Are you the kind of person who shudders at the thought of dirt? Do you find yourself crawling around the floor of your house on your hands and knees, making sure you've picked up every last crumb? Have you ever used a dust-buster to vacuum your vacuum cleaner? If so, this blog is for you!
We've rounded up 10 cleaning tips for every neat freak who demands a top-to-bottom clean:
Kitchen Cabinets
Over time, cabinets can collect a layer of grime on the surface from dust, dirt, and grease. You can make them look shiny and new by making a mixture of one part vegetable oil and two parts baking soda and then scrubbing with a cloth or sponge.
Washing Machine
The washing machine is one of those places you just don't think to clean because it seems like it would wash itself, right? In fact, a surprising amount of dirt and product can build up inside the machine. To clean, rinse with vinegar and bleach and use Q-tips to get into the nooks and crannies. Many washers have a self-clean cycle that should be run regularly.
Showerhead
If you were to take a look at your showerhead right now, chances are you'd be shocked by how dirty it actually is. The good news is it's super easy to clean. Just pour some vinegar into a sandwich baggie, tie it around the showerhead with a rubber band, and let soak for an hour. Wipe clean and your showerhead will be sparkling.
Toaster
Getting the gunk off your toaster, and really any other stainless steel appliances, is quick and makes a big difference. Mix 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar with a few drops of water, scrub with a sponge, and then wipe clean with a damp towel.
Oven Glass
Have you ever been frustrated that no matter how hard you scrub it seems the oven glass doesn't get clean? It turns out you also have to clean between the glass! You can use a wire hanger and a cleaning cloth to get into this hard-to-reach spot.
Sink Drain
The kitchen sink is one of the germiest places in the house and, after a while, the garbage disposal can even start to smell. Yuck! Follow these instructions to get your sink top-to-bottom clean.
Burners
It's usually pretty easy to see the grime that builds up on stove burners, but finding a way to get it off is a different story! Stop scrubbing until your hands hurt; instead, soak burners in ammonia and wipe the grime right off.
Iron
Clean the bottom of your iron with salt! First, sprinkle salt over an ironing board liberally. Then turn the steam option on the iron OFF, heat to the highest setting, and iron over the salt. The grime will stick to the salt and leave you with a perfectly shiny iron.
Window Tracks
When you've finished cleaning the glass, don't forget the tracks! Window tracks are hard to clean unless you're using the right tools. Q-tips dipped in vinegar are perfect for getting into the small crevices of window tracks; just drag the Q-tip along the tracks and then wipe clean with a damp towel. You can use the same method to clean the tracks for sliding glass doors.
Mattress
If you don't use a mattress protector, your mattress could probably stand to be freshened up a bit. A good mattress cleaning is especially important for people with dust allergies, since a lot of dust can collect over time. All it takes is baking soda and vacuum cleaner! Sprinkle baking soda over the bare mattress, let sit for 30 minutes, and then vacuum up with an upholstery attachment.