We all know that cleaning can eat up the majority of our time. It is the reason why sometimes moms designate a day for general cleaning or tidying the entire household. Not my idea of fun!
Organizing your home is extra challenging if you have kids at home as it seems like the tasks are endless. And, not only that but if you are like most moms you want that the cleaning materials you use are eco-friendly or derived from all-natural products.
Cleaning your place should not take your entire day. In fact, my moms that have done Clear The Clutter manage to keep the cleaning down to only 15 to 20 minutes a day, tops. To guide you, here are some simple cleaning hacks that you can make use of:
1. Chalks for Grease Stains
Are you worried about your clothes in the laundry having a spot of grease? Bleach is not the answer, chalk is. White chalk can be used to eliminate the grease stains on any of your cloth material. Just cover the said material with white chalk and wipe it with a damp cloth after.
2. Shoe Polish Can Also Be Used for Leather Furniture
Shoe polish has more uses than just polishing shoes. You can also utilize it to polish your old leather furniture instead of throwing it or replacing with a new one. Spray some shoe polish and rub it in it with a dry cloth, better still, get the kids on the job!
3. Use Vinegar for Your Pans
Vinegar is an eco-friendly ingredient that has the power to clean your pans. You do not need to buy expensive and hazardous chemicals to turn your pots into a brand-new like.
You may opt to simmer a cup of water, vinegar, and some baking soda to wash away the burns on your pans. (if you are like me and tend to burn the pan!) You will immediately notice that the grease and other stains are starting to disappear. (ask me how I know!)
4. Lemon Juice as an All-Purpose Cleaner
You may find different cleaners in the supermarket; however, most are not safe for your little ones. If you want to have an all-purpose cleaner with a minimal price and eco-friendly, lemon juice is one of the best solutions.
The combination of lemon juice, water, vinegar, and some essential oils can be a useful cleaning hack that is deemed harmless to your children. The great thing about this is that you can get them helping around the home without worrying about the chemicals.
5. Baking Soda Can Work for Your Sink
If you are having problems with some water and oily stains on your sink, baking soda is an effective replacement for hazardous scrub paste. Mix the ingredient with water, pour it on your sink. Start scrubbing the parts you wish to clean.
True a bit of elbow grease is also needed but just think of those extra calories you are burning!
True a bit of elbow grease is also needed but just think of those extra calories you are burning!
Baking soda can also remove the grease stain on your carpet. Just apply a slight amount on the affected area, let it sit for around 15 minutes and proceed to vacuum it.
6. Sea Salt Can Shine
Sea salt mixed with water can give your coffee pot a new feel. If your appliance has some stains due to its age, utilize sea salt with water and swirl it around the pot. You will notice that persistent stains will be gone in an instant. Rinse well before making your new brew.
7. Onion Can Do Wonders
Most of us have problems with our grills as it turns to be dirty and stained after its use. The charcoal and the ashes could even affect the quality of the grill. You do not need to put your child or the family into risk by using nasty chemical cleaners. You can use onion as a cleaning hack to clean the grill bars and add a sweet flavour. Cut the onion in half and rub up and down to remove that sticky after BBQ mess.
8. Oil is Not That All a Culprit
We may view oil as one of the ingredients that can cause problems with our kitchen. It leaves the cooking area all greasy and messy. Thus, wiping it with a wet cloth cannot really do the trick.
If you are struggling with this type of problem in your kitchen, oil is also a solution. Put a drop of olive oil on your paper towel and wipe off the area you wish to be grease-free. Sounds weird but my mom swears by this!
The other problem if you have a small kitchen is keeping everything clean and organized, these tips and tricks will help if you do have a small kitchen (or a badly organized big one!)
9. Use Alka-Seltzer Tablets for Your Sink
Hiring a plumber could be costly on your part. If you have tried plunging your sink and still it does not improve, try using Alka-Seltzer mixed with one cup of vinegar before reaching for the plumber phone number.
10.Vodka Can Deodorize
Vodka is not only for drinking and happy hour. You can also use it as a deodorizer for clothes. Simply transfer the vodka to a spray bottle and start spraying on the area that smells. It removes the smell while it dries up. This also has the added benefit of being able to have a drink whilst ‘on the job’. I just need to find a reason to crack open the gin next! If you need more laundry hacks to make your life easier, check these out.
You do not have to purchase expensive cleaning tools and ingredients to keep the house clean. Many of the ingredients can be found in your pantry already!