There are plenty of dirties, outrageous messes that somehow find their way into our homes. Here are some fast cleaning tips to fix any disaster area.
1. If you have: Grimy kitchen walls
The combination of cooking grease, steam, and regular old dust creates a sticky residue on your kitchen’s surfaces. Clean up grease splatters from your walls, range hood, and cabinets by washing them with a sponge dipped in undiluted white vinegar. Use another sponge soaked in water to rinse, then wipe dry with paper towels.
Tip: Don’t forget the top of your fridge, which can get greasy as well.
2. If you have: A splatter-filled microwave
If the interior of your microwave is a real mess, use the softening power of steam to your advantage. Mix 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a glass bowl, then bring to a rolling boil inside the microwave.
Carefully remove the hot bowl and wipe the microwave clean of the now-loosened food using a paper towel.
3. If you have: A gross kitchen garbage can
An often-overlooked source of real filth is the kitchen garbage, as traces of food and liquid make their way out of the bin liner and onto the can itself, leaving a smelly mess. Scrub using dish detergent or multi-surface cleaning liquid and a nylon-bristle brush (your bathtub is an ideal place for this task). Rinse and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
4. If you have: Crusty, burned-on oven spills
Don’t leave that baked-on mess on the bottom of your oven; it can give off unpleasant odors and even create smoke. If you can’t run a self-cleaning cycle, spritz with water from a spray bottle, then sprinkle on some baking soda and add a few drops of white vinegar.
Let the mixture bubble for a minute or so, then use a scrub sponge to sweep away the grime. Follow with a thorough wipe-down with a damp paper towel.
5. If you have: Cloudy, unsightly shower soap scum
A haze of soap residue and hard water spots accumulates quickly in showers and on shower doors. To remove, use a sponge or clean cloth to wipe room-temperature white vinegar onto your shower walls and door. The acid in the vinegar will help dissolve the residue. Wipe clean with a damp paper towel. To prevent buildup, use a squeegee on the surfaces after each shower.
Tip: Use a nylon brush to scrub out the shower door’s tracks.
6. If you have: A less-than-tidy toilet bowl
Time can be your ally when tackling a dirty toilet. To clean and deodorize the toilet bowl, pour one cup of white distilled vinegar or multi-surface cleaning liquid into the bowl and let sit for several hours or overnight, if possible. Then scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.
7. If you have: Filthy windows
Clean windows make everything seem brighter, but you don’t need additional bottles of window cleaner for the job—simply use a multi-surface spray cleaner or a water-vinegar solution, and wipe windows down using crumpled-up newspapers or paper towels. Tip: Wash windows on a cloudy day; the windows dry more slowly and will streak less.
8. If you have: Pet hair everywhere
Of course, you can use special lint rollers and dry sponges—but if you’re in a hurry, simply dampen the palm of your hand and wipe the pet hair off in a downward motion. Rubber gloves or latex gloves also work.