13+ genius cleaning tips that will have your home smelling fresh like spring

Ah, the eternal battle of cleaning—a task both necessary and inevitable. While the desire for a pristine and fragrant abode is undeniable, the idea of spending countless hours scrubbing away grime is less than appealing. Rather than squandering a delightful Saturday deep-cleaning the oven or scrubbing stubborn pans, why not embrace a few clever cleaning hacks that will make the process easier, more efficient, and perhaps even more enjoyable?

The Kitchen

Banish Greasy Residue from Kitchen Cabinets If you’re a frequent home chef, you’re no stranger to the sticky, oily film that clings to kitchen cabinets and appliances near your stove. Though this greasy buildup seems unavoidable, the labor to remove it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a tip: fight oil with oil. Dab a paper towel in vegetable oil, then wipe away that unsightly grease with ease.

Stove-Top Liners: The Unsung Heroes These liners are pure genius. Instead of painstakingly scraping away baked-on food from your stovetop, simply swap out the liners. No more scrubbing, just effortless cleanup.

Sanitize Your Cutting Board the Right Way Wooden cutting boards are fantastic for food prep, but they can harbor bacteria if not properly cleaned. Here’s a trick: sprinkle kosher salt on the board and scrub it with a lemon half. Lightly rinse and dry well, and voilà—your cutting board is fresh and ready for use.

Lemon Kool-Aid for a Spotless Dishwasher Give your dishwasher a refresh with a packet of lemon Kool-Aid. Run an empty cycle, and let the citrus do its magic in combating stains.

Foil Your Glass Cleanup Woes Struggling with stubborn, stuck-on food in glass cookware? A crumpled ball of tin foil can act as a substitute for steel wool. Just add soap and water, and scrub away the debris.

The Bathroom

Natural Sink Clean-Up Magic Dirty sinks got you down? No need to fret. Slice a lemon in half and dust your sink with baking soda. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the baking soda, then use the lemon itself as a sponge to scrub away the mess. Finish by rinsing with water, and you’re good to go.

Wall Cleaning That Won’t Break the Bank The solution in the video below works wonders in any room and is surprisingly affordable. Here’s a tip: for painted walls, use all-purpose cleaner. For tiles, mix equal parts vinegar and water for a cost-effective scrub.

Shower Tile Savior Tired of nasty buildup on your shower tiles? Switch to shower gel instead of soap. Traditional soap contains fats and oils that cause unsightly scum, but shower gels, being more detergent-like, will help you keep that buildup at bay.

Dust Your Bathroom Fan Without Disassembly Cleaning your bathroom fan doesn’t have to involve taking it apart (though that should be done at least twice a year). For a quick clean, grab a can of compressed air, turn the fan on, and give it a good spray. You might need to dust the room afterward, but the fan will be pristine.

Scrub the Loo Thoroughly Your toilet might be in need of more attention than you’re giving it. Don’t forget to scrub under the rim and remove the toilet seat every now and then to reach those hidden crevices. This tip is especially important if you’re potty-training boys!

Laundry

Pepper to Preserve Color To prevent your clothes from bleeding and fading in the wash, toss in a teaspoon of black pepper. It’ll help preserve the vibrancy of your garments for much longer.

Chalk for Grease Stains If you get grease on your clothes while cooking, don’t panic. Rub chalk onto the grease stain as quickly as possible before washing. This trick even works on those pesky collar stains.

Sneaker Revitalization Want to restore your leather sneakers to their former glory? Grab some white toothpaste and an old toothbrush. After removing loose debris and dampening the surface, scrub the stained areas with toothpaste and the brush. Wipe clean and rinse off for sneakers that look nearly new.

Disaster Cleanup

Candle Wax Catastrophe? No Problem Spilled candle wax can be a nightmare, but this hack will save the day. Place a paper bag over the wax spill, then run a hot iron over the bag. The heat will melt the wax, which the paper will absorb, leaving your carpet wax-free.

Paint Splatter Solution Accidentally splashed paint on your favorite jacket? Don’t toss it just yet. Grab a disposable razor and gently shave the paint away. This works best on fabrics that aren’t too delicate, so proceed with caution.

Eggnog Emergency on the Carpet Spilled eggnog might seem like a disaster, especially on light-colored carpet, but it’s fixable. Start by blotting the stain with nail polish remover. Follow up by spraying the spot with a mix of soap and water, and blot until clean.