By SARAH CROW
Use shaving cream to remove carpet stains
That product you use to shave with also happens to be the solution to your carpet woes, according to Gary Downing, owner of Happy Happy Cleaning in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Blot up as much of the stain as you can, wet the carpet lightly with a sponge, put a dollop of shaving cream over the offending area, and wipe it up when you’re done—depending on the type of stain, the shaving cream can lift it right out.
Use bleach to disinfect kitchen tools before washing them
Worried about cross-contamination in your kitchen? “You can use bleach to clean up your kitchen utensils after using them on chicken,” says cleaning expert Arthur Ruth, the VP of operations for Memphis Maids, a house cleaning service in Memphis. Just make sure you wash them off thoroughly before you use them again!
Use rubbing alcohol to clean your electronics
Rubbing alcohol isn’t just for cleaning cuts—you can also use it to clean items around your house. “Alcohol is so versatile, you can use it to clean up your electronics, like your phone, keyboard, or even your mouse,” says Ruth.
Use a lint roller to pick up pieces of broken glass
Instead of scooping up pieces of broken glass with a wet paper towel, potentially cutting yourself in the process, use a lint roller, says Maker.
Use dish soap to get oil stains out of clothing
If you got some oil on your clothing while cooking, don’t worry—you can easily get it out with a little dish soap. Just put some over the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then launder as you would normally. Try this on an inconspicuous patch of fabric first to ensure that it doesn’t alter the garment’s color.
Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your counters
You know hydrogen peroxide is frequently used to clean cuts and scrapes, but did you know it can also spruce up your kitchen? “It has strong disinfecting properties, and you can use it to clean kitchen countertops, the dishwasher, and even the bathroom,” says cleaning expert Nathan Ripley, who runs Maid Just Right, a licensed house cleaning and maid service.
Use bleach to freshen up your trash can.
Bleach might just be your best weapon against that pungent smell in your trash can. “Use bleach to clean your garbage can,” suggests Ruth. “You need to clean it once in a while or the smell could build up over time.”
Use glass cleaner to keep raccoons out of your trash
Raccoons aren’t known to be picky about their meals, but a little ammonia-based glass cleaner on your garbage bags can help keep them away. Just spritz the garbage bags (or the bins themselves) with a little glass cleaner and you won’t find those foragers going through your trash again.
Use a Magic Eraser to clean a dirty cooktop
You don’t need to break out the heavy-duty cleaners to get your cooktop clean. If you’re dealing with a moderate level of dirt, a damp Magic Eraser can help you clean up your stovetop in no time.
Use white vinegar to get detergent buildup off of laundry
If your laundry’s feeling sticky after being washed, there’s a simple solution: white vinegar. Just toss a cup into the washing machine with your clothes, run a wash cycle, and the detergent causing those items to feel sticky will be done for.
Use detergent to clean your bathroom
If you’re out of your usual bathroom cleaning supplies, a little detergent can save the day. “It works great when you mix it with a little water and clean your home with it,” says Ruth.
Use bleach to remove mildew from your shower curtains
A little bleach goes a long way when it comes to refreshing that mildew-covered shower curtain. Simply dilute one cup of bleach into a gallon of water, and, wearing gloves, sponge it onto your shower curtain. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes, and the mildew will wipe right off!
Use white vinegar to unclog a drain
Whether you’ve got old pipes or just don’t like the idea of using a caustic drain cleaner, you can still get your drain unclogged with a gentler solution. “White vinegar is fantastic for cleaning surfaces and unclogging drains,” says Ripley.
Use a dish wand to scrub your toilet
To get your toilet and the surrounding area really clean, use a fresh dish brush. “Most people don’t like touching this area when dirty, so a soap-dispensing dish wand can help ensure a heavy-duty clean without the need to touch anything,” says Maker. “Fill the wand with equal parts vinegar and dish soap, scrub, and rinse well with a cloth and water.” Most importantly, however, “Make sure that dish wand is marked for use only in the bathroom!”
Use Ajax as a dusting agent
Ajax powder is good for more than just scrubbing serious messes. “You can use Ajax to clean old dust build-up in your home,” says Ruth. “Put some in a microfiber cloth and rub it on the dusty surface.”
Use oven cleaner to scrub your tub
That built-on soap scum is no match for your average oven cleaner. Gently buff it into your tub’s surface using a circular motion, let it sit for 10 minutes, and rinse it—and the offending grime—away.
Use dish soap to kill weeds
“Bought an industrial-sized bottle of liquid dish soap that you’re having trouble using? No problem,” says Derek Hale, editor-in-chief of Modern Castle, a website that reviews cleaning products and home goods. “You can mix dish soap with salt and white vinegar to make a solution that will kill weeds. Spray it using an old bottle of weed killer or get a new spray bottle. Mix one tablespoon of soap with one cup of salt and one gallon of white vinegar.”
Use carpet cleaner to refresh your mattress
If your mattress is looking a little worse for wear, freshen it up in no time with some carpet-cleaning powder. Simply sprinkle it on the mattress, allow it to sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum it up when you’re done.
Use a lint roller to dust off a lampshade
Lampshades seem to collect dust more easily than virtually any household object—but a lint roller can help you out in a hurry, says Maker. Simply clean up the lampshade with one of those sticky sheets—it’ll work much faster and collect more debris than a traditional duster.
