There’s one thing I have noticed with some of these “cleaning hacks” you see online – they either work or they don’t! There are some hacks that once you try it out, it creates a bigger mess than the one you started with and you literally have just a whole big double mess to finally clean in your own way.
But in this article, I’m going to let you in on some cleaning hacks, which are tried and tested and I know for sure, they work! Yes, I’ve tried them so you don’t have to! Here are some cleaning hacks which are super useful for you to try out.
30 Useful Cleaning Hacks to Try At Home:
1. Sparkle tarnished stainless steel utensils with vinegar
If you find that your stainless steel utensils are tarnished over the years, simply spray it or soak it in a mixture of 1 cup of hot water and 1/4 cup of vinegar . Give it a good spray and place your stainless steel utensils and let them soak for an hour or so. Then rinse them off with plain water and see the sparkle!
2. Unclog and deep clean shower head with white vinegar – If your faucet head is clogged, pour a cup of warm water into a plastic bag and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Place your faucet head into it and tie it with a rubber band. Leave it to sit for an hour and then remove.
3. Put a scented cotton ball in your garbage can to get rid of the smell – Your garbage bin often stinks and it is pretty obvious why it does, because it is garbage! Well, you can sprinkle a few drops of any essential oil of your choice over a cotton ball and place it at the bottom of your garbage can and it will help mask the bad odor.
4. Use dishwashing liquid to unclog your drain
If you find that your drain has got clogged, this could be because of oil buildup and gunk that’s collected. So, you can pour in some baking soda followed by dishwashing liquid, leave it for a 30 minutes and then run some hot water down the drain. The gunk will eventually loosen up and your drain will get unclogged.
5. Clean soiled garments with chalk
Sometimes when we eat and drink, food particles fall onto our clothes (clumsy people things, I know!) and it gets stained immediately. Well, always keep a chalk at hand in your kitchen and immediately dab it over the stain. The chalk will help absorb the stain and help get rid of it in no time.
6. Steak free glass or windows –
First, grab a bottle with 1.5 cups of hot water, 2 tbsp vinegar and 2 teaspoon cornstarch or add everything to a bowl, dip a microfiber cloth and gently wring out the cloth before you wipe down the window. You can also use paper towels or newspaper for a streak free glass or windows.
7. Clean cloudy blender
To deep clean blender jars, Apply baking soda mixed with water and then Let this sit in the sun for several hours. Rinse clean and enjoy your crystal clear blender again.
8. Use a dishwasher tablet to clean your oven
Into a bowl of warm water, add in your dishwasher tablet and let it get diluted. Then, once it becomes a liquid, dip your kitchen towel into the water, squeeze and use that towel to clean the insides of your oven to get rid of some gunk.
9. Get rid of coffee stains from mugs using baking soda paste –
Coffee mugs often leave stains over the years as they are hard to get off and they look ugly! Well, you can make a thick paste of baking soda and water and use a kitchen scrubber and some of this paste to scrub off the coffee stains.
10. Stack unwanted things in a laundry basket
Sometimes you have unwanted things lying around the house and you do not have the time to put it away just yet. Well, just dunk it all into a laundry basket and put it away in a corner until you have the time to clear up the basket and put the things back in their respective places.
11. Use flour to polish your stainless steel sink –
Your sink is one of the most used things in your house and it is prone to getting dirty and soiled with gunk easily. Just wet your sink and sprinkle some flour all over it and leave it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, using a kitchen brush scrub the flour and then wash off with warm water.
12. Use cooking spray to clean your bathroom
If you find that your basin, faucets and taps are dirty, simply spray on some cooking spray (yes, the ones you spray on your pans to make them non-stick!). Once sprayed, leave it on for 10 minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush.
13. Remove scuffs from shoes
Dab a cotton swab into a non acetone nail polish remover and gently swipe it across the scuff marks on your leather shoes. You can also use a white toothpaste for the same. Dip a micro
14. Get rid of mold –
To a spray bottle, add 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil to 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Spray the solution over the moldy surface. There is no need to wipe it or rinse it as the tea tree will sit on the surface to kill the mould and prevent any further spread.
15. Disinfect veggies with baking soda –
To make a produce soak; start with a clean sink then fill it with water (alternatively this can be done in a large bowl). Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with every two cups of cold water and submerge your fruits and vegetables in the water. Let soak for 60 secs. Drain the water and give the produce a quick rinse. Studies have shown that baking soda removes 66.7% to 98.9% of pesticides.
16. Deep clean stove top – glass and stainless steel
Mix baking soda and dish soap 1:2 ratio to make a paste and apply it on the stove top. Spray a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide on top of it. Using a soft brush gently spread the mixture and scrub away all the stains. Take a damp paper towel and wipe the soap mixture off.
17. Clean Cast iron
Wipe off the oil or food residue with a paper towel or cloth. If you have any food stuck to the pan, add water to the pan and bring it to a boil. Remove the water and pour in some salt. Gently scrub the pan with the salt and a brush. Rinse off and season with oil.
18. Remove rust
Submerge your item that has rust in white vinegar and let sit overnight. Remove the item and scrub the rust using a metal scrubber and rinse it off.
19. Clean cutting board –
Sprinkle salt on the cutting board, using half a cut lemon scrub the salt and let it sit for 5-10mins and rinse it off.
20. Remove watermarks
To get rid of water marks from the furniture, use toothpaste or vinegar directly on the stain and gently scrub it off.
21. Tea Tree Oil in Mop Water – Natural Disinfectant
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your mop bucket. It kills germs, fights mold, and leaves a clean, fresh scent on floors.
22. Shine Leather – Coconut Oil
Rub a small amount of coconut oil into leather furniture or bags. It restores shine, conditions the surface, and prevents cracking.
23. Clean Toilets – Cola or Denture Tablets
Pour cola or drop denture tablets into the toilet bowl. The fizzing action loosens stains and buildup — just scrub and flush after 10 minutes.
24. Lemon in Dishwasher – Smells Fresh
Place a used lemon half on the top rack before running a cycle. It deodorizes the dishwasher and adds a light citrus scent.
25. Clean Wall Stains – Vinegar
Mix vinegar and water, spray on wall stains, and wipe off. It cuts through fingerprints, grease, and smudges without harming paint.
26. Clean Coffee Pots – Salt + Ice Cubes
Add salt and ice cubes to the pot, swirl, and rinse. The friction cleans off coffee stains and mineral buildup without scrubbing.
27. Pet Hair Remover – Damp Rubber Glove
Put on a slightly damp rubber glove and run it over upholstery. Static helps collect pet hair easily — just rinse it off after.
28. Furniture Scratch Fix – Walnut or Coffee
Rub a walnut over light scratches or dab coffee on darker wood. Natural oils fill the scratch and blend the color seamlessly.
29. Rubbing Alcohol – Removes Marker or Ink Stains
Dab rubbing alcohol on ink or marker stains from hard surfaces. It dissolves pigment quickly — just wipe clean with a cloth.
30. Clean Sneakers – Toothpaste
Apply white toothpaste to dirty spots on sneakers. Scrub with an old toothbrush, wipe clean, and they’ll look brand new.