do is scrub a bit and dry!  Read all about how to clean your oven racks here.

4. Clean your Drain Easily

Pour hot water down your drain followed by baking soda (I just dump it down but if you want to be precise about a half cup or so).  Let it sit a minute. 

Then, pour vinegar down your drain and cover quickly with a drain plug or wet washcloth.  You want the bubble mixture to stay below the surface (not like my lovely picture is showing you.)  Let it sit for 5 minutes.  Follow up with more hot water.  This should loosen all that gross grime hanging out down there.

5. Use Microfiber Cloths around your Swiffer

Forget those Swiffer thingys, just take a {microfiber cloth} and push it into the slots of your Swiffer.  It works like a charm and picks up so much dust.  Just throw it in the wash when you’re done!

6. Put PineSol in the bottom of your toilet brush

I have a toilet brush hidden in all my bathrooms for quick cleaning.  But we all know how icky and gross it is every time we pull it out.  I pour cleaner on mine over the toilet bowl and let it air dry with the wand under the toilet seat (so any drips fall into the toilet).  

But I just started adding a little {Lemon Pinesol} to the bottom of my toilet brush holder and it makes a world of difference in terms of ick factor and also gives it a pleasant smell.  Genius!  NOTE:  Just make sure your toilet brush is locked away and out of reach of any children.  

7. Freshen your towels like this…

Baking soda and vinegar to the rescue again.  Are you guys noticing a pattern here? So to get those smelly towels clean and fresh again, you need to do two hot water washes.  

First, wash the towels in hot water with vinegar in the softener dispenser.  Then, do a second wash in hot water with 1/2 cup of baking soda in the drum.  Don’t use detergent in either wash – this is strictly hot water/vinegar and hot water/baking soda.  Dry the towels thoroughly afterwards.  Your towels are fresh and springy again!

8. Clean your Keurig with vinegar

I love doing this!! You don’t need that descaling solution.  Simply pour a 1 to 1 ratio of vinegar and water into your water tank and run it through until all the water is gone (and it doesn’t taste like vinegar anymore.)  I use the hot vinegar/water mixture to clean around my house after.

9. Clean your toilet bowls like this…

This is one is so easy!  I keep a stash of vinegar and baking soda in each bathroom.  You simply pour baking soda all over the bowl (make sure to get under the rim too – takes some finesse.)  Then pour some vinegar in the bowl and close the lid for an hour or so.

When you get back to it, take your toilet brush and scrub.  Voila!  Clean toilet bowl!  (By the way, if you have that stubborn hard water ring around your toilet – try this Pumie Toilet Bowl Ring Remover.)

10. Use this Cheap Solution for Sparkling Stainless Steel & Mirrors

I have tried it all when it comes to cleaning stainless steel appliances.  I have learned that not all stainless steel is the same – some finishes are different and certain methods just won’t work.  I’ve tried the vinegar mixture, the windex, plain dawn soap, different types of cloths – even mustard (don’t even get me started on that)!  

What works the best for me? Half water and half Rubbing Alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe down with a microfiber cleaning cloth. Works on your mirrors too!

11. Use this in your fridge to soak up odors

Yes, you can use those fridge and freezer baking soda boxes, but what about when you are out or you want to try something else?  Simply fill a small bowl with dry coffee grounds and stick it in your fridge.  The grounds will soak up odors and give off a fresh coffee scent.  If you don’t like the smell of coffee, then not sure this is your solution. 🙂

You might as well deodorize your microwave while you’re at it!

12. Clean your Baseboards with This

Oh baseboards. I am skeeved by dirty baseboards. Keeping them clean is a matter of staying on top them. And you can do that easily with the Ocedar Microfiber Mop. Read all about how to clean your baseboards right here!

13. Clean Sunbrella Cushions with Bleach and The Sun

Every year the winter and Spring pollen season destory my sunbrella cushions (yes, even on my screened in porch). Most people are surprised to learn that you can clean Sunbrella with just bleach and a little sun power! Learn how to clean them in this post here.

14. Clean Terracotta Pots with This

If you love to garden, it’s important to keep your pots clean! This can really hurt your plants in the long run. The easiest way to do it? A little vinegar is all your need. Get the full tutorial for this cleaning hack right here.

I use these cleaning hacks all the time.  I hope these tips help you!  Happy Cleaning!

xo Karen