Cleaning frequency varies depending on our lifestyle and whether or not we can afford a housekeeping service, but it’s a duty that looms large in our minds.
Right now, I need to do some major housecleaning, but I’m short on time, and the last thing I want to do after work is spend an hour scrubbing the tub or stove. Should I just wait until the weekend and spend the entire day cleaning up the inevitable dust and grime? I was leaning toward a resounding “yes” until I spoke with a few cleaning gurus and realised that I can accomplish a lot without devoting hours of my day to it, and even better, I can utilise products I already have on hand.
- Use olive oil to buff surfaces.
Olive oil has numerous nutritional advantages (and can possibly increase longevity). It turns out that it can also assist you in cleaning the house. “Olive oil is an excellent cleaner for stainless steel pots, pans, and appliances. “To buff out any filthy spots, use olive oil on a soft cloth and rub in a circular motion,” explains Mat Franken, CEO and Founder of Aunt Fannie’s, a company that makes whole ingredient, food-based cleaning and pest solutions for the home.
- Lemons or limes can be used to detox the waste disposal.
Because the garbage disposal conducts a lot of filthy work on a daily basis, it’s critical to keep it clean and clear of clogs. “Use a fresh lemon or lime to clean and deodorise waste disposals,” Franken suggests. “Cut the citrus fruit into quarters and drop the lemon pieces one by one into the garbage disposal while the water is flowing.
- Vodka can be used to remove carpet stains.
This cleaning trick can be done with rubbing alcohol, clear vodka (which has a lot of cleaning benefits! ), or even white wine. “To begin, blot the stain. Second, saturate the stain with any clear alcohol (rubbing alcohol, vodka, white wine),” explains Greg Shepard, owner of the housecleaning firm Dallas Maids. “This is far superior to any over-the-counter remedy.”
- Lemon oil is an excellent natural oven degreaser.
“Aside from its smell benefits, lemon essential oil is a terrific degreaser and can be an excellent tool for naturally removing stubborn grease stains,” Rogers explains.
“Spray your stovetop with a mixture of one cup water, one cup vinegar, and one drop of lemon essential oil, then wipe it clean. Sprinkle baking soda first, then spray and wipe for harder stains. You may use the same method to clean your oven, which will aid in the prevention of kitchen fires, which are frequently caused by grease.”
- Rubber gloves are used to remove pet fur.
Rubber gloves will get the job done if your ordinary vacuum doesn’t appear to catch all of your pet’s hair,” explains Leanne Stapf, VP of operations at The Cleaning Authority. “Simply slide them on and rub down any places that require more cleaning. Rubber can provide elasticity when pressed against fabric, allowing it to collect any leftover pet hair. When you’re finished, rinse the gloves under running water to remove the hair.
- Granite Countertop Cleaner (DIY)
In a spray bottle, combine 1/4 cup isopropyl alcohol, a little drop of liquid Castile dish soap, and 1 1/2 cups water. On granite countertops, use. Use a microfiber cloth to dry after rinsing with water.
- DIY Detergent for Laundry
You just need two items to make a natural laundry detergent that’s safe to use in HE machines: Sal Suds and baking soda. Combine two teaspoons Sal Suds and 1/4 cup baking soda for a single load. Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to help brighten the whites.
- DIY Tough Messes Multipurpose Cleaning Scrub
To make a paste, combine a few teaspoons of lemon juice with 1 cup borax powder. Scrub difficult messes and rust stains off sinks with this product. Lemon juice’s acidity can damage porous surfaces, so don’t use it on granite or marble countertops.
- DIY Oven Cleaner
Shirley Langridge, manager of Maggie’s Oven Services, recommends making a thick paste of liquid dish soap, baking soda, coarse salt, and distilled white vinegar. Add three to four drops of vanilla or lavender essential oil for extra deodorising action. Then, apply the paste to the oven’s interior and leave it overnight to dry. (In a pinch, a few hours will suffice.) After that, vigorously scrub with a sponge soaked in warm water. Finally, spray white vinegar all over the oven and wipe it down with a clean towel.
- DIY Air Freshener
Add one cup of hot water to a spray bottle, then provide one bunch of chopped sage leaves, one cup of distilled white vinegar, and 14 teaspoon of salt, according to Button, to add a nice perfume to any part of the house. Allow 12 hours in a cool, dark area before using.
