Cleaning your bathroom is unlikely to be a chore you relish. After all, who’s ever claimed to love scrubbing toilets or tackling mildew stains? However, that doesn’t mean it needs to be a completely thankless task or a particularly time-consuming one. Check out these 14 bathroom cleaning hacks with less effort.

1. Clean Your Shower With Vinegar

The key to sparkling shower tiles is already in your pantry: white vinegar.

“Heat the vinegar in the microwave and spray it on while it’s hot,” suggests Brad Roberson, president of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly Company. Roberson suggests adding a tablespoon of dish soap to the mixture if the smell bothers you, noting that this can also help cut through tough grime.

2. Scrub Mildew With A Dish Brush

If you’ve got mildew or surface mold in your bathroom, a clean dish brush is a tool you need to combat it. Roberson suggests combining six cups of warm water and a quarter cup of bleach to create a mold-busting cleaner.

3. Get Rid Of Mold Stains With Baking Soda

For those stubborn mold and mildew stains that your dish brush and bleach solution won’t touch, try applying a paste of baking soda and water. “Cover the stain with the paste and allow it to stay on the stain for three to four hours,” following up with a thorough rinse, suggests Roberson.

4. Use Baking Soda And Vinegar To Deodorize A Drain

If your drain is emitting some unpleasant odors, a simple mixture of baking soda and vinegar can fix that in no time.

“The combination of vinegar and baking soda begins to fizz and can help break up any congealed grease in your drain,” explains Joshua Miller, VP of Technical Training at Rainbow International Restoration. Miller recommends pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of white vinegar down the drain, then flush it with hot water after half an hour.

5. Use Dental Floss To Clean The Small Parts Of Your Sink

Some parts of your sink are simply too small for the average cleaning tool to reach.

Luckily, there’s a solution right inside your medicine cabinet: “Dental floss is a great way to remove buildup in the nooks and crannies of the faucet and handles,” says Kim Burckhardt, owner of Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services of Westminster-Eldersburg.

6. Use Dryer Sheets To Nix Soap Scum

Can’t seem to get rid of that soap scum on your shower or tub? Instead of a sponge, reach for a dryer sheet.
“Add a few drops of water to a dryer sheet and gently rub the area. Rinse the residue off and the majority of the scum should be gone,” suggests James Conner, VP of operations at Molly Maid.

7. Use A Denture Tablet To Clean Your Toilet

Not in the mood to scrub your toilet? Then let a denture tablet do the hard work for you. “Drop one in, let it do its job, and then flush to get rid of toilet bowl stains and rust,” suggests Conner.

8. Squeegee Your Bathroom Window

Finding that your usual glass cleaner isn’t cutting it when it comes to getting your bathroom window clean? Using a squeegee instead can help keep those panes clear and free of water spots.

9. Rub The Lemon Over Chrome To Wipe Off Water Spots

Though water sports are unavoidable in places where water is constantly running (like the shower and the sink), it’s surprisingly simple and cheap to get rid of them. All you have to do is rub lemon over your stained chrome fixtures and the pesky spots should disappear instantly. Plus, using this citrus-as-cleanser will mask any unpleasant smells.

10. Restore Your Mirror’s Shine With Black Tea

Young happy black man cleaning the bathroom mirror. You want your bathroom mirror to be spotless so that you know what you actually look like before leaving the house—but all too often, it’s fogged up with water stains, dust, and other debris.

The solution? Black tea! All you have to do is combine a cup of boiling water with a few bags of black tea, let it cool, and use the resulting solution to clean your cloudy mirror. The tannic acid in the tea will dissolve any dirt, leaving you with a spotless surface that tells no lies.

11. Put Your Toothbrush Holder In The Dishwasher

It’s easy to let your toothbrush holders become disgustingly dirty. But washing the accessory is barely a chore: all you have to do is throw it in the dishwasher. Really, that’s it!

12. Sweep Your Bathtub Clean

There’s no need to waste time scrubbing your entire bathtub with a sponge. Instead, cover it in soap, then sweep and scrub with a clean broom and rinse until all of the suds are gone. The broom will clean as effectively as a sponge would, but using the large long-handled brush will require half as much effort.

13. Use Cotton Balls To Clean Pesky Bathtub Corners

The corners of the tub are always the hardest to clean. Luckily, there’s a simple solution for this, and it’s probably already sitting in your medicine cabinet. Just soak some cotton balls in the tub cleaner of your choice and let them sit on the edges of your tub overnight. By morning, those tub edges will be clean as a whistle!

14. Combine Baking Soda And Bleach To Clean The Grout

Grout – the stuff used to fill the gaps between tiles-looks good when it’s clean, but dirt easily sneaks into those small crevices, making the walls look dirty in an otherwise spotless bathroom. To restore your tiles (and the spaces between them) to their original color, apply a paste made out of 3/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup bleach to the grout, let it sit for 30 minutes, and remove with a scrub brush or cloth to reveal sparkling clean walls. This is an awesome bathroom cleaning tip.

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At times, taking care of a home can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you have a baby. So that, household hacks are very necessary to us. There are plenty of awesome household tips and tricks below to help you in your daily life.

1. Clothing Cleaner Dispensers

This is one of the great household hacks that I know. So instead of keeping them in ugly containers, you can easily store the liquids in easily accessible mason jars. Then you won’t have to lug out the heavy containers every time you do the laundry.

2. Clean Mirrors with Black Tea

Using strongly brewed black tea is an awesome hack to clean your mirrors. Who would have thought?

3. No Drip Paint Trick

If you plan on retouching a room, try this great no-drip paint trick with a large rubber band. Now that’s easy.

4. Lotion Bottle to Phone Charging Holder

If you want a safe place to keep your phone charged and out of the way, try this tutorial which will show you how to create a phone charging holder out of a lotion bottle.

5. Router Disguise

Routers are pretty darn ugly, but an awesome way to keep them out of the way and in disguise is to hide them in a fake book.

6. Lemon and Salt Scrub

With the help of the citric acid from the lemon and the scrubbing action of the salt, you can kill stains in your sinks and showers instantly.

7. Dust Fans with Pillow Case

Ever notice how the dust on ceiling fans builds up fast and just looks plain gross? Well, an easy way to clean it is to use a pillowcase to take it off. The Dust will fall into the pillowcase and you won’t have to deal with it floating in the air after wiping it off.

8. Clean Your Shower Curtain in the Washer

Do you know how shower curtains can get filmy and nasty? Well an easy way to clean them is to just pop them in the washer and let it do all the work!

9. Clean Shower Head with Vinegar

Just soaking your shower head in some vinegar for 20 minutes can get all of the grime build-ups off easily.

Sometimes we need just the right hacks to help make our lives just a bit easier. Especially with a home. It can get cluttered or disorganized so easily that it can be a bit overwhelming or discouraging. But with the right tips and tricks, we can make things so much simpler.

If you have any household hacks yourself, let the comments down below! I’d love to hear about them!

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If your iron is sticky, leaves yellow streaks on clothes, or has a lot of scorch marks or mineral deposits, it’s time to clean. There are many ways to make your iron look like new using products you may already have on hand! There are easy and effective 6 ways to clean your iron’s soleplate, water reservoir and steam holes.

1. Baking soda paste

Apply the baking soda mixture to the stains on the soleplate to clean them. First, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) distilled water and 2 tablespoons (34 g) baking soda in a small bowl to create a paste that will stick to the iron. Turn off the iron and let it cool, applying the mixture to areas with residue or residue (or the entire soleplate for a general clean). Leave the patch on for a few minutes, then wipe off with a clean, damp cloth.

If any baking soda gets into the steam holes, use a cotton swab dipped in distilled water or white vinegar to clear the blockage.

2. White vinegar

Wipe the soleplate with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar.

Mix a solution of equal parts distilled water and white vinegar.Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and use it to gently scrub the soleplate, especially scorched, sticky, or dirty areas. Once the soleplate is clean, wipe off any remaining vinegar with a clean, damp cloth.

Or, to avoid rubbing, soak the cloth in the vinegar water mixture and wrap it around the base of the iron for 30 minutes. Then, take out the cloth and dry the soleplate.

Use diluted vinegar to clean the compartment and unclog the iron’s steam holes.

Empty the tank of old water, then fill it about ⅓ full with a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar. Turn the iron on the hottest setting and wait a few minutes for the iron to heat up. Then, iron an old towel or cloth with steam for a few minutes.

Use towels or fabrics that you throw away or don’t use. If there is significant residue in the steam holes, the iron may leave streaks or residue on the fabric.

Read your iron’s instructions to make sure you can use vinegar before trying this method.

3. Dryer sheets

Rub dryer sheets on the warm soleplate to remove residue.

Plug in your iron and set it to the lowest available temperature setting, then let it warm up for a few minutes. Take a few new sheets of dryer sheet and rub it on the soleplate as if you were using a sponge. Rub gently continuously until all dirt and residue is gone. Then, turn the iron to the highest setting and iron on an old towel to remove residue from the dryer sheet.

To protect your fingers, wear heat-resistant gloves or change dryer sheets when you feel your fingertips getting hot.

4. Toothpaste

Dab toothpaste on the residue on the soleplate and wipe clean.

Apply a little toothpaste directly to the brown, sticky or dirty stains and let it sit for about a minute. Then, use a clean towel to wipe off the toothpaste. Fill up the reservoir with fresh water, set the iron to steam mode and place the iron on an old towel or cloth for 5 minutes.

Also, try a mixture of 1 tablespoon (3g) toothpaste, 2 tablespoons (6g) baking soda, and 3 tablespoons (45mL) vinegar.

5. Salt

Iron on newspaper and salt to clean sticky iron.

If you notice that your iron is sticky when in use, sprinkle salt on a piece of newspaper or something waxy like parchment paper. Set the iron to warm, let it heat for a few minutes, then iron over the salt in all directions until the iron is clean.

Once the stickiness is gone, shake off the excess salt for a clean base. Use a damp cotton swab to wipe away salt stuck in the steam holes.

6. Ice cubes

Harden the melted plastic residue with ice, then scrape it off.

Fill a shallow bowl, plate or pan with ice cubes, then place the iron plate on the ice to let the melted-on plastic set and harden (this will take about 10 minutes if the melted-on plastic is new). Once the melted-on plastic has completely hardened, use a blunt plastic knife to scrape the resin off the base.

Do not use metal knives or other metal objects as they may scratch or damage the iron.

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Bathroom Mold Removal—The damp and humid environment provides the ideal conditions for these unwelcome guests. But fear not! With the right knowledge and strategies, you can bid farewell to bathroom mold and keep it from making a comeback.

1. Preventative Ventilation:

– Use exhaust fans and open windows during and after showers to reduce humidity and promote ventilation. Mold thrives in stagnant, damp air.

2. Regular Cleaning Routine:

– Develop a consistent bathroom cleaning routine. Wipe down surfaces, including walls and ceilings, with a mold-fighting cleaner. Don’t forget to scrub tile grout and sealant to prevent mold from taking hold.

3. Natural Mold Removers:

– Create a natural cleaning solution using equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray this mixture on mold-prone areas and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing away the mold.

4. Silicone Sealant Maintenance:

– Inspect and replace any damaged or deteriorating silicone seals around your bathtub and shower. Proper sealing prevents moisture from seeping in and causing mold.

Bathroom Mold Removal- Tricks for a Mold-Free Bathroom

– Baking Soda Scrub: Make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to scrub away mold from grout, tiles, and other surfaces. Rinse thoroughly.

– Tea Tree Oil: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray this natural antifungal solution on mold-prone areas, leave it for a few hours, and wipe clean.

– Reduce Clutter: Minimize the number of items in your bathroom to prevent mold from hiding in hard-to-reach spots.

With the right approach, you can reclaim your bathroom from the clutches of mold and mildew. Regular maintenance, proper ventilation, and natural cleaning solutions are your allies in this battle. We hope this guide has armed you with the knowledge and strategies needed to enjoy a clean, mold-free bathroom.

Remember, a mold-free bathroom not only looks better but also contributes to a healthier living environment. Say goodbye to unsightly mold, musty odors, and the hassle of scrubbing away mold constantly. Instead, say hello to a fresh, clean, and welcoming bathroom. Happy cleaning!

Freshen That Fridge

Did you know that a clean fridge is actually more energy efficient? It’s true, so toss out your spoiled food and scrub those shelves and drawers with warm soapy water. Remember: Don’t wash a cold glass shelf with hot water; the glass could shatter. Wipe down the exterior thoroughly with a nonabrasive cloth and—last but not least—vacuum the refrigerator coils on the back of the unit.

Keep an Orderly Oven

Oven spills can be tough to remove because typically by the time you notice them, they’re burnt to a crisp. To handle baked-on spills, spread a paste of baking soda and water over them, and scrub with a toothbrush or plastic scrubbing pad. Add a little vinegar for extra cleaning oomph. Extremely dirty ovens may require a commercial oven cleaner—follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

Make the Microwave Sparkle

When food splatters build up in the microwave, they can seem impossible to remove—but lemons and water can do the trick. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe dish, and add one cup of water. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, then let sit for 10 minutes, allowing the citrusy steam to work its magic. Then simply wipe up, and you’re done!

Tidy Up Your Toaster

If the interior of your toaster is a crumby mess, a good cleaning is long overdue. Here’s a trick to make the job a snap. Unplug the toaster and place it on top of several layers of newspaper. Pour a tablespoon of kosher salt in each toast slot, and tape a sheet of paper over the slots. Shake vigorously to dislodge any particles. Empty the toaster out and wipe it down.

Shine the Stovetop

There’s no reason for your stovetop to be plagued by greasy buildup and cooking spills. It’s easy to clean—just time-consuming. For a gas range, remove burner caps, grates, and control knobs, and place them in hot, soapy water. Clean the stovetop with a scrubbing sponge and dish soap, then rinse. For an electric range, soak drip pans and knobs, but not the burners; clean around the burners.

Practice Humidifier Hygiene

Humidifiers that run constantly benefit from weekly cleanings. Unplug the unit and remove the filter, rinsing or replacing as needed. Pour undiluted white vinegar into the base and allow to stand for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub gently with a soft scrub brush and rinse with plain water. For warm-mist humidifiers, gently brush away any mineral buildup on the heating element. Dry and replace the filter.

1. Clean the microwave with lemon

Just pour some water into a serviceable bowl or pitcher and add a few slices of lemon. Turn on the microwave until the window is flat. Microwave the bowl for 3 minutes before opening the door to remove any grease and grime, then wipe clean with a sponge or cloth.

2. Clean the kettle with lemon

Use a whole lemon to descale your dirty kettle. You just need to cut into thin slices, put lemon in warm and fill with cold water to apply on acne-affected skin. Bring the kettle to a boil once, then let it sit for half an hour, boil it a second time, and then rinse. Your kettle should be nice and clean and have a lemon color.

3. Clean stains with lemon

A little lemon juice and salt can remove stubborn stains in just a few minutes. Squeeze some lemon juice directly onto the stained area, then sprinkle some salt on top. Rub this mixture on the yellowed area for a few minutes, then rinse with water. Repeat this a few times, then let dry before washing as usual. Do not use lemon juice on delicate fabrics, such as silk.

4. Clean the barbecue with lemon

This technique is similar to removing stains from clothes. Cut a lemon in half, put a pinch of salt in a bowl, and dip each lemon halves in the salt so that the lemon is completely submerged. Next, heat up the BBQ and scrub the grill with lemon, the same way you would a sponge. The abrasive action of the salt and the acidic, antibacterial properties of the lemon will keep the lemon clean and disinfected.

5. Polish metal with lemon

Do exactly the same way you would clean your BBQ grill with lemon to remove dirt and give your cutlery a nice shine. You can polish brass, chromium, copper, aluminum, bronze and stainless with lemon, but do not use it on gold or silver, as this can damage the plating.

6. Create an all-in-one cleaner

Don’t throw away leftover lemon zest. Instead, keep them and create a super easy all-in-one cleaner. Pour lemon zest into half a mason jar, then pour vinegar over the jar. Cover the jars and place in a dark refrigerator for two weeks (the longer you leave them, the more the two ingredients will infuse). After two weeks, pour the liquid into a spray bottle and use as you would any all-purpose cleaner.

7. Remove stains on cutting boards with lemon

Simply cut a lemon in half and use it as a sponge by rubbing it on a cutting board to remove stains. For more stubborn stains and to give your lemons a little extra boost, sprinkle some salt or bicarbonate of soda on the board before scrubbing with the lemons.

8. Remove stains from tupperware boxes

Curry or leftover bolognese pasta has stains in your tupperware container? Cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the box, then use the lemon to rub the juice on the stains. Leave the juice on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

9. Remove stubborn stains on food

We’ve all been guilty of leaving dishes out overnight and then struggling to wash away leftovers the next day, but a lemon and a pinch of salt can help. Dip half a cut lemon in a pinch of salt and clean the dishes. The citric acid and salt will work together to cut through any hard parts of the food.

How to Interpret the Cleaning Codes

Don’t ignore the owner’s manual! Always look for information about your upholstered items. This information may be in a care pamphlet delivered with the product, or a tag is sewn into a seam, and it should tell you what it’s made out of, and how to safely clean the material. Here are some common codes found on labels:

WS: Use a mild detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent

S: Use a dry cleaner detergent only.

X: Use a vacuum only. No water.

W: You can use water to clean it.

Don’t Scrub – Start by Blotting Liquid Spills

Use an absorbent cloth to first blot at spills and moisture to quickly absorb them. This will help reduce the chance that the stain will get “rubbed in,” and it’ll help to collect the liquid that’s soaking into foam layers beneath the upholstery. The more liquid you can absorb by blotting, the less internal damage that happens to your furnishings.

Try to Steam Clean Tough Stains

You might expect that you’ll just have to live with the dirty armrests or dried spills for the duration of a seat’s existence, but steam cleaning is relatively effective at lifting embedded dirt from the fabric. You’ll probably find that your steam mop for the floors is an acceptable tool for this task – especially if it comes with a detailed cleaning attachment. Always use a low-heat setting, and test in an inconspicuous spot to make sure that the fabric doesn’t have an unexpectedly negative reaction to the heat. Do not use steam heat on the upholstery that is made of – or contains – silk.

Don’t Use Plain Water to Clean Microfiber Surfaces

Water can lead to dried watermarks and spots on microfiber upholstery. Rubbing alcohol is better for cleaning microfiber. Apply it with a spray bottle, and use a dry, clean cloth to lift the stain as it loosens.

Choose the Right Vacuum Attachment

There’s the actual rationale for using all the different vacuum attachments that came with your high-end product.

Cleaning pet fur in the home with a vacuum

The airflow attachment, for example, is the one that looks like a smaller version of your vacuum and creates airflow during use that operates the spinning brushes. It’s more gentle than the actual vacuum, smaller, which makes it easier to get into small crevices, and it does a great job at getting pet fur off upholstery because it brushes the surface while extracting the dust and debris.

The more formal upholstery brush attachment is the one that looks more like a lint brush, with softer bristles that lift dust and help to reduce pilling.

Use Caution When Applying Fabric Protectors

UV- and stain-repellent sprays can help keep upholstery looking its best and make messes easier to clean, but over-penetration of the sprays can have an adverse effect, too. Too much chemical saturation can cause stains and excessive scrubbing wear and tears on the materials. It can also cause irritation on sensitive skin or to pets who nap and play on the upholstered surface.

Avoid Fabric Softeners

Don’t confuse “softeners” with leather conditioners – you should totally be conditioning your leather upholstery. What we’re saying here is that for any washable upholstery, avoid using fabric softeners. Use “free-and-clear” detergents that don’t contain scents or dyes, and opt to line dry or dry flat, rather than putting upholstery through the dryer.

Remember to Rotate the Cushions

Avoid the dreaded butt dent and added wear to the fabric on the most sat-upon surfaces by rotating the cushions.

How to Clean Upholstery

If your upholstery can be cleaned with a water-based cleanser, you can do this with a few simple ingredients. A spray-on stain remover can be used for any tough spots, just like in washing laundry. Spray your stain remover and wait for about five minutes. While you wait, mix four parts of warm water with one part of laundry detergent. Use a rough sponge or a soft bristle brush to apply the cleaning mixture to your upholstery. Scrub along the grain of the fabric until you have lifted the dirt and stains. Use a damp, clean cloth to wipe away any remaining suds or dirt. You can leave your upholstery to dry or use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the remaining moisture.

Vinegar is great for hard tile and solid surfaces. The more acidic it is, the more effective it is at being a disinfectant. It’s not necessary to dilute your vinegar before putting it to use on these select surfaces, though diluting it does have some benefits: It’s more gentle on grout and doesn’t smell quite so potent.

Some might imply that diluting a splash of white vinegar into water will boast the same potency and cleaning power, but don’t expect to get the full benefit from the cleaner if you’re running those tests in your at-home science lab. The more concentrated the solution, the better it’ll perform when you’re mopping porcelain and linoleum. Aim for 50/50 vinegar and water, or more vinegar and less water.

If it isn’t realistic to have a whole mopping bucket filled with undiluted white vinegar – and it isn’t – consider this vinegar mopping strategy instead:

Soak a cloth in a small bowl of distilled white vinegar, and once it has absorbed all of the vinegar, attach it to the base of a dry mop or “wet sweeper” type of product. If it doesn’t clip or pinch on, strap it in place with a couple of rubber bands. The soaked rag will serve as a wet mop, and it’ll effectively collect dirt on the ground while simultaneously distributing the vinegar across the floor to disinfect. Overall, you’ll use less vinegar than if you were dipping a mop into a bucket but will still be disinfecting at maximum effectiveness.

For Hardwoods, Ceramics and Stone

On wood flooring, ceramic tile and natural stone, it’s always best to use a more diluted concentration of vinegar (think: 1 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of water). The acidic properties of pure distilled white vinegar are likely to do more harm than good on these surfaces and can also dull the polish or wax finishes.

You’re not going to be able to as assuredly disinfect these surfaces with vinegar because of the diluted concentration. Instead, be diligent about dry mopping, vacuuming and using surface-approved cleaners if you need spot treatment.

What if You Don’t Like the Smell of Vinegar?

When you’re over the fact that your house smells like salt and vinegar potato chips (temporarily, but you might not be able to convince your spouse of that) you might find yourself looking for alternatives to vinegar. Keep in mind that you can add a few drops of essential oils such as lemon or lavender to your cleaning solution to cut back on the intensity of the vinegar scent.

You can also treat the cleaning solution ahead of time by soaking citrus peels, like orange, lemon and lime, into the vinegar cleaner to infuse different scents. Everyone’s tolerance is a little different when it comes to using vinegar as a cleaner, especially during seasons when it’s harder to ventilate any type of cleaning solution scent from a home.

Any Other Important Things to Keep in Mind When Mopping With Vinegar?

Never combine vinegar with bleach. The resulting fumes are toxic and can even be deadly. Vinegar + Water is the safest combo for cleaning.

If you’re facing a tough spot while you mop, sprinkle a little bit of dry baking soda onto the area and scrub at it by hand. Undiluted vinegar will have some reactions to the baking soda, though not enough to cause an issue.

Never add vinegar to your steam mop. The mechanisms that process the water and treat the steam are intended for pure water and nothing more. Vinegar can break the internal components.

Avoid the use of vinegar on laminate flooring, as the acidic properties can dull the finish over time. (Furthermore, mopping laminate even with water can damage the flooring. Dry mopping and spot cleaning laminate is the best route.)

1. Use mouthwash to disinfect your toothbrush

Each time we use our toothbrushes, we may be transferring bathroom bacteria directly into our mouths. If you’re someone who flushes the toilet with the lid up, then you could be spreading waste particles around the room, which can settle on surfaces and objects.

Therefore, it’s recommended to sanitize your toothbrush in mouthwash for 2 minutes after using it.

2. Clean your oven with 1/5 cup of ammonia

Simply heat your oven to 150ºF then turn it off and place 1/5 cup of ammonia in a bowl on your oven’s top-shelf. Place a bowl of boiling water on the shelf below and close the door, leaving them to do their thing overnight.

This will help the grime to drop off from your oven, helping you to easily wipe it clean the next day.

3. Microwave your sponge

Our dish sponges collect large amounts of harmful bacteria that we don’t want to then transfer to our dishes while washing them. To sterilize a sponge, you should wet it completely before placing it in the microwave for 1 minute.

The extreme heat will zap any bacteria growing in your sponges. Repeat this every few days when your sponge starts to smell.

4. Clean your wooden kitchen tools

Our wooden spoons can suffer in the kitchen, especially if they get put into the dishwasher or are left to soak. To keep them healthy, it’s recommended to rub them with a slice of lemon in order to stop any unwanted smells to permeate. You can also coat them with vegetable or coconut oil for a little tender loving care. This will make them shine and protect them from harmful moisture.

When they’re exposed to too much moisture, they grow mildew, which isn’t the most hygienic thing for your cooking vessels.

5. Wipe down your windowsills regularly

Because windows and windowsills can collect condensation, they can be a prime breeding ground for fungi and microbes. Make sure that you don’t forget about these hotspots that can be harboring a concentration of bacteria due to the damp environment of the window.

6. Shampoo your hairbrush

Our hairbrushes are often neglected when it comes to cleaning, even though they may be carrying a lot of dirt. This is because our hair can develop a buildup of pollution and everyday germs when we’re out and about, which then gets transferred to our brushes.

It’s advised to clean your brush once a month by removing old hairs and shampooing it overnight before rinsing it clean.

7. Disinfect your yoga mat with apple cider vinegar

Yoga mats can pick up tons of bacteria, not only from the dampness caused by our sweat but also from being placed on floors, especially at fitness centers. Therefore, it’s recommended to clean your mat every time you use it. Simply wipe it down using a cloth and equal parts water and apple cider vinegar.

The vinegar will act as a disinfectant, giving your mat a fresh makeover.

8. Clean your silver jewelry with soda and salt

To restore them back to their original glory, you should line a tray with aluminum foil and add 2 tablespoons of soda and 1 tablespoon of salt. Place the jewelry on top and cover it with boiling water.

By leaving this to soak overnight, it will dissolve the dirt and tarnish that collects on our silver accessories.

9. Clean your keyboard with gel

Cleaning slime can be very practical for removing the buildup of dust and dirt from small spaces, and it’s very easy to make at home! You’ll need to mix 1 cup of warm water with borax in a bowl and 1/2 a cup of warm water with glue in another bowl. Combine the 2 mixtures and stir until it becomes firm — then knead it into a hard ball.

Bonus: Use a mesh bag in the dishwasher

To make sure that everything is properly washed in the dishwasher, it’s important to use a mesh bag to keep the smaller items together. This stops the smaller pieces from slipping down into the washer and not getting sterilized properly.

What tricks do you use to combat germs? Please share them to help us all fight them off!

Eggshells

You might think that a crushed up eggshell will go down the drain smoothly, but it actually is causing a blockage. The sharp, hard edges of the shell will collect other things coming down your drain and eventually cause a clog.

Grease

When you pour grease down the drain, it sticks to the inside of your pipes and the pipes in the street. This can cause the entire pipe to become clogged over time. Other oil-based products are also dangerous to pour down your drain, such as cooking oil, salad dressings, butter, mayonnaise, and fat. If needed, make sure to let the grease cool first, then dispose of it in the trash instead.

Flour

Flour coagulates when mixed with water. This can clog your pipes by coating the edges and catching other bits of disposables trying to make their way down. Always throw your flour, whether mixed with water or not, in the garbage.

Medication

If you flush your unused or expired medication or crush it up and pour it down the drain, those chemicals will be leaked back into your drinking water and the environment. Always make sure to dispose of unwanted medication at your local pharmacy or police department, which will have access to medical waste disposal units.

Produce stickers

Many times people wash their fruit and forget to take the sticker off; it falls in the sink and you eventually just let it go down the drain. Peel them off before you wash your fruit and dispose of it properly. Those little stickers don’t dissolve in water and can clog your pipes and block screens and filters or pumps at the water treatment plant.

Coffee grounds

Coffee grounds build up in your pipes and cause blockages. Plumbers say they are the most common cause of drain problems. You should always dispose of coffee grounds in your trashcan or use them for composting (don’t forget the coffee grounds at the bottom of your mug).

Products claiming to be ‘flushable’

Products claiming to be “flushable” such as certain brands of cat litter and wipes still create a high risk of clogged drains. Cat litter is still highly absorbent after you flush it and toxins from cat feces may get leaked into the ocean and harm marine life. Flushable wipes also don’t break down properly and often get caught on other things creating large clots in pipes.

Condoms

Condoms are made of latex, which doesn’t disintegrate in water, so never, ever flush them. Throw them in the trash or dispose of them at a waste treatment center. If you flush them, they may end up in the ocean and marine life often mistakes them for food and chokes.

Cleaning products

Even though most cleaning products are liquid, they should never be poured down the drain because they contain harmful chemicals. Many contain phosphates, antibacterial agents, and other compounds that aren’t removed at the water treatment plant and can be hazardous to the ecosystem.

Paper products

The only paper product that should go down your drain is toilet paper. It has been specially designed to break down and disintegrate in water. Always dispose of other paper products such as paper towels, cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products in the trash. These items are extremely absorbent and will easily clog your pipes.

Expandable food

It’s OK to let some food run down the drain, but a lot of it expands when mixed with water and can lead to a block. Pasta and rice are two foods to watch out for. Also, pastas are made with flour, which will become sticky and catch other things in your pipes.

Paint

Similar to cleaning products, paint should never be poured down the drain even though it’s a liquid. It has the potential to pollute the environment and cause your drain to clog. Many towns have hazardous waste facilities where you can safely dispose of your old or unused paint. Next, read about the foods you should never keep in your pantry.