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14 Simple Tricks to Streamline Your Cleaning Routine

14 Simple Tricks to Streamline Your Cleaning Routine

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Some people think of cleaning as an exhausting, never-ending chore, while others view it as a therapeutic task. Whichever train of thought you subscribe to, cleaning doesn’t have to be a daunting task. The best way to clean is to find the most painless strategies to make the process at least a little smoother.

You can tackle even the toughest messes quickly and effectively with a few clever hacks. Whether you’re dealing with glitter spills, stubborn carpet stains, or dusty corners, these tricks will help you keep your home squeaky clean with minimal effort.

How do you make your house shinier with effective effort? Here are a few hacks to make your reset day easy and fun.

1. Playdough for Glitter

Colorful Play dough
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Glitter may be fun for arts and crafts, but cleaning can be a nightmare once it gets everywhere. Instead of sweeping or vacuuming endlessly, try using playdough. Simply press a ball of play dough over the glitter-covered area and watch as it picks up every tiny speck. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly effective.

This hack ensures that you get all the glitter without scratching delicate surfaces. It’s also a great way to repurpose an old toy that your kids no longer use. Your floors and tables will thank you.

2. Vodka for Carpet Stains

Woman cleaning carpet at home, closeup
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

If you have a stubborn carpet stain that won’t budge, vodka may be your savior. This household staple is surprisingly effective at lifting stains out of carpets. Pour a little vodka onto the stain, and blot it with a clean cloth. The alcohol in the vodka helps break down the stain, making it easier to remove.

After blotting, rinse the area with water and blot dry. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the stain disappears. Plus, vodka is colorless and evaporates quickly, so there’s no need to worry about it leaving behind any residue or smell.

3. Lint Roller for Dust and Crumbs



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Woman removing hair from beige sofa, closeup
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Lint rollers aren’t just for clothes—they’re fantastic for picking up dust and crumbs from various surfaces around your home. Roll it over your furniture, lampshades, and other hard-to-reach spots to collect dust and debris that a regular cloth might miss.

This hack is not only efficient but also incredibly satisfying. Keep one in your cleaning kit for a quick and easy way to maintain a spotless home. It’s especially handy for cleaning fabric surfaces and tight corners.

4. Steam Cleaning the Microwave

Housewife cleaning microwave oven using lemon
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Cleaning a microwave isn’t fun. However, steam can make it a breeze. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add a few slices of lemon or a splash of vinegar. Microwave on high for about five minutes until it steams up the interior. The steam will loosen any dried-on food and grime, making it easy to wipe away with a cloth.

This method cleans and deodorizes your microwave, leaving it smelling fresh. No more scrubbing for hours—just a quick steam and wipe, and your microwave is sparkling clean.

5. Coffee Filters for Cleaning Window Panes

Coffee filters
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Try using coffee filters instead of paper towels if you want streak-free windows. Coffee filters are lint-free and have just the right amount of abrasiveness to clean windows without scratching. Simply spray your window cleaner on the glass and wipe with a coffee filter for a crystal-clear finish.

This simple hack ensures that your windows are spotless without leaving any fibers or streaks behind. Coffee filters are also inexpensive and readily available, making them a cost-effective option for window cleaning. Say goodbye to streaks and hello to gleaming windows.

6. Baking Soda for Grout Lines

_Baking Soda used for Cleaning Grout lines.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Grout lines can get grimy quickly, making your tiled areas look dirty. To combat this, sprinkle baking soda over the grout lines and spray a mixture of half water and half vinegar onto it. Allow it to sit and fizz for about 15 minutes. This reaction helps to break down dirt and stains lodged in the grout.

Use an old toothbrush or grout brush to scrub the grout lines thoroughly. You’ll notice that the grime comes off much more easily. Rinse with warm water and wipe down the area with a clean cloth. Your grout lines will be noticeably cleaner, making your tiles look as good as new.

7. Old Socks for Dusting

Woman cleaning old table surface
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Repurpose mismatched or worn-out socks as dusting gloves. Simply slide a sock onto your hand and use it to wipe surfaces such as blinds, baseboards, and even house plants. The sock’s texture is great for catching dust and particles, leaving surfaces clean and dust-free.

After dusting, you can easily wash the sock and use it again for your next cleaning session.

8. Dryer Sheets for Baseboards

Woman wiping the table
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Dryer sheets aren’t just for laundry—they also work wonders for cleaning baseboards. Their antistatic properties help repel dust and dirt, keeping your baseboards cleaner for longer. Simply run an unused or used dryer sheet along the baseboards to remove dust and grime.

Dryer sheets are soft enough to avoid scratching painted surfaces, making them ideal for this purpose. Keep a few dryer sheets in your cleaning kit for easy maintenance.

9. Tea Bags for Cleaning Wooden Floors

Woman's hand cleaning the floor with a tea bag solution on a floor cloth
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Tannins in black tea bags can add a beautiful shine to wooden floors. Steep a few tea bags in boiling water for about ten minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the solution cool. Dip a soft cloth into the tea, wring out the excess, and wipe down your wooden floors.

The tea helps lift dirt while adding a natural shine to the wood without harsh chemicals. This method is not only effective but also safe for most types of wood flooring. With regular use, your wooden floors will look cleaner and more polished.

10. Rubber Gloves for Pet Hair

Woman combing a dog's coat in a rubber glove during molting.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Pet hair can be difficult to remove from furniture and carpets. Putting on a pair of rubber gloves and running your hands over the surfaces where your pet sheds can quickly lift hair. The friction between the glove and the fabric creates a static charge that attracts hair, making it easy to gather and dispose of.

This hack is quick and effective, saving you from the frustration of using vacuum attachments or lint rollers that might not pick up all the hair. Plus, you can easily wash the gloves and use them again.

11. Newspaper for Cleaning Mirrors

Old newspapers
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

This must be the oldest trick in the book. For a streak-free shine on mirrors, try using crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels. Spray your mirror with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, then wipe it down with the newspaper. The paper’s texture helps to polish the glass, leaving it spotless.

Newspaper is also lint-free, so it won’t leave behind fibers. This makes it ideal for achieving a crystal-clear reflection. Furthermore, it’s a great way to recycle old newspapers, adding a sustainable touch to your cleaning routine.

12. Rice for Cleaning Vases

Rice in vases
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Narrow-neck vases and bottles can be tough to clean because it’s hard to reach inside with a brush. Fill the vase with a bit of warm water, a drop of dish soap, and a handful of uncooked rice. Swirl the mixture around to scrub the interior surfaces.

The rice acts as an abrasive, helping to loosen grime and stains, making the vase easier to clean. Rinse thoroughly with warm water afterward.

13. Toothpaste for Scuff Marks

woman is making a big cleaning and rubbing home.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Scuff marks on walls and floors can look unsightly. A non-gel white toothpaste can help erase these marks. Apply a small amount to a cloth or sponge and gently rub the scuffed area.

The toothpaste’s mild abrasiveness helps remove the mark without damaging the surface. Once the scuff is gone, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any toothpaste residue.

14. Lemon for Hard Water Stains

Portrait of positive brunette woman cleaning kitchen with lemon juice.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Lemon juice is excellent for removing hard water stains from faucets and showerheads. Cut a lemon in half and rub it directly onto the stained area. The acidity of the lemon helps dissolve the mineral deposits that cause the stains.

Let the lemon juice sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with warm water and wiping the area clean. Not only does this method leave your fixtures sparkling, but it also adds a fresh citrus scent to your bathroom or kitchen.

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Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

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Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.

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