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1. Steam-clean your microwave: fill a bowl with water, microwave it for five minutes, then let it sit (without opening the door) for another five minutes. Any stubborn residue will wipe off easily with a paper towel or a damp sponge.
No scrubbing needed. You can add lemon slices for a refreshing fragrance, though it's totally optional. (I can vouch for this method — that's my microwave in the picture, and I've used it successfully many times.)
2. Next, pop your damp or wet sponge into the microwave for 1-2 minutes to eliminate 99.9% of the bacteria hiding on it.
Good Housekeeping confirmed that this actually works; aim to do it at least once a week, if not every few days. Replace it every couple of weeks and avoid contact with raw meat. If you remember hearing a few years ago that microwaving doesn't work, well — those news reports were incorrect.
(Alternatively, you can run your sponge through the dishwasher on the top rack with the heat-dry setting if you prefer that method.)
3. Allow your sponge to dry completely each night, using a simple binder clip or a stainless sponge holder.
This will help extend its lifespan between cleanings! The sponge holder is priced at $11.99 on Amazon.
4. After finishing the dishes, routinely clean your sink just like you would a dish: with hot water, dish soap, and your sponge.
Then rinse it with hot water to finish.
5. Polish your stainless steel sink with a light dusting of flour and a microfiber cloth — it will remove those tiny specks of grime that regular cleaning misses.
According to The Kitchn, they do this about once a month. A set of 24 microfiber cleaning cloths costs $9.99 on Amazon.
6. Using a gentle cleanser is the fastest way to restore a scratched sink — whether it's porcelain or stainless steel — making it look like new again.
This is Barkeeper's Friend, already in paste form (unlike the powder you can mix into a paste). You can buy a set of two bottles on Amazon for $12.75 or one bottle from another listing for $9.15.
(Alternatively, you can use baking soda + hydrogen peroxide, though that may require a bit more elbow grease.)
7. If your garbage disposal has a bad smell, the problem might be the underside of the splash guard: a used toothbrush can help clear away the grime and push it into the disposal where it belongs.
From Family Handyman.
8. If that doesn't solve the issue, try a foaming cleaner to thoroughly clean the disposal, including the splash guard's underside and the interior walls.
This will eliminate any odors, although it won't unclog your garbage disposal — for that, you’ll need to contact a plumber. This is a product recommended by one of our readers (see the review below), and it’s available on Amazon for $12.27 for eight uses in a lemon scent.
Promising review: "Holy cow, I didn't realize how easy and fast it was to clean a garbage disposal. I came across this through a Mytour article. The instructions are simple, it literally takes five minutes and some hot water, and VOILA! A clean, no-longer-stinky garbage disposal. Whenever I smelled something, I just dropped one of those packs in the disposal, and the smell disappeared! The blue foam bubbling through the sink was fun to watch." —VadersGirl
9. Use a small amount of mineral oil to wipe away the sticky, dusty buildup on your range hood and other kitchen appliances.
Just apply a bit of oil to a paper towel and wipe it off — it works like a charm! If you don’t like the oily residue, simply clean it up with water and dish soap. (You can also use olive oil, but make sure to wash it off, as it might go rancid and develop an unpleasant smell.) From One Good Thing By Jillee.
10. Make a paste using water and polish cleanser to scrub away stubborn, cooked-on grime from your stainless steel or enameled gas stove with ease.
The Amazon reviewer simply added a few drops of water to the polish cleanser, creating a paste with the consistency of glue. They then scrubbed it onto each dirty burner, let it sit for a few minutes, and wiped it away. You can get a can of this cleanser on Amazon for $2.49. (The advantage over premixed cleansers? You control the paste's consistency. Both options are equally effective!)
11. Restore your greasy stove (and grill!) grates by letting them soak overnight in just a little bit of ammonia.
Simply seal the items in a plastic bag and let the ammonia do its job. Just ensure that ammonia is not mixed with any other cleaning agents, and be sure to check out the tutorials from Fabulessly Frugal and The V Spot before attempting this method. A bottle of ammonia is available on Amazon for $14.98.
12. Bring your glass cooktop to a shine in just five minutes: pour some Dawn dish soap and hydrogen peroxide, then sprinkle with baking soda and scrub in circular motions with a dish brush.
Finish up by simply wiping everything clean. From My Thirty Spot. Need a dish brush? You can find one on Amazon for $7.95.
13. If a simple scrubbing won’t do the trick for your stovetop’s stubborn cooked-on stains, consider using a cooktop cleaning kit that includes a specialized polish and a razor scraper for more thorough cleaning.
The razor scraper is essential, as it allows you to remove any remaining stubborn spots after using the included cleanser. Don’t hesitate to put in a bit of elbow grease! The kit that achieved these impressive results is available on Amazon for $18.98.
14. Mix up a homemade paste using dish soap, baking soda, and water, and use it to clean those stubborn baked-on stains inside your oven.
You’ll still need to put in a little elbow grease, but the dish soap will do most of the heavy lifting. From Ask Anna Moseley and Mytour Nifty.
15. If regular spot cleaning or self-cleaning isn't your routine, a 10-minute spray-on cleaner might be exactly what your oven needs to restore its shine.
This heavy-duty version is also perfect for grills and BBQs! Preheat your oven to 200 degrees, then turn it off before spraying the cleaner. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe it clean. A can is available on Amazon for $4.97.
Promising review: "This is the ONLY product that removed years of oil buildup from my oven door window. I couldn’t see through it before, but the cleaner MELTED the oil in just 10 minutes, and I wiped it away with a wet rag without any elbow grease. I hadn’t been keeping up with cleaning my oven, but a few treatments of this will definitely break down the grease layers. Highly recommend this product." —Sunshine
16. Cover your hard-water-stained faucets with paper towels soaked in vinegar to break down the mineral buildup, making it easy to wipe away in one go.
From Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry.
17. Get rid of hard water deposits around your faucet by wrapping the nozzle with a plastic bag filled with vinegar, secured with a rubber band. If the stains are tough, replace the vinegar with a stronger mineral cleaner.
I first came across this tip from the blogger Two Twenty One, who suggests using CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust). You can find a 28-ounce bottle for $5.99 on Amazon ($0.21/ounce), or purchase a one-gallon jug (128 ounces) for $22.88 ($0.18/ounce).
18. Revitalize your wooden cutting boards by scrubbing them with salt and half a lemon, then condition the surface with a coat of food-grade mineral oil.
While you should still wash your cutting boards with soap and water after each use (never soak them, as it can damage the wood), this method works wonders for a deep clean and conditioning. A bottle of cutting board oil is available for $11.95 on Amazon.
19. If your dishwasher has water spots or unpleasant smells, you can fix both by running an empty cycle with a cleaner specifically designed for these issues.
20. Take a moment to go through your fridge, freezer, pantry, and any other food storage areas. Discard anything that's expired, things you know you won’t use, or items that have gone bad or become moldy.
Learn more about the differences between use-by, best-by, and sell-by dates on Women's Health.
21. Next, clean the shelves, drawers, and any other removable parts of your fridge just like you would wash dishes: with hot, soapy water.
Use soapy water to clean the interior, doors, and seals of your fridge and freezer, but remember to rinse thoroughly. If you have glass shelves, allow them to reach room temperature before washing with hot water to prevent them from cracking or breaking. Find the full guide on Martha Stewart.
22. Eliminate any unwanted refrigerator smells by placing a fabric deodorizer filled with activated charcoal inside.
Hang it using the attached hook or simply place it on a shelf; it costs $8.85 on Amazon.
23. Give your refrigerator and other stainless steel appliances a shiny finish with a coat of Pledge.
This is my go-to method for stainless steel, and it works perfectly; just be sure to remove any large debris with soap and water or an all-purpose cleaner first. From The DIY Girl. Three cans of Pledge are priced at $16.14 ($5.38 each) on Amazon.
24. Drop a few fizzing tablets into your coffee maker to dissolve those stubborn stains that regular scrubbing can't budge.
These also do a great job of tackling the grime left inside reusable to-go coffee mugs. A pack of 12 tablets is priced at $8 on Amazon.
25. Take on even the most stubborn, severe rust stains with a spray-on cleaning gel that dissolves the rust right before your eyes.
This product also removes rust stains from color-safe fabrics, and works on various other surfaces. (Some reviewers pair it with a Magic Eraser for added effectiveness). Two bottles are priced at $16.01 ($8 each) or three bottles at $18.98 ($6.32 each) on Amazon.
26. Quickly eliminate stubborn hard water stains in your toilet by gently scrubbing them away with a pumice stone.
From calcium to lime to rust, the pumice stone handles it all. A set of two stones costs $7.99 on Amazon.
27. Regularly drop a eucalyptus-scented, citric acid–infused toilet bomb into your toilet bowl (about once a week, depending on the hardness of your water) to help minimize the need for scraping away lime scale or calcium deposits with a pumice stone.
Swish the bomb around once or twice, let it fizz for five minutes, then give it a quick scrub with a toilet brush for a minute or so.
These toilet bombs are made and sold by Happy Earth Boutique, a small New Jersey business specializing in cleaning and bath products that smell amazing. A pack of 15 is available on Etsy for $13.99 (also offered in lemon or lemongrass).
28. While cleaning your toilet, don’t forget to target the water jets under the rim — if you have hard water, soaking them in vinegar overnight will help dissolve any stubborn buildup.
If your regular toilet brush isn’t effective for reaching under the rim, try using a dish brush that you reserve just for that purpose. To soak your jets in vinegar, drain your tank and seal the jets with duct tape; you can find the full tutorial on Lil Luna.
29. Be sure to clean the exterior of your toilet with an all-purpose cleaner or a disinfecting wipe. Also, don't forget to occasionally remove the toilet seat to clean the hard-to-reach spots underneath.
I’ve been aware of the toilet seat cleaning tip for a long time (thanks to Ask Anna Moseley, who offers a complete guide on this) and finally decided to try it out, as shown in the pictures above. While I couldn't fully remove the screws, I managed to loosen them enough for my reliable all-purpose cleaner to easily wipe away the unsightly grime that had accumulated under the toilet seat where the screws attach.
30. After giving your toilet bowl a good scrub, a stamp-in gel can help keep it clean for weeks on end.
This gel works by cleaning with every flush. I used it often during my college days, and it effectively prevents mildew and toilet rings. Once only a small amount of gel remains, you can use it to clean, then add another dab. (For tough water, like hard or rusty water, you might need something stronger, such as these drop-in tabs). A pack lasting up to ten weeks is priced at $5.69 on Amazon.
31. Secure a plastic bag filled with vinegar around your shower head using a rubber band to naturally de-scale and clean it with minimal effort.
Leave the bag in place for a few hours or even overnight, then remove it and voilà!
For extra fizz, mix in some baking soda; I’ve found that both the combo and just plain vinegar work well. Some people swear by the bubbling reaction because it helps loosen buildup faster. Others mention that once the bubbles subside, what remains is just water with a pinch of salt; but it’s up to you.
32. Turn your dirty bathtub into a spa-like haven with the help of a traditional soft cleanser.
From They Are Crafty, who used (can you guess?) Barkeeper's Friend, aka BKF. A bottle costs $9 on Amazon.
33. Soft cleanser will also remove any traces of mineral or soap scum buildup from your glass shower doors, making them shine as if they've never encountered a drop of water.
This tip also comes recommended by Ask Anna Moseley (who uses the cleanser with scouring pads like these, available for $2.72 on Amazon), along with many Amazon reviewers.
Any variety of BKF should do the job, but some swear the glass cooktop version performs better for this task; you can get three bottles on Amazon for $23.69 ($7.90 each), or two for $10.
34. Eliminate stubborn mildew from your tub or shower caulking with a gel cleaner. The gel sticks to the tough spots much longer than a spray, allowing the cleaner to actually do its work.
You'll need to let it sit for four to five hours (or overnight), but based on reviews, the results are definitely worth the wait. This is another product that comes highly recommended by our readers (check the review below). A bottle is available on Amazon for $13.99, or you can grab two for $26.99.
Promising review: "After living in my place for a few years, my shower was super gross. I tried to use elbow grease and disinfecting wipes but failed. Then I discovered this product through Mytour. Holy moly, am I glad I tried it. I left it on for 4–5 hours, per the instructions, and everywhere this gel touched, the mold/mildew disappeared." —Gracielou Freebush
(You can also use cotton coil and bleach for a similar effect — here's a tutorial — but I've done that and, while it works, it’s pretty fume-heavy.)
35. Clean your dirty plastic shower curtain liner by washing it with a couple of towels to eliminate any mildew or other buildup.
Be sure to wash your shower curtain as well, following the care instructions on the label. While you're at it, throw in the bath mats and switch out the towels. Give everything a fresh start! Bitz 'n' Giggles provides a detailed guide for washing your shower curtain liner.
36. Vacuum the exterior of your exhaust fan using a dusting brush attachment, then remove the cover and wash it thoroughly with soap and water.
Practically Functional also vacuums the fan itself before replacing the cover.
37. Wrap your faucet and sink with paper towels soaked in vinegar, allowing the stubborn mineral deposits from hard water to wipe away effortlessly.
It works wonders in the bathroom too, as shared by Cute As A Fox.
38. Use a simple drain clearer to fix a slow-draining tub or sink.
Simply insert the tool into the drain, twist it a few times with the handle, and let the tiny hooks at the tip grab the clogging hair and debris. Once removed, your sink will drain like it's brand new! You can get one with five extra refills on Amazon for $19.99, or opt for a reusable version for $8.99, though you'll need to clean it afterward.
39. No need for intense scrubbing—let an automatic scrubbing brush do all the hard work and give your grout a fresh, like-new appearance.
I absolutely adore this brush. I've been using it for over four years, and it's hands down the quickest and easiest way to clean grout (apart from bleach, which I prefer not to use). Within just 30 seconds, you'll see the dirt lift, and the grout becomes noticeably brighter. They offer a specialized grout head for it, but honestly, the standard brush works perfectly unless you have super narrow grout lines. Some people pair it with grout and tile cleaner, but I just use diluted Castile soap with water. Haven't compared which one is faster yet!
Check out my complete Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber Review, available on Amazon for $19.99.
40. Clean years of sticky hairspray buildup from your tiles by scrubbing them with a paste made from Borax and water.
Adventures of a DIY Mom tried multiple cleaning solutions, and tile seven clearly showed the best result. A two-pound bag of Borax is priced at $12.99 on Amazon.
She used an old toothbrush, which works fine, but for efficiency, I'd suggest using a larger scrub brush to clean a bigger area with less effort, like this handle brush, priced at $9.89 on Amazon.
41. Go through your shower and cabinets, and get rid of anything that's expired because, yes, even bath and beauty products have an expiration date.
42. Simply spray your mirror, sink, and other surfaces with your favorite all-purpose cleaner, and then wipe everything down thoroughly.
You can easily create your own spray cleaner by combining one part dish soap with one part warm vinegar (full instructions from Goodful); or you can mix an all-purpose cleaner using a concentrate like Simple Green ($10.98 for one gallon) or Mrs. Meyers ($8.99 for 32 ounces), both available on Amazon.
And if you prefer, you can always use a glass cleaner on your mirror!
43. You can clean a variety of household items made from plastic, glass, and metal in the dishwasher—everything from light fixture covers to vent hood filters to AC vent grilles.
From One Crazy House: You can even clean all of your floor and ceiling vent covers at once.
44. If you have a rope mop, try the ~slop mop~ technique for a really thorough cleaning of your tile or linoleum floors.
Essentially, you dampen your floor with a saturated mop, then wring it out and use it to soak up the dirty water (no more than three passes at a time), before squeezing the dirty water back into your bucket. The Creek Line House offers the full guide. A similar microfiber, easy-to-wring mop is available for $34.95 on Amazon.
45. Say goodbye to those carpet and upholstery stains—whether they're obvious or mysterious—with a nontoxic, odor-free spot remover spray. Just spray it on, gently massage it into the stain, then blot away with a paper towel.
In my experience, it might take a couple of uses for your carpet to look brand new, but it's totally worth it. This spray doesn't bleach the fibers, doesn't need to be vacuumed or rinsed, and it won't attract more dirt once you're done. It handles all kinds of stains, including grease, oil, wine, coffee, rust, food, makeup, and dirt. I personally keep it on hand for those inevitable chocolate chip stains I find on the couch every six months. And of course, it doubles as a laundry stain remover. A 32-ounce bottle costs $6.65 on Amazon.
For more reasons I love it, check out my Folex Stain-Remover Review!
46. To capture all the dust on your ceiling fan, simply wipe down the blades with an old pillowcase.
Using this method, you'll trap all the dust inside the pillowcase, which you can then discard outside or throw away. Afterward, just wash the case. I've tried this method myself, and it works like a charm! From the now-defunct blog Homemaker Chic.
47. Secure microfiber cleaning cloths to your kitchen tongs with a rubber band, and use them to effortlessly pick up all the dust from your blinds.
From One Crazy House. You can grab a pack of 24 microfiber cleaning cloths for just $9.99 on Amazon.
48. Alternatively, you can opt for an extendable microfiber duster set that simplifies the golden rule of cleaning — begin at the top and work your way down to avoid vacuuming first, only to later have dust fall onto the floor from your fan.
This set comes with two duster options: one to use with a handle and the other with an extendable pole (starting at 29 inches and stretching up to 49 inches). It's available on Amazon for $18.67.
49. Start by stripping your bed and washing all the bedding, then give your mattress a quick refresh by sprinkling baking soda on it followed by a thorough vacuuming.
While this won't lift any stains, it will effectively help eliminate any lingering odors. Find the full guide from One Good Thing By Jillee.
50. Give your pillows a wash in hot water to get rid of all the sweat, skin cells, drool, and other unpleasant things that accumulate where you rest your head each night.
It's a task you don't have to do often, but it really makes a noticeable difference! Check out the full guide from The Happier Homemaker.
51. Eliminate that musty washer smell by using a cleaning tablet in the machine once a month.
It works for both top-load and front-load washers, and comes highly recommended by many reviewers. A pack of six tablets is available for $11.98 on Amazon.
(Keep in mind, if you have a front-loader with mold issues, this may offer some help but might not completely resolve the problem. The best approach for prevention is to wipe down as many spots as you can reach after each use and leave the door open. Don't forget to dry the lip beneath the rubber seal and pull out the detergent drawer to dry it as well.)
52. In addition to removing lint from your dryer's screen after each load, make sure to regularly vacuum or use a lint brush to clean the area where the screen sits.
A set of two lint brushes is priced at $8.45 on Amazon. These brushes can also be used to clean refrigerator coils for improved efficiency (check your fridge's manual to see if this is a necessary task).
53. Tough mattress stains can be a real headache, but you can significantly improve their appearance with a carpet stain remover and a carpet washer.
The carpet washer responsible for this remarkable transformation — and with over 7,000 five-star reviews — is priced at $181.15 on Amazon. A bottle of stain remover is available for $19.97. By the way, the stain in question was a coffee stain.
If you're looking for another option, you can also try hydrogen peroxide to bleach out stains, though it may only tackle surface-level ones. You can find the full how-to here.
54. Use any old squeegee and some water in a spray bottle to easily remove pet hair from your sofa, furniture, and just about anything upholstered with fabric.
Simply spritz a couple of times, use the squeegee, and watch the pet hair clump together. From CareaBearaSara. A similar squeegee is available for $10.99 on Amazon.
55. Consider using a pet hair roller that can be reused indefinitely to pick up large amounts of pet hair in one go.
I've seen one of these in action at a family gathering, and let me tell you, it's incredibly fast and effective at picking up all the hair. My sister also swears by it for cleaning up the heaps of hair left by her pet bunnies. You simply open the back to empty it out when you're done, and it's ready for reuse. It's priced at $24.95 on Amazon.
*Recently, she upgraded to an even faster handheld pet hair vacuum she uses on her couch and car, which costs $79.39, if you're looking to splurge a little.
56. Get a rubber-bristle and squeegee broom to remove pet hair from carpets and hardwood or tile floors.
You could certainly use a handheld squeegee, but this telescoping broom could be gentler on your back. Reviewers recommend using short, swift, rake-like motions for optimal results. It's also great for cleaning large windows or sweeping snow off your car in one easy motion. It’s priced at $9.99 on Amazon.
