6 Amazing Cleaning Tips You May Not Have Heard Before

These are some of my favorite tips and cleaning hacks that’ll help you get the job done better and faster. Creating natural alternatives to toxic household cleaners is pretty helpful if you want to save money and keep toxins out of your home! Enjoy…

Tip #1: Homemade Bleach Alternative

This is a recipe that uses all natural ingredients found in your home and costs 1/3 less than store-bought.

Items Needed:

• 3/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 10-15 drops lemon essential oil
• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 7 cups water

Combine all ingredients in a container capable of holding 1/2 gallon or more. Shake well.  Use 1 cup per load, washing with the hottest water setting available.  Hydrogen peroxide has to be stored in a dark cool location, so store this recipe accordingly.

Tip #2:  Clean Wood Cutting Boards with Lemon and Salt

With salt and half a lemon, you can clean things like a wood cutting board effectively. It’s a great way to scrape out anything that’s been stuck and kill off bacteria.

FYI… wooden boards should never be soaked in water or run through the dishwater.  It’s also tough to thoroughly sanitize a wooden cutting board, so don’t handle raw meat on it. Leave that for the plastic ones!

Instructions:

1. Cut your lemon in half.  Take one half of it in your hand and squeeze the juice all around your cutting board, using the lemon to spread it all around. The lemon juice naturally deodorizes those funky onion and garlic smells that may be lurking on your board. Discard the used half of lemon.
2. Sprinkle course salt all over your board and squeeze the juice of the second lemon half on top of that. Repeat the process of step one by using the lemon to clean the board. The course salt scrapes all of the crumbs and dried bits off your board, as well as absorbing the lemon juice so your board doesn’t get too wet.
3. Using paper towels (or a dishtowel, if you don’t mind), wipe the lemon and salt off. This may take a little while, depending on how much salt you used. Dampening your paper towel will help. When the board is salt free, stand it up on its side and allow it to dry completely.
4. If your board is “finished” and already has a protective coating on it, you can stop here.  If not, you will want to use a food-grade mineral oil or canola oil.  Simply pour oil on it and use a dry paper towel to spread it all over the top and sides of your board, and you’re done!

Tip #3:  Use Wet Sponges to Clean Your Microwave

This is the easiest way to loosen up baked on food and a big time saver!

Simply put a couple of clean and very wet sponges in your microwave for a minute (or more if needed). Then wipe off the grime.  The sponges may be really hot, so be careful not to burn yourself.

Tip #4: Clean Your Shower Head with Vinegar

With just a plastic bag, rubber band, and vinegar, you can clean that dirty shower head.

What you’ll need:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Lemon essential oil
• Thick elastic hair tie or a utility tie
• Cleaning cloth
• Large ziplock bag

Fill the ziplock with enough vinegar that the shower head will be completely submerged.  Use the tie to hold it in place.  Let it rest overnigh, then remove a simply wipe off.  You will be amazed!

Tip #5: Wear Damp Rubber Glove to Remove Pet Hair

There are really no special instructions other than wipe away!

Tip #6: Use an Iron to Remove Carpet Stains

This is definitely one of the best cleaning cleaning hacks on this list.

Items needed:

• White vinegar
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Rag
• Iron

Spray the spot with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Lay a damp rag over the spot. Iron on the steam setting for about 30 seconds. If the stain is really stubborn, repeat the steps. Chances are it will work!

We hope you enjoyed using these tips and if you need a little cleaning help, don’t hesitate to reach out to Maid in America. Let us know which one was your favorite. Have fun!