I hate spending more time than I have to cleaning up my house. Because of this, I’ve developed a few cleaning hacks over the years to make my household chores pain-free. Whether you’re preparing for spring cleaning or you simply want to save some time, these tips will help you tackle your house-cleaning tasks with ease.
Consolidate Your Cleaning Products
There seems to be a cleaning product for just about every situation these days, but you can go a long way with just a few of them in your arsenal. If I had to pick just one product, it’d be Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Rose Pure-Castile Soap. When they say 18-in-1, they’re not lying — in fact, they’re being modest, because this stuff has way more than 18 uses. I use it on nearly every surface in my home, and I’ve even used it to take care of box-elder bugs in spring and fall.
Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Rose Pure-Castille Soap
from Target
Spray and Soak
A good cleaning routine is all about time management. I like to hit all the bathrooms first with a spray-down. Then, I’ll head to the kitchen and get dishes or pans soaking that have stuck-on food and grease. While the cleaning products are working their magic, I’ll tackle other tasks like vacuuming and starting a load of laundry. By the time I’m finished with those, the rooms I first visited will be ready for a quick wipe-down and some final touches. And that’s bathroom-cleaning hack 101.
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Establish a “Toss It” Bin
I like to put a laundry basket on the main floor and use it as a central collection site for decluttering. Junk mail, random pieces of fuzz or debris, papers and anything else that needs to go will be tossed in the basket as I make my way around the house. Since I can literally toss things in as I walk by without having to think (or open the trash can), it shaves some serious minutes off my cleaning time. When I’m finished cleaning the rest of the house, I usually have a half-full garbage bag to work with. That’s where I dump the contents of the basket and call it a day.
Create a Cleaning Caddy
If you must have multiple products (I don’t judge), a cleaning caddy is where it’s at. Think of it as a first aid kit for your cleaning supplies. I store mine under the kitchen sink so it’s readily available. It usually has a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, a few sponges, steel wool, window cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, and more. Having everything in one place saves you from having to spend time tracking down all of your essentials. And it’s just easy to carry from room to room.
United Solutions Organize Your Home Super Caddy
from Jet.com
Stock Up on Citrus
I use the microwave quite a bit in my house, and the quickest way to clean it is with a lemon. Slice it in half and place it in a microwave-safe bowl full of water. Set the microwave to three minutes on high and wait. Be very careful when you open it, as there will be some steam and the water will be hot. The oils from the lemon and the steam will loosen built-up crud inside your microwave and make your cleaning job a breeze.
Spring is right around the corner! The time has come to finally banish clutter and evict all the dust bunnies that have gathered around the house. Whether you live in a tiny studio, a two-bedroom apartment or a house, there’s no time like the present to clear out the cobwebs with a blast of spring cleaning motivation. Wondering where to start? Tackling your whole home at once may seem like an impossible task, so here’s an easy breakdown of our handy 
Be Brave and Start With the Kitchen
Tidy the Office or Desk Area
Freshen up the Bedroom
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3. Easy Microwave Cleaner: Microwaves are notoriously hard to clean because they are both tiny and prone to explosive messes. Use another natural remedy to this problem by microwaving a coffee cup of white vinegar for three minutes then wiping the microwave down with a clean, damp cloth.
6. Wave Bye Bye to Burnt-On Food: Cleaning burnt pots is perhaps the most infuriating thing ever, especially if they are Teflon-coated and you can easily damage them by abrasive scrubbing. Next time you have a sticky burnt mess on your hands, fill the pot or pan with warm water and throw in a dryer sheet to soak. In just a few minutes, it will be ready to wash and the scorched food will come off with ease.
9. Deep Clean Your Cutting Boards: Remember that lemon and salt treatment for your stainless steel sink? Double up the fun and apply it to your wooden cutting boards! Again, this is not something you have to do every day but it’s pretty easy and does not require a fancy, expensive cleaner.
12. Clean Your Coffee or Spice Grinder: If you don’t want to mix your coffees or spices, do a quick palette cleanse by adding stale bread or uncooked rice to your grinder and give it a few pulses. This will loosen up all the built-up powders so they will all come out with a good shake into the trash bin.
