The house is a large mash up of things to be cleaned. It’s a place where we combine elements for use and decor and it all amasses dust and dirt.
This thought does not have to intimidate you. There are ways to clean and wash different things in your home. When you use correct methods at the right time, it becomes easy.
Don’t force the wrong method and avoid allowing dirt to pile up in or on anything. Here are 14 things in the home and how to clean and wash them.
Upholstery
Cleaning upholstery, for some people it can be a tedious task at times. For others it’s as easy as unrolling some duct tape. That’s right. Duct tape!
The stickiness of duct tape makes it perfect for a makeshift lint and hair remover; things that are commonly found trapped in upholstery.
Wrap a paint roller cover with duct tape, sticky side out. Roll the paint cover over furniture to pick up lint and hair. Replace the tape as the surface gets full.
If you don’t have a paint roller then a sponge or folded piece of cloth wrapped with duct tape can be a great substitute, especially for getting into corners.
Blender
Some people see the blender as a hard-to-clean appliance. This is understandable when looking at the blender as a whole.
However, separating the blender and cleaning its individual pieces can be quite simple.
The blender is easiest to clean right after use so as soon as you’re finished you can pour some water in with dish soap and blend on the lowest setting for about a minute.
Then, unplug the blender, pour out the mixture and begin to disassemble it. From here you can use a sponge and scrub each piece for a deep clean.
Once completed, rinse each piece and reassemble the blender.
Hats
Hats can look dried out and dull quite easily after a good washing. You can avoid this by using a mixture of Murphy’s Oil Soap and borax to wash them.
Murphy’s is oil based and will help to give some sheen, while the borax will help will cleansing and removal of grime and grease.
Washing machine
The washing machine was built to clean our clothes and with no surprise, itself. Simply pour in some baking soda and vinegar as you fill the drum with water.
Baking soda and vinegar are great cleaning agents; the formula is especially tough on scum. Close the lid and let the cycle run for about a minute.
As the substances mix throughout the machine they will react with each other to lift any residue and clean the inside of your machine.
After a minute, lift the lid to pause the cycle and let the mixture soak for about an hour.
Some washing machines will lock the lid once the cycle starts so push the stop or pause button to unlock and open the lid.
Dip a toothbrush, stiff-bristled cleaning brush or a sponge with a scrubbing side in the water and scrub the walls of the machine drum, focusing on areas that have any buildup.
If there are any removable parts, place in the water and let them soak for 15 mins before scrubbing them.
Once you’re finished, close the lid and let the cycle resume until completion and the drum is drained of all the water. Finally, use a damp rag to wipe the top and sides of the machine.
Stove Fixtures and Parts
The stove is one of the most used appliances in the kitchen and as such it requires its fair share of care.
It’s always best to give your stove a regular cleaning to prevent any buildups that could prove troublesome in the future. Before you begin, ensure the stove is completely cool.
Remove racks, burners, handles and knobs from the stove. If necessary, refer to your appliance manual for proper removal of the parts.
Place all the removable parts in a heavy-duty garbage bag and add 1 cup of ammonia or stove cleaner to the bag.
Ensure you’re wearing eye protection and the space is well ventilated. Seal the bag and store in a cool place away from direct sunlight for about 5 hours (you can do this overnight).
The fumes will clean the grease and gunk off the parts in the bag but this takes time. This process will also make the scrubbing process easier and will give you some free time to do other things.
Once you’re ready to remove the parts from the bag, ensure you’re wearing eye protection. Remove the parts and place in a bucket with warm, soapy water.
Use a scouring pad or sponge to wipe down each piece then rinse in hot water. Properly dispose of the ammonia by pouring in the toilet and flushing with plenty of water.
Dispose of the garbage bag. Carefully reassemble the stove after each part has fully dried.
Sponges
Sponges are so handy. They’re the perfect tool when cleaning just about anything in the home but what about cleaning them?
Think about it – just how much bacteria do you think your sponge comes in contact with when cleaning?
Dishes, sinks, countertops even in your bathroom so why wouldn’t they need their own spa day every now and then? To be more precise, any porous cleaning material will easily trap bacteria.
Some ways to prevent this are:
Disinfect your sponges at least once a week by soaking them in white vinegar for a few hours. You can also toss your sponge in the dishwasher on your next load.
Another simple solution is to switch out your sponges with microfibre cloths. These don’t trap as much bacteria as sponges do and are just as effective when cleaning.
Coffee Maker
Experts say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what is breakfast without a steaming cup of coffee. Can we really say we’ve started our day if we haven’t had a cup?
Not me. Now if coffee means so much to our morning rituals the least we can do is ensure our coffee makers are kept clean and ready to make the next batch.
Add white vinegar and water in your coffee maker and let it run on its hottest setting. Repeat this step a few times using only water to remove any remaining vinegar in the pot.
Place the coffee filter basket in your dishwasher to run on the hottest cycle. You can also let it soak in hot water and vinegar solution before washing.
Toilet
Make an environmentally friendly toilet cleaner by mixing vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle. Always start with the bowl.
It has the most bacteria so it requires more time to clean. Pour toilet bowl cleaner in the bowl and use toilet brush to thoroughly scrub the bowl.
Carefully scrub all around the bowl and underneath the rim. Let the cleaner sit in the toilet for 5 minutes while cleaning other sections of the toilet the flush away.
Use disinfecting wipes to wipe away scum or debris then spray the surface with a bathroom cleaner. You can start from the base of the toilet up to the lid.
Spray underneath and the sides of the toilet. Be sure to spray small areas such as between the toilet seat and tank. Also spray both the exterior and interior sides of the lid.
Spray both sides of the seat as well. While you’re allowing the disinfectant to do its job, tackle the tough spots such as the flush handle which is known to carry more germs than the seat itself.
After 10 minutes, use a clean paper towel to wipe every surface of the toilet to wipe away the disinfectant.
Sneakers
Sneakers will hold on to both dirt and bad odors from sweat. Dirt tends to get into the crevices and causes the shoe to fall apart.
It’s important to clean these often to avoid odors and dirt. Fill a large enough container with water and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Murphy’s oil soap or Dawn dish soap.
Scrub the soles and laces separately, then scrub the base of the shoe, Once you’re done, rinse the shoes under running water until the water runs clear.
Tile Floors
For floor cleaning, you will need a microfiber mop or vacuum and an oil soap of choice. First prepare a mixture of oil soap, water and baking soda.
You can add this to a bucket if you’re using a dipping mop or spray bottle if you’re using a microfiber mop. This mixture can also be used as a vacuum solution.
Spray the floor or dip the mop and wring it out. Get to wiping in one direction to remove dirt and anything stuck on.
For a dipping mop, you will need to wipe the floor with fresh water to remove soapy/cloudy residue and a dry mop to shine. With a microfiber mop, just wipe, flip it and wipe again to shine.
Clothes
If we don’t pay attention, clothes can pile up and be daunting to deal with. To wash your clothes quickly, just begin to separate them by color and material.
Separate whites, light colors and dark colors, then silks, cotton, wool and jeans/denim. Place these in the washer, tailoring the cycle to match the material and color of the clothes.
You can find specifications on the tags of some clothes. Let the washer run a full cycle, then place them in the dryer and allow them to dry.
Some clothes need to be air dried, so ensure that you’re following the wash instructions on the tag.
Refrigerator
Create a mixture of baking soda and water by mixing 1 cup of baking soda to 4 cups of water. Remove all the drawers and shelves from the refrigerator and wipe them down individually, rinse these under running water and set them to dry.
Then, use the mixture to wipe down the interior of the fridge, paying attention to any spots or stuck on food. The next step is to go into the freezer.
Sprinkle salt on any ice that may be difficult to remove to melt it away. Soak up the excess water with a sponge and get to wiping with the baking soda solution.
Once you’re done, replace all the shelves and drawers.
Wood Cabinets
Cleaning wood cabinets can be easy to clean and it’s important to use cleaning solutions that will protect the wood.
Just mix 1 teaspoon of Murphy’s oil soap with 2 cups of warm water and wipe down the wood cabinets with a soft cloth. This will lift any dirt and residue while keeping the wood conditioned and protected.
This is a simple cleaning method that can be done at any time. Use oil soap and water to clean the wood all over the house.
Glass Tables
Mix 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Give the glass table a spray and wipe it clean with a little elbow grease.
Keep wiping in circular motions until it’s clean and smudge free. Then wipe off the soapy residue with fresh water and a microfiber cloth. Now it’s time to shine.
Crumple up a piece of news paper and begin rubbing the surface of the table in circular motions. Continue to wipe until the smudges disappear.
Closet
I love a clean closet as much as the next person but it can be a bit much. So take it step by step, remove all the shoes and give them a wipe, then go in and remove all the unwanted items that may have ended up in the closet throughout the week.
Next, give the shelves a dusting, removing all the dirt and possibly dander. Lastly, give the entire floor area a sweep and mop/vacuum.
Once you’re done, replace all the shoes and items you plan to keep.
How To Clean And Wash Different Things In Your Home
Fourteen great ways to clean different stuff in your home that you never thought of.
Instructions
Upholstery
Blender
Washing machine
Stove Fixtures and Parts
Sponges
Coffee Maker
Toilet
Sneakers
Tile Floors
Clothes
Refrigerator
Wood Cabinets
Glass Tables
Closet
Cleaning items around the house can be simple and inexpensive. Just keep some key items handy for reuse on different things.
Try these methods on items in your home and leave a comment below telling us your thoughts and outcomes. These hacks are ideal for deep cleaning days and says that cleaning needs to be as simple as possible.
