Keeping a clean home and all it’s amenities can be an extensive and time consuming process. We have put together a helpful list of the top natural cleaning hacks and methods you can put to use immediately to help make cleaning your home a breeze.
How To Clean Drains:
Drain cleaning can be an overlooked task for some however it is necessary from time to time for two reasons. Clear pipes and odor control. If your drain happens to be backed up or is slow to drain here are a few effective methods to remedy that.
The first method tried should always be the least harsh. You will simply need dish soap and hot water. Hot water helps to remove grease clogs and other deposits by melting the grease back into a liquid, sending it down the drain.
Simply fill a large pot ¾ full of sink water and bring to a boil on the stove. Once boiling temperature has been reached remove from the heat, add few tablespoons of dish soap and slowly poor down the sink or drain of concern.
This may need to be repeated a few times to remove the obstruction.
If hot water and dish soap method fails, the next non-toxic tactic is to use a wire hanger. Simply straighten the hanger out and use the hook at the end to loosen the obstruction.
Always have a garbage bag close by in the event you pull anything out. If you removed anything feel free to follow up with a pot of hot water for an additional boost!
If those methods didn’t work it is time to try some common chemicals.
All you need for this method is half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar. Simply pour the baking soda down the drain and follow it up with the vinegar. Make sure to plug the drain and wait at least 60 minutes. When time is up pour a pot of hot water down the drain until the water flows as it should.
If the above tactics fail to help there is still one more method you can try before calling your friendly and expensive neighborhood plumber.
The plunger! We saved this for last because most households only have one plunger and they are used for toilets so using it for your sink may be off putting however this can help in most situations. Simply clean the plunger in the bathroom before taking it into the kitchen and give it a shot!
How to Clean Windows & Tracks:
Windows and their tracks get dirty over time and need to be cleaned just like anything else. Obviously the glass can be cleaned with Windex or any other type of glass cleaner but what about the window assembly and track?
The assembly and track is home to dozens of nooks and crannies that are perfect for trapping dust and other debris making your windows appear less clean even through the glass could be spotless. Having a dirty track can also cause issues with opening and closing your windows as well as prematurely wearing out the seals out causing increased air and heat loss.
Cleaning the window track is simple with a few items: You will need white vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, a spray bottle, a toothpick, and a toothbrush.
The first step is to sprinkle baking soda over the dirty window tracks. While that sits, mix together the water, dish soap and vinegar into the spray bottle. A good ratio is to use equal parts of vinegar and water with only a few drops of dish soap. Once your solution is ready simply spray the track and assembly wetting the baking soda. After a full 5 minutes take use the toothbrush on the dirtiest areas freeing up any dirt. Use a toothpick for any stubborn areas.
Once scrubbed simply wipe the track down with a paper towel or towel and it should look like new again!
How to Clean The Oven:
Over time home ovens will become coated with all the food that enters them. Sure, a self cleaning feature can help however this is not fully guaranteed and it’s also quite expensive as it uses lots of electricity.
To clean your oven without powering it on simply use baking soda and a white vinegar paste. This can be made from mixing the two ingredients together until a sticky paste is formed.
Take your time as too much vinegar will make the mixture too watery and too little will make it too dry. Once you have the paste at its desired consistency, simply coat the oven with it and let it sit overnight.
In the morning spray some vinegar to soften the dried paste and wipe away using a sponge or dish rag.
How To Clean The Microwave:
Cleaning a microwave can be daunting especially after weeks/months of splatter and stuck food. Luckily there is a very simple and easy way to clean them using white vinegar and water.
Simply fill a microwavable safe bowl with a cup of water and ¼ cups of white vinegar and give it a quick stir. Place the bowl into the microwave and set on high for 2 minutes. Once the microwave has finished simply remove the bowl and wipe down the inside walls. You will notice how easily the splatter wipes away!
Bonus tip: To clean the grease filter under the microwave bring a large pot of water to a boil and add about half a cup of baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. Then, place the filter into the pot and watch how fast the grease melts off. This should take about 10 minutes. Remember to flip and switch sides to clean the entire filter.
How To Clean The Crock Pot (Slow cooker):
Cleaning a slow cooker can seem like a simple enough task however after extended periods of use they can really trap a lot of food on the walls and brim.
One of the best ways to clean a crock pot is to heat up a solution of water, baking soda and white vinegar. Fill your cooker with water to the leftover food line then add between half a cup to a cup of white vinegar and the equal amount of baking soda.
Cover and set on low for 60 minutes. When time is up simply rinse out in the sink and it should look like new again.
How To Clean The Blender:
A quick tip for cleaning a blender is to quickly rinse out any leftover content and fill with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Run on the blender on it’s highest speed for 10-15 seconds and rinse out in the sink.
Your blender should be spotless with out scrubbing around any sharp blades.
How To Clean Kitchen Cabinets:
If you made it this far down the list you should notice that vinegar, baking soda and dish soap are the champions when it comes to non aggressive cleaning ingredients. Well did you know that a simple solution of vinegar and warm water makes for the perfect cabinet cleaner? Simply mix 50% warm water and 50% vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the solution on your cabinets.
After about two to three minutes simply wipe off the cleaning spray revealing super clean cabinets.
How to Clean The Kitchen Sink:
Let’s guess? White vinegar and baking soda? CORRECT! If using a sponge and water is failing to remove the grime on your sink, simply add some baking soda to the mix. Don’t worry, baking soda is safe to use on stainless steel and porcelain.
If the sink grime is real stubborn we recommend using a toothbrush with the same baking soda, water, and soap solution.
Once the grime is off rinse the sink down with white vinegar. This will help remove any baking soda as well as give a deeper clean.
For serious stains apply some table salt to the area and rub it onto the stain with half of a lemon. This combo is amazing at removing stains. Once your sink is clean, wipe a minimal amount of olive oil around to give it a shine and help deter food from sticking to it for a while.
How to Clean The Garbage Disposal:
Did you know that ice cubes will actually sharpen garbage disposal blades? It’s true. If you freeze 50/50 water and white vinegar into cubes and run through the garbage disposal it will help sharpen the blades and clean at the same time! (Always run water while using the disposal)
How To Clean Cutting Boards:
Cleaning wooden cutting boards can be a bit challenging due to deep cuts that allow food to hide inside. Remember never to run a wooden cutting board through a dishwasher. Doing so will usually make it warp or split.
If good old warm water and dish soap aren’t working too well, simply scrub the board with white vinegar and /or salt and a half lemon. (This works so well for almost everything) Doing so will leave the board smelling fresh. Once the board has been cleaned and dried, feel free to wipe down with a dab of olive oil. This will help seal and condition the board extending it’s lifespan and preventing splitting or warping.
How To Clean Pots & Pans:
Once again, a vinegar and warm water solution also works wonders to clean dirty stuck on grime of off pots and pans. Simply sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the pans and add some vinegar on top. Let it sit for a few hours, or overnight depending on the magnitude of the stain. For any “burnt on foods” you can try lime juice and salt. This combination should remove burnt on food with minimal scrubbing.
How To Clean Kids Toys:
A super hack for all new parents out there is to run your children’s non electronic toys through the dishwasher to both clean and disinfect at one time saving tons of time compared to cleaning each toy by hand in the sink. Use your best judgment here as to not run anything through the dishwasher that can be damaged such as wooden toys or toys with loose or removable parts or absorbent materials.
How To Clean The Dryer:
Cleaning a dryer has many benefits such as cleaner smelling cloths, reduced risk of a house fire, and lower energy costs.
Three main areas that can be cleaned on a dryer and the lint screen, the drum and the exhaust vent.
Cleaning the out lint screen is simple enough, however to deep clean the screen use a toothbrush with warm soapy water mix on the mesh and scrub until like new. Once the lint screen is clean you can move onto the big drum its self.
Overtime the drum its self can build up unwanted residue from dryer sheets and fabric softeners. To clean, simply spray the drum with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Wipe down the solution, leave the door open, and let air dry for a good hour or two.
The last area to address is the dryer vent itself. Dirty dryer vents are responsible for tons of house fires each and every year and should not be overlooked. To properly clean out your dryer vent tubing you should pick up a dryer vent cleaning kit from amazon or homer depot.
This kit will come with a long tube and with a brush on the end. The first step is to pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the exhaust tubing. Once complete, head outside to the exhaust vent and snake the dryer cleaning brush inside the vent and down the piping to knock loose any stuck on dryer lint. After that, simply vacuum up the lint near the dryer end of the tubing and reattach to the dryer. These cleaning procedures should be completed every 12 months.
How To Clean The Washing Machine:
Cleaning a dishwasher might sound counter intuitive right? After all it’s a box that slathers soap suds and hot water around inside of it, so why clean it? Well, over time the filter, nooks and crannies, and even the drain can attract dirt and release an odor.
Cleaning the filter is a must for a dishwasher under regular use (Once a day). We recommend cleaning the filter at least once a month but once every 2 weeks is optimal.
To clean, simply remove the filter from the dishwasher and run the filter under hot water to wash away the left over food particles.
To clean the inside of the dishwasher place a cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar on the top rack of an empty dishwasher. Run for one cycle on the hottest water setting. Doing so helps to remove any odors, or grime inside the dishwasher.
If further cleaning is needed, run a second hot cycle but this time sprinkle baking soda around the dishwasher. This will help further clean whatever the vinegar could not.
How To Clean Shower Tile:
Dirty shower tiles can be an instant turn off to guests as well as attract bacteria and mold. A simple yet effective solution to clean shower tiles is a 50% vinegar and 50% water mix.
Simply mix together and add to a spray bottle and apply to the dirty areas. After letting soak for a full 5 minutes proceed to scrub or wipe away to unveil crystal clear shower tiles.
How To Clean The Shower Curtain:
Most people will throw away a dirty shower curtain however what if it is only slightly dirty and not worthy for the garbage just yet? Run it through the washing machine! Remember to add a few towels along with the shower curtain for scrubbing purposes. In addition to regular laundry detergent you can also add a cup of baking soda and vinegar for an extra boost of cleaning power.
How To Clean The Toilet:
Cleaning your toilets can be a daunting process as they become unpleasant, for obvious reason. Here are a few tips to make that task as pain free as possible.
Starting off you will need a toilet bowl brush and a toilet cleaner to clean the inside of the bowl. Apply the cleaner and let sit for 5 minutes before brushing & flushing.
While you wait for the cleaner to do it’s thing, spray the exterior of the toilet with an all purpose cleaner or 1 to 1 vinegar and water combination. Simply wipe the tank and toilet seat and remember to get the sides of the toilet as well as under the lid and seat.
If you do not have latex gloves you can use plastic grocery bags to shield your hands from the dirty areas of the toilet. We recommend removing the entire seat for the ultimate cleaning. This can be done by loosening the plastic hardware under the seat. When it comes time to brush the bowl remember to brush high around the rim. Doing so will prolong the time needed for the next cleaning.
How To Clean The Mattress:
Giving your mattress a good cleaning is something that should be done at least once every 6 months. That is, unless you have a mattress protection cover. These simple steps will help renew your mattress from stains, sweat, spills, etc.
Start of by washing the sheets and vacuuming the mattress. You will be surprised at how much dirt will be removed even if it doesn’t initially seem as if vacuuming will be useful.
Once vacuumed, apply an enzyme stain remover to the problem areas only. Soap and water also works if a stain remover is not available. Make sure to blot the stains with a clean cloth or towel until the stains lift.
Once the stains are removed sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and let sit for at least 3 hours or more. After enough time has passed, vacuum the baking soda off then flip the mattress and repeat the steps on the other side. We recommend purchasing and applying a mattress protector after cleaning is complete.
How to Clean Grease Stains From Cloths:
Discovering a stain on a new shirt or pair of shorts is a very unpleasant feeling. Luckily there are a few easy cleaning methods available to help remove those pesky stains.
Liquid detergent, shampoo, or regular hand soap all can work well as great stain removers. Simply apply to the effected area and let sit for a few minutes. We recommend using a tooth brush to speed up the process for those super stubborn stains.
A vinegar and water solution also works as a natural stain remover. When all else fails you can try a can of WD-40.
Believe it or not but in addition to quieting down noisy hinges, WD-40 also works well at removing stains. Remember to always first test on an inconspicuous area of clothing before attempting to remove the stain with a chemical such as WD-40. Tip: If the stain is fresh and still wet, you can sprinkle baby powder on the stain which will absorb any excess moisture making it easier to remove the stain.
How To Clean Computer Keyboard:
Cleaning your home or work keyboard can be a satisfying experience if, like most of us, you are in front of one for hours of the day.
The first step to cleaning your keyboard is to unplug it from the computer, flip it upside down, and give it a few gentle shakes and taps. You should see all sorts of dirt, and debris fall out.
You can use a one to one ratio vinegar & water solution to wipe over and clean the keys and body of the keyboard. If you have a keyboard with removable key caps you can give your keyboard a deeper clean.
Before removing any key caps it is recommended to take a few pictures of your keyboard so that you can reference them when it comes time to replace the clean key caps in the correct positions.
To remove the key caps simply lift and pry with gentle pressure until they lift off the keyboard. Once you have all the caps removed you can place them into a big bowl of hot water and vinegar of a one to one ratio solution. Let sit for at least 5 minutes then drain and set out to dry.
While the keys are soaking, you can clean the keyboard from any stuck on debris using cotton swaps. Remember not to add any excess liquid to the board itself over what is needed to remove the debris. Once the board has been cleaned and the key caps have dried it is time to reinstall the keys caps using the pictures as reference.
How To Clean Light Bulbs:
A very overlooked element of the house are the light bulbs! Think about it, when are the last time you have cleaned yours? Well, just like anything else, light bulbs do attract dirt and dust, which limits the light emitted as well as slightly darkens the fresh white look of the bulbs.
To clean any and all bulbs simply turn off, allowing a few minutes to cool, and wipe down using a microfiber cloth using a 1:1 vinegar to water solution. Let dry and turn on for crystal clear looking, clean light bulbs.
How to Clean a Dirty Broom:
Speaking of over looked elements, here is an extra tip that your home will thank you for: Cleaning the broom itself!
The broom cleans so much and sometimes it needs attention too. To clean, simply fill a bucket with warm water and dish soap and place the bristly side of the broom in the bucket. Let sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing off. Your broom will look like new again and will be better at trapping dirt.
We hope these cleaning tips have helped you in some way or another. If you are looking for professional carpet cleaning in Plainfield or in surrounding towns such as Aurora, Naperville, Oswego, Westmont, St. Charles, or any other Bristol or Sugar Grove county town then we can definitely help you.
We have been in business for years and have very happy customers all across Cook, DuPage, Kane, and DeKalb counties. Let us show you why Detail Cleaning M&M is different than the rest!
Call us today: 312-730-6552