There are always instances when cleaning would seem like taking a lot longer than usual to accomplish. More often than not, it happens in instances when you’re expecting a visitor or while performing a much-needed spring cleaning.
Or, you are trying to keep up with the shower of pet hair on your couch. While cleaning can be a real bummer, there are a few hacks and tricks you can employ to make your chores a lot easier.
Here are 5 cleaning tips you wish you’d have known much sooner.
1. Clean and Sanitise the Sponge
This foam contraption takes plenty of abuse whenever performing your cleaning chores. With each pass, it tends to pick up dirt, grease, grime, and germs.
You can dunk it in warm water and wring the excess out. But there is no telling if you also removed the germs sticking in the individual pores of the foam.
By the time you use it on another surface, you are now transferring these germs onto the next object. You now have more than one item to “sanitise”.
Cleaning your sponge on a more frequent basis is a must for a germfree, extra-clean home. Soak the sponge in warm water and wring the excess water out.
Do not let it go dry. Pop it in the microwave and heat it for about 30 seconds. This will kill the germs in the sponge. Wait a couple of minutes before taking it out of the microwave, though, as it can be too hot to handle.
2. The Vinegar Power Shower Spray
Vinegar is a very common household item. What many do not realise is that it is also an excellent cleaner because of its natural, non-toxic, and acidic nature.
It can dissolve hard water stains and other types of stains as well as soap scum and sticker residues. White vinegar works best when it comes to cleaning surfaces.
But, if you do find it too strong, then apple cider vinegar is a good alternative. Combine one part of white vinegar to 10 parts of water in a spray bottle. This is enough to clean your house.
One word of caution, though. There are surfaces that you should never clean with this vinegar power spray. For example, marble and granite countertops don’t do well with vinegar on their surface.
You should also not use it to clean kitchen knives, iron, solid wood furniture, and egg-based messes.
3. “As-Salt” the Carpet Stain
Most of us know that baking soda is one of the best hacks for removing carpet stains. However, if the stain is still fresh on your carpet, there is another simpler solution: salt.
Your ordinary table salt has enough moisture-drawing properties to help remove the fluid on the carpet. Scientists call it the capillary action. We all know it as “seeping” action.
As soon as you notice red wine or any other fluid on your carpet, resist the temptation to dab it with a dry cloth. Instead, pour generous amounts of table salt over the area.
You should see the salt mound starting to moisten. This means it is already drawing the fluid out from the carpet. Let it dry. Get your vacuum and start finishing up the mess. For still unknown reasons, salt works on mud stains, too.
4. Vacuum Cleaner-Turned Air Freshener
Cleaning doesn’t only have to lead to a tidier home. It should also result in a nice-smelling place. While you can apply air freshener right after the cleaning process, there is a better way.
Soak a cotton ball in your favourite scent like vanilla or another scent. Put this in the vacuum bag and start vacuuming the place.
This is a very simple hack that cleans and freshens your home in a single pass. It is perfect for getting rid of nasty pet odours, cooking smells, or any other offensive odour in the home.
5. Fuss-Free Oven Cleaning
Your oven has got to be one of the toughest appliances to clean, making the chore seem like an eternity. But there is a way which you can clean this large kitchen appliance without sweating.
Fill an oven-safe bowl or pot with water. Place this in the oven and heat it to about 230 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes.
What you are doing is creating steam to loosen the grease, grime, and dirt that may have accumulated inside the oven.
Let the oven cool down first before you give it a good wipe. The grease should come right off. After that, make a paste of baking soda and water and smear this on the oven’s enamel surfaces.
This will turn into the oven’s protective layer, allowing it to absorb grease every time you bake or broil.
Cleaning doesn’t have to be very challenging. It can be efficient and easy, too, if you know the tips and tricks to employ.
For commercial and household cleaning services, you may contact Performance Cleaning at 1300 867 872.