22 Sparkling Cleaning Hacks – Easy and Affordable – 719woman.com
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I hate cleaning the house. I really do. Now I don’t mind organizing things and I can spend hours in the garden and enjoy it but when it comes to scrubbing sinks or toilets, not on my list of favorite things. Vacuuming and dusting are another non-favorite activity that though I don’t want to do, eventually has to happen. And with lots of cats, it’s a necessity in our home. And while I’m not saying our house is filthy by any means, if something falls on the floor, I wouldn’t advise using the 5-second rule. (Or even a 1-second rule!)
The thing I hate even more than cleaning is spending big-time bucks for cleaning products! Which is why I prefer cleaning with inexpensive but effective products like white vinegar, baking soda, lemons, apple cider vinegar, etc. And they are safe.
Here are 22 easy cleaning hacks that can easily and affordably make your household items sparkle like new, or at least look cleaner. From high chairs to swimming pools, most of these cleaning hacks use products you can easily mix up, using items you probably already have in your pantry.
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White vinegar is a highly effective alternative to bleach that kills nearly all household germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew and is safe around children and pets. It is also biodegradable so it’s safe on sinks, drains, and toilets. HOWEVER, it is not a registered disinfectant and does not kills some dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus. It can also deteriorate exposed window seals, dishwasher gaskets, and unsealed grout so make sure you rinse those with water. White vinegar is not for stone surfaces either, such as marble, limestone, onyx, or travertine.
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I personally use a mixture of about 50/50 water/vinegar in a spray bottle for general cleaning purposes and hydrogen peroxide when I’m more concerned about areas prone to nastier germs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved hydrogen peroxide as a sanitizer, perfect for counters, table tops, and cutting boards.