1. The next time you’re at the supermarket, make sure to throw an extra grapefruit into your cart—not for eating, but for cleaning. According to the money-saving DIY experts at The Krazy Coupon Lady, this citrus fruit is the perfect solution for a dirty tub. Just cut the fruit open and cover it in salt. “The salt creates an abrasive texture while the citric acid in the grapefruit will help break down stains,” they explain.
2. Cleaning blinds is a thankless task that tends to take longer than anticipated. So, to make the endeavor both easier and quicker, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum.
Alternately, you can place a dryer sheet in a pair of tongs and wipe off your blinds, thus eliminating dirt and giving your home a clean scent.
3. Though they’re where we clean dishes and silverware, sinks are among the dirtiest places in the home. In fact, a 2017 study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that many sinks—even those in hospitals—are crawling with drug-resistant bacteria. Not to mention that the constant wear-and-tear we put on our sinks often means they look less-than-clean, even after they’ve been disinfected.
So, what’s the solution? After sanitizing your sink with an antibacterial cleanser, polish your faucets and tap handles with some wax paper. Not only will this remove water spots, but the wax will also help prevent future stains.
4. While many of us think of our washing machines as self-cleaning, that’s far from the case. One study published in 2007 in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that running a typical wash and rinse with detergent was not enough to remove a number of infectious viruses. The key ingredient they found that was needed to do so? Bleach. To clean things for good, run your machine on the sanitize setting with a combination of hot water and a quart of bleach. So long, funky-smelling clothes!
5. Nobody wants to load and unload two rounds of dishes in the dishwasher when they could just shove all of their dirty plates and silverware into one. However, cramming everything into one load will result in dirtier dishes in the long run. That’s according to a 2015 study published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, which found that overloaded dishwashers resulted in less effective cleanings. Better to save yourself the frustration of unloading unclean dishes and do things right the first time
6. Carpet stains are all too common, especially in households with lots of little ones. Luckily, all you need is some vinegar, some water, and a steam iron in order to eliminate any unsightly spots. Just mix vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio, apply it to the stain, and then cover the stain with a wet cloth before steaming it for 30 seconds or so. This should have your carpet looking good as new in mere minutes!
