You don’t have to wait until spring to degunk and degrime your home. These tried-and-true methods from the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab will get your pots, pans, linens, floors, appliances, and, well, pretty much everything pristine, one proven tip at a time.
Remove built-up film from hard-water minerals by soaking stemware in white vinegar for five minutes. Then rinse by hand and dry with a microfiber cloth.
The icky truth: Your cell might harbor more germs than toilet seat. Zap germs by wiping with an alcohol wipe, and give your TV remote and computer mouse the same treatment while you’re at it.
Save a pretty container when the candle’s spent by rinsing with steaming hot water and scooping out the wax residue inside with a paper towel.
Remove caked-on minerals by filling the reservoir with a mixture that’s half vinegar, half water. Let the solution brew halfway, then stop and let sit for 30 minutes before completing the cycle. Rinse by “brewing” a pot of clean water afterwards.
Over-scrubbing cast iron with metal scouring pads can remove the seasoning from your trusty skillet. To restore the finish, use a scrub sponge to remove any rust, clean with a bit of mild dish soap, then rinse and dry well. Coat the inside and outside with vegetable oil and bake upside down in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Let cool and remove excess grease with a paper towel.
Tackle an overflowing storage spot by adding an over-the-door rack for extra towels. Shelf dividers stop folded washcloths from toppling over, and baskets corral surplus toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
Unclog your shower head by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water and pouring it into a plastic bag. Tie the bag around the shower head to immerse the holes in the solution and secure with a twist tie. Let soak up to an hour, then remove and wipe away the loosened deposits.
Get your white tennis shoes to their just-out-of-the-box state by hand washing with a mild soap and water, then clean rubber soles and sides with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
To banish moldy spots, throw plastic or vinyl curtains in the washing machine with a little detergent. Add two to three bath towels for extra cleaning agitation, then hang it to dry or put in the dryer on low heat or fluff only. To keep it fresher longer, stretch the curtain out after each shower to help moisture dissipate.
Yep, feather pillows can get washed and dried in the machine. Load two pillows at a time for balance and use only a small amount of detergent. Wash them on a delicate cycle with an extra rinse, then tumble dry on low with several clean tennis balls to poof them back up.
It’s Wine Away to the rescue! To save your carpet, start by blotting up as much vino as possible. (You can even stand on absorbent cloths if necessary). Then saturate the stain with GH favorite Wine Away and let set for up to five minutes before blotting again until the stain is completely gone.
Protect your hardwood by removing small marks with a sock or clean tennis ball. To erase bigger scuffs, add a little baking soda to a damp cloth and gently rub. Then rinse with a damp paper towel and dry.
Here’s a DIY cleaner recipe that will make nearly every surface gleam (especially kitchen counters, appliances, and inside the refrigerator). Combine 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 quart warm water, and use it with a sponge to wipe messes away.
After spin class, sprinkle some baking soda inside your shoes (and your gym bag while you’re at it) to deodorize them. Just tap it out before you wear them again
Toothpaste will erase marker stains from wood — a handy trick to have in your back pocket if you’ve got creative kids.
Run a few lemon rinds through the disposal and follow with cold water to dispel any sour odors.
In between baths (in the washing machine, of course), groom your kids’ plush pals by giving them a quick once-over with a lint roller.
Combat build-up from hair products with a sudsy solution of a few drops of dish soap or gentle shampoo mixed with warm water.
When your child’s artistic efforts end up all over your new paint job, scrub lightly with a damp sponge sprinkled in baking soda.
Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration) and 2 cups water and dispense into an empty spray bottle. To clean your windows, wait for a cool, cloudy day and squirt the solution onto the glass, wiping with a clean microfiber cloth to avoid streaking.
Deodorize the soft, cushy places around your house — including the dog bed — by sprinkling surfaces with baking soda, letting it sit for 15 minutes, and then vacuuming it up.
Shed expired and unused items as well as bulky packaging. Instead, store products in easy-in-and-out jars, bags, and baskets.
When you notice your drain is starting to clog, pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down it, followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth to contain the science fair-like effects. Wait five minutes and then flush with hot water.
Stash a lint roller in the glove compartment to pick up stray crumbs and pet hair. It can fit in nooks and crannies where your vacuum attachments can’t reach.
Never waste time desperately tugging at tangled jewelry again. Loosen the knot by sprinkling a little baby powder on it and then using a pin to pull it apart.
If you’ve got hard water, mineral buildup can make your towels extra scratchy. To lift deposits, wash the towels in the hottest water possible, and add 1 cup of ammonia and nothing else.
Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to remove food stains and smells. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.
Notice your favorite ring, bracelet, or serving spoon looking a bit dull? Wet it, rub with a little toothpaste, rinse, and dry with a clean cloth for instant sparkle.
Add a squirt of dish detergent to a bowl of warm water, and use it to wipe down your outdoor tables and chairs. Then, rinse clean with the garden hose.
Is that wet towel you left in your gym bag speckled? First, take it outside, brush off the mildew spores, and sun-dry the item for about three hours. Then, pre-soak with a bleach and water solution (check the care tag to be sure it’s safe), and machine wash.
To keep your whites truly white, sponge white vinegar on sweat stains and then pretreat with an enzyme prewash stain remover like Carbona or liquid enzyme detergent like Tide. Then wash on the hottest cycle safe for the fabric, adding regular Clorox Bleach for especially stubborn marks.
Just like your cooking tools, cupboards can get grimy when you’re making dinner. Add a little dish soap to a spray bottle with warm water to mist away the grease. Then, rinse with a well-wrung cloth and dry.
Got a scuff or a scratch on your wood furniture? Rub it with a walnut (shell removed) to mask the damage.
Make caked-on grime easier to wipe off by heating a cup of water, several tablespoons of vinegar, and a chopped-up lemon on high until the microwave’s window is steamy. Let the bowl sit for 5 minutes before you open the door, and wipe the inside clean with ease.
After you’re through washing dishes, don’t remove your damp gloves. Take a detour through the living room and quickly pick up errant fur.
It’s kind of remarkable how some things we touch daily, we rarely clean — your purse is another one of those. About half all women’s bags have fecal bacteria on them, so give it a swipe with a disinfectant wipe.
Just like in the fridge, an open box of baking soda placed near your sheets and towels can prevent a dank linen closet.
Plastic toys, toothbrush holders, and pet bowls are just a few of the items that can get clean the hands-off way.
The course texture of table salt can erase stains from butcher-block countertops. Just sprinkle over light marks, then scrub with the cut side of a half of lemon. Let sit overnight, then rinse with water.
When your favorite ceramic cup contains a stubborn unsightly ring, squirt a little dish soap in it and add some baking soda for additional abrasion, then clean as usual. Or you can use Good Housekeeping Seal holder Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to wipe off marks.
Don’t get stuck with a dirty soccer uniform or ballet costume the day your kid needs it. Add an extra “priority” basket to your routine and never be empty-handed again.
The moisture helps release wrinkles, so press your peskiest pieces right out of the dryer (or use the spray feature on your iron).
To clean grimy grout, mix 3/4 cup household chlorine bleach with 1 gallon water and use a stiff brush to apply to one small area at a time. (Wear rubber gloves and eye protection.) Let it sit for several minutes, then scrub and rinse.
Take a tip from professional florists: Clean dusty potted plants with some mild soap and water, then use a paper towel to rub a drop of mayo into the tops of leaves to make them extra vibrant.
Textured scrub sponges make quick work of tidying up a worn sweater. Gently run it across the garment to banish fuzz.
Since coffee filters are lint-free, you can swap them out for paper towels to give mirrors a no-streak shine.
If you don’t own a self-cleaning oven, try Easy-Off Professional Fume Free Max Oven Cleaner to effectively remove any gunk. Caught empty-handed? Sprinkle table salt to absorb fresh spills and wipe it up with a damp sponge or cloth once the oven is cool.
