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12 Great Cleaning Hacks We Love

Tricks and tips to make your life easier ... because we all need that.

By Christen Reiner, publisher of Macaroni Kid Lakewood-Littleton & Macaroni Kid Denver February 3, 2022

I am a firm believer in life hacks. They save time, money, my sanity, and undoubtedly make my life easier. 

That's especially true with cleaning hacks, as I feel like I've been constantly cleaning during quarantine with my kids home so much! 

Here are my 12 favorite cleaning hacks:

1. Clean your shower/bathtub with equal parts blue Dawn and white vinegar.

  • Heat up the vinegar in the microwave until hot, but not boiling.
  • Add in blue Dawn and swish until mixed. 
  • Pour into a spray bottle and spray your shower and tub — leave for about an hour.
  • You should be able to wipe away soap scum and dirt without any elbow grease required!

2.  Put your aluminum cookie sheets in the oven when using the self-cleaning feature and they will come out looking brand new.

  • Do NOT use this method for your nonstick cookie sheets!

3. Use an old pillowcase to catch dirt and dust when cleaning ceiling fans.

  • Place the pillowcase over one blade at a time and tap the blade. Wipe it as you remove the pillowcase.
  • Repeat for each blade, inverting and shaking out the pillowcase as needed. Wash between cleaning sessions.
  • BONUS: Spray a small amount of Turtle Wax Spray on the blades to keep them clean longer.

4. Spray Rain-X on your glass shower doors, and you won't need to clean them as much.

  • Spray the doors right after cleaning and water will bead up instead of sticking to the glass!

5. Remove hairspray residue from walls, counters, and floors with a mix of one part fabric softener to two parts water.

  • Paint the mixture on with a sponge and leave for 5 minutes.
  • Wipe off with paper towels. (You will be amazed. Just wait.)

6. Put silicone cupcake liners in your car's cup holders.

  • When they get dirty, run them through the dishwasher. Your cup holders will stay shiny and new.

7. Clorox toilet bowl cleaning gel works wonders on grout.

  • Let the gel sit for 30 minutes, if possible. 
  • Or use a toothbrush or small grill brush and really get in there! 

8. Pour a little Pine-Sol in the bottom of your outside trash can after each trash pick up to keep the "trash juice" smell away.

  • I keep a bottle right next to the cans for easy access.

9.  Heat up wet paper towels in your microwave to loosen stuck-on foods.

  • Make sure the paper towels are a bit more than damp, but not soaking wet, and heat for one minute. Then easily wipe off the mess inside the microwave!

10. Use dryer sheets...

  • In your heating/AC vents, and your house will always smell laundry fresh.
  • To clean ceiling fans and baseboards. It will keep dust at bay in both areas.
  • To clean dusty and dirty window screens.

11. Use Barbasol Shaving Cream to clean mirrors and stainless steel. No streaks!

  • Not only will everything shine, your house will smell fresh and clean.

12. Store folded (or unfolded!) sheets in the coordinating pillow case. 

  • Never lose pieces of the set again and easily store the sheets in your linen closet!

What tried and true cleaning life hacks do you use? Tag @MacaroniKid on Instagram and let us know!

Christen Reiner is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Lakewood-Littleton & Macaroni Kid Denver in Colorado.