Are you doing some serious cleaning but tired of doing it the same old way? Mix it up with these ideas, get the chores done faster, and find solutions to a few stubborn problems along the way.
What do you have to lose other than some dirt and grime?
Here are 50 strange but effective ways to do cleaning and organizing so easier:
#1 Use wax paper on faucets
Was rubbing wax paper on kitchen and bathroom faucets the last thing on your mind? It will actually help give them an added shine plus prevent new water-caused marks from developing.
#2 Hate removing dead insects?
Use a lint roller. The creepy crawly thing will stick to the paper, making it easy to dispose of.
#3 Denture tablets for the toilet?
If you want your toilet to remain as sparkly clean as it is right after you’ve spent time scrubbing it, drop a denture tablet into it at least once per week. It will reduce calcium deposits and keep your toilet bowl clean for longer.
Are you working on a painting project but need to take a few days off? Are you tired of cleaning paint brushes every time you need to stop the project? Seal your used paintbrush in a Ziplock bag. When you reopen it, the paint on the brush will be just as fresh as on the day you sealed it shut.
#5 Ammonia for the stove top
If your stove has grates, you know how much food can get stuck – and burnt – onto them. Soak them in ammonia, and they will be as good as new.
#6 Tissue box full of bags
Almost all of us have leftover shopping bags sitting around waiting to be reused. Instead of cramming them all into another shopping bag, why not squeeze them into a tissue box for easy retrieval?
#7 Pantyhose and the vacuum
Whether you just lost an earring in the carpet or simply want to avoid vacuuming up objects large enough to break the vacuum cleaner, this is a great idea. A stocking over the top of the hose prevents anything more substantial than dust from being vacuumed up.
Are there stains in the toilet that won’t budge no matter how much you scrub? Instead of having a glass of Coke, pour two or three into the toilet and let it sit overnight. The next morning, the stains will come off with almost no scrubbing at all.
Are your faucets developing issues or unsightly marks because of calcium deposits. Tie a bag of vinegar as pictured, let it sit overnight, and your faucet will be perfect once again.
#10 Baking soda and the dishwasher
Are your dishes coming out a little less clean than you would like? Pour in a few spoons of baking soda when you do the next load of dishes, and watch the magic.
#11 Instantly stocked fridge
Are you tired of putting soda into the fridge one can at a time? Pop both sides of the box open and push them through in one quick move.
#12 Lint rollers and window screens
Lint rollers are usually for clothes. However, they’re actually fairly versatile and convenient, especially when it comes to getting all the little bits of dirt and dust off window screens quickly.
#13 Coffee grounds and kitchen garbage
Is it raining outside? Are you just too busy to throw out the trash or do the recycling? Add some coffee grounds on top of stinky kitchen scraps to reduce the smell so it can stay in the kitchen a little bit longer.
#14 Shoe organizer for the bathroom
Do you have products all over the bathroom. Are you having trouble finding the sink under everything? Store all your small items and products neatly in a transparent hanging shoe organizer. You’ll be able to find everything instantly.
Place a dab of baby oil on a cloth and gently polish faucets. It will help them shine plus reduce the risk of rust developing.
A loofah may not be the first thing you think of when cleaning the toilet, but it works. In fact, it can get out those stubborn marks that nothing else seems to work on.
#17 Half a grapefruit, salt…and the tub
Are you tired of using chemicals in the bathroom? The next time your tub needs to be scrubbed, cut open a grapefruit, add a heap of salt, and use it as a natural scrubber.
#18 Duct tape and jar lids
Are there a few jars that have been sitting in your kitchen because no one can actually get them open? Fear not! Instructables has a great
tutorial on how to open those lids with nothing more than a piece of duct tape.
#19 A shower curtain and a washing machine
When we think of cleaning the shower curtain, we generally think about ways to clean it while it’s still hanging. However, vinyl shower curtains can be tossed in the washing machine for a thorough clean. Just add a few towels in the load and keep it on a cold setting.
#20 Baking sheets are for more than cookies
Place a baking sheet at a lower level than your baking, and it will catch any spills or splatters. This means less cleaning the stove, which is always a good thing.
#21 Lemon, salt…and the cutting board
It almost sounds like the start to a recipe, but it’s not. Scrubbing an old cutting board with lemon and salt will lift unsightly stains and bring it back to life.
#22 Tongs and window blinds
Clean your window blinds with tongs to save time and get both sides of the slats. All you need are tongs, a few cloths, and some rubber bands.
#23 Toothbrush plus garbage disposal
We’re generally taught never to put anything down the garbage disposal unless it’s food, but this is an exception. If smells start to emanate, make sure the disposal is turned off and clean it out gently with a toothbrush. It will remove caked-on food that is caught on the sides.
This one isn’t for cooking, although it will leave a nice scent for the next time you grill. Cut an onion and rub it on your still-hot grill to remove grease and grime easily.
#25 Wood skewer and kitchen appliances
Do you have a perfectly immaculate kitchen except for the dirt that gets into tiny cracks and crevices? Use the tip of a skewer to get that dirt moving.
#26 Vinegar and baking soda
When combined, the two make a nice fizzy foam that is great for science project volcanoes. That chemical reaction is also perfect for lifting just about any stain.
#27 Baking soda, a toothbrush, and the bathroom walls
Create a baking soda paste with three parts baking soda and one part water. Brush it onto moldy grout, wait a few hours, and then rinse.
#28 A hot iron for heat damage
It seems counter-intuitive, but it works. Place a light-colored towel over the marks, press it with an iron, and the marks should fade away almost instantly.
#29 Baking soda and a mattress
If your mattress needs refreshing, sprinkle it with baking soda, wait half an hour, and then vacuum it up. It will be amazingly fresh with minimal effort.
#30 Aluminum foil and laundry
Make your own laundry balls with aluminum foil. Just crumple up the foil into balls and throw them in with your clothes.
#31 A dry erase marker to remove permanent marker
It’s inevitable. Eventually, someone will use a permanent marker on the dry erase board. To get rid of it, draw over it with the correct marker and then quickly wipe it away. It will lift most of the permanent marker when nothing else would. This technique may take a few tries before the writing is entirely erased.
If you have scratches on wood furniture, try rubbing them with a walnut (without the shell). The oil from the walnut will absorb into the wood and make the mark much less noticeable.
If you have any smelly shoes or boots around the house, place a tea bag in each one. It will absorb the odors and dampness while providing a much nicer scent.
#34 Plastic wrap and the wall
Make plastic wrap and aluminum foil a million times easier to access and use. Punch out the sides of the box and hang them with two adhesive hooks.
#35 Corn starch and windows
Do you need some privacy? Coat your windows in a corn starch and water mixture and then place lace over that. The corn starch will create a hazy paste for the lace to attach to. (Almost) instant privacy!
#36 Shower curtain rod and cords
Cords are everywhere in most houses. Hide yours by slicing an old shower rod in half the long way and using it to cover them.
We all have a pair of socks that collects lint and dust. Place one on the Swiffer, and you have an instant and reusable duster.
#38 A golf tee and a missing cap
Caps go missing all the time. For the smaller ones (which seem to disappear at an alarming rate), the solution is a golf tee.
#39 Coffee grounds and the furniture
Hide wood furniture scratches with coffee grounds. Yep, it works, especially on darker wood.
#40 Mayonnaise and house plants
Mayo makes plants legitimately shine. Just wipe the leaves with a little mayonnaise and then wipe off any excess.
#41 Banana holder and headphones
Are you tired of trying to find your headphones? Place them on safely on a banana holder where you can always find them.
#42 Apple container and ornaments
Costco apple containers are great for protecting apples. When you’re done eating the fruit, they’re also a marvelous storage solution for Christmas ornaments.
#43 Hangers and gift wrap
Organizing gift wrap is never an easy task. Use hangers with clips to make it a whole lot easier.
#44 Chopsticks behind the kitchen sink
Use chopsticks to get to – and clean – hard to reach places in the kitchen. Use an elastic and a small cloth around the tip to really get things clean.
If the water isn’t flowing quite like it should from your shower head, remove mineral deposits from it with vinegar. Just unscrew the showerhead and place it in a bag of vinegar for a day.
If your sink has a dish soap dispenser, run the line directly into a giant bottle of dish soap. You’ll almost never have to replace it.
If you have wrinkled clothes and can’t seem to find the iron, throw the clothes into the dryer on hot with a couple of ice cubes. They will create a steam effect, and the wrinkles will melt away before the ice does.
#48 Coffee filters and cast-iron pans
When you store pans, place a coffee filter in them to reduce moisture and prevent rust. The coffee filter can be reused multiple times for this purpose.
#49 Car wax and the fridge
Are you tired of fingerprints on the fridge? Keep them away by polishing the outside of the refrigerator with car wax.
#50 Egg cartons and everything
Do you have drawers full of tiny items? Keep them organized in old egg cartons.
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Are you doing some serious cleaning but tired of doing it the same old way? Mix it up with these ideas, get the chores done faster, and find solutions to a few stubborn problems along the way.
What do you have to lose other than some dirt and grime?
Here are 50 strange but effective ways to do cleaning and organizing so easier:
