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10 Spring Cleaning Tips You Probably Haven’t Thought Of

Posted on April 20, 2017 in Seasonal Home Tips

Clean a Little Differently This Season

Spring cleaning is in full swing and this year, why not clean your home with common household items you probably already have? Check out some of these uncommon cleaning methods from our Delaware home improvement company:

1. Clean your toilet with Kool-Aid.

It sounds crazy, but Kool-Aid is actually non-toxic, and the citric acid in it will get rid of stains. Sprinkle a packet in your toilet before you go to bed (the orange and lemon flavors work best) and swish it around with a toilet brush. In the morning, just flush!

2. Use newspaper instead of paper towels.

When cleaning glass, our window repair experts can tell you that your cleaner may leave streaks. Most of the time, it’s because of the oil that’s on the glass. Paper towels often smear the oil, however, newspaper will absorb it. Just spray your glass with cleaner, then lay newspaper over it. Give it a little time to absorb, then wipe away.

3. Add vinegar to your laundry.

Hate sorting your laundry? Just pour 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar in your washer along with your detergent and it will help preserve colors and remove stains. You can also use it as a fabric softener – just add 1/2 cup to your washer’s last rinse cycle.

4. Wax your air vents.

After you’ve cleaned your air vents, put some car wax on them. The dust won’t stick as quickly and the air will flow through better.

5. Use white bread to clean your walls.

To get smudges off of your walls, dust the wall with a soft cloth, then roll a piece of crustless white bread into a ball. Rub the bread on the smudge, making sure to go in the same direction so you don’t cause streaks. The sponginess of bread will lift the dirt.

6. Use salt & vinegar to clean fixtures.

Make a paste of 1 teaspoon vinegar and 2 teaspoons salt. Then, apply to your sink’s hardware fixtures and rub in with a cloth. The salt will buff away lime buildup and the vinegar will clean. Just rinse when you’re done.

7. Clean mirrors with shaving cream.

Get a can of the old-fashioned foamy shaving cream and rub some onto your mirrors using a cloth. Then, thoroughly wipe away the shaving cream with a clean cloth. Not only will your mirrors look great, but the shaving cream will prevent them from fogging after a shower.

8. Use a pillowcase to dust your fans.

If you have an old pillowcase, slip it over your fan blades and press down lightly as you pull it off. The material will collect the dust and it will stay in the pillowcase!

9. Polish (varnished) wood with lemons.

Mix a few drops of lemon juice and 1/2 cup warm water in a spray bottle. Then, spray on a slight damp clean cloth and wipe down your furniture. Not only will the lemon make the wood shine, it will leave a fresh, clean scent!

10. Make your own dishwasher detergent.

Combine 2 cups washing soda, 2 cups borax, and 25 drops of essential oil (try a citrus scent like grapefruit or lemon) in a bowl. Mix thoroughly with your hands to eliminate any clumps. Use 2 Tablespoons per wash in place of your store-bought detergent.