Cleaning Tips

In this hack, a potato becomes a cleaning all-star. Paired with salt and vegetable oil, this trick will return your rust-covered iron skillet to its former beauty.

When de-crusted and rolled into a ball, a slice of white or rye bread becomes a natural eraser. To lift marks, don’t rub: Just dab gently at the surface with your rolled-up bread ball, and voila! You can also use bread to soak up spills, clean out your coffee grinder, Read more…

I’ve never thought to wash anything in my washing machine other than clothes, but I suppose a laundry bag can make it possible to clean so much more, including small lego pieces! You could also use this concept in the dishwasher.

Can’t get rid of stains on napkins, tablecloths or doilies? Grandma wouldn’t toss them; she’d tea-stain them. Add four or five black tea bags to a bucket of hot water and let them steep for 10 minutes or so. Remove tea bags, add the cloth (swish it around so it Read more…

Instead of using paper towels, invest in tea towels. They’re 100 percent cotton so you can dry glasses lint-free, wipe down the stove, or let dishes drip-dry on them. They launder well and dry fast. Grandma-approved bonus: They come in pretty patterns, colors, and embroidered motifs to add vintage charm Read more…

Bad news: Your cell phone probably harbors more germs than your toilet seat. That’s why you should give it a once over with an alcohol wipe to zap germs, as well as other electronics, like your TV remote and computer mouse.

 Your inbox doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it seems. Nix any daily, weekly, or monthly newsletters that you haven’t opened in the past six months. They simply bombard you and cause distractions from priority emails.

Of course, spring cleaning is about sprucing up your physical space, but your mind needs some TLC too! Set aside time to reflect and journal about what habits you want to kick this season and what goals and intentions you want to set. A short 30 minute to one hour Read more…

Instead of just a quick swipe, this window routine will make your glass shine. Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster like Swiffer ($5, amazon.com) and finish by vacuuming fabric shades and Read more…

 Heating ducts and air conditioning vents will just circulate dust throughout your home if you don’t make sure to clean them out. Use the soft brush on your vacuum (the one with the bristles) to keep these spaces clean.