50 Ways to Save Time and Money While Cleaning Your Home

Products Needed: A dry towel
What it Does: The towel will absorb the moisture 
Cost: $19*

How many times have you needed a certain item of clothing and it’s been wet? You rush to throw it in the dryer but even that takes too long. The stress of running late can be so unbearable, but we’ve all been in that situation before, no matter how much we prepare ahead of time. 

Dry Your Clothes Faster ©Spok83 / Shutterstock.com

There is an easy hack that will speed up the drying process which really makes so much sense once you hear it! Simply put a dry towel in with the wet clothes and the dry towel will soak up all that extra moisture! How much time this hack could have saved had we known it sooner! 

Products Needed: Black tea
What it Does: Cleans windows and mirrors 
Cost: $1.99*

Windows and mirrors can be deceivingly tricky to clean properly. They end up looking dirtier than before with swipe marks and white swooshes which don’t seem to ever come off. It can be such a time-waster, as you need to go over it several times to see decent results.

Remove Stains with Black Tea @nesall / Pinterest.com

Sometimes the most natural and simple solutions are the best ones. After trying every window cleaner in the book, it turns out that black tea is the best option of them all. Soak a few tea bags for an hour or so and spray onto the windows and mirrors to clean. A little wipe with a clean towel to remove the teabags and your windows will be cleaner than ever. 

Products Needed: Salt, one potato, and vegetable oil
What it Does: Cleans the pan without damage 
Cost: $3*

Cleaning cast iron pans is a delicate balance between not wanting to scratch the surface and needing to get all the dirt and grime off. We use them so frequently in our kitchens that the amount of wear and tear they go through is quite remarkable. There is a foolproof method to cleaning cast iron pans that, while time-consuming, is extremely effective using things you already have lying around the house.

Clean Cast Iron with Salt @tidymom / Pinterest.com

You will need to pour some vegetable oil into the pan and then cover it with kosher salt. Cut a potato in half and rub the salt into the pan using the cut side of the potato. You won’t believe how the pan comes clean without causing any damage. 

Products Needed: A pair of socks 
What it Does: Clean blinds 
Cost: $2*

Cleaning blinds is one of those tasks we leave and try to turn a blind eye towards until we can’t stand to look at them anymore. They are annoying to clean and collect so much dust being right at the windows that it is a very unpleasant task.

Use a Sock for Blinds @tudoconstrucaol / Pinterest.com

The simplest way we’ve found to clean blinds is with a sock. Simply combine water and vinegar in equal parts and dip the sock lightly into the mixture. Put your hand in the sock and you can wipe each blind down using your hands, the mixture will clean all the dust right off. Using the second sock, give it another wipe to dry and your blinds will be clean as new!

Products Needed: Baking soda, liquid dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide
What it Does: Deep cleans off stains 
Cost: $10*

There are enormous benefits to using a mattress protector over and above protecting the little ones from accidents. Over the years mattresses accumulate all kinds of stains from spills and wear and tear. If you find yourself with a stained mattress, fear not! Try this recipe and you will see all the stains come right out, saving you a trip to Bed Bath & Beyond.

Get Rid of Mattress Stains ©Andrew Angelov / Shutterstock.com

Mix up the baking soda, liquid dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide into a spray can and spray over the stained areas. You can leave them to soak if the stains are more serious, and then give it a good rub with a towel. Over and above this, vacuuming the mattress will help to lift out any dust that has settled into the mattress too.

Products Needed: Baking soda and vinegar 
What it Does: Cleans the dishwasher
Cost: $6*

Dishwashers are a luxury that save so much time and prevent many arguments about who’s turn it is to do the dishes. One thing to remember though is that the dirt does tend to accumulate in the machines and it is important to give the dishwasher itself a wash from time to time to prevent odors and dirt build-up.

Use Vinegar in your Dishwasher ©Leszek Glasner / Shutterstock.com

It’s really easy to do with things you most likely already have lying around the house. All you need is some white vinegar in a cup, placed on the upper rack of the dishwasher and some baking soda on the bottom. Run the machine on a normal cycle and the baking soda and vinegar will give it a thorough clean. Simple as that! 

Products Needed: Dish Soap
What it Does: Washes the blender 
Cost: $2.99*

How many times have you wanted to make a smoothie but not because you can’t be bothered to clean the bits and pieces? It is such an annoying task that most blenders end up lonely and dusty on kitchen counters, hardly ever used for this reason. 

Clean Your Blender In Minutes @sandramkwan2 / Pinterest.com

Cleaning them is actually really easy to do if you know this simple hack. Once you’ve finished blending your fabulous fruits and whatever other healthy and delicious goodies, all you need to do is put some warm water and soap into the blender. Let it run for a few minutes and that’s it! Give it a little rinse and you’re good to go.

Products Needed: Seam ripper 
What it Does: Pulls hair out of vacuum roller brush 
Cost: $1.99*

This might be one of the worst areas in the whole house to clean, the vacuum cleaner itself. When you open it up and look at the roller brush it is truly gag worthy. Hair from what looks like 500 people strung around the roller clinging on for dear life. Try to resist the urge to throw it away immediately and calmly get your sewing kit.

Use a Seam Ripper on Your Vaccum @sandramkwan2 / Pinterest.com

The seam ripper is the perfect tool for cutting into the hair. Take the edge and maneuver the sharp tool below the hairs to pull all the hair out of the tool. Once you’ve removed the hair you can also throw it in the dishwasher for extra cleanliness. 

Products Needed: White wine 
What it Does: Removes stains 
Cost: $10*

Wine stains are the worst for two reasons: first, they are really hard to get out, and second, wasted wine is tragic! Fear not, the solution to the wasted wine tragedy is (unfortunately) to waste more wine! Well – it’s not really a waste if it actually gets the stain out. 

Get Red Wine Stains Out With White Wine ©Vershinin89 / Shutterstock.com

Jokes aside, white wine is great for removing red wine stains out of carpets. Simply wet the stain down with water first, and then blot the wine on the stain. You will notice immediately how the wine removes the stain with ease. Vodka also does the trick and if you don’t have any of those on hand you can try rubbing alcohol. 

Products Needed: Coffee filters
What it Does: Attracts dust from the screen 
Cost: $1*

TV and computer screens are dust magnets, and that dust tends to be difficult to clean. This hack will simplify cleaning your computer and also make use out of those extra coffee filters you have lying around! The best type of hacks are the ones that use things you already have at home and this one is no exception!

Clean Your Computer with a Coffee Filter ©BW Folsom / Shutterstock.com

Remember to turn your screen off before cleaning and then simply run the dry filter across the screen. Sweep the screen from one side to the other, covering the whole surface. You will notice how the filter attracts the dust and gets it off with ease – this is due to the fact that coffee filters are lint-free! 

Products Needed: Ladder and a pillowcase 
What it Does: The pillowcase catches the dust 
Cost: $60*

Cleaning ceiling fans is one of those jobs that are so tricky and messy that we tend to turn a blind eye hoping that it will magically dust itself. Of course, it doesn’t, so we have to do the deed in the end. This hack will not only make cleaning the tops easier, but it will also catch any falling dust residue before it can land on your carpets, spreading mess everywhere.

Use a Pillow Case to Clean Your Fans @wandaraleigh / Pinterest.com

You will need a sturdy ladder and a pillowcase for this. Climb the ladder until you can reach the blade of the fan and put the pillowcase on the individual blade. Rub the top of the blade with the pillowcase and the dust will fall into the case. To wash the pillowcase after just remember to turn it inside out. 

Products Needed: Plastic bag and vinegar 
What it Does: The vinegar dissolves the mineral build-up 
Cost: $2*

Mineral build-up on our showerheads is a common problem, especially if you live in a state with particularly hard water. We see it in our kettles too – and the problem is both unsightly and unhealthy. Vinegar cuts through the build-up easily but how to get the vinegar all the way up to the showerhead? Simple!

Tie a Plastic Bag On Your Shower Head @tamioaks5 / Pinterest.com

All you need to do is take a plastic bag and half fill it with vinegar. Then you tie the bag around the showerhead so that the head itself is soaking in the vinegar. You can leave it to soak for up to a couple of hours for more extreme cases and your shower head will be good as new! 

Products Needed: Mayonnaise 
What it Does: Removes sticky adhesive 
Cost: $3*

There are few things as annoying as trying to get a sticker off a glass container. The white residue is relentless and you can sit there peeling it off millimeter by millimeter, wasting precious time, all in the name of upcycling. Not anymore though, thanks to a simple condiment that you most likely already have in your fridge! 

Mayonnaise to Remove Sticker Residue @thekitchn / Pinterest.com

The reasoning behind using mayonnaise to remove sticker residue is that mayonnaise itself is oily. Believe it or not, the white condiment is your best friend when removing annoying stickers – simply put the mayonnaise on the sticky surface and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Wipe it off using a dry cloth and it should be totally clean! For more stubborn stickers, a repeat of this process might be necessary.

Products Needed: Half an onion 
What it Does: Disinfect and clean the grill 
Cost: 0.50c*

There is nothing quite like a summer barbecue. Family and friends gathering for grilled meat, salads and beer, what more could you want? The downside is the clean up, and the grill, in particular, is difficult to get clean. It’s so important to clean the grill thoroughly between uses as the build-up of bacteria can be harmful. Fortunately, there is a simple and cheap way to clean the grill fast and effectively. 

Onion On Grill / @elbud | Shutterstock.com

Simply cut an onion in half, peel away the skin and skewer the onion face down. This is only effective when the grill is hot so be sure to do this at the end of the barbecue before the grill cools down. By rubbing the onion on the grill it will act as a natural disinfectant, cleaning up to be ready for the next summer’s day!