Do you love to clean? If your answer (like mine) is “Not so much,” you’re not alone. But cleaning doesn’t have to take forever, and it doesn’t need to be done all at once. With some time-saving cleaning secrets and a handful of totally doable cleaning projects that you can do in 20 minutes or less, you may find that cleaning isn’t so bad. And don’t miss our green cleaning recipes to clean your home without worrying about harsh chemicals!
Wash and whiten your pillows! Did you know that you should wash your pillows at least twice a year? Neither did we.
Clean and organize your night stand! It’ll make bedtime and your mornings so much better.
Grab some all-purpose cleaner, a soft cloth and a butter knife to clean the air vents that get neglected during regular cleanings.
When was the last time your shower head was descaled, from the inside out? Grab a baggie and vinegar and this task can be done in seconds, let it set overnight, and you are good to go!
You know all those grimy little toys that your kids play with all the time? Wash them all at once in a mesh laundry bag in the washing machine. Note: Do not attempt this with fragile toys. It works best for plastic blocks and durable one-piece toys.
Is your microwave embarrassing to look at? Hey, it happens when you’re heating food in a hurry. But vinegar and steam will totally change the way you clean your microwave. In just a few minutes, all that gunk will wipe right off — no scrubbing required! (Here are more kitchen cleaning hacks to tackle the rest of the room.)
De-gunk a couple of cabinets with this super easy homemade cleaner.
Wipe down all the baseboards in at least one room. They get so dusty through the year, but it’s not a cleaning job that we have time to tackle often. Did you know that you can use a dryer sheet for the job? Even a used one will do.
Iron the stains out of your carpet. Yes, you read that right. The iron helps lift lots of different types of stains, so it’s worth a try!
Mix up a batch of this natural makeup brush cleaner and clean all of your makeup brushes. If you have breakouts that you just can’t get rid of no matter what, your dirty brushes may be to blame.
Dust all the ceiling fans in your home. I’m embarrassed to tell you how much dust came flying off of ours when we turned it on for the first time this spring!
Nothing’s better than looking at a bright, shiny, stainless steel sink every morning. Get yours sparkling again with this combination of vinegar and coconut oil.
Get rid of the mildew smell in your towels by running them through a cycle of hot water with only a cup of vinegar. You can thank us later!
Bathtub drain noticeably slower? Clean out all that gunk and hair. Follow that up with a bit of baking soda and vinegar to really clean the drain. Voila… your shower will be good as new!
Scrub the grout lines in your shower. It’s a dirty job, but it has to be done at least once in a while.
Is your oven way beyond the self-cleaning stage? Use these tricks to get the glass (and even between the panes of glass) clean again.
Clean and deodorize your garbage disposal naturally with vinegar, baking soda, ice and lemon. It’s simple, but effective.
Remove the stains from your microfiber furniture. All you need are a sponge, a cleaning brush and some rubbing alcohol. This is a seriously helpful technique if you have kids or pets!
Learn how to clean your bathroom (and keep it clean) in just 5 minutes a day.
Have you ever cleaned your toaster? If not, now’s the time to tackle it! It’s easier than you think.
It may sound counterintuitive, but the easiest way to clean your range hood is with a few drops of oil on a cloth or paper towel. I’ve been doing it all wrong for years!