Cleaning Tips That Can Be Used Everyday

Since the coronavirus pandemic had everyone cooped in their humble abode, the last thing anyone would want is to stay in a messy and unclean one. Cleaning, therefore, did not only become somewhat of a regular chore for most but also a necessity to feel better with all that was going outside, helping relieve stress and feel productive.  

However, while talking about productivity, it doesn’t mean you have to spend hours cleaning around with a dust cloth in one hand and frustration in another. This article brings you the sanitizing and disinfecting tips everyone must know given the pandemic, among other simple cleaning hacks in areas that often go unnoticed, helping clear your housework load much efficiently and quickly. 

Wax Paper For Sink Fixtures

No matter how hard you clean or wipe it up and down, sinks often end up looking dirty given constant use and handling. One way to get this task off your to-do list for a little longer with no compromises on how gleaming the taps and handles look is to use wax paper. 

How to use it – use an antibacterial cleaner to wipe the sink handles and other fixtures thoroughly. After you’re done, take some wax paper and nicely polish these fixtures using it. This wax coat will not only leave your sink looking shiny and in its best state but also help prevent future stains, water, etc., by creating a repelling layer over them. 

Cleaning The Computer/Laptop

Work from home had everyone glued to their gadgets during the complete lockdown, whether it’s an iPad or a laptop that your use. And though everyone knows that computer screens and keyboards are one of the most bacteria-prone places, with the most risk of contracting a host of diseases, given how often one comes in contact with them without precations, there is little knowledge to clean them up properly and securely.

One should never use harsh chemicals, paper towels to clean or spray anything directly onto the screen.

How to clean 

For keyboards – use white vinegar and water mixture (half each) over some microfiber cloth and scrub thoroughly on keys and in-between. Many people also suggest using a toothbrush instead of a microfiber cloth, which, however effective, requires you to be more careful and gentle not to leave any scratches.

For screen – one does not need harsh chemicals or any spray to clean the screen, whether it is a television screen or laptops. Use a microfiber cloth to remove any dust and stains in a gentle motion. Only if necessary, slightly damp the material with some water.

Vinegar For All 

You will be thrilled to know how valuable a little bottle of vinegar can be while cleaning around the house. It is not only a cost-effective alternative to many expensive and chemically ladened cleaners you buy at the supermarket. Still, it is also very effective in clearing spots and eliminating bacterias. Let’s see all the places vinegar can help you clean –

Note – white distilled vinegar is the best you could use as it does not leave any stains behind. Vinegar smell, however, may linger for an hour or so and maybe problematic for many, though it is only a small price for a non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaner. Adding essential or fragranced oils is one way to get rid of the smell.

Glass 

One part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle is an ideal solution to clean all the house’s glass frames like mirrors, windows, etc.

Bathroom Shower Head And Tub 

It is an arduous task to remove all the thick soap scum and mildew collected over the walls and tub, mainly if your weekend cleanup plans don’t usually include bathrooms. Spraying undiluted white vinegar over the showerhead, tubs, and bathroom walls, letting it sit for some time, and scrubbing it will make it easier to rinse off the stains, both suborn and otherwise.

Another way is to use a paste of baking soda and white vinegar and scrub the tough spots and grime. 

Toilet

Using 2-3 cups of vinegar in the toilet and letting it sit for at least 3 hours before scrubbing it a little and flushing it down will not only get it clean but also get off any foul odor.

Washer And Laundry

A cup of light distilled white vinegar in your laundry cycle is a great way to remove stains and odor from the clothes. 

As for cleaning the washer itself, a self-cleaning run with hot water and bleach is set to eliminate any viruses and bacterias that might be lingering inside. 

Household Appliances 

Vinegar can be used to deep clean most of the appliances around the house, including dishwashers, microwaves, and even your coffee maker. 

For dishwashers – a cup of vinegar in the rinse compartment as the washer runs a complete cycle-free it from all the tough soap scum.

For the coffeemaker – fill the coffee maker’s reservoir with 3-4 tablespoons of part vinegar and part water and run it. To clear the vinegar smell, run another cycle with simple water, and you’re set to go. 

For microwave – while setting the microwave for 5 minutes with a bowl of hot water helps remove the grease and stains effectively, you can also try 1/4th part vinegar to the bowl to make the process easier and remove the stubborn ones.

Other appliances – filling diluted vinegar in a spray bottle and using a damp cloth to spray and wipe appliances like refrigerators, etc., is an excellent way to disinfect and clean them from both inside and outside. It also works for stainless steel appliances.

Using Lint Roller To Dust Off The Surfaces 

If you got a pet in the house, you must know how hard it is to get those pet hair out while cleaning. Using a sticky lint roller is an excellent way to pick up dust and other hard-to-catch items such as glitter off the surfaces instead of a feather or cloth duster.

Baking Soda For Un-Scratching Dishes 

While a dish soap may get you rid of the grease, sadly, it doesn’t help eliminate the knife and cutlery marks. Making baking soda and water paste and using it over the spots before rinsing it off is known to remove any such scratches or make them invisible. 

Potatoes For Cast Iron Skillet

Using dish soap to clean the cast iron skillet can ruin it. Slicing a potato and using the half part of rub coarse salt over the cast iron mess until it breaks down and can be rinsed is an excellent way to clean the skillet without actually damaging it. 

Dryer Sheets 

Attaching a dryer sheet to the sweeper you use to clean around the house, especially for baseboards, is a simple trick for a quick clean and fresh smell around the house. 

Moreover, putting a dirty and greased pan with soap and warm water in the sink and a dryer sheet for an hour will help the mess go away quickly and easily.

Lemons Can Tidy Up The Garbage Disposal

Though we use cleaning supplies and garbage disposals to keep the space around the house clean, how often do we tend these helping tools?

Dropping a simple half-cut lemon into the drain as you turn the disposal on will not only help clear the space but also leave your garbage disposal with a fresh scent. 

Conclusion 

Since it is impossible to get home spring cleaned with the hectic lifestyle today, using primary and efficient techniques to clean around regularly is something everyone can do. Moreover, the cleaning hacks mentioned above are not only easy and quick but are equally cost-effective, so ensure that you give them a try and find what works best for you. Happy Scrolling!