They say you shouldn’t believe everything you read online, but sometimes the internet actually delivers the goods. Here are five cleaning hacks that work and are worth your time.
Using WD40 To Fingerprint-Proof Your Stainless Steel
Stainless steel appliances are notorious for being prone to smudges and fingerprints. The natural oils produced by your skin adhere to the surface and eventually dulls the shine. WD40 can combat this problem.
WD40 contains a solvent, which acts as a great degreaser and breaks down oil buildup. It’s not only good at removing fingerprints from stainless steel but also works to prevent them. Spray surfaces with a light coating of WD40, then wipe them off in the direction of the steel grain. Use a soft cloth to avoid streaking and leave surfaces sparkling. It should remain smudge-proof for about two weeks!
DIY Custom-Cut Sponge For Window Tracks
It’s very frustrating to see a dirty spot but not have the ability to get it as clean as you want. Window tracks are notoriously frustrating areas to clean. This hack uses an easy, custom-cut sponge technique that easily solves the issue.
Take a basic kitchen sponge, place it on the window track and mark with a marker where each raised part of the track is. Cut slits into the sponge with a box cutter, and voila! If your tracks are especially dirty, make two sponges so you can run a damp and then dry sponge over the area for a thorough clean.
Salt, Vinegar, And Ice To Clean Your Kettle
Over time, your tea kettle will accumulate mineral deposits in the form of a hard, white, cloudy film coating. Although harmless, the mineral deposits aren’t very pretty to look at and can even impact the taste of your water. Fortunately, the fix is pretty simple.
To make this two-ingredient hack simply combine about 1-2 cups of ice with one cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of iodized salt, then let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. If you have a lot of caked-on minerals and limescale, waiting longer will help soften the film.
Using Ice Cubes To De-Stink A Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is a breeding ground for mildew, old food, and dishwashing scum. Even though it’s out of sight, your disposal should get a thorough cleaning about once a week. There are many hacks out there, but not all deliver.
One that does, however, is super simple: just stuff your disposal with ice, let it run for about 10 seconds, then turn on the hot water until the ice is all dissolved. The combination of a lot of ice and hot water while running your garbage disposal will clean stuck-on food and grime from the drain, taking the smell with it. You can even add lemon peels to the ice cubes, as lemon is a natural odor fighter and will leave your sink smelling fresh.
Laundry Stripping
Laundry stripping is a deep-cleaning technique that helps remove remaining residue from clothes, towels, and bedsheets. Essentially, laundry stripping is supposed to get rid of any leftover detergent, fabric softener, minerals from hard water, and natural body oils that have been collected on textiles over time.
Fill your bathtub, sink, or large bucket with hot water. Add borax, washing soda, and laundry detergent in a 1:1:2 ratio and mix well, then submerge your clothes. Let them soak until the water has cooled, stirring about once an hour to release the buildup on the fabric. After, drain the water and then throw your garments through a rinse-only cycle in your washing machine. Finish with a light tumble dry without dryer sheets.
Give these cleaning hacks a shot, you’ll be happy that you did!
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