You're most likely here because you received my April postcard, but if you happen to have stumbled across this post on your own - congratulations! You're about to learn some of the best quick and easy cleaning hacks out there.
Times are crazy right now, aren't they? Everyone's so focused on keeping themselves protected from coronavirus that they're spraying the Clorox wipe container with Lysol, then using Purell to sanitize their hands after touching the Lysol can! So these cleaning hacks are designed to be quick, easy, and help you clean all the other areas of your home that may get forgotten in the mad dash to sanitize everything else.
1. Clean Your Microwave With Lemons & Vinegar
If your microwave is getting a lot of use right now (and let's face it, who's isn't?), it may be time for a deep clean. Pour one cup of water and two tablespoons of either distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup (glass is best if you've got it), chop up some lemons into slices, put those lemons in the bowl, then heat the mixture in the microwave for 5 minutes (you want the mixture to boil). Leave it in there for 2 - 3 minutes so the steam can go to work loosening up anything that's stuck in there, then remove the container and wipe the microwave out with a damp cloth or sponge (don't forget to take out the turntable and clean that, too!). Technically this will work with just the water and vinegar, but the lemons add a nice smell (you could use limes or oranges, too)! If it hasn't worked to your liking, try adding a couple more tablespoons of vinegar or heating it in the microwave longer.
2. Clean Your Shower Head With Vinegar
Seeing a theme here? I wanted to share hacks that used cleaning supplies that CANNOT be used on coronavirus. My research revealed that, while vinegar is an amazing all natural cleaning product in a lot of instances, it cannot kill coronavirus. So save your bleach for what needs to be sanitized, and use vinegar for the other things! If your shower head has a lot of gunk clogging up the holes and water is going every way but straight down when you turn it on, this is the hack for you. For this all you need is a durable plastic bag (typically like a Ziploc style), vinegar, and a rubber band or hair tie. Fill the bag part of the way with vinegar (we don't want it to overflow as you submerge the shower head, but make sure the fixture is fully immersed). Using string or a twist tie if a rubber band or hair tie doesn't fit over the shower head, tie the bag at the neck, making sure the bag isn't leaking and that it will stay in place and not slip off. Leave the bag for a few hours, or overnight for a particularly dirty fixture (though remove it after only 30 minutes if you have a brass, gold, or nickel-coated fixture as any longer could damage the finish). Once you take it off, use an old tooth brush or scrubbing sponge to help remove the now loosened build up. Finally, run hot water through the shower head to clean out any build up on the inside of the holes. You may want to rinse the shower head with water as well to avoid spots or corrosion.
3. Use Baking Soda & Vinegar to Clean Your Dishwasher
If you're like my family, you're using your dishwasher a lot more right now because of all the cooking at home instead of eating at restaurants! If you've noticed your dishwasher isn't cleaning as efficiently or thoroughly as you would like, cleaning it out with this method can help improve your results. First make sure your dishwasher is empty and free of any large pieces of food or gunk in the bottom, drain, or filter. You may need to remove the bottom dish rack to do this. Second, place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine. Run the dishwasher through a hot-water cycle. This will wash away grease and grime and remove many odors, too. Third, sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short, hot water cycle. The dishwasher will be fresh-smelling and have a brightened, stain-free interior. This process works as a great non-toxic stain remover.
4. Clean Your Garbage Disposal With Baking Soda & Vinegar?
Is there anything the cleaning combo of baking soda and vinegar can't do?! Well, yes, I already talked about that in #2 - were you not listening (hint: it doesn't kill coronavirus)? Jokes aside, this tried and true science project combination works so well because the chemical interaction between the two ingredients helps loosen dirt and make it much quicker and easier to clean certain surfaces. For this to work, just sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar (straight this time, not diluted with water). Let the mixture bubble up and sit for five to ten minutes, then turn on the disposal and run water to distribute the mixture throughout the unit. You can then take the same tooth brush you used on the shower head and clean the inside of the disposal and under the rubber flaps. Depending on your garbage disposal (basically, whether it can withstand this or not), you can also put ice cubes down the drain and turn the motor on (making sure it's not too full so the blades don't seize up), and this can help loosen particles of food that can then be washed down, too.
5. Turn Fuzzy Socks Into Reusable Swiffer Pads
To be fair, this one does take some trial and error to make sure your fuzzy socks don't leave more mess than they sweep up, but this can be an especially useful hack if you use your Swiffer as a wet mop. By using socks, you can spray your floor cleaner of choice directly onto the floor or onto the socks, and then all you have to do is rewash them instead of constantly throwing out one-use pads. You also don't have to use fuzzy socks! If you have durable but old socks that you no longer need or use, turning any of them into quick mop with the help of your Swiffer is always convenient. For dry mopping, fuzzy socks work well because they allow dirt on the floor to get picked up in between the fibers more easily than a dress or sports sock would. Keep in mind you will likely want to wash out these socks in the sink before putting them directly into the washing machine so you are not transferring the dirt from your floors directly into the appliance that also cleans your clothes and bed sheets!
Hopefully you found these helpful, and definitely let me know if you give them a try! Keep in mind, I am not just a wealth of cleaning hack knowledge, I also know a little something about real estate at the Tampa Bay market. I've been keeping up daily with the changes going on in our economy and how that is affecting those who are looking to buy or sell, so if you want personalized advice based on your specific situation and up-to-date knowledge, please feel free to call or text me at 813-501-5498, or email me at pm@yourmainagent.com.
Philippa Main
Future Home Realty
813.317.5556 PM@YourMainAgent.com www.yourmainagent.com
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