I’ve been researching, testing, and writing about cleaning hacks for over six years.Whatever you need to clean around the house whether you need to know how to clean washing machineAlso how to clean a glass shower door, odds are I’ve covered it. And after years of trial and error to remove all types of stains, it’s safe to say that we’ve learned which household cleaners are the most reliable and most versatile.
Achieving this was no easy task. Because I prefer to take an environmentally conscious approach to my cleaning routines by avoiding chemicals, strong scents and non-biodegradable solutions whenever possible. If so, here are seven items you always find in my cleaning cupboard and why I think they’re the unsung cleaning heroes.
We also have a lot of experience with washing machines.check out my top washing machine tips.
1. Distilled white vinegar
Of course vinegar has to come at the top of my list. As a natural descaling agent and disinfectant, vinegar has been used in all sorts of things around my home, from removing limescale from showers to redoing dishwasher pipes and drains. Used for chores.
Sure, it has a strong scent, but vinegar is one of the best natural cleansers I’ve used. It is particularly effective due to its acidic properties and contains no toxic chemicals.
Additionally, combining vinegar and baking soda creates a chemical reaction that is useful for all kinds of cleaning scenarios.if you need to know How to unclog a drainAlso how to clean a transparent phone case, you need to mix these two natural cleaners. This chemical reaction Why Baking Soda and Vinegar Are Great for CleaningThe bubbling removes oil stains, so you can quickly wipe it off when the bubbling stops.
Remember that if the smell of vinegar bothers you, you can dilute it to reduce its effects. It is suitable for large scale cleaning jobs. It’s also a good idea to ventilate your home when using vinegar. best air purifierdeodorant.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda is now indispensable. Originally designed as a chemical leavening agent, this cooking ingredient actually works wonders for cleaning. When mixed with water to form a paste, it has a weak abrasive action and breaks down oils and fats, making it ideal for scraping off stubborn stains.In fact, it’s my go-to for removing dirt from the underside of enameled cast iron skillets – see How to clean a cast iron skillet for more information. It has the same effect when cleaning the glass door of the oven.
Baking soda is also a great deodorant, so it’s a good idea to always stock up on extra. However, baking soda is toxic in large amounts, so be careful if you have children or pets running around.
3. Bleach
Bleach is always a powerful and reliable cleaner. This product is generally not eco-friendly, but the good news is that Ecover Non Chlorine Bleach ($15.83, Amazon (opens in new tab)).
Eco options are generally less powerful in terms of cleaning, but standard chlorine bleach is highly toxic to aquatic life and can cause serious respiratory problems if inhaled, so this switch Do yourself a favor and the environment by choosing a biodegradable non-chlorine alternative.
Bleach helps with all kinds of household chores around the house from scrubbing. floor tile groutto Remove mold from your wall. Not only is it great at killing germs and bacteria, but it’s also an effective whitener in the laundry room, so it helps in many ways. clean white shoes Also brighten white sheets.
Always wear protective gloves, goggles, and a mask when using bleach. Also don’t wear expensive clothes in case there is a splashback. plus, Don’t Make This Mistake When Cleaning With Bleach.
4. Microfiber cloth
Microfiber cloths are great for wiping all kinds of surfaces, from kitchen cabinets to mirrors. It’s also soft enough not to scratch delicate surfaces, making it perfect for dusting fragile items.
I also love that you don’t have to use chemicals to use the microfiber cloths. Just dampen it with water and you will be amazed at how easily it picks up dirt. I have several colored cloths so he can assign one for each room or cleaning task.
just remember clean microfiber cloth Regularly — easy to forget, these pick up a lot of dirt and require cleaning.
5. Lemon
While not technically a cleaning product, it’s always nice to have a few lemons in your cupboard. .
There are literally dozens of ways to clean with lemon. Great for descaling faucets, for example. I tried this TikTok lemon hack to remove limescale from my faucet — and essential when you need to learn How to clean the microwave likewise.check these out 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Lemon Cleansing If you still need convincing.
Lemon juice also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it a great natural cleaning alternative to chemicals. Alternate citrus fruits such as limes and oranges can often be used instead.
6. Sanitizer
Some of the suggestions above can be disinfected, but they are not as effective against viruses and bacteria as compared to dedicated disinfectants. I keep sanitizer on hand to redo surfaces.$20.98, Amazon (opens in new tab)).
7. Empty the spray bottle
We rarely throw away used, empty spray bottles. These are used to dilute your own cleaning solution and may require multiple bottles for different purposes.
For example, if you have a severe scale problem in your bathroom, or just put in full strength white distilled vinegar to apply directly to the baking soda. may become Don’t forget to label it so you don’t get confused!
For cleaning tips, tricks and how-to’s, check out how to clean an oven, how to clean a stainless steel sink, and how to clean a baking sheet.