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    26 Cleaning Tips That'll Make You Think, "Why Didn't I Start Doing This Years Ago"

    Because cleaning your home shouldn't be a nightmare.

    1. Get yourself a handy mattress vacuum so you can have peace of mind knowing that your bed is squeaky clean. This device helps get rid of dust mites, dirt, and anything else that may be embedded in your mattress. It can even be used on sofas and carpets!

    2. Boil some water and *carefully* pour it over that sink of dirty dishes you've been avoiding. This'll help loosen bits of dried food and stubborn stains, which makes your job of cleaning them with a sponge MUCH easier.

    3. Pop a large bowl of water in the microwave and let it rip! The steam that results will soften any food grime that's been sitting inside your microwave for... who knows how long. Want a fresh citrus scent? Add some lemons!

    4. Take a stab at using shaving cream to remove those darn makeup stains you've been trying to get rid of for what seems like *forever*. Whether it's on your bedding or clothing, give this cleaning hack a whirl before throwing your stained item in the trash!

    Chart of stain types and solutions

    5. Use some dish soap when you're *finally* ready to clean the inside of your oven. Rather than resorting to commercial products with harsh chemicals, you can make a DIY oven cleaner. You'd be surprised how easy it is to clean your oven with a few household staples you threw together!

    6. Bid farewell to all the stains you've been struggling to remove with a jar of The Pink Stuff. There's a reason this cleaning product is a TikTok favorite! Seemingly impossible cleaning tasks such as filthy cooktops and hard water stains will be a thing of the past after you put this cleaning paste to work.

    7. Combine dishwashing liquid, hot water, and a dryer sheet in your dirty pans and let the magic happen. Who doesn't love a set-it-and-forget-it cleaning? Come back an hour later and you may not even recognize your freshly cleaned cookware.

    BuzzFeed's tutorial for cleaning dirty pans

    8. Get your cutting boards on a regular oiling schedule to prevent them from becoming cracked and dry. As time goes on, bacteria can start to get into the crevices, which you most likely want to avoid!

    9. Lean on your dishwasher in times of need. No, but seriously, your mind will be blown by the things your dishwasher can clean for you: children's toys, shoes, vents, etc. Simply add dishwashing detergent and call it a day.

    BuzzFeed's chart for "24 Things You Never Knew You Could Clean In The Dishwasher"

    10. Invest in a wine spray that'll help you remove various liquid spills on ALL kinds of fabric (yes, even wool and silk). All you have to do is spray it directly on the stained area, allow it to sit for 10 minutes, and throw it in the washer machine.

    11. Dip a magic erasing sponge in hot water, borax, and some baking soda to tackle tough stains with ease. Magic Erasers are impressive on their own, but this combo can transform difficult cleaning jobs into a few quick swipes!

    Model's hand using magic erasing sponge to remove crayon stain on wall

    12. Don't forget to clean every nook and cranny in your bathroom. There are some commonly neglected areas that are actually pretty easy to clean, like under your toilet screw covers, for example. Grab a screwdriver and get to work!

    13. Remove unpleasant odors in your fridge with a fabric deodorizer. These charcoal pouches help absorb odors and moisture, which will be a lifesaver when you accidentally forget about that spoiled carton of milk or 2-week-old leftovers. Oops!

    reviewer photo of the deodorizer on kitchen counter

    14. Add some highly reliable carpet shampoo to your vacuum cleaning routine. Your carpets are about to receive the makeover of a lifetime. Don't be shocked when your guests ask for the contact info of your professional carpet cleaner!

    Reviewer vacuuming dirty rug with a clean streak where they just vacuumed

    15. Keep your sponges on an open holder so they can air out properly. If you want to prolong the lifespan of your sponge, this is key. You can even get creative and use a binder clip to store your sponge this way after doing the dishes.

    16. Apply some beloved OxiClean directly on fabrics that you can't clean in the washer. Combine the chlorine-free powder with water and use it on just about any stained surface. A bit of scrubbing will go a long way!

    17. Use a garbage disposal brush when you're trying to avoid the semi-traumatic experience of reaching your hand down there. If you've been noticing a questionable stink, you may have some old food remnants that need to be removed. The good news is this hard bristle brush will take care of the mess for you.

    Reviewer holding garbage disposal brush

    18. OR give in to the hype and try a garbage disposal cleaner if you want a *truly* hands-free experience. Put a pouch in the disposal, run the water and the disposal until you see the glorious blue foam rising. Once it retreats, turn off the disposable. That's it. No scrubbing or messy cleanup required!

    19. Put that can of hairspray in your bathroom to use when you need to remove crayon, pen, and marker stains from the surfaces in your home. Once you spray the affected area, simply wipe it clean until the stain disappears.

    20. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and place it over the shower-head in your bathroom so you can say goodbye to limescale! Not to mention that it helps improve water pressure, so future you will be extra thankful.

    Reviewer's plastic bag full of clear, bubbly liquid tied on shower head in bathroom with a rubber band

    21. Become a magician with some hardwood cleaning spray and a microfiber mop. Your dull, sad floors will look like they've been brought back to life! This gets rid of dirt while also leaving behind a glossy shine that'll actually have you looking forward to the next cleaning.

    22. Get all the mirrors, windows, and other glass surfaces in your home sparkling clean with microfiber cloths. These cloths are specifically made for cleaning glass, so you don't have to worry about streaks or scratches. Just add water!

    23. Make your electric stove look brand new with a cooktop cleaning kit. Save yourself some major headaches and streamline this cleaning task with three essentials: the cleaner, scraper, and pad. Watch as you get rid of food stains, burn marks, and bubbles! Yeah, you did that.

    Reviewer's before-and-after of scratched stovetop and then a smooth and clean stovetop

    24. Turn that frustrating tile cleaning job into a quick and simple task with an automatic scrubbing brush. This small but mighty device will help you clean the dirty grout between your tiles. Run the brush along the grout lines and the spinning scrub head will take care of the rest.

    Reviewer's before-and-after of dirty and then clean tiles

    25. Prevent clogged shower drains with, IMO, one of the most clever inventions ever: a TubShroom. This thing will literally stop hair in its tracks so it can't clog your drain! Remember to remove it and trash the hair before using it again the next time you shower.

    Reviewer holding a TubShroom with hair and conditioner buildup

    26. Take a pumice ring remover to those embarrassing stains hanging out around your toilets, showers, and sinks. After a few minutes of scrubbing, the stains will be gone and you'll feel instant relief!

    Reviewer's before and after of their dirty, stained toilet and then clean toilet bowl

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