Spring cleaning is upon us. If you’re not ready to commit several days to the task of sprucing up, take a few of these shortcuts to make quick work of some chores.
Give Your Microwave a Steam Bath
Splashes and splatters in the microwave can become baked onto the internal surface, making cleaning this household equipment labor-consuming. Make it simpler for yourself by first heating a cup of water in the microwave. This will generate a tiny steam bath, softening stuck-on food and allowing for easier clean-up.
Vacuum Window Treatments
If your drapes and curtains aren’t visibly soiled, you can vacuum them instead of taking them down to launder. If you use the upholstery attachment to remove the dust, you’ll be able to go longer between full launderings.
Invest in a Microfiber Mop
Using a microfiber mop with a long handle, you may quickly dust the walls and ceilings. It eliminates the need for a step ladder while also reducing strain and effort.
Put Your Shower Curtain in the Washing Machine
No more scrubbing down a mildewy shower curtain liner with bleach. Save yourself the effort by simply throwing it in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. Add in a few towels, and it will come out free of soap scum and mold, with almost no effort from you.
Dust the Ceiling Fan with a Pillowcase
Cleaning the blades of a ceiling fan is a yucky job, but it has to be done. Do it fast, and keep the dust and grime controlled by using a pillowcase as the cleaning rag and the dust bin at once. Slide the case over each blade in turn. When you pull it back, all the dust and debris will fall into the pillowcase, instead of on the floor.
Vacuum Blinds and Pleated Shades
The tedious work of cleaning dusty blinds and pleated shades cuts into time that could be spent on other chores. Instead of cleaning them by hand, save on time by employing the long bristle attachment on your vacuum to suck up dust and dirt quickly.
Drop Denture Tablets in the Toilet
For deep anti-bacterial cleaning that requires absolutely no elbow grease, drop a couple of denture tablets into the toilet bowl and walk away. Come back in about 5 minutes and flush before moving on.
Clean the Dishwasher with Vinegar
Don’t laugh: even your dishwasher needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Soap residue, food scraps, and buildup can all clog your appliance over time, reducing its performance. You may restore its cleaning power by giving it a good wash—but don’t make a big deal out of it. Put a dishwasher-safe cup of vinegar on the top rack and wash it on the hottest water setting. Your dishwasher will be spotless when you return.
Give Your Oven Racks a Bath
Soaking baking dishes is a great way to remove grease and grime without lifting a finger. The same goes for your oven racks. Give them an overnight soak in the bathtub, after first laying a towel down to protect your enamel from scratches. Lay your oven racks on top, fill the tub with the hottest water you can, and swish in some laundry detergent. Call it a night, and then go to bed. When you wake up, the grease will have dissolved, and all you need to do is rinse and dry.
Run Your Shower Head Through the Dishwasher
Showerheads that have collected a nasty assortment of mineral deposits and mildew should be cleaned, both for freshness and function. If yours is detachable, run it through the dishwasher in the top rack. Same goes for drain plugs that have gotten gunky. Just be sure to remove any hair that might be tangled in them first.
Apply Canned Air to Your Keyboard
The computer keyboard might not be the first thing you think to spring clean, but it really does need it—and probably more than once a year. Rather than breaking out a toothbrush to clean between keys, get a can of compressed air, and blow out the dust and dirt. It’ll take about 30 seconds, and you’ll be amazed by how many crumbs fly out.
