10 Cleaning Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner

What’s more, when these techniques are combined with a simple cleaning routine that keeps things ticking along each week, your home becomes much easier to maintain. Below, you’ll find ten highly effective hacks using items you probably already have at home, alongside tips to help you slot these ideas seamlessly into your wider housekeeping habits.

1. Remove Hard Water Stains Easily With Lemon

Hard water marks on taps, shower heads, and stainless steel surfaces are a common annoyance, especially in areas with high mineral content in the water. The natural acidity in lemon juice provides a gentle but powerful solution for dissolving these mineral deposits.

How to use it:

• Cut a lemon in half.
• Rub the exposed side directly onto the stained surface.
• Allow the juice to sit for 3–5 minutes.
• Rinse and dry with a clean cloth.

Why it works:

Lemon contains citric acid, which breaks down limescale without the harsh fumes or residue associated with chemical products.

Extra tip:

Lemon juice also cuts through grease in microwaves and refreshes chopping boards. Simply apply, leave for a few minutes, then wipe clean.

2. Clear Clogged Drains With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Slow drains can be frustrating, but before reaching for commercial products, try this simple kitchen-cupboard method. The fizzing reaction helps dislodge grime, hair, and soap scum.

Steps:

1. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain.
2. Add ½ cup of vinegar immediately afterwards.
3. Cover the drain and allow the mixture to fizz for around 15 minutes.
4. Flush with hot water to clear the loosened debris.

Maintenance tip:

Use this once a month as a preventative measure to keep drains running smoothly and reduce future blockages.

3. Achieve Streak-Free Windows Using Newspaper

Paper towels often leave streaks and fibres behind. Newspaper, however, has tightly packed fibres that polish glass to a clean shine.

Steps:

• Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
• Spray onto the glass surface.
• Wipe using a scrunched-up sheet of newspaper until the glass is dry and streak-free.

Additional use:

This is just as effective on bathroom mirrors, helping them stay clean for longer.

4. Remove Crayon Marks With Toothpaste

Kids’ artwork is wonderful—unless it ends up on the walls. Luckily, a bit of ordinary white toothpaste can lift waxy marks without damaging paint.

How to do it:

• Apply a small dab of non-gel toothpaste to a damp cloth.
• Gently rub the affected area in circular motions.
• Wipe away residue with a clean, damp cloth.

Safety tip:

Always test a small, hidden area of the wall first to ensure the paint finishes remain intact.

5. Dust Surfaces Using Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets have anti-static properties, making them surprisingly effective for dusting. They also leave behind a fresh scent as an added bonus.

Where they work well:

• Skirting boards
• Venetian blinds
• TV stands and media units
• Electronics (excluding screens)

Eco-friendly note:

Used dryer sheets are perfect for repurposing as dusters, giving them a second life before disposal.

6. Steam-Clean Your Microwave With Lemon Water

Microwaves quickly accumulate food splatters, but scrubbing them doesn’t have to be a chore. Steam loosens dried-on grime so you can wipe it away effortlessly.

Steps:

• Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water.
• Add a few slices of lemon.
• Microwave for 3–5 minutes.
• Let it sit for another minute (careful—it's hot), then wipe down the interior.

Bonus:

This trick also works for loosening grime inside ovens and on stovetops, especially around burner rings.

7. Clean Ceiling Fans With a Pillowcase

One of the simplest ways to avoid dust raining onto your furniture is to use a pillowcase. It traps dust inside rather than letting it fall.

Instructions:

• Slide a clean pillowcase over each blade.
• Gently pull back, applying light pressure to collect dust inside the fabric.
• Shake the dust outside and wash the pillowcase as needed.

Why it helps:

The enclosed fabric prevents dust clouds and reduces the need to re-clean nearby furniture afterwards.

8. Remove Shower Head Limescale With Vinegar

Mineral build-up can restrict water flow and create unsightly residue. Vinegar dissolves this naturally and with very little effort.

What to do:

• Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar.
• Secure it over the shower head with an elastic band.
• Leave it to soak overnight.
• Remove in the morning and run the shower to rinse.

Extra use:

This also works on taps, especially those with visible limescale around the base.

9. Freshen Carpets With Baking Soda

Baking soda is excellent at absorbing odours from carpets, rugs, and even fabric sofas. It’s particularly helpful for homes with pets or children.

Steps:

• Sprinkle baking soda generously over your carpet.
• Leave for at least 15 minutes, or overnight for stubborn smells.
• Vacuum thoroughly.

Optional:

Mix in a few drops of an essential oil before sprinkling for a fresh, natural scent.

10. Remove Pet Hair With Rubber Gloves

Pet hair can cling to sofas and cushions even after vacuuming. Rubber gloves provide the perfect texture to lift hair efficiently.

How to use them:

• Slightly dampen a pair of clean rubber gloves.
• Run your hands over the fabric.
• The hair will cling to the gloves, allowing you to gather and discard it.

Bonus tip:

This is also brilliant for fabric car seats, especially if you regularly travel with pets.

Additional Tips to Enhance Your Cleaning Routine

While these hacks can make cleaning quicker, they’re even more effective when combined with good overall habits. You might find it helpful to build a simple cleaning routine that keeps clutter and mess under control throughout the week rather than letting tasks accumulate.

You can also make use of expert domestic cleaning tips to help refine your approach, ensure tasks are spaced sensibly, and reduce the amount of time spent on deep cleans.

For those who prefer structured cleaning tasks, a professional house-cleaning checklist can be a useful tool for staying consistent, especially during weekly resets or seasonal deep cleans.

Quick Reference Checklist

To keep these hacks at your fingertips, here’s a handy summary:

Stain & Surface Solutions

• Lemon for taps, shower heads, microwaves, chopping boards
• Toothpaste for crayon marks
• Vinegar + newspaper for streak-free glass

Freshening & Deodorising

• Baking soda on carpets
• Lemon water steam for microwaves

Dusting & Maintenance

• Dryer sheets for skirting boards and blinds
• Pillowcase for ceiling fans

Problem Solvers

• Baking soda + vinegar for drains
• Rubber gloves for pet hair
• Vinegar soak for shower heads

Final Thoughts

Cleaning doesn’t need to be overwhelming, expensive, or time-consuming. With a few clever tricks, simple tools, and mindful habits, you can transform how you care for your home and make the process significantly easier. Try whichever hacks resonate with you, adjust them to suit your household, and enjoy the feeling of a cleaner, fresher space without the usual hassle.

Happy cleaning!