Each day, we only have 24 hours to accomplish everything that needs done. That includes cleaning our home. Over the years, I’ve learned some simple hacks to clean your house that decrease the time I have to spend cleaning. No one wants to spend all day cleaning. No one wants to spend hours each day scrubbing floors. Hacks save time, and that leaves time for things that really matter, like friends, family, and hobbies. Hacks are even more helpful if you have kids or pets, dirt and grime just seem to follow them everywhere! From dog hair to crayons, kids and animals can get a house dirty pretty fast. You need all the help you can get! Ready for the hacks? Let’s take a look at the best simple hacks to clean your house.

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21 Simple Hacks to Clean Your House

Are you ready to learn some simple hacks to clean your house the smart way? We have a hack for every room of the house. One of the hardest things about having a job and home is learning how to clean a house fast and properly. You don’t want to waste time. You want to get dinner on the table and be able to relax before the day is over. This list of hacks is far from exhaustive, but it includes some goodies you should try.

#1 Use Lemon to Clean a Stinky Garbage Disposal

Is your garbage disposal giving off an unpleasant odor? The solution is simple and happens to be one of my favorite cleaning tips for the kitchen. Toss a few slices of lemon into the disposal and turn it on! It cleans and deodorizes at the same time. The scent given off is so pleasant. Try using it before guests visit!

#2 Blend It Up

Cleaning your blender can be a pain in the butt. Things easily get stuck inside of it, especially down towards the bottom. One easy hack is to fill up your blender with warm water and a drop or two of dish soap. Then, turn on the blender, letting it fill up with suds. Afterwards, rinse out with warm water.

#3 Get that Sponge Clean

Your sponge may be a trusty friend in the kitchen, but it also harbors disgusting bacteria. Don’t forget the odors! Sponges can smell terribly. You need to clean them frequently, but how? The best way is to put your sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds. Doing so kills off bacteria. Don’t take it out immediately because it is hot! Another idea is to run it through the dishwasher. Some people like to soak their sponges in vinegar before running them through the dishwasher. Either way, don’t forget to clean them!

#4 Potato Removes Rust

Yes, you read that right! Did you forget to clean your trusty cast iron skillet correctly? Rust can develop on cast iron easily if you clean it wrong. Believe it or not, a potato is a great tool to get the rust off the skillet. Slice your potato in half and cover with vegetable oil and salt. Then, scrub it all over the skillet to get the rust off! To watch how to clean a cast iron skillet with a potato, watch this video:

#5 Deodorize and Clean Your Microwave

Microwaves get dirty quickly. Food explodes and leaves a mess behind. You open your microwave and discover pieces of a hot dog stuck everywhere. Put a dish of apple cider vinegar and lemon (slices or juice) inside of your microwave. Cook for 30 to 45 seconds. Open up your microwave and use a cloth to wipe down the interior. This hack is one of the best housekeeping cleaning tips!

#6 No More Fingerprints

Are your stainless steel appliances covered in fingerprints from sweet little kids? You aren’t alone. To tackle these fingerprints and bring back the shine you love, take a microfiber cloth and some rubbing alcohol. It is so simple and takes the prints right off! A bit of olive oil also brings out the shine you loved when you first bought the appliance.

#7 Baking Soda on the Couch

Are you looking for cleaning tips for the living room? Baking soda is your best friend. Couches can harbor disgusting smells, especially if you have kids and animals. Baking soda can help to remove all of those smells and break up stains. Brush off the surface of the couch then liberally sprinkle baking soda on the area. Allow it to set for 20 minutes then vacuum with the brush attachment.

#8 Fighting Hard Water Stains

Are you searching for cleaning tips for bathrooms? Hard water can lead to stains on your faucets and around your bathtub. They are a true eyesore. Trying to get rid of them with conventional methods rarely works. I was always frustrated until I decided to try vinegar. Soak some paper towels in vinegar and then put them on the stains in question. You can wrap it around the faucets! Let them sit for an hour and come back. The stains will wipe right off.

#9 Yummy Smelling Clothes

Everyone wants to have fresh smelling clothes. If you notice your closet is harboring some strange smells, coffee grounds can come to your rescue. Coffee grounds absorb bad odors and release their own, fresh scent. Simply put some grounds in a container, poke holes on the lid and leave it right inside of your closet. Talk about simple cleaning tips for closets! Your clothes will thank you.

#10 Easy Way to Clean the Dishwasher

It is easy to forget that we need to clean the appliances that clean our items. Dishwashers are no exception! One of the top house cleaning secrets is to use vinegar and baking soda to clean your dishwasher! On the top rack, place a container filled with white vinegar. Run on its hottest setting with nothing else. Then, add baking soda on the floor of the dishwasher and run a short hot cycle. You are going to love how clean it is now!

#11 Freshen Up Your Entryway

Entryways tend to carry a bit of a funky smell if you use it as an area to store your shoes. Sneakers and boots can stink! One of the best cleaning tips for entryways is to put baking soda in your shoes regularly. Baking soda will keep all of your shoes odorless. You can tap them outside before putting them back on after you put the baking soda inside. Breathe deep when you come home!

#12 Get Your Basement Floor Clean

Your basement probably isn’t an area you spend a lot of time in, but the floor can get dirty quickly. Most basements have concrete floors. There are so many cleaning tips for basements, but my favorite is to take detergent and ¼ cup ammonia, mixing with a bucket of warm water. I use this solution to clean the floor. It takes away any gross, musty smell.

#13 Quicken Drying Time

Sometimes, we cut our laundry too close, and we need to quicken the drying time. One of the fastest ways to reduce how long it takes to dry wet laundry is to put a clean, dry towel into your dryer. It has to go in with your wet clothes. Doing so will allow the towel to absorb extra moisture in the dryer. Soon, your load will be dry.

#14 Cleaning Your Mattress

One of the top things that people want to know when searching cleaning tips for bedrooms is how to clean a mattress. They aren’t easy to clean! You spend a lot of time on your mattress, so make sure it is comfortable. An easy trick is to take baking soda and mix with a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Liberally sprinkle over the entire mattress and allow it to set for at least 30 minutes, an hour is best. Then, take the brush attachment on your vacuum and suck up the baking soda. If you want a simple mattress spray to add scent, try pouring ½ cup of cheap vodka into a spray bottle, then fill it up with water, and add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Vodka is great at eliminating odors.

#15 Microfiber, Oh My

We had microfiber cushioned dining chairs, which was not a wise choice. I searched cleaning tips for dining rooms trying to figure out how to get rid of these stains out of the microfiber. Finally, I found the solution – rubbing alcohol! Take rubbing alcohol and a bristle brush, scrubbing the stains well. They’ll be gone once the chairs are dry again. See how well rubbing alcohol works on microfiber in this video:

#16 Don't Forget Air Vents

There are dozens of air vents in your house. It is easy to forget that they need to be cleaned as well. Air vents get dirty quickly. If you forget to clean them, it sends dust all through your house. One place I always forget them is in my hallway, probably because I don’t spend enough time in there! I realized when I was searching for cleaning tips for hallways. Simply just take your brush tool from your vacuum and suck up the dust. If that doesn’t work, soak a rag in your favorite cleaner. Then, use a butter knife to clean the vents.

#17 Removing Oil Stains from Garage Floors

If your car dripped oil on your garage floor, it can be hard to remove. Concrete is porous and absorbs these liquids fast. One of the best cleaning tips for garages is to apply Tide powdered laundry detergent to recent oil stains. You can also try Dawn dish soap.



Blot up any residue first, and then prewet the stain, including all surrounding areas. Then, mix the detergent in a bucket with hot water. Pour over the area and sprinkle even more detergent on the area. Use a hard brush to scrub. Let it set then use a hose to spray it away!

#18 Get Rid of Stair Stains for Good

Carpet on the stairs may seem like a genius idea, but they collect stains quickly. My go-to choice for stains is a mixture of vinegar, water, and dishwashing liquid. However, for stubborn stains, try ½ ammonia and ½ water. Then, soak a rag in the mixture. Ring it out. Then, use an iron to iron over the stain for a few seconds. Lift up the rag and see what it looks like. This hack takes moments, but it will destroy those stains. It is one of my favorite cleaning tips for stairs!

#19 Say Bye to Pet Hair

Every pet owner has the same complaint – pet hair gets everywhere. It is on your bed, your couch, the carpets, and even in your car. How are you supposed to remove it all? One simple hack is to take a rubber glove, dip it in water, and run your hand over the covered surface. Doing so allows you just to pick the fur right up. No need to use a roller or try to use a vacuum.

#20 Dryer Sheets for Oven Racks

You might think this is insane, but it works. If your oven racks are gross, all you need is a few dryer sheets. Put some warm water in your bathtub and fill up enough to cover the oven racks. Put the racks in the bathtub and add a few dryer sheets. Allow them to soak for an hour. The grime will rub right off. It's amazing!

#21 Remove Children’s Art Work

Every child decides, at some point, to make the walls their canvas for art. While it might be cute, it needs to be removed. One of the best tips is to take a dab of toothpaste and rub it on the artwork. Don’t lather it too much or it could get pasty. Toothpaste will take off most artwork on the walls! Don’t think toothpaste can remove crayon? Watch it here!