You want your home to sparkle, but you’re too busy tackling all the other tasks on your to-do list. Not to worry! We have a few tricks up our freshly laundered sleeves to help you get your living space in tip-top shape. These smart shortcuts can save you time and energy, so you can focus on more important things, like spending time with your family, hobbies, relaxing and having fun.
Are you ready to make cleaning quicker and more efficient? The following tips will come in handy throughout the year.
1. Rid your rooms of clutter.
We know this isn’t a cleaning tip, per se, but the less stuff you have, the faster you’ll be able to clean. Look for items that you no longer use and toss them, donate them or store them safely out of sight so you won’t have to take time to dust them. Plus, spaces tend to feel cleaner (and larger) when they’re clutter free.
2. Consider a robotic floor cleaner.
While these devices may not be as thorough as actual humans, they can give you a head start on vacuuming. Simply let your mechanical counterpart do its thing and then assess which areas of your home require minor touch ups.
3. Dust fans with a pillowcase.
When you clean ceiling fans with feather dusters or rags, it’s like you’re inviting the dust to fall onto the furniture and floor (and then you have no choice but to also vacuum). Instead, place a pillowcase over each blade and use it to catch all the dust as you swipe them clean.
4. Dust electronics with coffee filters.
Towels can leave fibers on computer monitors and TV screens, which creates more work for you when cleaning. Instead, gently wipe your electronics with coffee filters to eliminate dust without depositing additional debris.
5. Dust blinds with an old, clean sock.
Just slip the sock over your hand and run it along the blinds, allowing you to clean the tops and bottoms of the window treatment simultaneously. To really make your window blinds sparkle, you can first dip the sock into a mixture containing equal parts water and vinegar.
6. Loosen microwave debris with steam.
Add approximately 15 drops of lemon essential oil and a cup and a half of water to a microwave-safe cup or bowl and heat the mixture on high for about 10 minutes. Use caution when removing the cup as it may be hot. Then wipe down the cavity with a sponge or damp cloth. Food spills and splatters should be much less stubborn after getting this steam treatment!
7. Clean the stovetop with baking soda.
Simply pour some baking soda on top of your stove, sprinkle on some water and allow the solution to sit for approximately an hour. Then gently wipe the stovetop with a sponge or cloth. The mixture will work hard so you don’t have to!
8. Wipe down or squeegee your bath and/or shower after every use.
Spending just a minute or two doing this can help prevent residue from accumulating on surfaces. And we all know that soap scum and (even worse) bacteria, mold and mildew can take a lot of time and energy to remove once it begins to build up.
9. Cut down on ironing time with steam.
Skip the ironing (or iron fewer items) and instead hang wrinkled garments in the bathroom during your shower. The steam should reduce/remove wrinkles from most fabric types.
10 Eliminate pet fur with a very handy solution.
Put on damp rubber gloves and run them across furniture to remove pet fur. When you’re done, you can rinse the gloves off in the sink.
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