30 Easy Cleaning Hacks for People Who Hate Cleaning
I love a quick and easy cleaning hack, but I don’t always enjoy cleaning.
I know, I run a cleaning blog. Who would’ve thought?
If you’re anything like me, I hope you find a few hacks here that make cleaning faster, easier, and maybe even a little fun.
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General Cleaning Hacks
Hack #1. Acetone To Remove Stains on Walls
Use a small amount of acetone (nail polish remover) on a cotton pad to gently remove scuff marks, pen, or crayon from painted walls.
Always spot test first and be very gentle!
Hack #2. Mop for Cleaning Windows
Use the combination of a microfibre mop and a squeegee to clean your windows or large glass doors.
You will easily reach tall or wide windows without a ladder and the squeegee will give you zero streaks.
Hack #3. Use a Robot Vacuum for Lazy Cleaning
I turn this on before I go to bed and I get clean floors in the morning without lifting a finger.
Schedule it and forget it! I have had mine for over 4 years.
Hack #4. Paintbrush for Window and Door Seals
A small paintbrush is perfect for dust and crumbs trapped in your window and door seals.
You can use it dry or with a bit of dish soap. If you use it wet, dry off with a damp microfibre cloth.
Hack #5. Keep a Mini Cleaning Caddy on Every Floor (or Room)
Keep a few basic supplies like spray cleaner, microfibre cloths, and dusters in a mini caddy on each floor or room.
This makes quick cleaning way easier and you won’t have to deal with the “ugh” of going to grab stuff to clean.
Hack #6. Use the 15-Minute Zone Cleaning Rule
Set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle one small area, your entry way drawer, shoe cupboard, or under the sink. It’s amazing what you can do in short, focused bursts.
Hack #7. Solution For Finger Marks
If you want to prevent finger prints, mix equal parts white vinegar, rinse aid, and dish soap in a spray bottle. Use it to clean glass and stainless steel appliances.
I was shocked when I tested this and it worked, it actually helps reduce fingerprints on surfaces.
Hack #8. Remove Sticker Residue with Rubbing Alcohol
If sticker glue won’t come off, soak a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol and it’ll wipe off.
Great for glass/ plastic jars, mirrors, and new products. (I see you TK Maxx price stickers)
Bathroom Cleaning Hacks
Hack #9. Citric Acid for Hard Water Buildup
Mix citric acid with warm water to spray inside your toilets. It removes it fast. See it in action in this video.
Hack #10. Squeegee for Shower Glass
Keep a basic squeegee in the shower.
Getting everyone in the habit of squeegeeing after every shower will save you a lot of time cleaning because there is no hard water build up to clean later.
Trust me, it shaves of at least 30 minutes of my bathroom cleaning time.
Hack #11. Rain-X to Prevent Water Marks
Apply Rain-X to clean glass shower doors.
It creates a protective barrier so water beads off instead of sticking. This means you won’t get as many hard water stains.
Hack #12. Oxygen Bleach for Sinks
If you want to keep your sink white, especially composite sinks.
Fill it with warm water and a scoop of oxygen bleach (like OxiClean), then let it soak.
It lifts stains so well! It’s one of the best hacks I ever discovered.
Hack #13. Toilet Bombs for a Self-Cleaning Toilet
Make or buy toilet bombs that contain citric acid.
Drop one in your toilet every other night and it will keep it white and also prevent any limescale.
I love this hack because it is such a low effort way of cleaning. Here’s a guide on making your own toilet bombs.
Kitchen Hacks
Hack #14. Oxygen Bleach for Coffee-Stained Cups
If you have a coffee-stained mug, even one with a stainless steel lining, pour hot water and a spoonful of oxygen bleach directly into the mug.
Let it sit overnight, and it will look brand new.
Hack #15. Soda Crystals for a Slow-Moving Drain
Pour soda crystals (washing soda) down the drain, then add boiling water. It helps clear oil blockages naturally.
Do it at least once in two weeks as a regular practice.
Hack #16. Sunlight for Stained Bowls
Leave plastic bowls or blenders stained with hard to remove stains like turmeric out in direct sunlight for a few hours. The UV light will lick it right off! It’s fantastic.
Hack #17. Clean Your Cutting Boards with Lemon + Salt
Sprinkle salt on your cutting board, then scrub with half a lemon.
It removes odors, and naturally sanitises them.
Hack #18. Soda Crystals for Grease on the Hob
Speaking again of soda crystals. It is such a great degreaser.
Sprinkle soda crystals in a large bowl, sink or bathtub and soak any greasy hob grate, or oven racks in the solution overnight.
By morning, the grease will lift off easily.
Hack #19. Blender Cleaning Hack
Fill your blender with warm water and a drop of dish soap.
Blend for 30 seconds, rinse, and you’re done. If you want to remove any strong smells, blend with vinegar and all the smells will disappear.
It’s like magic!
Hack #20. Get Rid of Garlicky Hands with Stainless Steel
Rub your hands on a stainless steel soap (yes they exist), on a stainless steel sink, or tap to neutralise garlic and onion smells.
I don’t know the science behind it, but it works.
Totally off topic but I also use a stainless steel spoon in my mouth to get rid of garlic breath.
Hack #21. Baby Oil in Composite Sinks
Pour a little baby oil onto a cloth and rub it on your composite sink (especially the coloured ones).
It helps repel water for a while. At least you can avoid those ugly water marks even if just for a sort while.
Hack #22. Shine Tiles with White Vinegar
Spray white vinegar on backsplash tiles then buff with a microfibre cloth. It makes it shine so well.
Hack #23. Use Oil to Remove Set Grease Stains
Oil is one of the best things to remove oil.
A bit of cooking oil on a paper towel, cloth or even brush can help remove sticky grease from cupboard doors.
Follow with dish soap or a soapy microfibre cloth to remove the oil.
Hack #24. Vinegar to Clean the Microwave
Microwave a mug filled with white vinegar and water on high for 5 minutes.
The steam loosens dirt, so you can wipe everything off easily.
Laundry Hacks
Hack #25. Vinegar Instead of Fabric Softener for Towels
Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It gives you pillowy soft towels, and keeps them very absorbent.
Hack #26. Soda Crystals to Boost Laundry & Remove Odours
Toss a scoop of soda crystals in with your detergent.
It neutralises smells (especially from gym clothes) and softens the hard water so your laundry detergent actually works better.
I use this especially when I forget my clothes in the drum after a wash cycle. You know that musty smell? It gets rid of it.
Hack #27. Dish Soap for Makeup Stains & Dirty Collars
Apply a little dish soap directly onto shirt collars or makeup stains and hand wash before putting in the washing machine.
It breaks down oils and removes tough stains.
Please don’t put dish soap in your washing machine (I don’t care how many TikTokers have said it’s okay), it’s the quickest way to ruin it.
Hack #28. Use Bluing Liquid to Brighten Whites
If your white towels, sheets, or T-shirts are looking dull or yellowed, add a few drops of liquid bluing liquid (like Mrs. Stewart’s) to water then add to your rinse cycle.
The blue tint counteracts yellow tones and makes whites appear brighter (it’s basically an optical illusion).
Just make sure you dilute it well, because using too much can tint your whites blue.
Hack #29. Fold Clothes in Front of the TV
Hate folding? Trick yourself by pairing it with Netflix or your favourite show. You’ll be done before you even realise it.
Hack #30. Clean Your Dishwasher with Citric Acid
Add 2-3 tablespoons of citric acid to the dishwasher in place of a dishwasher cleaner and run a hot, empty cycle.
It really breaks down limescale, and makes it shine.
You don’t have to love cleaning to live in a clean, happy home.
With the right lazy-girl hacks, you can get such a clean home with little effort.
Which one are you going to try first?
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