Wondering how to make the house sparkle by using everyday items from your own kitchen? Then it’s time to get to grips with a few cleaning hacks. While products designed for cleaning jobs are made to be effective, sometimes you don’t have them when you need them. Also, what if the shops are closed and you want to clean right there and then?
The good news is that there are probably things in your house you can use for cleaning when there’s no other option. Moreover, these everyday household items will get the job done. Yes, cleaning products are generally more effective, but you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish without them. Let’s dive into the best DIY cleaning hacks using everyday household items.
1. Baking soda – an excellent odor absorber
If you ever get into a conversation about baking soda, you’ll realize in no time that the conversation isn’t simply about baking. That’s because people use this versatile powder for all kinds of things, not just baking cakes! So how can it help you with your cleaning?
Fridge freshener: Leave an open box of baking soda in your fridge, and you’ll notice that it removes odors. This is a great little hack that people have been using for years. Unwanted smells should start to fade away after a couple of days. Just be sure to change the baking soda after three months.
Carpet cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet, then leave it to sit there for at least fifteen minutes. Finally, get your vacuum cleaner and hoover it up. This helps to remove any bad smells from the carpet.
Bathroom scrub: If you mix baking soda with a little water, it will start turning into a paste. You can then use this paste to clean bathtubs, sinks, and tiles. You’ll find it’s quite a soft and gentle paste, but it does a pretty good job.
2. Vinegar – a multipurpose miracle
That’s right! Vinegar is not simply something you put on food. You can also put it on surfaces in your house to help you with the chores. Wondering how?
Glass cleaner: Mix half water and half vinegar inside an empty spray bottle. Then spray it on windows and mirrors and wipe it with a cloth. You’ll be surprised at how much it helps those surfaces sparkle and shine.
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Showerhead descaler: Pour some vinegar into a plastic bag, then wrap the bag around the showerhead, fastening it with a rubber hand. Leave it there overnight, and the next morning, remove it, give the showerhead a little rinse of water, and the limescale should be gone.
Microwave cleaner: Pour a water and vinegar mixture into a bowl, then heat it in the microwave for five minutes. What this does is soften any of the food stains or grime stuck to the insides of the microwave so that it becomes easy to wipe clean.
3. Lemon – a natural disinfectant
Great for cooking, ideal for adding to cold drinks, perfect for squeezing over fish, but what else can lemons do for you? With their acidity and pleasant scent, they make for a very good cleaning agent. Here’s how:
Garbage disposal freshener: Cut a lemon up into small pieces and run them through your garbage disposal. This will help to get rid of odors and leave the kitchen smelling fresh.
Stainless steel polisher: When cleaning any steel appliances in the house, you can rub a cut lemon over the surface and then wipe it with a cloth. Just like that, you’ll be saying goodbye to stains and water spots and hello to sparkle and shine!
Cutting board cleaner: The cutting board is one of those things that inevitably gets messy and sometimes stained. Use a combination of salt, lemon juice, and warm water to scrub the cutting board’s surface before giving it a rinse under the faucet, and it should look as good as new.
4. Salt – an abrasive cleaner
With its abrasive nature, salt is a wonderful little helper around the house when it comes to getting rid of tough stains or grime without causing any damage to surfaces.
Cast iron pan cleaner: After cooking a meal, sprinkle some salt onto your cast iron pan before scrubbing it with a sponge. Then rinse it with water, and don’t forget to wipe it dry with a towel to prevent it from getting rusty.
Oven spill remover: Food often spills in the oven, leaving behind stains that dry and become hard to remove. If you sprinkle salt on any of these spills while they’re still warm, and then wait for them to cool down, the salt will make them easier to scrub off.
Sink scrub: Mix salt and baking soda together, then use it to scrub your sink clean. This combo will help to remove any stains and freshen up the sink.
5. El Milagrito’s Degreaser: The Heavy-Duty Solution
Sure, you can use the everyday items we mentioned for several tasks, but sometimes you need something stronger. That’s why having a degreaser in your house is important. It’s undoubtedly the best tackler of tough grease and grime.
Kitchen cleaner: Spray some degreaser onto stovetops, oven doors, and range hoods. It will cut right through all that grease that’s been building up over time. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away, and your kitchen will look as good as new.
Outdoor grills: After a barbecue, you’ll find plenty of grease on those grill gates, but all it takes to remove it is a few sprays of degreaser. Then, wait for a few minutes before giving the grill gates a good rinse, and you’ll see their shine return.
Garage and workshop: Use a degreaser to clean the tools in your garage or workshop Just give them a spray, leave them to sit for a few minutes, then finish by wiping them. It’s that simple.
So the next time you’re cleaning the house and don’t have the products you need on hand, just grab some baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and salt, and you’ll be on your way to cleanliness. For the tougher parts, like greasy surfaces, be sure to keep El Milagrito degreaser in the kitchen cupboard, ready to use when you need it.