Cleaning Hacks Everyone Should Know
Cleaning—the chore we all love and hate at the same time. While it leaves you able to relax in a comfortable and refreshed environment, the cleaning itself can be frustrating, take forever, and feel very complicated. Not to mention all the products you need to purchase before you start cleaning, from Clorox, Glad ForceFlex Plus Max Strength Garbage Bags, the Worx 20V Hydroshot Portable Power Cleaner, and Pinesol—the prep for cleaning is a chore all in itself. If you want the process of cleaning to be just as rewarding as the finished result, here’s some cleaning hacks that will leave you amazed:
1. Unclog your sink with baking soda and vinegar
If your water isn’t draining properly, it may be a sign that your sink is clogged. No worries—this is an easy fix! Pour some vinegar down your drain followed by baking soda, quickly put the drain cap/plug on, and hold till the fizzing stops. Let this sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes and then rinse boiling water down the drain, this should eliminate any clogs and wash the baking soda and vinegar down.
2. Make your cookie sheets look brand new again
If your once shiny cookie sheets are now dull and covered in brown grease build-up that just won’t come off, this hack is for you. Sprinkle an even layer of baking soda onto the pan and then wet the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide—let these sit and do their magic for about 2 hours. Then, rinse off the mixture. If it still has some dark spots, repeat the process until it’s looking brand new again!
3. Get rid of mineral buildup on your showerhead
Hard water and limescale can cause gross looking build up on your shower head that could be affecting how well the water flows out or be damaging your skin and hair. Get rid of this by removing the shower head and placing it in a ziploc bag or container filled with vinegar. Let soak for a few hours or overnight, scrub with a brush, and be amazed at the easy removal.
4. Remove water spots with shaving cream
Glass showers look amazing—when they’re not covered with water spots. Unfortunately they’re inevitable, but they are easy to remove with something that can probably already be found in your shower. Simply apply shaving cream to each water spot, let sit for 15 minutes, and wipe away to reveal sparkling glass!
5. Eliminate pet hair with a rubber glove
Those yellow rubber gloves you keep by the sink don’t have to be used for just dishes—although you should probably get a separate pair to use for this hack. We love our furry friends, but we’re not huge fans of the pet hair they leave on every couch or cushion they sit on. However, it’s easier to remove pet hair than you’d think! Simply put the rubber glove on and wipe away pet hair, it’ll all pull away from your upholstery together.
6. Refresh your mattress
Although you may not be able to see it, after you spend every night sleeping on a mattress, it begins to absorb and build-up dead skin and sweat. Not only is this gross to think about, it also can shorten how long your mattress lasts. To keep your mattress refreshed, add 1 cup of baking soda to a jar and mix with a few drops of your favorite essential oil scent, lavender or eucalyptus are great options. Then shake the jar, sprinkle the mixture onto your mattress, and let sit for at least 1 hour, allowing the baking soda to absorb the moisture and oils and the essential oils to eliminate germs. Finally, vacuum it up, and your mattress will be good as new.