14 Cleaning Hacks We Know Actually Work Because We Tried Them

    Here's what's worth your time.

    Natalie Brown
    by Natalie Brown

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Zoë Burnett / BuzzFeed

    1. Heat lemons + vinegar + water to get a sparkling microwave with basically zero effort.

    Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Fill a microwave-safe bowl up with water, add a large glug of vinegar, and slice up a lemon. Microwave that on high for 5 minutes, then leave the microwave door closed for 5 more minutes so everything can steam. Then, wipe clean with a dry paper towel.

    Read more: I Tested 9 Popular Pinterest Cleaning Hacks And Here's What Actually Worked

    2. Dangle your clean, damp makeup brushes upside-down on a towel bar using ponytail holders, and they'll dry in the right shape.

    buzzfeed.com

    How to do it: Loop the ponytail holder around the bar and over each end of your brush. Let 'em dry!

    Read more: We Tested Gadgets For People Who Suck At Cleaning, And Here's What Actually Worked

    3. Rub and scrub whitening toothpaste on your cloudy, dirty headlights so they shine clear and bright.

    Caroline Miller / Nifty / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Rub a coat of whitening toothpaste over your headlight, let it set 15 minutes, scrub again, and your headlight comes out sparkling clear. Get the full how-to here.

    From: Dirty Car Headlights Are No Match For This Clever Cleaning Hack

    4. Let vinegar + baking soda + a plastic bag take your shower head from dingy to practically-brand-new.

    Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Fill a ziplock bag with vinegar, sprinkle in some baking soda, then secure that over your shower head or kitchen faucet with a rubber band, wait 1-2 hours, and remove for an unclogged, clean shower head.

    Read more: I Tested 9 Popular Pinterest Cleaning Hacks And Here's What Actually Worked

    5. Cut an oversized sponge into a soap dish and you'll never waste little bits of soap again.

    Caroline Miller / Nifty / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Set your soap bar in the middle of your sponge, and trace a line around it. Using a craft knife and scissors, cut the sponge into a bowl for your soap to rest in. As the soap bar gets smaller or breaks apart, you'll still be able to use every last bit.

    Read more: Save Every Bit Of Bar Soap With This Clever Sponge Soap Dish

    6. Dust your TV or other LCD screens using a coffee filter to avoid the dreaded cleaning-cloth fuzz.

    Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Grab a coffee filter, and wipe down your screen. It's just that simple.

    From: 21 Clever Cleaning Tips That Actually Work

    7. You can get a Windex-worthy shine with just water + vinegar + vodka.

    Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Mix equal parts alcohol, water, and vinegar in a spray bottle, then use that as a spot- and streak-free cleaner on glass and other shiny surfaces.

    Read more: I Tested 9 Popular Pinterest Cleaning Hacks And Here's What Actually Worked

    8. Banish the mildew buildup in your bathtub's caulk using cotton coil and bleach.

    Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Wearing rubber gloves, soak the cotton coil in bleach, then run it along the mildew. Let sit overnight (or just for a few hours), running the fan and opening any windows to ventilate. Remove and toss the coil, then rinse! Get the full how-to here.

    From: 10 Life-Changing Things To Try In June

    9. Ditch the impossible stains on your cookware using Bar Keeper's Friend.

    thekitchn.com

    How it's done: Using just a little bit of water and a damp sponge, sprinkle some Bar Keeper's Friend onto the stains, and scrub with your sponge. (Do *not* use this on the non-stick side of any pan).

    From: How To Clean Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

    10. Spritz hairspray on permanent marker scribbles (or masterpieces) to dissolve the ink and wipe them away.

    Caroline Miller / Nifty / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Spray the hairspray on the mark, then wipe clean with a paper towel, using more hairspray as necessary. This works best with non-porous surfaces!

    From: Get Permanent Marker Out Of Just About Anything With These Hacks

    11. Make water stains on wood disappear using mayonnaise + a paper towel + a hair dryer.

    Ashley McGetrick / Nifty / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Spread a spoonful of mayo in a thin layer on half a paper towel, leaving one side clean. Fold the clean side of the paper towel over, so the mayo's between two layers of paper towel. Press this down over the stain, and heat with a hair dryer on medium for about a minute (never holding the hair dryer in the exact same place for too long).

    From: Coffee Table Water Stains Are No Match For This Condiment Hack

    12. In a pinch, spray vodka on your stinky clothes to make the smells ~vanish~.

    Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Can't get to the washer? Pour some vodka in a spray bottle. Spray all over your smelly clothes. Let 'em dry.

    From: We Tried Popular Pinterest Fashion Hacks And This Is What Happened

    13. Effortlessly polish away an outdoor grill rack's cooked-on grime using salt + half a potato + vegetable oil.

    Selormk Ploanyi / Nifty / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Brush the oil onto the rack, then sprinkle on salt (or, dip the cut end of the potato in salt). Scrub the rack with the cut side of the potato, then wash with hot water and dish soap.

    From: This Grill Cleaning Hack Is Genius

    14. Erase the dirt and grime from your favorite white sneakers with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and the power of the sun.

    Caroline Miller / Nifty / BuzzFeed

    How it's done: Make a paste of baking soda, water, and hydrogen peroxide to scrub on your shoes. Let everything dry in the sun, then brush off of the paste. Get the full how-to here.

    From: Finally There's An Easy Way To Clean Off Your White Shoes To Make Them Look Brand New Again