Become a Multitasker
It’s amazing what you can accomplish when multitasking. If you happen to be chatting on the phone, put your conversation on speaker so you can fold laundry, tidy up clutter, dust the shelves, empty the dishwasher. Suddenly all those minutes spent gabbing can be put to doubly good use.
Related: How To—Clean EVERYTHING
Disinfect Door Knobs with Convenient Wipes
Door handles are one of the most common places where harmful germs and bacteria live. That's why one of the surest ways to prevent household illness is to disinfect door handles and knobs. As you go about your day at home, take a few minutes to wipe the door knobs clean with a disinfectant wipe.
Related: The Dirty Dozen—12 Places You Probably Never Clean But Definitely Should
Wash Dirty Dishes as You Cook
Cut through after-dinner dishwashing time by washing as you cook. If you can't take your eye off the stove long enough to clean up, try this instead. Fill your sink with hot soapy water and place used dishes soak while you eat. Presoaked dishes are much easier—and faster—to clean!
Related: Your Dishwasher Can Do Better—9 Tips to Boost Performance
Put Down the Iron
Ironing has become a household chore that most people refuse to do. Instead of firing up the iron, remove clothes from the dryer and fold or hang them up right away to prevent wrinkles. For clothes with wrinkles, dampen the item with a little water and then steam the clothes in the dryer for fifteen minutes. Not only will the wrinkles be gone, but you’ll have saved yourself the tedious time spent ironing.
Related: 8 Things You Didn't Know a Clothes Iron Can Do
Clean the Shower Daily
After your daily shower, spray the walls with a store-bought or DIY cleansing spray and wipe dry to keep the soap scum and water stains away. Spending these extra few minutes during your daily shower will help prevent buildup, which can take a lot of elbow grease to remove if left untouched.
Related: 10 Quick Fixes for a More Refreshing Shower
Freshen Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal can get quite nasty and smelly over time, but here’s a simple trick to keep it smelling fresh. Chop a lemon into pieces and place into an ice cube tray. Add white vinegar and freeze. Every few days, drop a couple of cubes into your garbage disposal and turn it on to wipe out kitchen odor.
Related: 7 Kitchen Sink Sins to Avoid
Unclog Your Shower Head
The easiest way to clean a clogged shower head is to use distilled vinegar in a sturdy plastic bag that is secured over the shower head. Leave it to soak for an hour to allow the limescale to break down. Remove the bag and rinse. Your shower head will be sparkly and clog free while you're off taking care of other things.
Related: 10 Handy Household Uses for Vinegar
Clean Your Microwave Easily
When microwaved food bakes onto the appliance walls and ceiling, cleaning it can be a time-consuming chore. Save yourself the effort by heating a bowl of ½ cup water and ½ cup white vinegar in the microwave for ten minutes. The steam will loosen any splatters so that they can be easily wiped away with a damp sponge.
Related: 10 Things You Didn't Know Your Microwave Can Do
A Dishwasher Isn’t Just for Dishes
The dishwasher is one of the best kitchen appliances to ever save you time, but don’t limit its use to just washing dishes. Many household items should be disinfected on a regular basis—and most can safely be washed in the dishwasher. Plastic toys, toothbrush holders, vacuum filters, and sponges are just a few items that your dishwasher can safely clean.
Related: Over a Dozen Things You Didn't Know You Could Clean in the Dishwasher
Use Compressed Air to Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fans
It’s amazing where dust and grim can collect, but some places are harder to clean than others. Many people have used compressed air to clean dirt from electronics, but it can also be used to remove dirt from bathroom exhaust fans. Because of the humidity, the dirt clinging to the exhaust fan tends to be stubborn, but a blast of air can help dislodge it. So, if you don't have time to clean up with a sponge, try a can of air instead.
Related: 10 Cleaning Habits to Blame for Your Messy Home
Keep Drains Free of Clogs
Drains will collect whatever can't quite make it through them. So if you neglect this household chore, you may soon regret it. To help prevent hair from building up in the shower or bathroom sink, pour boiling water down drains once a week. For stubborn clogs, you may need to slip on a rubber glove and manually clean the drain and then flush with hot water. This little bit of cleaning know-how can save a costly plumbing fix later.
Related: No Plunger Needed—7 Easier Ways to Clear a Clog
Banish Dust Bunnies
It’s amazing how big the dust bunnies lurking in corners can become. To prevent them from collecting, keep the corners free of clutter. If you do have furniture situated in corners, grab a broom or vacuum and regularly tackle these areas. A dustpan with a rubber edge works well to prevent the annoying line of dust when sweeping up dirt.
Related: 15 Remarkably Easy Ways to Create a Dust-Free Home
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