Has it ever occurred to you to stand in front of a mountain of dirty clothes, toys, and dishes and just lose all hope? Most people dread cleaning because it can be very tiresome especially if your life is already very busy. But here’s the thing: not only can maintaining a clean home be a lot less labor-intensive than most people assume, but fancy, expensive cleaners are very much not required. In fact, some of the potential solutions are literally just waiting for you on your kitchen’s pantry most of the time.
In this post we’re going to present you some useful cleaning tricks which will be perfect for those of you who are eager to clean faster while spending less money. Amazingly, everything that you need can be bought at your local supermarket, and some reusable tools, and within a blink of an eye, your home will shine anew on the outside plus you have also saved the environment in the process. Well, let’s take the plunge and find out what small steps count.
Hack: Baking Soda and Vinegar
When it comes to cleaning, I have not found anything that can beat—when it comes to simplicity and cost, that is—baking soda and vinegar. A matched pair in any kitchen, these two powerhouse cleaners work on anything from tough stains to hard-to-banish smells. Best of all? It is safe to work with and to use at home and around the kids and animals.
- Clean sinks, tubs, and toilets: Pour baking soda into the area and then pour vinegar on top of it. The fizzy reaction assists in washing off the grime making it easy to be scrubbed off the surface.
- Remove grease from stovetops: A paste made from 1:1 baking soda to vinegar poured on greasy spots is also very effective when cleaning. Allow it to stand for some time before wiping off the surface to get a shiny appearance.
- Deodorize carpets and upholstery: Therefore, you should spread some baking soda on your carpet or the upholstery you want to freshen up, it should be left to stand for about fifteen minutes and then vacuum cleaned. It erases any smell and revitalises anything that is cloth-based.
Not only is this hack exceptionally powerful, but it’s also gentle on the surfaces and non-toxic to the environment – no harsh chemicals required!
Hack: Microfiber Cloths
It is something like cleaning the car and washing it only to realize that the surface is still dirty and there are those ugly streaks of dust. This is where microfiber cloths come into play right into the bargain. These miracle cloths are engineered to attract dust and dirt better than rags or paper towels saving you much time and effort without any compromises in cleanliness.
- Clean windows and mirrors streak-free : Window and mirror cleaning… just a quick wipe with a damp microfiber cloth and no streaks or lint!
- Dust furniture and electronics: Get ready to leave behind those times when dust just seems to be flying around. Microfiber cloths are absolutely great at picking up dust and will help you remove it from your surfaces and not just spread it.
- Pick up pet hair: Everyone with pets understands how fast hair becomes a dominating presence in a home’s floors and furniture. Microfiber is a good fabric for trapping pet hair and you do not require sticky rollers or frequent vacuuming.
You save considerable time when you switch to microfiber thanks to the fact that you don’t need paper towels in this case either.
Hack: Lemons
Lemons may be most famous as a key ingredient in lemonade, but its antibacterial and deodorizing qualities make it an excellent cleaner, as well. The use of lemons is excellent for cleaning dirt as it neutralizes the smell while leaving your home smelling like lemons.
- Remove hard water stains: Sick of those water rings on your bathroom or kitchen taps? Massage half a lemon to the affected part then let it dry for some time then washed off. The remains of the bones are calcified and stiff, but the acid dissolves the debris; it is then easily wiped off.
- Disinfect and deodorize cutting boards: To wash the smell off your hands after cutting meats or vegetables, use the peel of the same lemon. It is most useful in cases of wooden cutting boards because they dull the knife and soak up the odors of the foods being cut.
- Clean and brighten stainless steel: White with your stainless appliances then wet it with lemon juice to remove smudge marks and to polish it. End it off with a microfiber cloth for that shiny and squeaky-clean look.
Lemons actualize the notion that you don’t always need synthetic cleaning agents and chemicals to get a clean that is as fresh as it gets.
Hack: Castile Soap
If you need a cleaner to wash your body and remove stains at the same time you should try castile soap. It is derived from natural plant-based oils making it environmentally friendly and containing no harsh chemicals thus ideal for use in environmentally friendly households.
- Make an all-purpose spray: Add seven or eight drops of castile soap to a bottle of water and you have one versatile cleaner on your hands. It’s versatile enough that you can apply it on countertops, sinks as well as the bathroom.
- Clean floors and tiles: Cleaning your floors can be done with a solution that is made from castile soap; spread warm water over the floor and mop, then your floor will be as clean as new without being left with a sticky surface. Since it will not leave behind a film, you will find that your floors will shine.
- Wash clothes and bedding: Laundry detergent is also replaced by Castile soap, as it is recommended for people with sensitive skin. Bath with it, wash your clothes and your beddings with it in a naturally healthy way.
From wiping counters to washing sheets, castile soap is a gentle all purpose cleaner that makes life easier.
Hack #5: Reusable Cleaning Tools
Hack: Reusable Cleaning Tools
Cleaning can be a real-time vampire, and, not surprisingly, it creates a great deal of waste products. Disposable sponges, paper towels, and single-use cleaning pads are all thrown away along with the money that is spent to replace them. If you pay for reusable tools instead of disposable ones, not only will you be helping our planet, but your wallet as well.
- Microfiber mops and dusters: These can be washed and used over again and again thereby reducing the need for buying disposable mop heads or duster.
- Silicone scrubbers: Silicone scrubbers are more suitable for use than other commonly known scrubbers because they are more durable and have a longer lifespan than regular sponges. They are quite useful when washing dishes, or at the few instances where there’s a stain that seems unbeatable.
- Washable cleaning rags and towels: Thus, replace paper towels with washable ones that could be used for wiping. They are definitely less slippery and when they get dirty well you just wash them.
Using reusable tools is one of the simplest ways to clean green and at the same time cost effective in the long run.
Cleaning does not have to be time consuming, energy consuming or costly. Incorporating these tips and tricks of cleaning your home without using chemicals is easy and requires things that are easily found in your household. Instead of purchasing those products, try using reusable cleaning items, baking soda, vinegar, lemons and castile soap, which will benefit both your home and the environment.
