Make Your Home Sparkle

Before you tackle that long list of cleaning tasks, try some of these cleaning hacks designed to make these chores faster and easier.

Try natural solutions

Commercial cleaning solutions can add extra costs to your deep cleaning session, not to mention the harsh chemicals can leave behind unpleasant odors. Why not experiment with everyday pantry items? These often cost less and are just as effective in their cleaning power.

A simple solution of warm water and vinegar removes built-up grime from your floors, while leaving a clean, rinse-free finish. Just add a half cup of distilled white vinegar to a gallon of warm water and start mopping.

If you dislike the smell of vinegar, add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil – the fresh scent will be like a small reward!

Shortcut to shining windows

If you want streak-free mirrors and clean windows without the hassle, try adding a teaspoon of cornstarch to your favorite glass cleaner and shake until dissolved. Cornstarch improves the cleaning power of the solution and makes streaks a thing of the past, so you'll get the job done more quickly.

Protect your hard work

Here’s an easy tip that will not only shine up your kitchen appliances, but it will also repel fingerprints and food splatters often left behind. Just spritz on a little wood furniture polish and rub in with a soft cloth until the surface shines like new.

Clean up top

Dust can collect on those high, hard-to-reach places, such as ceiling fans, making cleaning day more difficult. To clean your ceiling fan without showering dust bunnies everywhere, an old pillowcase is your best tool. Spritz the inside of the pillowcase with a vinegar and water solution and slip it over the blades of the fan, pulling it back to trap the dust.

For those tough to reach moldings and corners, use a sturdy rubber band to wrap a microfiber cloth around the end a broom, and give those hard-to-reach areas a clean sweep!

When cleaning is fun (and somewhat effortless), you'll feel more energized and gain the momentum you need to knock out your list of chores. Afterward, your home will sparkle from top to bottom, which is its own reward!