12 Expert Cleaning Hacks You Need to Know

1. Use Olive Oil to Polish Stainless Steel

Tired of seeing fingerprints on your fridge? Melissa Maker, founder of the Clean My Space cleaning company, YouTube channel, and blog, has the perfect fix. "I use a small amount of oil (either olive oil or baby oil works) on a paper towel to polish stainless steel, wiping away any missed fingerprints and keeping the surface cleaner longer. Just buff it in following the grain of the stainless steel, and then wipe off any excess with a fresh paper towel. It's a magic trick." She even got a standing ovation at a family dinner for sharing this hack.

2. Use White Chalk to Erase Stains

"I suggest keeping a stick of white chalk in the laundry room to rub on grease stains, allowing it to soak up the oil. Then, just launder as usual, and the stain should vanish," says Becky Rapinchuk, creator of Cleanmama.net. This works on butter, salad dressing, cooking oil, and more. If you don’t have chalk nearby, an instant alternative is cornstarch from your baking supplies or baby powder from the medicine cabinet. Sprinkle it on the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the oil, then wash.

3. Vacuum Slowly for Better Results

Here's a tip you might not know: pushing the vacuum forward mainly helps position it. The real cleaning happens when you pull it back. "Slow down when pulling for cleaner carpets!" advises Donna Smallin Kuper, certified house cleaning technician and author of Cleaning Plain & Simple. When cleaning hard floors, vacuums can stir up debris instead of picking it up. To avoid this, start by using the vacuum's wand attachment to suck up dust and furballs, then go over the floor with the machine set for hard surfaces. If your floors still aren’t coming clean, it might be time for a new vacuum.

4. Use a Steam Cleaner

"When you use cleaning products or chemicals, they often leave behind residue. Dirt and soil cling to this residue, requiring more cleaning. A steam cleaner, however, uses hot water vapor to lift soil and dirt without leaving any sticky traces," says Debra Johnson, manager of Merry Maids' training program. Steam cleaners are also great for freshening up carpets. Donna Smallin Kuper's top pick for sanitizing her home is the Reliable Steamboy Pro, which heats up to 248 degrees and includes a washable microfiber pad to reduce waste.

5. Use Cornstarch to Clean Windows

"I mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water (my go-to window cleaning solution), and the results are amazing," says Melissa Maker. "The glass turns incredibly shiny and clear. Cornstarch is the key—it’s a super fine natural abrasive that scrubs away dirt and leaves a streak-free finish." In addition to this secret ingredient for her window and glass cleaner, Maker also points out that cornstarch is great for eliminating odors, tackling grease stains, and even cleaning stuffed animals.

6. Use White Vinegar to Unclog a Shower Head

"Water spots and mineral buildup on bathroom and kitchen faucets can be a real nuisance, but they are tough to remove," says Becky Rapinchuk. "To tackle this, soak a paper towel or microfiber cloth with white vinegar and place it over the deposits. Let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes, then simply wipe it off. The vinegar's acid works to break down the deposits, leaving your faucets and fixtures gleaming." For your showerhead, try filling a plastic bag with vinegar, tying it around the showerhead, and letting it soak overnight. Run the shower the next morning to rinse it clean. If your shower curtain also needs a refresh, toss it in the washing machine with a towel to help remove any soap scum.

7. Use a Brillo Pad to Scrub Shower Doors

"I use a wet Brillo pad to clean my glass shower doors—it removes soap scum and water spots quicker and easier than anything else I've tried. (And no, it won't scratch the glass)," says Donna Smallin Kuper. About every three months, she applies Rain-X Original Glass Treatment to help repel water spots in the first place. To prevent buildup, she also recommends using a squeegee on the shower doors after each use. All these methods save time and effort by reducing the need for extra scrubbing later on.

8. Start Cleaning from the Top Down

"Always clean from top to bottom to ensure you never have to clean a surface twice. Begin at the corner farthest from the door and work your way out," suggests Debra Johnson. Organize your routine to maximize efficiency based on the time you have available. In a bedroom, for example, start with dusting the ceiling fan blades (try this trick!), then tackle the tops of furniture, followed by the sheets, and end with the floor. Any dust that doesn't get caught in your duster or microfiber cloth will fall to the floor, which you clean last. Looking for a faster way to clean the kitchen? Here's your plan.

9. Let the Toilet Brush Air Dry

Nobody enjoys cleaning the toilet, but Melissa Maker has a simple trick to make it less unpleasant: After brushing, "close the toilet seat on top of the toilet bowl brush handle, allowing it to drip-dry into the bowl for about 10 minutes or until dry before returning it to the holder. Even though I've been sharing this tip for years, it's always a lightbulb moment for people when they first hear it. A wet toilet brush is just gross." When wiping down the rest of the toilet, follow this order: handle, tank lid, front of the tank, top of the toilet lid, inside lid, top and underside of the seat, rim of the bowl, outside of the bowl, toilet base, and the back.

10. Grab a Freezer Bag

"Got smelly sports gear that can't be washed, like a helmet?" Becky Rapinchuk suggests, "Place it in an extra-large plastic zip-top bag and leave it in the freezer overnight. The cold air kills the bacteria causing the odor and eliminates the smell." The freezer can also be used to remove gummy sticker residue from synthetic fabrics or wax from table linens. Freezing these materials hardens them, making it easier to scrape or pick off the residue. The best part? Since bacteria can't grow in the freezer's freezing temperatures, you'll rarely need to clean it (unless there's a spill, of course).

11. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

"The simplest way to remove coffee stains from the inside of your mug? Just dampen a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and wipe them off," says Donna Smallin Kuper. This popular cleaning sponge is made of melamine foam, which acts as a gentle abrasive, effectively scrubbing away stubborn stains like these (we recommend washing the mug before using it again).

Got a coffee stain on your shirt? Stretch the fabric over a bowl and carefully pour boiling water over the stain from about a foot above. The hot water's pressure should flush the stain out. Launder as usual.

12. Pumice Stone

"A wet pumice stone is an effective way to tackle toilet rings and other stains," explains Debra Johnson. "Just make sure the stone is wet, as using it dry could scratch the surface." For a deeper clean, start by adding a cup of baking soda to the bowl, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a brush before finishing with the pumice stone for extra cleaning power. Or, discover how to maintain a sparkling bathroom with minimal effort by following expert tips on daily, weekly, and seasonal cleaning tasks. While the bathroom isn't the most loved area to clean, these strategies can make the job much easier."