People usually come in two varieties: those who live to clean and those who tidy up at the last possible second before guests arrive. No matter what group you fall into, cleaning is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. For many people, the thought of scrubbing everything you own is incredibly overwhelming. The house, the car, your shoes, the dog—these all require extensive cleaning. Follow along for a few helpful cleaning tips you didn’t know you needed.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Unclog Drains
There’s nothing worse than a clogged or smelly drain, but it may seem impossible to clean. For major blockages, you may need a drain snake. However, baking soda and vinegar are powerful solutions for every drain. Simply drop baking soda down your sink or shower drain and follow it with vinegar to produce a bubbly cleaning reaction. After the bubbling stops, let the hot water run for a minute or two.
Pro-Tip
Do this monthly to prevent blockages and odor-causing bacteria from building up in the drains.
White Vinegar Works As Fabric Softener
Most people know fabric softener as the thick, fragrant substance in the laundry aisle, but you don’t have to overspend on those heavily marketed options. Interestingly, white vinegar works just as well, if not better, as a fabric softener. Vinegar softens your clothes and other linens, but it also prevents static. As a result, lint and pet hair are less likely to stick to your laundry. Don’t worry; your clothes won’t come out smelling of vinegar.
Dish Soap Removes Stains From Car Upholstery
Our cars tend to get dirty fast, especially on road trips with children. Whether you have ink or beverage stains on your seats, dish soap is an effective way to remove them without professional help. There’s nothing wrong with hiring someone to clean your car and remove pesky stains. However, you can also detail your car at home. Cleaning your vehicle doesn’t have to be difficult—you just need the right tools and products.
A Bowl of Water Can Clean Your Microwave
Microwaves cause food to bubble and splatter, but most of us would rather eat our food and save the mess for later. If scrubbing isn’t your thing, you don’t have to put up with a filthy microwave. Place a bowl of water in your microwave and run it for five to seven minutes. The steam will loosen dried food on the interior, making it much easier to remove with a single swipe of a rag or sponge.
Pro-Tip
Add fresh lemon slices to the bowl of water for a lasting citrus scent.
Now that you know a few cleaning tips you didn’t know you needed, you can make the most of the time you spend tidying up. Life gets messy, but you can’t leave it that way. Working smarter instead of harder is the ultimate way to keep up with necessary cleaning.
