Hi friends. I haven’t been on the blog as mush as I’d like to be AND for good reason. We’re moving!! OMGosh….we’re excited, but just the thought of moving has it’s own anxiety reactions, but throw in the alllllllllllll the packing, purging and cleaning and whew…..a girl could just about go bananas. So today I thought I’d talk about cleaning. I personally find it therapeutic (minus the packing and moving); however, I do have girlfriends that would rather be in labor than to clean their house.
There’s nothing wrong with hating to clean. If your natural instinct isn’t to Martha Stewart your entire life, that’s fine. But no one wants to live in squalor, right? If you hate cleaning, but still want to give your home a good cleaning, here are a few lazy hacks to make it easier. Some of these are kinda fun. Hehe….who knew cleaning could be fun. 🙂
MAKE VINEGAR + WATER YOUR BFF
You’d be surprised how much of your home can be cleaned with just white vinegar and water. White vinegar is cheap, it’s natural and it’s tough on bacteria and dirt. Here are just a few things you can clean with vinegar:
- Fridge
- Drains
- Microwave
- Countertops
- Toilet
- Shower/tub
- Carpets
- Wood floors
- Windows
So, basically everything in your house. And one $5 gigantic jug will do the trick.
USE BAKING SODA + ESSENTIAL OILS ON YOUR MATTRESS
Even if you wash your sheets regularly, your mattress still needs some TLC during spring cleaning. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to 1 cup of baking soda and shake to combine. Use a kitchen strainer to sprinkle the mixture all over your mattress and let it sit for about one hour. During that time, the baking soda will soak up any moisture and grime, and deodorize the mattress. Grab your vacuum and use the hose attachment to suck up the baking soda and all the invisible dirt it absorbed.
UTILIZE YOUR DISHWASHER
Your dishwasher doesn’t just have to be for last night’s dinner mess. There are a ton of things you can deep clean in the dishwasher, all by pushing a button.
- Small trash cans/waste baskets
- Plastic hair brushes and accessories
- Plastic toys
- Dust pans
- Light fixture globes (glass and acrylic)
- Fridge shelves
- Vent covers
Consider the game officially changed.
WEAR FLUFFY SOCKS
You know those soft, fuzzy socks you undoubtedly get as a random Christmas gift each year? Wearing those daily around the house can help keep dust down to a minimum. They work like a Swiffer, and keep you cozy at the same time.
CLEAN WHILE YOU SLEEP
The ultimate lazy cleaning hack is to sleep your way through it. Soak your stove grates in ammonia overnight and wake up to a grime-free house with minimal effort. You can also clean your shower head while you sleep by soaking it in a Ziploc bag filled with vinegar. Wake up and your shower head will be good as new.
UTILIZE THE SUN
Sunshine does more than just help flowers grow. It’s amazing at killing bacteria and dust mites that are hiding in our household linens. Just 30-60 minutes in the sun can refresh and clean your pillows, bedding and towels!
What tips and tricks do you use? I would love to know.