35 Cleaning Hacks That Will Save You Time and Energy
In this post, I’m sharing 35 cleaning hacks that will save you time and energy. Many of these ideas use simple household items you probably already have, making them easy and budget-friendly.
From using a microwave to loosen stubborn grime to using baking soda to absorb odors, these simple tricks can make everyday cleaning a little easier.
If you’re like me and would rather spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your home and family, I think you’ll find some helpful ideas here.
Why I Love These Cleaning Hacks
Keeping a clean house can be time-consuming. With busy schedules and family members to care for, finding ways to spend less time cleaning becomes a priority.
That’s why I love finding simple cleaning hacks that make everyday chores easier. Many of these hacks use common household items and can help you tackle everything from pet hair and dust to stubborn stains and everyday messes.
A while back, I shared my routine as an entrepreneur and how I manage to get things done, including cleaning, laundry, and keeping my home organized. I also shared a few DIY cleaners using items from my pantry.
These simple ideas have made a huge difference in my own cleaning routine. So, let’s get started!
Here are 35 Cleaning Hacks That Save Time and Energy
1. Clean Your Microwave with Lemon and Water
My top cleaning hack involves using your microwave to make cleaning a little easier.
Place a bowl of water with a few lemon slices in the microwave and heat it for a few minutes. The steam will loosen grime and dried-on food, making it much easier to wipe the inside clean.
2. Use Baking Soda to Absorb Odors
Baking soda is one of those inexpensive household staples that has so many uses around the home.
Sprinkle baking soda on carpets before vacuuming to help neutralize odors. You can also place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb unwanted smells.
3. Make a DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
You don’t always need expensive cleaning products to keep your home clean. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle to make a simple all-purpose cleaner. It’s an inexpensive option for many everyday cleaning jobs.
Tip: Always check that vinegar is safe for the surface you’re cleaning before using it.
4. Dust with Dryer Sheets
Did you know you can use dryer sheets for dusting? Use a dryer sheet to wipe dusty surfaces around your home. It can pick up dust while leaving behind a fresh scent.
5. Clean Cutting Boards with Lemon and Salt
For a simple way to clean and deodorize your cutting board, sprinkle it generously with salt. Cut a lemon in half and rub the lemon over the salt-covered cutting board. The combination helps loosen residue and remove lingering odors.
6. Clean Grout with an Old Toothbrush
Don’t throw away those old toothbrushes just yet! An old toothbrush makes a handy little cleaning brush for getting into those hard-to-reach areas. Use it with a baking soda and water mixture to scrub grout and help bring it back to life.
7. Use a Lint Roller on Lampshades
A lint roller isn’t just for clothing. Use one to remove dust and pet hair from lampshades quickly. It’s a simple cleaning hack that can freshen up your home without dragging out the vacuum.
8. Use Vinegar to Clean a Showerhead
Vinegar can help remove mineral deposits and hard water buildup from your showerhead. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and carefully secure it around the showerhead. Let it soak, then remove the bag and rinse the showerhead clean.
9. Use Coffee Filters to Clean Screens
Coffee filters make a handy, gentle option for cleaning computer screens and television screens.
They’re soft and lint-free, making them useful for wiping away dust and fingerprints without leaving much behind. You can also use them on other touch screens, such as tablets and smartphones.
Tip: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for your particular screen and avoid getting liquid directly on the device.
10. Deep Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar
Your dishwasher needs a good cleaning, too! Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of an empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle. This can help clean and deodorize the inside of the dishwasher.
11. Use a Rubber Squeegee for Pet Hair
If you have pets, you know how quickly pet hair can take over your furniture and carpets. A rubber squeegee can quickly remove pet hair. Run it over carpets and upholstery to gather the hair into piles that are easier to pick up.
12. Freshen Your Garbage Disposal with Lemon
Don’t throw those lemon peels away! Place lemon peels in your garbage disposal and run it briefly to help freshen things up and reduce unpleasant odors.
13. Use Alka-Seltzer for Toilet Stains
For a quick toilet-cleaning trick, drop a couple of Alka-Seltzer tablets into the toilet bowl. Let them fizz for a few minutes and then scrub the bowl to help remove stains.
14. Use Shaving Cream on Bathroom Mirrors
Want a quick way to make your bathroom mirror look fresh and clean? Apply a small amount of shaving cream to the mirror and wipe it away. This can help leave the mirror looking clean and may also help reduce fogging.
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15. Use Rubber Gloves to Pick Up Pet Hair
Put on a pair of rubber gloves and run your hands over fabric furniture to collect pet hair. The rubber helps gather the hair together, making it much easier to remove.
16. Make a DIY Air Freshener
Make a simple homemade air freshener using items you may already have in your pantry. Mix water, baking soda, and a few drops of lemon-scented essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake before using, and enjoy a fresh scent around your home.
17. Turn Old Socks into Dusting Mitts
Before throwing out an old sock, consider giving it another purpose. Slip an old sock over your hand and use it as a dusting mitt. This works especially well for blinds, shelves, and small or intricate decorative pieces.
18. Run a Dryer Sheet Along Your Baseboards
Baseboards can collect a surprising amount of dust. After cleaning them, try rubbing a dryer sheet along the baseboards. It can help repel dust and keep them looking cleaner for longer.
19. Use Dish Soap and Vinegar to Clean the Shower
Dish soap can do more than wash dishes. Mix dish soap and vinegar to help remove soap scum from shower doors and other bathroom surfaces.
Tip: Don’t use vinegar on natural stone surfaces such as marble or granite, as it can damage the finish.
20. Use Cornstarch on Carpet Stains
Cornstarch can be a simple, budget-friendly option for helping absorb moisture from carpet stains. Sprinkle cornstarch generously over the area and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then vacuum the area thoroughly. For any carpet-cleaning method, it’s always a good idea to test a small, hidden area first.
21. Keep Microfiber Cloths Handy
Microfiber cloths are one of my favorite cleaning tools because they work on so many different surfaces. Keep a few on hand for dusting, wiping counters, cleaning glass, and tackling everyday messes.
They’re reusable, which can also help save money on disposable cleaning supplies.
22. Use a Cleaning Caddy
Create a portable cleaning caddy filled with your favorite cleaning supplies.
With everything together, you can grab your caddy and move from room to room without constantly going back and forth for supplies.
This simple trick can save a surprising amount of time when you set aside time for cleaning.
23. Create a Weekly Cleaning Routine
One of the best ways to keep cleaning from becoming overwhelming is to establish a simple weekly cleaning routine. Divide chores by your family’s needs and tackle a little at a time instead of letting everything pile up.
A routine can make cleaning feel much more manageable and can free up your weekends for the things you really enjoy.
24. Take Care of Your Hardwood Floors
Keeping hardwood floors clean doesn’t have to be difficult. Use a soft-bristle broom or microfiber mop to gently collect dust and debris without scratching the wood.
Avoid stiff-bristle brooms or vacuum cleaners with beater bars that can cause unnecessary wear. For a deeper clean, use a damp microfiber mop with a hardwood floor cleaner recommended by your floor manufacturer.
Note: Always follow the care instructions for your particular hardwood floors.
25. Use a Pillowcase to Clean a Ceiling Fan
Cleaning ceiling fan blades can be messy because dust tends to fall everywhere. Here’s an easy trick: Place an old pillowcase over a fan blade and gently wipe the blade.
The dust will collect inside the pillowcase instead of falling all over your floor and furniture. Just make sure the fan is turned off before cleaning it.
26. Refresh High-Traffic Areas with Baking Soda
High-traffic areas of your home can start to develop odors over time. Sprinkle a little baking soda over carpets or rugs, let it sit for a short time, and then vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda can help neutralize odors and leave your carpets feeling fresher.
27. Blot Spills with Paper Towels
When a spill happens, don’t wait!
Blot spills with paper towels as soon as possible. Absorbent paper towels help soak up liquid before it settles into the carpet or fabric. Remember to blot, not rub, especially on carpets and upholstery.
28. Make the Most of Your Vacuum Attachments
Your vacuum cleaner attachments are there for a reason! Use the different attachments to clean corners, crevices, upholstery, baseboards, and other hard-to-reach areas.
Taking a few extra minutes to use the right attachment can make your vacuuming much more effective.
29. Freshen Your Washing Machine
Your washing machine needs cleaning just like everything else in your home. Running an empty cycle with white vinegar can help reduce odors caused by detergent residue and buildup.
For the best results, always check your washing machine manufacturer’s instructions before using vinegar or other cleaning products.
30. Use Damp Rubber Gloves for Pet Hair
Here’s another simple pet-hair trick that works especially well on fabric surfaces. Put on rubber gloves and dampen them slightly. Run your hands over furniture and other fabric surfaces to gather pet hair into easy-to-remove clumps.
31. Cover Food in the Microwave
One of the easiest cleaning hacks is to prevent the mess in the first place. Cover food with a microwave-safe cover or paper towel before heating it.
This helps prevent splatters and keeps food from getting all over the inside of your microwave. A little prevention can save you a lot of scrubbing later!
32. Freshen Your Vacuum Cleaner
Want your home to smell fresh while you’re vacuuming? Add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in the vacuum cleaner bag or canister, following your vacuum manufacturer’s recommendations.
As you vacuum, the scent can help freshen the air around your home.
33. Use a Magic Eraser on Scuff Marks
A Magic Eraser can be a handy tool for tackling scuff marks and stains on walls. It’s especially useful in high-traffic areas where walls tend to get marked up.
You can also use it for quick cleanups around the stove.
Tip: Always test a small, inconspicuous area first, as Magic Erasers can remove or dull some finishes and painted surfaces.
34. Clean the Rubber Seal on Your Washing Machine
If you have a front-loading washing machine, don’t forget about the rubber door seal. Clean the seal regularly to remove dirt, residue, and buildup that can contribute to mold and mildew.
A mixture of baking soda and water can help clean the seal. Be sure to wipe it thoroughly afterward and follow your washing machine manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
35. Use Rubber Gloves for Dusting
Rubber gloves can also make a handy dusting tool.
Put on rubber gloves and slightly dampen your fingers. Run your gloved fingers over surfaces such as lampshades and blinds. The rubber grabs onto dust, making it easier to remove.
Bonus Tip: Simplify Your Cleaning Routine with a Free Cleaning Schedule
If you want to make cleaning even easier, create a cleaning schedule that fits your lifestyle. A simple cleaning routine can help you stay on top of everyday chores without allowing them to become overwhelming.
You can divide your cleaning tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly chores so you always know what needs doing. I’ve also put together a free cleaning schedule download that you can customize to fit your home and your routine.
Having a plan in place can make cleaning feel much more manageable and can help you reclaim some of your time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Cleaning doesn’t have to take over your entire day. With a few simple cleaning hacks and a little planning, you can make your cleaning routine more manageable and save both time and energy.
Many of these tricks use everyday items you probably already have around your home, so you don’t need to spend a fortune on specialty cleaning products.
Whether you’re tackling pet hair, dust, odors, stains, or everyday messes, I hope you’ve found a few ideas here that will make keeping your home clean a little easier.
After all, the goal isn’t to spend all of our time cleaning. It’s to create a home that feels comfortable, welcoming, and cared for, and still have plenty of time to enjoy it.