11 simple tricks to make your home shine like you never thought you could!
Let's be honest, excluding Mary Poppins, no one has ever enjoyed cleaning house. It is one of those tasks that many postpone until it is indispensable.
Yet you would be surprised if we told you how much energy is wasted in superfluous and time-wasting activities while cleaning the house.
That's why we have listed for you eleven "tips" to clean the house as effectively and quickly as possible, without using unnecessary energy.
1. The bathtub
There are three ways to remove stains from your bathtub. The first is with hydrogen peroxide, which is very effective against calcium streaks and lime encrustations. Sprinkle it on the surface and let it work for half an hour. Then wash everything with hot water. For the second method, you will need white vinegar and baking soda. Pour the baking soda on the calcium streaks and after a few minutes add the vinegar. Scrub gently and wash everything with hot water.
This last method is indicated for yellow stains. Mix water and citric acid and apply the solution on the stains with a sponge. Wait for half an hour and wash everything away with hot water.
2. Bathroom items
Shower curtains should be washed with a solution composed of hydrogen peroxide and normal water in equal parts and they will look like new! Even toothbrushes must be washed from time to time, to kill the germs. Leave them to soak in white vinegar for an hour, then rinse them under running water. The same applies to sponges. For them, we recommend soaking them for one hour in a solution of vinegar and hot water, in equal parts.
3. Removing limescale from the toilet
There are two ways to remove limescale from your toilet. The first involves applying a solution of citric acid, mustard powder, and cornstarch directly on the limescale streaks
The second method, which will make your toilet shine and also give it a fantastic smell, is a bit more complex. You will need:
- 1 cup (240 ml) of baking soda
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of citric acid
- half a teaspoon (3 ml)of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of hydrogen peroxide
- 15, 20 drops of your favorite essential oil
Pour the baking soda and the citric acid in a bowl. Using another bowl mix the vinegar with the hydrogen peroxide. Pour the liquid solution into the dry solution drop by drop. Add the essential oil and then compact the mixture into balls, with the help of a tablespoon. Wrap the balls in parchment paper and let dry for at least six hours. Next, throw one in the toilet. With just a couple of these "bombs", your bathroom will smell great for days!
4. Make bathroom tiles shine
For the simplest jobs, you can use a solution of one tablespoon (15 gr) of citric acid and a glass of water.
We recommend using white vinegar for the most stubborn dirt stains. With a spray bottle apply the mixture on the bathroom tiles and let it work for ten minutes, then wash everything with hot water. Finally, wipe away the stains and moisture with a microfiber cloth.
5. Clean the grouts between the tiles
To remove mold and limescale from the grouts between the bathroom tiles, you can use a simple paraffin candle. Rub those areas with the end of the candle repeatedly. Not only will it remove dirt, it will also prevent mold and limescale formation in the future.
Alternatively, you can use an old toothbrush dipped in baking soda. Then rinse everything with warm water and the bathroom floor will shine.
Or you can brush the bathroom tiles with a solution consisting of two glasses of hot water and one of hydrogen peroxide and you will not even need to rinse the tiles afterwards.
6. The washing machine
You should thoroughly clean your washing machine at least once every three months. The easiest method is to pour 4 tablespoons (60 gr) of citric acid into the detergent compartment and run an entire cycle without laundry.
Alternatively, you can clean it by hand following these instructions. You will need the following:
- 2.5 cups (500 ml) of white vinegar
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of baking soda
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of water
- 1 sponge
Put the water and baking soda in the detergent compartment, while pouring the white vinegar directly into the washing machine drum. Start a complete cycle. Once finished, clean the rubber gaskets and the door with the sponge. Leave the door open to let everything ventilate and dry.
7. Clean the oven
Here is an easy way to remove grease and soot from the oven. Preheat the oven to 302°F (150°C) and turn it off. Put a pot containing about 4 cups of water on the lower level of the oven, and a small pot of ammonium chloride. Close the oven and leave it to cool down overnight. The next morning add a few teaspoons of detergent and a little water with ammonium chloride and apply the solution with a sponge on the stains. Finally, rinse everything with hot water.
Alternatively, you can use white vinegar. Sprinkle the vinegar on the surfaces of the oven and let it rest for a few hours. Then scrub the most serious stains with a sponge and rinse everything with warm water.
Or you can use chemical yeast. First, rinse the oven with hot water, then spread the chemical yeast on the stains and sprinkle more water on the stains. Finally, remove the stains with a damp cloth.
8. Encrustations and grime on the stovetop
You will not believe it, but the most professional way to remove stains from the stovetop is to use an eraser directly on the grime. Alternatively, you can use a lemon. Sprinkle the lemon juice on the grime and then clean and scrub with the lemon itself. Finally, wash everything with a damp cloth.
9. Cleaning your mattress
At least once every season we should clean the delicate surfaces of our mattress with a small vacuum cleaner. Also, to remove bad smells, we recommend using baking soda. Sprinkle it on the surfaces and let it rest for half an hour. Then clean with a vacuum cleaner.
Instead, for stains that are still fresh, we recommend using a solution of detergent and hydrogen peroxide.
10. Carpets
For coffee, chocolate, and tea stains, on carpets or rugs, we recommend adding a tablespoon of glycerine to 4 cups of cold water and applying this solution with a sponge to remove the stains.
Instead, beer, wine, and other alcohol should be first treated with a solution of hot water and powdered detergent. Then, pour a tablespoon of vinegar in half a liter of water and apply it over the previous solution.
11. Stains on fabrics
Here are some final tips to remove certain types of stains on home fabrics such as on sofas or sheets.
Treat oil stains with a solution of acetone, diesel fuel, and turpentine in equal parts. For ink stains instead, a little milk is enough. Finally, a saline solution (a tablespoon of salt in a glass of water) will help you remove grease stains.
