At times, taking care of a home can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you have a baby. So that, household hacks are very necessary to us. There are plenty of awesome household tips and tricks below to help you in your daily life.

1. Clothing Cleaner Dispensers

This is one of the great household hacks that I know. So instead of keeping them in ugly containers, you can easily store the liquids in easily accessible mason jars. Then you won’t have to lug out the heavy containers every time you do the laundry.

2. Clean Mirrors with Black Tea

Using strongly brewed black tea is an awesome hack to clean your mirrors. Who would have thought?

3. No Drip Paint Trick

If you plan on retouching a room, try this great no-drip paint trick with a large rubber band. Now that’s easy.

4. Lotion Bottle to Phone Charging Holder

If you want a safe place to keep your phone charged and out of the way, try this tutorial which will show you how to create a phone charging holder out of a lotion bottle.

5. Router Disguise

Routers are pretty darn ugly, but an awesome way to keep them out of the way and in disguise is to hide them in a fake book.

6. Lemon and Salt Scrub

With the help of the citric acid from the lemon and the scrubbing action of the salt, you can kill stains in your sinks and showers instantly.

7. Dust Fans with Pillow Case

Ever notice how the dust on ceiling fans builds up fast and just looks plain gross? Well, an easy way to clean it is to use a pillowcase to take it off. The Dust will fall into the pillowcase and you won’t have to deal with it floating in the air after wiping it off.

8. Clean Your Shower Curtain in the Washer

Do you know how shower curtains can get filmy and nasty? Well an easy way to clean them is to just pop them in the washer and let it do all the work!

9. Clean Shower Head with Vinegar

Just soaking your shower head in some vinegar for 20 minutes can get all of the grime build-ups off easily.

Sometimes we need just the right hacks to help make our lives just a bit easier. Especially with a home. It can get cluttered or disorganized so easily that it can be a bit overwhelming or discouraging. But with the right tips and tricks, we can make things so much simpler.

If you have any household hacks yourself, let the comments down below! I’d love to hear about them!

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1. Unclog Slow Drains

Before you go the chemical route to clear a slow-moving drain, try baking soda and vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain, then heat up a cup of vinegar and pour it on top of the baking soda. After approximately 10 minutes, flush with a pot of boiling water. (Don’t use this solution on a clogged drain.)

2. All-Natural Oven Scrub

A dirty oven can pose a serious cleaning challenge. Avoid corrosive chemicals and toxic odors by whipping up a baking soda and salt paste made with water or vinegar. Spread the paste over the floor, walls and oven door using a brush. (Be sure to wear gloves when you do this!) Let the mixture sit for about 24 hours, keeping it moist with a spritz of water or vinegar periodically. The paste will help soften the burnt-on food and make scrubbing your oven a bit easier. Wipe the paste away with a sponge or cloth, then turn on the oven to around 100 degrees F. Keep it on for an hour to soften any lingering residue. Turn the oven off, then once it’s cool to the touch, spritz any stubborn areas with vinegar and wipe down.

3. Scour a Ceramic Stovetop

Baked-on food residue tends to build up on cooktops no matter how hard you try to keep them clean. Luckily, a paste of warm water and baking soda spooned onto the surface will help loosen the residue. Let it sit for several minutes, then scrub to remove the gunk. Finish by spritzing with glass cleaner, then wipe dry.

4. Shine-Up Stainless Steel

If your stainless-steel sink is looking dull, sprinkle baking soda onto a soft cloth and buff it back to life. Rinse well after buffing. Avoid harsh, powdered cleansers, as they may scratch the sink’s surface.

5. Refresh the Refrigerator

It’s easy for crumbs and spills to gunk up your fridge in no time. Remove those mishaps with a paste of baking soda and dish soap. Use a scrub sponge to get up stubborn spots, then wipe away the mixture with warm water. Be sure to microwave your sponge for two minutes after use to keep it from harboring germs.

6. Quick Scour a Slow Cooker

Getting caked-on food out of your slow cooker doesn’t have to be a headache. Just fill the pot with water, then add 1/4 cup of baking soda and cook on high for three to four hours. The heated mixture will soften up any crusty residue. After a few hours, pour the water out, then lightly dust the inside of the pot with baking soda and scrub well. With a clean, damp cloth, rinse and wipe the pot out. You’re now ready for your next recipe!

7. Pretty-Up Tarnished Silver

Line a pan with aluminum foil and place silver pieces on top of the foil. Next, bring a pot of water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add baking soda into the hot water and stir. Once the chemical reaction kicks in, the water will become foamy. Next, pour the baking soda mixture over the tarnished pieces, and let them soak for about 10 minutes. This reaction causes the tarnish to change back to silver, while the sulfur attaches itself to the foil. Give the chemical reaction time to do its thing! When the pieces are ready, remove them with tongs, then rinse and dry each piece with a clean towel. Lightly buff each piece to a gorgeous sparkle.

8. Deodorize a Front-Load Washer

Front-load washers look great, they’re more efficient and they use less detergent than a traditional top-loading model, but they’re also prone to smelling funky over time. Pour a half cup of baking soda into the detergent cup, then run a wash cycle with hot water to cut soap scum and deodorize the machine. A clean machine ensures your laundry smells its best, so deep-clean it monthly.

9. Clean Toilets

You’ll need a 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of borax and 1 cup of vinegar. Pour the vinegar onto the toilet stains, then sprinkle with the baking soda/borax mixture. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, then scrub and flush.

10. Blast Nasty Grout

Baking soda paired with warm water and bleach will knock out stubborn grout stains on tile floors and walls. If you need heavy-duty cleaning, amp up the bleach (but wear gloves to protect that manicure).

11. Remove Carpet Stains

If you’ve got an unsightly spot on your area rug or carpet, sprinkle it with baking soda to wick out any excess moisture. Let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up. Next, blot the stain with 1 cup of warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, working from the outside edges inward. Blot until the stain has transferred from the carpet to the cleaning cloth, then allow to air dry.

12. Wipe Down Outdoor Furniture

The gentle abrasiveness of baking soda is perfect for cleaning stains off painted outdoor furniture. And a baking soda mixture works well on outdoor fabric stains, too.

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If your iron is sticky, leaves yellow streaks on clothes, or has a lot of scorch marks or mineral deposits, it’s time to clean. There are many ways to make your iron look like new using products you may already have on hand! There are easy and effective 6 ways to clean your iron’s soleplate, water reservoir and steam holes.

1. Baking soda paste

Apply the baking soda mixture to the stains on the soleplate to clean them. First, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) distilled water and 2 tablespoons (34 g) baking soda in a small bowl to create a paste that will stick to the iron. Turn off the iron and let it cool, applying the mixture to areas with residue or residue (or the entire soleplate for a general clean). Leave the patch on for a few minutes, then wipe off with a clean, damp cloth.

If any baking soda gets into the steam holes, use a cotton swab dipped in distilled water or white vinegar to clear the blockage.

2. White vinegar

Wipe the soleplate with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar.

Mix a solution of equal parts distilled water and white vinegar.Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and use it to gently scrub the soleplate, especially scorched, sticky, or dirty areas. Once the soleplate is clean, wipe off any remaining vinegar with a clean, damp cloth.

Or, to avoid rubbing, soak the cloth in the vinegar water mixture and wrap it around the base of the iron for 30 minutes. Then, take out the cloth and dry the soleplate.

Use diluted vinegar to clean the compartment and unclog the iron’s steam holes.

Empty the tank of old water, then fill it about ⅓ full with a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar. Turn the iron on the hottest setting and wait a few minutes for the iron to heat up. Then, iron an old towel or cloth with steam for a few minutes.

Use towels or fabrics that you throw away or don’t use. If there is significant residue in the steam holes, the iron may leave streaks or residue on the fabric.

Read your iron’s instructions to make sure you can use vinegar before trying this method.

3. Dryer sheets

Rub dryer sheets on the warm soleplate to remove residue.

Plug in your iron and set it to the lowest available temperature setting, then let it warm up for a few minutes. Take a few new sheets of dryer sheet and rub it on the soleplate as if you were using a sponge. Rub gently continuously until all dirt and residue is gone. Then, turn the iron to the highest setting and iron on an old towel to remove residue from the dryer sheet.

To protect your fingers, wear heat-resistant gloves or change dryer sheets when you feel your fingertips getting hot.

4. Toothpaste

Dab toothpaste on the residue on the soleplate and wipe clean.

Apply a little toothpaste directly to the brown, sticky or dirty stains and let it sit for about a minute. Then, use a clean towel to wipe off the toothpaste. Fill up the reservoir with fresh water, set the iron to steam mode and place the iron on an old towel or cloth for 5 minutes.

Also, try a mixture of 1 tablespoon (3g) toothpaste, 2 tablespoons (6g) baking soda, and 3 tablespoons (45mL) vinegar.

5. Salt

Iron on newspaper and salt to clean sticky iron.

If you notice that your iron is sticky when in use, sprinkle salt on a piece of newspaper or something waxy like parchment paper. Set the iron to warm, let it heat for a few minutes, then iron over the salt in all directions until the iron is clean.

Once the stickiness is gone, shake off the excess salt for a clean base. Use a damp cotton swab to wipe away salt stuck in the steam holes.

6. Ice cubes

Harden the melted plastic residue with ice, then scrape it off.

Fill a shallow bowl, plate or pan with ice cubes, then place the iron plate on the ice to let the melted-on plastic set and harden (this will take about 10 minutes if the melted-on plastic is new). Once the melted-on plastic has completely hardened, use a blunt plastic knife to scrape the resin off the base.

Do not use metal knives or other metal objects as they may scratch or damage the iron.

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Bathroom Mold Removal—The damp and humid environment provides the ideal conditions for these unwelcome guests. But fear not! With the right knowledge and strategies, you can bid farewell to bathroom mold and keep it from making a comeback.

1. Preventative Ventilation:

– Use exhaust fans and open windows during and after showers to reduce humidity and promote ventilation. Mold thrives in stagnant, damp air.

2. Regular Cleaning Routine:

– Develop a consistent bathroom cleaning routine. Wipe down surfaces, including walls and ceilings, with a mold-fighting cleaner. Don’t forget to scrub tile grout and sealant to prevent mold from taking hold.

3. Natural Mold Removers:

– Create a natural cleaning solution using equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray this mixture on mold-prone areas and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing away the mold.

4. Silicone Sealant Maintenance:

– Inspect and replace any damaged or deteriorating silicone seals around your bathtub and shower. Proper sealing prevents moisture from seeping in and causing mold.

Bathroom Mold Removal- Tricks for a Mold-Free Bathroom

– Baking Soda Scrub: Make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to scrub away mold from grout, tiles, and other surfaces. Rinse thoroughly.

– Tea Tree Oil: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray this natural antifungal solution on mold-prone areas, leave it for a few hours, and wipe clean.

– Reduce Clutter: Minimize the number of items in your bathroom to prevent mold from hiding in hard-to-reach spots.

With the right approach, you can reclaim your bathroom from the clutches of mold and mildew. Regular maintenance, proper ventilation, and natural cleaning solutions are your allies in this battle. We hope this guide has armed you with the knowledge and strategies needed to enjoy a clean, mold-free bathroom.

Remember, a mold-free bathroom not only looks better but also contributes to a healthier living environment. Say goodbye to unsightly mold, musty odors, and the hassle of scrubbing away mold constantly. Instead, say hello to a fresh, clean, and welcoming bathroom. Happy cleaning!

1. Clean the microwave with lemon

Just pour some water into a serviceable bowl or pitcher and add a few slices of lemon. Turn on the microwave until the window is flat. Microwave the bowl for 3 minutes before opening the door to remove any grease and grime, then wipe clean with a sponge or cloth.

2. Clean the kettle with lemon

Use a whole lemon to descale your dirty kettle. You just need to cut into thin slices, put lemon in warm and fill with cold water to apply on acne-affected skin. Bring the kettle to a boil once, then let it sit for half an hour, boil it a second time, and then rinse. Your kettle should be nice and clean and have a lemon color.

3. Clean stains with lemon

A little lemon juice and salt can remove stubborn stains in just a few minutes. Squeeze some lemon juice directly onto the stained area, then sprinkle some salt on top. Rub this mixture on the yellowed area for a few minutes, then rinse with water. Repeat this a few times, then let dry before washing as usual. Do not use lemon juice on delicate fabrics, such as silk.

4. Clean the barbecue with lemon

This technique is similar to removing stains from clothes. Cut a lemon in half, put a pinch of salt in a bowl, and dip each lemon halves in the salt so that the lemon is completely submerged. Next, heat up the BBQ and scrub the grill with lemon, the same way you would a sponge. The abrasive action of the salt and the acidic, antibacterial properties of the lemon will keep the lemon clean and disinfected.

5. Polish metal with lemon

Do exactly the same way you would clean your BBQ grill with lemon to remove dirt and give your cutlery a nice shine. You can polish brass, chromium, copper, aluminum, bronze and stainless with lemon, but do not use it on gold or silver, as this can damage the plating.

6. Create an all-in-one cleaner

Don’t throw away leftover lemon zest. Instead, keep them and create a super easy all-in-one cleaner. Pour lemon zest into half a mason jar, then pour vinegar over the jar. Cover the jars and place in a dark refrigerator for two weeks (the longer you leave them, the more the two ingredients will infuse). After two weeks, pour the liquid into a spray bottle and use as you would any all-purpose cleaner.

7. Remove stains on cutting boards with lemon

Simply cut a lemon in half and use it as a sponge by rubbing it on a cutting board to remove stains. For more stubborn stains and to give your lemons a little extra boost, sprinkle some salt or bicarbonate of soda on the board before scrubbing with the lemons.

8. Remove stains from tupperware boxes

Curry or leftover bolognese pasta has stains in your tupperware container? Cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the box, then use the lemon to rub the juice on the stains. Leave the juice on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

9. Remove stubborn stains on food

We’ve all been guilty of leaving dishes out overnight and then struggling to wash away leftovers the next day, but a lemon and a pinch of salt can help. Dip half a cut lemon in a pinch of salt and clean the dishes. The citric acid and salt will work together to cut through any hard parts of the food.

Your carpet will naturally collect dirt and dander over time, so you need to vacuum it often. Depending on how heavily it’s used, vacuuming once or twice a month will likely be enough for maintenance. Choose a vacuum with a suction attachment, which will clean your carpets better than a standard rotary vacuum.

Do deep cleanings every few months to go beyond the scope of a quick vacuum job and get your carpets good as new.

One big caveat: Wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs aren’t the same things, so don’t assume you can use the same cleaning methods. Make sure your rug can handle a deep cleaning before you begin. If you have a vintage rug or one made of delicate materials, you’ll want to take it to get hand-washed with a pH-balanced shampoo every three to five years.

In addition to deep cleaning, you’ll also want to rotate your rugs. “It helps to rotate your rug once a year to ensure even wear over time” . “And use a rug pad, which will prolong its life. If it’s a wool rug, let it sunbathe once a year.” Sun helps sanitize wool, but be careful of color fading. And whatever you do, avoid steam cleaning because it will damage the carpet.

Before you begin

When creating a game plan for how to clean your carpet, carefully read the labels on all products you plan to use. Typically, the label will let you know if (and how) you should test on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure you don’t accidentally harm your whole carpet.

Once you’ve treated a small section of your carpet, wait a few hours to make sure there’s no adverse reaction such as a change in the color or texture of the fibers—before you proceed to clean the rest of your carpet.

How to do a routine cleaning

People with allergies and asthma understand the importance of regular carpet cleanings, but even if your immune system doesn’t alert you when your carpet is filthy, you’ll want to do routine cleanings. Plus, if you spill something on your carpet, you’re going to need to treat the stain immediately.

Vacuum your carpet

Start by vacuuming your carpets and rugs a couple of times a month to remove dust and dander. And if you’re getting ready to deep clean or spot clean your carpets, you’ll want to vacuum first every time. Debris stuck in the fibers can block your ability to get through to those stains.

Hyman also suggests shaking out your rugs a couple times a month. Every few months, flip your rug over and vacuum the back. “This will get the grit out of the foundation of the rug,” he says.

Spot clean your carpet

It’s important to know how to clean a carpet by hand. You’ll thank her for the tips the next time you need to remove gum or chocolate stains from a carpet.

Get pet hair out of a carpet

Pet hair can be a nightmare to remove, but there’s a trick that will save you tons of time: Sprinkle the area with baking soda; then vacuum it up. The baking soda will lift the pet hair from the carpet.

Get pet stains out of a carpet

They look bad and smell worse, but stains from your pet’s accidents are pretty easy to remove. Here’s how to clean dog pee from carpet: Use a paper towel to blot up as much of the urine as you can. Then mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spritz the area to get rid of the odor. Blot this mixture with a paper towel once again.

If that doesn’t do the trick, try one of these products specially formulated for getting pet urine out of carpets.

Get blood out of a carpet

Nosebleeds, household injuries… We get it. Bloodstains are tough to avoid and even harder to get out of carpets. Thankfully, you have options.

Maker uses a mixture of two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part dish soap. Wet a cloth with the mixture; then blot the stain with it. You can also try removing bloodstains by mixing cold water and white vinegar, then soaking the stain for a few minutes before using a paper towel or microfiber cloth to blot it.

Get wine out of a carpet

This stain in particular often triggers panic, but if you’ve spilled red wine, there’s hope for your carpet yet.

To clean up a red wine stain, blot up as much as you can. Then sprinkle salt or baking powder (generously) on the stain, giving it a few minutes to settle before you vacuum it up.
Get paint out of a carpet
Craft project gone awry? It may look bleak, but paint is actually easier to remove than it sounds. This is how you get paint out of carpet: First, identify the paint. Is it oil-based or water-based? Water-based paints will be much easier to clean up since many are water-soluble.

How to deep clean your carpet

Regularly running the vacuum over your carpets is great, but that’s not going to give your carpets a just-like-new look. That’s why you need to deep clean them a few times a year.

Deep clean by hand

Using a carpet-cleaning machine is your best bet for a thorough clean. If you don’t own one and don’t want to rent one, there’s a DIY solution.

Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of your carpet.
Mix carpet shampoo (that you’ve color tested) with warm water; then add the mixture to a spray bottle.
Spray the cleaning liquid over the carpet.
Brush with a carpet brush.
Blot the area.
Spray again with warm water only.
Blot the carpet again.
Yes, it’s time-consuming, but it’s more cost effective than buying or renting a carpet-cleaning machine.

Use a carpet-cleaning machine

Carpet-cleaning machines get a bad rap for being big and bulky, but these days, there are smaller machines that can really simplify carpet cleaning. If you don’t see yourself using a carpet-cleaning machine that often (or if you don’t have the room to store it), you can rent one from your local home improvement store.
Remove furniture and anything else on the carpet.
Vacuum the area to pick up loose dirt.
Pretreat stains that will need extra attention (and remember to do a color test before using a new cleaning solution).
Choose the formula to add to your cleaning machine (Pro Max Clean and Protect will do the trick).
Start your engines! Begin in the farthest corner of the room (so you don’t get trapped mid-room surrounded by wet carpet). Pushing your cleaning attachment forward and backward with the spray button pushed down. Follow that with the same movement without the spray button pressed. Do this throughout the space until you’ve cleaned the entire carpet.
Rinse. You don’t have to, but it’s a good idea to refill your machine with warm water and repeat the process.
Let it dry. Wait four to six hours before putting your furniture back or walking on the carpet.
Hire a pro
If you’re not up for renting or buying a machine, and if a stain is really stuck on or your carpet looks like it’s on its last legs, the answer to how to clean a carpet may be to hire a pro. Professionals use detergents and steam to really get in there, and commercial machines are beasts when it comes to getting bacteria and dirt out of any pile of rug. If your home has wall-to-wall carpeting, you might want to do this once a year.

How to Interpret the Cleaning Codes

Don’t ignore the owner’s manual! Always look for information about your upholstered items. This information may be in a care pamphlet delivered with the product, or a tag is sewn into a seam, and it should tell you what it’s made out of, and how to safely clean the material. Here are some common codes found on labels:

WS: Use a mild detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent

S: Use a dry cleaner detergent only.

X: Use a vacuum only. No water.

W: You can use water to clean it.

Don’t Scrub – Start by Blotting Liquid Spills

Use an absorbent cloth to first blot at spills and moisture to quickly absorb them. This will help reduce the chance that the stain will get “rubbed in,” and it’ll help to collect the liquid that’s soaking into foam layers beneath the upholstery. The more liquid you can absorb by blotting, the less internal damage that happens to your furnishings.

Try to Steam Clean Tough Stains

You might expect that you’ll just have to live with the dirty armrests or dried spills for the duration of a seat’s existence, but steam cleaning is relatively effective at lifting embedded dirt from the fabric. You’ll probably find that your steam mop for the floors is an acceptable tool for this task – especially if it comes with a detailed cleaning attachment. Always use a low-heat setting, and test in an inconspicuous spot to make sure that the fabric doesn’t have an unexpectedly negative reaction to the heat. Do not use steam heat on the upholstery that is made of – or contains – silk.

Don’t Use Plain Water to Clean Microfiber Surfaces

Water can lead to dried watermarks and spots on microfiber upholstery. Rubbing alcohol is better for cleaning microfiber. Apply it with a spray bottle, and use a dry, clean cloth to lift the stain as it loosens.

Choose the Right Vacuum Attachment

There’s the actual rationale for using all the different vacuum attachments that came with your high-end product.

Cleaning pet fur in the home with a vacuum

The airflow attachment, for example, is the one that looks like a smaller version of your vacuum and creates airflow during use that operates the spinning brushes. It’s more gentle than the actual vacuum, smaller, which makes it easier to get into small crevices, and it does a great job at getting pet fur off upholstery because it brushes the surface while extracting the dust and debris.

The more formal upholstery brush attachment is the one that looks more like a lint brush, with softer bristles that lift dust and help to reduce pilling.

Use Caution When Applying Fabric Protectors

UV- and stain-repellent sprays can help keep upholstery looking its best and make messes easier to clean, but over-penetration of the sprays can have an adverse effect, too. Too much chemical saturation can cause stains and excessive scrubbing wear and tears on the materials. It can also cause irritation on sensitive skin or to pets who nap and play on the upholstered surface.

Avoid Fabric Softeners

Don’t confuse “softeners” with leather conditioners – you should totally be conditioning your leather upholstery. What we’re saying here is that for any washable upholstery, avoid using fabric softeners. Use “free-and-clear” detergents that don’t contain scents or dyes, and opt to line dry or dry flat, rather than putting upholstery through the dryer.

Remember to Rotate the Cushions

Avoid the dreaded butt dent and added wear to the fabric on the most sat-upon surfaces by rotating the cushions.

How to Clean Upholstery

If your upholstery can be cleaned with a water-based cleanser, you can do this with a few simple ingredients. A spray-on stain remover can be used for any tough spots, just like in washing laundry. Spray your stain remover and wait for about five minutes. While you wait, mix four parts of warm water with one part of laundry detergent. Use a rough sponge or a soft bristle brush to apply the cleaning mixture to your upholstery. Scrub along the grain of the fabric until you have lifted the dirt and stains. Use a damp, clean cloth to wipe away any remaining suds or dirt. You can leave your upholstery to dry or use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the remaining moisture.

Before you go the chemical route to clear a slow-moving drain, try baking soda and vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain, then heat up a cup of vinegar and pour it on top of the baking soda. After approximately 10 minutes, flush with a pot of boiling water. (Don’t use this solution on a clogged drain.)

All-Natural Oven Scrub

A dirty oven can pose a serious cleaning challenge. Avoid corrosive chemicals and toxic odors by whipping up a baking soda and salt paste made with water or vinegar. Spread the paste over the floor, walls and oven door using a brush. (Be sure to wear gloves when you do this!) Let the mixture sit for about 24 hours, keeping it moist with a spritz of water or vinegar periodically. The paste will help soften the burnt-on food and make scrubbing your oven a bit easier. Wipe the paste away with a sponge or cloth, then turn on the oven to around 100 degrees F. Keep it on for an hour to soften any lingering residue. Turn the oven off, then once it’s cool to the touch, spritz any stubborn areas with vinegar and wipe down.

Scour a Ceramic Stovetop

Baked-on food residue tends to build up on cooktops no matter how hard you try to keep them clean. Luckily, a paste of warm water and baking soda spooned onto the surface will help loosen the residue. Let it sit for several minutes, then scrub to remove the gunk. Finish by spritzing with glass cleaner, then wipe dry.

Shine-Up Stainless Steel

If your stainless-steel sink is looking dull, sprinkle baking soda onto a soft cloth and buff it back to life. Rinse well after buffing. Avoid harsh, powdered cleansers, as they may scratch the sink’s surface.

Refresh the Refrigerator

It’s easy for crumbs and spills to gunk up your fridge in no time. Remove those mishaps with a paste of baking soda and dish soap. Use a scrub sponge to get up stubborn spots, then wipe away the mixture with warm water. Be sure to microwave your sponge for two minutes after use to keep it from harboring germs.

Quick Scour a Slow Cooker

Getting caked-on food out of your slow cooker doesn’t have to be a headache. Just fill the pot with water, then add 1/4 cup of baking soda and cook on high for three to four hours. The heated mixture will soften up any crusty residue. After a few hours, pour the water out, then lightly dust the inside of the pot with baking soda and scrub well. With a clean, damp cloth, rinse and wipe the pot out. You’re now ready for your next recipe!

Pretty-Up Tarnished Silver

Line a pan with aluminum foil and place silver pieces on top of the foil. Next, bring a pot of water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add baking soda into the hot water and stir. Once the chemical reaction kicks in, the water will become foamy. Next, pour the baking soda mixture over the tarnished pieces, and let them soak for about 10 minutes. This reaction causes the tarnish to change back to silver, while the sulfur attaches itself to the foil. Give the chemical reaction time to do its thing! When the pieces are ready, remove them with tongs, then rinse and dry each piece with a clean towel. Lightly buff each piece to a gorgeous sparkle.

Deodorize a Front-Load Washer

Front-load washers look great, they’re more efficient and they use less detergent than a traditional top-loading model, but they’re also prone to smelling funky over time. Pour a half cup of baking soda into the detergent cup, then run a wash cycle with hot water to cut soap scum and deodorize the machine. A clean machine ensures your laundry smells its best, so deep-clean it monthly.

Clean Toilets

You’ll need a 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of borax and 1 cup of vinegar. Pour the vinegar onto the toilet stains, then sprinkle with the baking soda/borax mixture. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, then scrub and flush.

Blast Nasty Grout

Baking soda paired with warm water and bleach will knock out stubborn grout stains on tile floors and walls. If you need heavy-duty cleaning, amp up the bleach (but wear gloves to protect that manicure).

Remove Carpet Stains

If you’ve got an unsightly spot on your area rug or carpet, sprinkle it with baking soda to wick out any excess moisture. Let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up. Next, blot the stain with 1 cup of warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, working from the outside edges inward. Blot until the stain has transferred from the carpet to the cleaning cloth, then allow to air dry.

Wipe Down Outdoor Furniture

The gentle abrasiveness of baking soda is perfect for cleaning stains off painted outdoor furniture. And a baking soda mixture works well on outdoor fabric stains, too.

Vinegar is great for hard tile and solid surfaces. The more acidic it is, the more effective it is at being a disinfectant. It’s not necessary to dilute your vinegar before putting it to use on these select surfaces, though diluting it does have some benefits: It’s more gentle on grout and doesn’t smell quite so potent.

Some might imply that diluting a splash of white vinegar into water will boast the same potency and cleaning power, but don’t expect to get the full benefit from the cleaner if you’re running those tests in your at-home science lab. The more concentrated the solution, the better it’ll perform when you’re mopping porcelain and linoleum. Aim for 50/50 vinegar and water, or more vinegar and less water.

If it isn’t realistic to have a whole mopping bucket filled with undiluted white vinegar – and it isn’t – consider this vinegar mopping strategy instead:

Soak a cloth in a small bowl of distilled white vinegar, and once it has absorbed all of the vinegar, attach it to the base of a dry mop or “wet sweeper” type of product. If it doesn’t clip or pinch on, strap it in place with a couple of rubber bands. The soaked rag will serve as a wet mop, and it’ll effectively collect dirt on the ground while simultaneously distributing the vinegar across the floor to disinfect. Overall, you’ll use less vinegar than if you were dipping a mop into a bucket but will still be disinfecting at maximum effectiveness.

For Hardwoods, Ceramics and Stone

On wood flooring, ceramic tile and natural stone, it’s always best to use a more diluted concentration of vinegar (think: 1 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of water). The acidic properties of pure distilled white vinegar are likely to do more harm than good on these surfaces and can also dull the polish or wax finishes.

You’re not going to be able to as assuredly disinfect these surfaces with vinegar because of the diluted concentration. Instead, be diligent about dry mopping, vacuuming and using surface-approved cleaners if you need spot treatment.

What if You Don’t Like the Smell of Vinegar?

When you’re over the fact that your house smells like salt and vinegar potato chips (temporarily, but you might not be able to convince your spouse of that) you might find yourself looking for alternatives to vinegar. Keep in mind that you can add a few drops of essential oils such as lemon or lavender to your cleaning solution to cut back on the intensity of the vinegar scent.

You can also treat the cleaning solution ahead of time by soaking citrus peels, like orange, lemon and lime, into the vinegar cleaner to infuse different scents. Everyone’s tolerance is a little different when it comes to using vinegar as a cleaner, especially during seasons when it’s harder to ventilate any type of cleaning solution scent from a home.

Any Other Important Things to Keep in Mind When Mopping With Vinegar?

Never combine vinegar with bleach. The resulting fumes are toxic and can even be deadly. Vinegar + Water is the safest combo for cleaning.

If you’re facing a tough spot while you mop, sprinkle a little bit of dry baking soda onto the area and scrub at it by hand. Undiluted vinegar will have some reactions to the baking soda, though not enough to cause an issue.

Never add vinegar to your steam mop. The mechanisms that process the water and treat the steam are intended for pure water and nothing more. Vinegar can break the internal components.

Avoid the use of vinegar on laminate flooring, as the acidic properties can dull the finish over time. (Furthermore, mopping laminate even with water can damage the flooring. Dry mopping and spot cleaning laminate is the best route.)

1. Use mouthwash to disinfect your toothbrush

Each time we use our toothbrushes, we may be transferring bathroom bacteria directly into our mouths. If you’re someone who flushes the toilet with the lid up, then you could be spreading waste particles around the room, which can settle on surfaces and objects.

Therefore, it’s recommended to sanitize your toothbrush in mouthwash for 2 minutes after using it.

2. Clean your oven with 1/5 cup of ammonia

Simply heat your oven to 150ºF then turn it off and place 1/5 cup of ammonia in a bowl on your oven’s top-shelf. Place a bowl of boiling water on the shelf below and close the door, leaving them to do their thing overnight.

This will help the grime to drop off from your oven, helping you to easily wipe it clean the next day.

3. Microwave your sponge

Our dish sponges collect large amounts of harmful bacteria that we don’t want to then transfer to our dishes while washing them. To sterilize a sponge, you should wet it completely before placing it in the microwave for 1 minute.

The extreme heat will zap any bacteria growing in your sponges. Repeat this every few days when your sponge starts to smell.

4. Clean your wooden kitchen tools

Our wooden spoons can suffer in the kitchen, especially if they get put into the dishwasher or are left to soak. To keep them healthy, it’s recommended to rub them with a slice of lemon in order to stop any unwanted smells to permeate. You can also coat them with vegetable or coconut oil for a little tender loving care. This will make them shine and protect them from harmful moisture.

When they’re exposed to too much moisture, they grow mildew, which isn’t the most hygienic thing for your cooking vessels.

5. Wipe down your windowsills regularly

Because windows and windowsills can collect condensation, they can be a prime breeding ground for fungi and microbes. Make sure that you don’t forget about these hotspots that can be harboring a concentration of bacteria due to the damp environment of the window.

6. Shampoo your hairbrush

Our hairbrushes are often neglected when it comes to cleaning, even though they may be carrying a lot of dirt. This is because our hair can develop a buildup of pollution and everyday germs when we’re out and about, which then gets transferred to our brushes.

It’s advised to clean your brush once a month by removing old hairs and shampooing it overnight before rinsing it clean.

7. Disinfect your yoga mat with apple cider vinegar

Yoga mats can pick up tons of bacteria, not only from the dampness caused by our sweat but also from being placed on floors, especially at fitness centers. Therefore, it’s recommended to clean your mat every time you use it. Simply wipe it down using a cloth and equal parts water and apple cider vinegar.

The vinegar will act as a disinfectant, giving your mat a fresh makeover.

8. Clean your silver jewelry with soda and salt

To restore them back to their original glory, you should line a tray with aluminum foil and add 2 tablespoons of soda and 1 tablespoon of salt. Place the jewelry on top and cover it with boiling water.

By leaving this to soak overnight, it will dissolve the dirt and tarnish that collects on our silver accessories.

9. Clean your keyboard with gel

Cleaning slime can be very practical for removing the buildup of dust and dirt from small spaces, and it’s very easy to make at home! You’ll need to mix 1 cup of warm water with borax in a bowl and 1/2 a cup of warm water with glue in another bowl. Combine the 2 mixtures and stir until it becomes firm — then knead it into a hard ball.

Bonus: Use a mesh bag in the dishwasher

To make sure that everything is properly washed in the dishwasher, it’s important to use a mesh bag to keep the smaller items together. This stops the smaller pieces from slipping down into the washer and not getting sterilized properly.

What tricks do you use to combat germs? Please share them to help us all fight them off!