Soak Those Sponges
Dirty sponges aren’t just smelly, they can also harbor germs. Banish them with a five-minute soak in a solution of ¾ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. You can also run sponges through thedishwasheron the normal setting, or microwave a damp sponge on high for one to two minutes.
Vacuum Vitality
Vacuum the living room, dump out the debris, and you're done, right? Wrong. You should tidy yourvacuum cleanerafter each use to guarantee peak performance in the future. Replace the bag regularly—or if you machine is bagless, empty the dust collector and wipe it down. Also dust off hoses and attachments with damp cloth. Don't forget to check the beater bar and roller to remove any debris or hair.
Related:脏Dozen-12你Probab的地方ly Never Clean But Definitely Should
Mop Up
You probably keep your floors clean with regular mopping. But when you're finished, don't just wring the water out and store until next time. Instead, give your mop a good soak in hot, soapy water, and then rinse well in hot water. Wring it out thoroughly and let it dry standing up. Removable mop heads can—and should—be run through the wash on the delicate cycle withbleachto disinfect.
Related:Floor Care Guide—11 Ways to Care for Your Wood Floors
Throw in the (Dish) Towel
Kitchen towels get damp, dirty, and downrightsmellyover time. The solution: Frequentmachine-washingon the hottest cycle. For extra cleaning power, set the machine for an at least one-hour soak cycle, adding a cup of white vinegar to the water along with the usual amount of laundry detergent. Repeat monthly to keep towels odor-free.
Related:How To—Clean EVERYTHING
Scrub-a-Dub-Dub
Scrub brushes are the go-to tools for fighting baked-on grease and gunk, but a tough session of grime-fighting can leave the bristles pretty mucked up. Rinse in hot water after each use, and gently knead the bristles to dislodge debris. Allow the brush to dry sitting upright in the dish drainer, orhanging from a hook. Brushes can also be run through the dishwasher on the normal setting.
Broom Clean
Whether you sweep with anold-fashionedcorn broom or a new-fangled microfiber version, brooms benefit from regular cleaning. A good shake outside the house will get rid of most trapped dust and debris. For a deeper clean, swish the broom in a bucket of hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly with cold running water. Don’t let the broom soak; this can weaken the bristles. Hang to dry, or lean with the broom head up before storing.
尘,你必须
Dust, cobwebs, and small particles can become trapped in a duster, hampering its effectiveness.Dislodge debrisby sticking the duster in a paper bag with rock salt and shaking vigorously for two to three minutes. Empty out the rock salt and dust into the trash, and shake off the duster outside to remove any remaining particles.
Related:10 Unexpected Uses for Table Salt
For More...
For more about cleaning around the home, consider:
21 Ways to Clean Your Whole Home—Naturally
10 Handy Household Uses for Vinegar
The Morning After: 13 Lifesaving Party Cleanup Tips
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