As a general tip, you can never go wrong cleaning with baking soda, vinegar and lemon. They’re natural and tough cleaners on several substances.
Kitchen
Microwave
Fill a microwaveable cup with water (preferably, a coffee cup) add a lemon. Microwave for one minute and don’t open for 10 more. This will allow the moisture to absorb into the baked on food, then wipe away.
Laminate Countertop Juice & Wine Stains
Create a baking soda paste with baking soda and a little water. Mix it into a paste form. Spread it over the stain and let it sit for 2 hours. To keep the paste moist, lay a wet paper towel over the paste. Gently wipe clean.
Kitchen Disposal
Run a few lemon rinds through with cold water to get rid of any lingering odors.
Slow Drains
1/2 cup baking soda & 1/2 cup vinegar. If you ever made a volcano in school, this will be the same outcome, put a wet cloth over to contain the overflow.
Bathroom
Shower Glass Protection
Those unsightly white spots on you shower glass is mineral buildup. Prevent this buildup with Rain-x. Apply an even clean layer to your glass and your water won’t stick. If it’s too late and you already have water spots, read the next tip.
Soap Scum:
It’s time to bring out the power tools and make it easier on yourself. You will need a power buffer, and a polishing compound. You should be able to find these products at an auto store for less than $25. Buff the scum off, just like you would your car.
Water Fixtures
Take a tooth brush with CLR around all your faucets and break down the deposits left by water. Then apply Turtle Wax, let it dry and buff it out. Not only with the wax protect it longer from settling water, it gives it a shine like new.
Finishing Touch
Microfiber cloths are great, they don’t shed fibers so you can wipe countertops, windows and mirrors without leaving streaks for fibers like paper towels can do. Use it after you’ve wiped objects down with your traditional cleaners for a finished look.
Bath Rust Stains
Acid Magic is a powerful solution that gets rid of sightly rust stains on you bathroom toilets, sinks and tubs. If you have high iron in your water, this is likely the cause of the problem. But Acid Magic will take it away! Follow the directions and use gloves and goggles as this is a powerful potion.
Grout Cleaning
A great but tedious way is using a Clorox Bleach pen. Let it sit for 10 minutes then rinse. A toothbrush will help get the more penetrated mildewed areas.
Shower Head
Mineral buildup can clog your shower head holes slowing the performance of your shower and water pressure. Fill non leaking bag full of vinegar, submerge the entire shower head and tie string or bands around the top so it will not fall or spill. Leave overnight and the vinegar should break down those minerals.
General Cleaning
Less Scrubbing but More Cleaning
The magic eraser sponges are just that. They are easy to use and are really good at pulling dirt and grime from porous materials.
Vacuum First
Start from the top and work your way down. Vacuum brushes are ideal for this, because they help loosen the dust before the vacuum sucks it in. Otherwise you will be doing twice the amount of work.
Furniture
Regularly vacuum your furniture just as much as your floor, dust falls there too. Dust and dirt that sit on fabric, think of it as sand paper and your body is the sander, overtime you move you’re moving those dust and dirt disturbing the integrity of your fabric and breaking it down. You will extend the life of your furniture by vacuuming it regularly.
Managing dust
Microfiber rags, capture dust instead of spreading it around like dry rags and feather dusters.
Dusting Curtains and Drapes
these are hard to dust and when you do, you’re likely just moving that dust somewhere else. Try this: remove your drapes and put them in your dryer with a damp towel. Your dryer will do all the dusting work for you without ruining your drapes.
Pet Stains
We love our furry kids, but sometimes they make accidents. Here’s a great tip to remove the stain and more importantly the odor it leaves behind. Get a pet stain cleaner with and active “bacteria/enzyme digester,” after sopping up the existing mess with a dry towel, spray the area with the pet spray cleaner and lay plastic wrap over it. Step on the plastic so the pet spray cleaner to push the cleaner deep into the carpet and even the carpet foam. Let sit, depending on the popularity of the mess area, it can set between 1-4 hours, the plastic wrap also keeps it from drying. After sopping up the cleaner and the smell still exists, it may need further neutralization. Take one cup vinegar to a gallon warm water end rinse the area, then apply a second batch of the pet spray cleaner and repeat.