You’re about to move out of your rented apartment into a new home. First, you have to pass the final inspection. That means it is the perfect time to start cleaning!
Cleaning can be a daunting task, particularly if you’ve spent many years in the property. You never know what dirt and grime might be hiding in nooks and crannies. So, let our ultimate guide to cleaning help you make your home spotless. The good news is that these tips and tricks are less toxic than store bought cleaners and use items that you are likely to have on hand.
1. Get Rid of Greasy Stains
We all hate those greasy stains on the oven and hobs. Don’t stand there for hours scrubbing like a maniac, mix some baking soda and water until it forms a paste. Then slather it on the area, leave for a few minutes and wipe off. Presto! It looks brand new again.
2. Say Goodbye to a Grimy Microwave
Microwaves are another difficult appliance to clean. The best way to tackle your microwave mess is to pour two cups of water into a microwavable bowl or measuring cup and add two lemons cut in half. Turn the microwave on to high for two minutes and watch the effective steam-clean take place. Simply wipe the residue with a dry cloth.
3. Shine Your Stainless Steel Sink
Over the years stainless steel can look worn out. Give yours a new breath of life by cleaning it with baking soda, lemon juice, and white vinegar. Use an old toothbrush as a scrubber and your once dull sink will sparkle.
4. Disinfect Wooden Utensils
If your wooden chopping boards and spoons look like they have seen better days, give them new life. Eliminate old cooking stains by rubbing half a lemon, a dash of salt, and a few drops of water onto each utensil. Leave for an hour and stains will lift easily when washed as usual.
5. Polish Mirrors and Windows
Cleaning windows and mirrors can be a headache, and getting a streak-free result can be tricky. Merely brew some strong black tea, then let it cool for about an hour. Transfer the tea cleaner into a spray bottle and apply to windows and mirrors. Use a microfiber cloth, or better yet, newspaper to wipe it off for a streak-free shine.
6. Sanitize the Toilet
Pour a half a cup of baking soda and a half a cup of white vinegar into the toilet bowl. The mixture will froth as it starts to clean. Leave it to work for 15 minutes then use a toilet brush to scrub the sides of the toilet bowl and flush.
7. Clear Slow Drains
For this one, you’ll need four Alka-Seltzer tablets and one cup of distilled vinegar. Drop the tablets down the blocked drain, then slowly pour in the vinegar. Wait ten minutes for the cleaning action to take place and afterward rinse with boiling water. The pipe will be cleaner, and the water will drain quicker.
8. Brighten Your Tiles
Take a mason-style jar with a lid and combine one cup of kosher salt, baking powder, and Borax. Screw the lid on tightly and give the jar a good shake to make sure that the ingredients are all mixed. For a deep clean, you can concentrate the mixture on tiled areas that need scouring. Or, use on all the tiles to lift general dirt stains for sparkling tiles. Gently scrub the tiles with a soft sponge, rinse with tepid tap water and dry with a towel.
9. Clean Your Shower Head
If your shower head is covered in limescale, fill a regular sized sandwich bag with one cup white vinegar and tie around your shower head with a rubber band. Be sure that the shower head is fully submerged in the vinegar. Leave overnight and return to a sparkling, grime-free shower head in the morning.
10. Shine Your Hardwood Floors
This miracle mixture will give your dull and lifeless wooden floors a new lease on life. You will need a large measuring jug filled with two cups of warm water, half a cup of vinegar, a quarter cup of rubbing alcohol and one tablespoon castile soap. For a nice fragrance add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the mixture before transferring it to an easy to use spray bottle. Spray directly onto the wooden floor and rub with a dry cloth. The harder you rub, the more shine you will get.
Leave Your Old Home Sparkling
When you move out of your rental be sure that you get your full deposit returned by doing some deep cleaning. With these tips, you are certain to make your old home sparkle. The great news is that you don’t need to use harsh, expensive cleaning products because these tips and tricks use regular household items.