If you’re like us, you like to get creative with your cleaning techniques. Maybe you just want to stop using products that are harmful to the environment. Maybe you just ran out of your favourite window cleaner. Regardless of your reasons, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to use in-and-around your home for cleaning.
1. Lemon is a wondrous thing.
Not only is it great for making vinaigrettes, but you can use it to clean your counters as well. Instead of a sponge or scrub brush, cut a lemon in half and use the open face to clean your counters. Add a little salt, baking soda or even borax to the surface for that extra scrub effect. The lemon will leave your counters smelling, well, lemony, and will also break down the grease with it’s natural acids. A word of caution: don’t use lemons on stone surfaces like granite or marble as the acid may damage them.
2. Blow Dry It
Cleaning chandeliers and hard-to-reach lighting fixtures can be troublesome at best. Their height makes it difficult to dust and clean them regularly. Not to mention the delicate pieces that you don’t want to break or damage while in the process. For weekly dusting, use a blow dryer (on low) to blow away the dust particles easily. Be sure to do this before you clean your dining room furniture or wash your floors as the dust has to land somewhere.
3. Use the News
Newspapers aren’t just for getting your daily fix of news. They are actually great at cleaning windows, glasses and mirrors. Instead of using a cloth or paper towel, try recycling your newspaper. Use your preferred cleaning agent and use a page of newspaper to clean the surface, and you’ll be guaranteed a streak-free result.
4. Lemony Fresh
Speaking of cleaning windows, here’s another trick. Combine four tablespoons of lemon juice (you can squeeze the lemons yourself, or buy the bottled juice), and mix it with 2 L of water to clean your windows. The natural citric acid in lemons, even in such a small quantity, will break down dirt, stains and whatever else lurks on your windows. And of course, use a page of newspaper to ensure you get a streak-free result.
5. Tackle with Tennis Balls
What’s better then going to bed and laying your head down on a soft plush pillow? Well, once you’re pillows have lost their fluff-factor, place them in the dryer with two clean tennis balls. Note: your pillows should be labelled safe for the dryer. Put a sheet of fabric softener in with the mix and let the machine run its cycle. Instead of pounding those pillows with your bare hands, let the tennis balls do the job for you.
Do you have any favourite tricks you like to use? Share them with us by leaving a comment below.
