Effortless Home Cleaning Hacks: 33 Tips for a Sparkling Space
In an ideal world, cleaning would be as simple as waving a magic wand, much like Merlin in Disney's The Sword in the Stone. While these tips won't grant you magical powers, they offer the closest alternative for individuals seeking to maintain a clean home without endless effort. By incorporating just one or two of these ideas, you can achieve a sink free of grime and surfaces that accumulate significantly less dust.
1. Start Your Day with a Made Bed
Making your bed first thing in the morning instantly creates a neat and tidy appearance in your bedroom, regardless of any mess elsewhere. For those living in small spaces, such as a studio apartment, this simple act can make the entire area feel more organized. Straightening the sheets and throwing a quilt over them provides a calming effect, helping to overlook minor clutter. To keep it effortless, minimize decorative pillows—three is a manageable number. Even with a partner who takes over the task, the result remains a serene and put-together room.
2. Use Compostable Cleaning Wipes Daily
Stash a pack of municipally compostable cleaning wipes under your bathroom sink and use them once a day to prevent dust and mildew buildup. Wipe surfaces in order from least to most germy: counter, faucet, toilet tank, lid top, handle, sink, and seat. While these wipes don't disinfect—requiring surfaces to stay wet for about four minutes for that—they effectively remove dirt and grime in seconds. Available on Amazon, a pack of three plant-based, compostable containers costs $29.48. Note that they require a city curbside compost program, not backyard composting.
3. Opt for Waste-Free Cleaning Solutions
For an eco-friendly approach, mix your own all-purpose cleaner using a plastic-free concentrate in a spray bottle. Cut up an old T-shirt into washable rags for wiping. Blueland's cleaning concentrate, available as a four-pack on Amazon for $9.99, mixes with three cups of water to create an effective cleaner, reducing waste and saving money.
4. Maintain Your Shower with a No-Wipe Spray
After showering, mist the walls, curtain or door, tub, fixtures, and floor with a no-wipe, no-scrub formula to prevent soap scum buildup. This daily shower cleaner uses nontoxic ingredients to lift oils, rinsing them down the drain. Regular use can keep your shower clean for months, though hard water may require stronger products like CLR. A bottle is available on Amazon for $19.98.
5. Prevent Drain Clogs with a Silicone Cover
Catch hair in the shower using a silicone drain cover to avoid chemical decloggers and plumber calls. This versatile cover fits over any drain type, with a weighted top to hold it in place. Made of silicone, it's easy to clean even if mildew forms. Available on Amazon for $13.99, it traps hair while allowing water flow.
6. Keep Your Toilet Clean with Gel Stamps
Apply a gel stamp under the toilet rim after cleaning to maintain freshness for up to 12 days, reducing the need for scrubbing. Restamp as needed, and use any leftover gel for light scrubbing before reapplying. These stamps, effective in shared spaces like college dorms, cost $9.76 on Amazon for a four-month supply. Position them away from direct spray to ensure longevity.
7. Remove Rust Stains with Spray Gel
Eliminate rusty stains in your bathroom using a spray-on cleaning gel. Simply spray, wait a minute or two, and rinse to reveal a sparkly surface. This product also works on color-safe fabrics. Available on Amazon for $8.24, it offers a magical solution for stubborn stains.
8. Clean Your Showerhead with Vinegar
Soak a mildewy showerhead in a plastic bag filled with vinegar for a couple of hours to dissolve buildup. Secure the bag with a rubber band for effective results. For very hard water, consider using a stronger cleaner like CLR. This simple hack, proven with before-and-after photos, is a cost-effective way to restore your showerhead.
9. Banish Mold with Mildew Remover Gel
Apply a no-odor mold and mildew remover gel along grout and caulking to remove black spots. Let it sit for four to five hours or overnight, then rinse. The gel formula adheres better than spray bleach, providing lasting results. Available on Amazon, one bottle costs $14.99, with a three-pack offering savings at $36.99.
10. Use Toilet Bombs for Lime Scale Prevention
Drop a eucalyptus-scented, citric acid-infused toilet bomb into the bowl weekly to reduce lime scale and calcium buildup. Swish, let it fizz for five minutes, then scrub briefly. While a pumice stone may be needed initially, regular use helps maintain cleanliness. Sold by Bombs Away on Etsy for $11.99+, these handmade products come in six scents.
11. Sweep Floors with Microfiber Slippers
Wear sweeper slippers with microfiber bottoms to pick up hair, dust, and water drips as you move around. Though not as effective as a broom, they help gather debris into piles for easy cleanup. Available on Amazon for $9.99+ in various colors and sizes, they offer a convenient way to keep floors tidier.
12. Invest in a Robo Vac for Daily Cleaning
A robo vac automates vacuuming, keeping floors free of dirt, pet hair, and dust. It transitions between hard floors and low-pile carpets seamlessly. With daily use, it can significantly reduce cleaning time. Available on Amazon for $159.99, it's ideal for busy households, especially those with pets.
13. Place Indoor Doormats for Extra Protection
Beyond an outdoor doormat, add indoor mats at entry doors to catch residual water and dirt. On rainy or snowy days, this extra layer prevents tracking in mess. Premium sisal mats from Indie Art Home on Etsy, handwoven in Colombia, offer colorful designs starting at $43.78.
14. Use a Boot Scraper for Muddy Shoes
Install a boot scraper near your porch to remove gunk from shoes before entering, reducing indoor cleaning. Effective for all shoe types, it's especially useful in muddy yards or snowy conditions. Forge and Flower on Etsy sells a handmade scraper for $57.
15. Clean Dog Paws to Minimize Dirt
Wipe down your dog's paws with an old towel or use a paw washer before they come inside to keep floors cleaner. For muddy or sandy paws, a paw washer with silicone bristles gently rinses off dirt. Available on Amazon for $13.49+ in various sizes and colors, it simplifies pet care.
16. Tackle Stains with All-Purpose Remover
Keep an all-purpose stain remover on hand for carpets, spritzing on stains, massaging gently, waiting, and blotting. It handles oil-based stains like lipstick, as well as food, coffee, and pet stains. A 32-ounce bottle costs $7.99 on Amazon, making it a versatile solution for households with children or pets.
17. Reduce Dust with a HEPA Air Purifier
A HEPA air purifier cuts down on floating dust, reducing sneezing and settling on furniture. Essential for areas with wildfires, it improves indoor air quality. One model, praised for managing pet dander and smoke, costs $49.33 on Amazon with filter replacements every 3–6 months.
18. Clean Items in the Dishwasher
Save time by washing non-heat-sensitive items like kids' toys, hair brushes, and light covers in the dishwasher. Use the top rack for plastics and the bottom for glass and metal, skipping the heat cycle for delicate items. This method leaves everything sparkling with minimal effort.
19. Maintain Your Dishwasher with Cleaner
Run a dishwasher cleaner monthly to prevent water spotting and odors. Simply drop a pod in and run a cycle. Available on Amazon, a 3-pack costs $14.64, ensuring your dishwasher stays fresh and efficient.
20. Speed Up Dishwashing with Foaming Soap
Dawn's Foaming soap helps clean greasy dishes quickly, reducing scrubbing time. Soak dishes briefly for effective results. Available on Amazon, four bottles cost $16.88, offering a reliable solution for households without dishwashers.
21. Catch Oven Spills with a Liner
Place a shallow cookie sheet or heat-safe liner on the bottom oven rack to catch spills, avoiding foil which can melt or disrupt airflow. A pack of three oven liners costs $12.99 on Amazon, simplifying cleanup.
22. Steam Clean Your Microwave
Microwave a bowl of water with lemon or vinegar for 3–5 minutes, then let it steam with the door closed. Wipe off dried food easily with a paper towel or sponge. This hack works with plain water too, making microwave cleaning effortless.
23. Polish Stainless Steel Appliances
Use a 2-in-1 cleaner and polish monthly on stainless steel to remove fingerprints and smudges while protecting surfaces. Spritz the product on a cloth to avoid residue. Available on Amazon for $19.95 with a microfiber cloth, it keeps appliances shiny.
24. Protect Cabinet Tops with Paper
Lay wax paper or paper bags on cabinet tops to catch greasy dust, replacing them annually or as needed. This reduces the need for frequent scrubbing, keeping kitchen surfaces cleaner with minimal effort.
25. Line Refrigerator Shelves with Mats
Use absorbent, machine-washable mats on refrigerator shelves to prevent sticky spills. Simply toss dirty liners in with laundry. A set of six mats, available on Amazon for $10.49+ in various designs, customizes easily for door shelves.
26. Clean Your Keurig with Pods
Run a cleaning pod through your Keurig weekly to remove coffee residue and oils, improving taste. It doesn't replace vinegar descaling but complements it for a thorough clean. A pack of five pods costs $7.99 on Amazon.
27. Shine Your Stovetop Quickly
Combine Dawn, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda on your cooktop, scrub with a dish brush, and wipe clean for a sparkling surface in minutes. A dish brush is available on Amazon for $9.99, making this a fast and effective method.
28. Dust Lampshades with a Lint Roller
Use a lint roller to quickly remove dust from lampshades, preventing buildup. A pack of five rollers costs $24.37 on Amazon, offering a simple solution for hard-to-clean areas.
29. Wipe Surfaces with a Microfiber Duster
A microfiber duster attracts and holds dust instead of dispersing it, reducing the need for frequent dusting. Available on Amazon for $15, it's thin enough for tight spaces and washable for reuse.
30. Neutralize Odors with Specialty Candles
Light soy wax candles with odor neutralizers to eliminate pet or food smells without cleaning. Available on Amazon for $23.99 in 20 scents, they provide a pleasant and effective solution for fresh air.
31. Remove Pet Hair with a Squeegee
Spritz water on upholstery and use a squeegee to clump pet hair for easy pickup. A similar tool costs $8.89 on Amazon, offering a low-effort way to clean fabric surfaces.
32. Choose Between a Pet Hair Roller or Vacuum
For pet hair removal, opt for a reusable roller at $24.99 on Amazon, requiring some elbow grease, or a handheld vacuum at $89.99 for effortless cleaning. Both options effectively reduce hair on furniture and in cars.
33. Prevent Shedding with a Deshedding Brush
Use a deshedding brush with rounded teeth on pets to reduce future hair on upholstery. Available on Amazon for $9.99+ in eight colors, it's gentle and effective for dogs and cats.
