As your “go-to gal for all things home,” I try to help you out with tips to make your life easier. And while I love to recommend new decor items and kitchen necessities, I also like to play around with cleaning hacks.
A few years ago, I shared some of my top cleaning tips on the TODAY Show. Hoda and Jenna seemed to find them helpful and I had so much fun revealing some of my secrets!
Though I gave them a bunch of tips I use at home, I didn’t showcase all of my hacks. There were just too many to share in such a short time! But instead of keeping them all to myself, I want to share them with you now.
So keep reading to see how you can clean, tidy and get your house in order.
TODAY Show Cleaning Hacks
Below, you’ll find some of the cleaning hacks I shared with Hoda and Jenna. You can also find a link to the video for more tips!
Cleaning Those Dusty Ceiling Fans
One of my favorite cleaning hacks is using a pillowcase to dust your ceiling fan.
A little odd, I know… but when you wipe off the blades with a pillowcase, it traps all the dust inside. No worrying about it falling on the floor!
It only requires one thing… a pillowcase! Plus, it gives you the chance to repurpose those old linens you’ll no longer use.
A Tip When Drying Your Clothes
I also recommended the use of crumpled-up foil balls in the dryer instead of dryer sheets. Not only is it better for the environment, but they also help minimize static cling that can come with drying your clothes.
They also eliminate the chance of build-up that can happen when you use dryer sheets you buy from the store. Oh, and did I mention you can reuse them for MONTHS before needing to crumble up new ones? Genius!
An Alternative Floor Cleaner
If you use a Swiffer Sweeper at home, this hack is for you.
Instead of buying those disposable pads to go on the Swiffer, you can use old socks instead.
I like using those fuzzy ones because they trap dirt really well, but you can use any old socks you have around the house. And when you’re done, just wash them in the washer and use them again.
Cleaning Hacks to Get Rid of Shower Scum
When life gives you lemons, clean your showers! You heard that right. Did you know that citric acid from lemons in combination with table salt makes for a powerful cleaner?
All you need to do is cut a lemon in half and sprinkle the half generously with salt.
Then, use the lemon as a “sponge” to scrub away all the grime that builds up on the glass and around your tub. After rinsing off the residue, you’ll have a sparkly clean surface!
Drying Your Clothes Quickly
And before we leave the laundry room, you’ll want to put this cleaning hack in your back pocket.
In a rush and need to quickly dry your clothes? You can do it in no time with this tip. Simply throw in a dry towel with your wet clothes to help absorb excess moisture. It’s something I do every time I throw in a load and it’s a huge time-saver!
Cleaning Hacks For That Messy Microwave
The caked-on food, the sticky sides, the spilled soup… you know what I’m talking about. Dirty microwaves are a bare to clean. But what if I told you it doesn’t have to be difficult?
In my “How To Clean Appliances You Use Every Day” segment on the TODAY Show, I showed how you can make your microwave sparkly clean with water and lemon. That’s it!
Cut a lemon into wedges and add a few slices to one cup of water. Then, heat it on high for four minutes. After letting the microwave run its cycle, let the lemon water sit inside the microwave for another five minutes (totaling nine minutes).
When you remove the cup, you’ll see a build-up of condensation on the inside of your microwave. Simply wipe it down with a towel and the grime and food will wipe right off. The lemons also leave your microwave smelling fresh!
Want to see more of my TODAY Show cleaning hacks? Check out the full video HERE.
More Favorite Cleaning Hacks
As I said, I didn’t share all of my tips on the show. So if you’re in need of other helpful hacks, you can read some of my secrets here!
Cleaning Electronics Screens
There are a bunch of specialty wipes you can use to clean your computer or television screen. But what if I told you that you don’t have to go to the store to buy them?
You can head straight into your kitchen for another easy solution. Coffee filters are great for cleaning dirty screens. The reason they work so well is that they’re lint-free.
They’re also soft and won’t scratch your screen. You don’t even have to spray them with a cleaning solution! Use them dry and they will work wonders.
Make Your Stainless Steel Smudge-Free
For some reason, stainless steel attracts fingerprints and smudges more than any other surface. Plus, it’s hard to clean.
Yes, you can find stainless steel cleaner at your grocery store but it tends to be oily and slippery. I like to use a basic microfiber cloth. It quickly removes smudges and doesn’t leave the surface looking streaky.
Cleaning Those Lamp Shades
This last cleaning hack may surprise you. Dusty lampshades? Clean them with a lint roller! Yes, the same one you use on your clothes.
Since lamps are an awkward shape, they can be tough to clean. But the ease of use that comes with a lint roller makes it the perfect tool for cleaning. Plus, most lampshades are crafted with fabric, so dust and hair get picked up easily thanks to the sticky surface of the roller.
These tricks sure make my life easier and I hope they help you also! In addition to my hacks, I have a few favorite cleaning products.
You can find them by clicking on the photos below.
Enjoy your newly cleaned home!
From my home to yours,
Jill
Did you know I have my own online shop? Check it out HERE!
