20 Spring Cleaning Hacks to Simplify Your Life

Spring has arrived – which means it’s time to get your home in shipshape. Check out the creative spring cleaning tips and tricks below to make your house sparkle with the least amount of elbow grease.

1. Remove water stains with lemon halves.

Make faucets sparkly clean by rubbing a lemon half on the stains. The citric acid helps remove hard water marks.

2. Organize your fridge and cabinets with rotating turntables.

Rotating turntables and Lazy Susans don’t have to be limited to your tabletops. After discarding old condiments and spices, organize your pantries and refrigerator with this useful storage hack.

3. Use coffee filters to clean screens.

Does your TV screen or computer monitor show fingerprints, smudges and dust? The fiber in coffee filters may be gentle enough to rub them away.

4. Clean dirty keyboards with cotton swabs.

Cotton swabs can clean more than just your ears. Use them to sweep the dust and grime lodged between the keys on your computer keyboard.

5. Cover your showerhead with a plastic bag containing white vinegar to remove buildup.

Mineral deposits accumulate in showerheads over time, causing reduced pressure and water flow. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band and leave it overnight to get rid of buildup.

6. Use a butter knife to clean air vents.

Don’t let that dust build up for another minute. Use a butter knife for easy access. Simply wrap the knife in a rag and wipe between the crevices of the vent.

7. Unpack and stack your spring/summer clothes vertically.

Are your dresser drawers a mess? Instead of putting away folded clothes flat, stack them vertically for easy access.

8. Use cream of tartar to clean toasters and tea kettles.

Combine 1 tsp of cream of tartar with just enough water to create a milky paste. Rub the solution onto your stainless steel appliances and wipe away to reveal their original shine.

9. Clean stainless steel sinks with baking soda.

Simply wet your sink and faucet, sprinkle baking soda, and scrub with a sponge. If you need more heavy-duty scrubbing power, add salt to the baking soda.

10. Wrap a towel over a broom to clean hard-to-reach places.

Cobwebs and dust can collect in room corners and on ceiling fans. Brush them away by securing a towel over the bristle end of a broom with a large rubber band. The dust and cobwebs stick to the cloth.

11. Use a window squeegee to scrape pet hair from your carpet or rug.

12. Use Velcro strips to keep drawer organizers in place.

Attach the grippy strips to one end of your drawer and the other to your drawer organizers. This keeps them in place, but lets you remove the organizer when needed.

13. Know your couch or rug before cleaning it.

Don’t ruin your upholstered furniture by using the wrong cleaner. Not all manufacturer labels state what type of solvent to use. Familiarize yourself with the cleaning codes below.

Upholstery Cleaning Labels:
W: Use water-based cleaning solutions.
S: Use dry-cleaning solvents. Do not saturate. Do not use water.
S-W: Use water-based cleaners or dry-cleaning solvents.
X: Use a vacuum or brush only.

14. Clean your grill with an onion.

Get your grill cleaned up and ready for the warm weather. First, heat it up and spray some white vinegar onto the grates to help loosen the residue. Then, scrub the area firmly using half an onion. The acid from the onion will rid your grill of any leftover remnants.

15. Use newspaper to clean dirty windows and mirrors.

Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the glass and scrub with newspaper for a streak-free window or mirror. The ink acts as a mild abrasive and allows you to make use of old newspapers.

16. Place clean towels under furniture to avoid scratching hardwood and tile floors.

Looking to freshen up your home by rearranging furniture? Slide things around easily without damaging floors by placing folded, clean towels under each end of the furniture.

17. Soak a dryer sheet in water and place on your ceramic stovetop to remove gunk.

Dryer sheets are non-abrasive and a great way to remove burnt-on food from your stove. Place the wet dryer sheet on your stovetop at least 15 minutes before rubbing the gunk away.

18. Use a dustpan to help fill a large mop bucket.

Not all mop buckets fit in bathtubs. If yours is too large, try using a dustpan as a spout by placing it flat on your sink to transfer water to the bucket. This handy hack is also helpful for other large containers you want to fill.

19. Clean your microwave by heating lemon juice and rinds in water.

Cut a lemon into halves, squeeze the juice into 1/2 cup of water and drop the rinds into the mixture. Microwave for 3 minutes and let it stand for 5 without opening the door. The trapped steam will loosen the grime, so you can wipe the microwave clean.

20. Recycle old socks to use as dusting mitts.

Eager to try these hacks? Here’s a spring cleaning plan with more tips to help get you started.