If house cleaning isn’t top of your list of favourite things to do, you’re in good company. Anything that saves time and effort is a bonus when you’re juggling family life, so we went looking for the best shortcuts and tips to make the trickiest cleaning jobs easier.
The best part? Many of these hacks use everyday items you’ll already have at home, so there’s no need for a cupboard full of harsh chemicals. Here are 11 clever cleaning hacks to help get your house sparkling.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 10 Simple Ways to Declutter Your Home
Clever Cleaning Hacks
When you’re short on time and not exactly mad-keen on cleaning, these tips and tricks can help get your house looking magically clean with minimum fuss.
#1. Overnight Oven Cleaning
[[IMG:1]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/cleaning-oven.jpg
The oven is one of the toughest cleaning jobs in any home — always gunky and hard to get properly clean, even with a shop-bought oven cleaner. This overnight hack from One Good Thing by Jillee uses ammonia, water and a bit of baking soda to do the hard work for you while you sleep.
#2. Use Vinegar to Make the Bathroom Sparkle
[[IMG:2]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Bathroom-Cleaning-Recipes-Vinegar-Free-Printables-at-sewlicioushomedecor.jpg
These bathroom cleaning tips from Marti at Sewlicioushomedecor.com are simple and effective — just white vinegar used in a few different ways around the bathroom. You can download and print her recipe cards from her website too.
#3. How to Clean Your Toaster
The toaster is one of those appliances that doesn’t look dirty but really does need a regular clean. This quick video walks you through exactly how to do it.
Watch: How to clean your toaster
#4. Deep Clean Your Toilet
[[IMG:3]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/How-to-keep-your-toilet-clean-6.jpg
The toilet is another dreaded household task, especially if you live in a hard water area. This hack from Kristyn at Lil’ Luna gives clear, straightforward steps for a deep clean you can repeat again and again.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 30 Germ Hotspots and Places You Forget to Clean
#5. Cleaning Pillows
[[IMG:4]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/cleaning-pillows.jpg
For a simple way to freshen up your pillows, try this tip from Jessica at Hunker.com. She also shows you how to make your own washing soda and adds a few drops of lavender essential oil for a lovely fresh scent.
#6. Quick Microwave Cleaning Hack
This microwave cleaning hack from Becky at Clean Mama couldn’t be simpler — all you need is lemons and water. Her blog is packed with more handy tips and free printables, worth a browse if you like this one.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Top Tips for How to Clean a Mattress
#7. Super Easy Way to Clean Your BBQ Grill
BBQ grill cleaning is often the job left to someone else in the house, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. This deep cleaning approach breaks down how to tackle each part of a gas BBQ, step by step.
#8. Cleaning Window Blinds
[[IMG:5]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Cleaning-blinds_Body.jpg
To clean window blinds, grab an old sock. Dip it into a mix of vinegar and water and run your hand along each slat. Quick, easy, and no special equipment needed.
#9. Quick Clean Tip for Shower Heads
[[IMG:6]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/vinegar-shower-head.jpg
If your shower head has built-up limescale, this vinegar trick from A Real Life Housewife is easy to try. Simply fill a bag with vinegar, hang it around the shower head, and let it work its magic.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Essential Window Blind Safety Tips
#10. Removing Water Stains from Furniture
[[IMG:7]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Coffee-Table-Water-Stains.jpg
This tip from Kim at Exquisitely Unremarkable removes water stains from wood furniture using nothing more than a hot iron and a cloth. Wonderfully simple once you see it in action.
#11. Cleaning the Iron’s Plate
If your iron’s metal plate is looking a bit grubby, this hack using toothpaste, baking soda and vinegar will get it looking like new again.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 30 Easy Household Tips to Save Money
[[IMG:8]]
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/11-Clever-Cleaning-Hacks-Guaranteed-to-Make-Your-House-Sparkle.jpg
Frequently Asked Questions
Are natural cleaning hacks like vinegar and baking soda actually effective?
Yes — vinegar, baking soda and lemon are all mild natural acids or abrasives that can lift grime, cut through limescale and neutralise odours without harsh chemicals. They work particularly well for regular maintenance cleaning rather than heavy-duty industrial jobs.
How often should I deep clean appliances like the oven, microwave and toaster?
This varies by household and how often you cook, but a good rule of thumb is a quick clean weekly and a deeper clean monthly for appliances that see daily use, like the microwave and toaster.
Do I need special equipment for these cleaning hacks?
No — most of these hacks use things you already have at home, such as vinegar, baking soda, lemons, an old sock, or a hot iron and cloth. That’s part of what makes them so handy.
Are these cleaning hacks safe to use around children?
Vinegar, baking soda and lemon are generally considered gentler options than many commercial cleaning products, but always keep any cleaning solution, including natural ones, out of reach of children and ventilate the room while cleaning.
Related Articles
- 10 Simple Ways to Declutter Your Home
- 30 Germ Hotspots and Places You Forget to Clean
- Top Tips for How to Clean a Mattress
- Essential Window Blind Safety Tips
- 30 Easy Household Tips to Save Money
Save This for Later
Cleaning day always comes around faster than we’d like! Bookmark this page or pin it to your favourite home tips board so these hacks are ready whenever you need them.
Want More Handy Family Tips?
Sign up to the MyKidsTime newsletter for a weekly dose of family-friendly ideas, home tips, and things to do — straight to your inbox, no spam, just the useful stuff.
