As summer comes to a close, the time has come to prepare your home for a new season. Before pulling out your fall decorations, set aside some time to do a deep clean of your space. Go room-by-room or tackle one small section at a time until your home feels spic-and-span. Below, we’ve gathered a few useful tips that will make the process easier, more efficient, and eco-friendly. Before you know it, your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and every other corner of your home will feel like new. Grab your rubber gloves, and let’s get started!
1. Use Tennis Balls
If you’re planning to throw your duvet in the wash to freshen it up, throw in a few tennis balls, too! They help prevent the stuffing from bunching up in the corners and ensure the comforter dries consistently throughout. You can also use tennis balls to erase unwanted scuffs from your hardwood floors. Simply rub the ball on the floor with a little baking soda, then wipe away any leftover residue with a damp cloth.
2. Vinegar Is Your Friend
Ditch expensive, brand-name cleaning products and opt for vinegar—a wonderful cleaning agent that’s less toxic than its alternatives. Use vinegar to remove hard water buildup on faucets and shower heads and restore the water pressure in your bathroom. Swap out your store-bought glass cleaner for vinegar to leave your windows and mirrors shining streak-free for weeks! If you find spots on your glassware, try soaking your dishes in white vinegar for five minutes. Then rinse by hand and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
3. Sanitize Sponges & Cleaning Cloths
Sponges and cleaning cloths are breeding grounds for bacteria, especially when used consistently. Stick your cloths and sponges in the microwave for 30 seconds to sanitize them for re-use. If you don’t have a microwave, put them in the washing machine or dishwasher. It takes a little longer to achieve the same effect, but it’s worth it! Do this once per week for optimal results.
4. Clean Crevices With Denture Tablets
The effervescent and antibacterial properties of denture tablets mimic the scrubbing and cleaning motion of a toothbrush, which removes stains in crevices your hands can’t quite reach. These tablets are the perfect cleaning solution for your teapot or coffee pot. Simply fill the pot with water, drop in a few tablets, wait for the tablets to dissolve, and then rinse with warm water.
5. Dust With Dryer Sheets
This cleaning hack is recycling at its finest. When your load of laundry is done, grab the used dryer sheets and run them along your baseboards, blinds, mirrors, and chandeliers to repel dust and make the room smell fresh. The compact fibers are anti-abrasive and perfect for wiping down delicate surfaces.
6. De-Stain & Freshen Up With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a wonder-cleaner! This super absorbent powder is a great tool for removing unwanted odors and lingering smells in your home. Simply wipe down the surface you want to de-odor, sprinkle some baking soda over it, let the solution sit for about 20 minutes, and then vacuum it up. Voila!
7. Cut Grime With Citrus & Salt
Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and grapefruit are perfect for cutting grime, removing hard water spots, and dispelling sour odors. They are not, however, a substitute for antibacterial cleaners, but can be useful in removing tough streaks and stains. Simply slice the citrus fruit in half, sprinkle salt around the area you want to clean, rub the fruit on the faucet or stainless steel, and rinse with warm water. For a fresh scent in your kitchen, run a few rinds through the garbage disposal with cold water and smell the difference!
8. Squeegee Stubborn Hair
If you have pets, long hair, or a lot of people in the house, you may find it hard to get control over the hair everyone sheds. Stubborn strands are difficult to vacuum and can get stuck in carpets, blankets, and upholstered furniture. Use a bathroom squeegee to scrape and easily lift embedded hairs with very little effort.
Here at Olson Homes, we care about the environment. We proudly implement Live Better™ features into each home we create to help you and your family positively impact the planet from the comfort of your home. Check out our website to browse our open communities and learn more about our planet-friendly features.