Streamlined Methods for Sprucing Up When You're Short on Motivation
Spring Cleaning Simplified: A Guide for the Lazy Bum (or Busy Bees)
Welcome to our ultimate guide on spring cleaning, tailored for those who don't fancy a major undertaking or just want to laze around a bit this year. Remember, it's okay to be honest!
Revamp Your Microwave with Ease
A microwave should be cleaned every fortnight, but if that's too often for you, fear not! Cleaning it is surprisingly effortless. Here's the lowdown on making your microwave sing again.
Quarter a lemon and pop two slices into a microwave-safe bowl filled with water. Nuke it on high for 3 minutes or until steam is visible in the window. Don't open the door yet, instead let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe away grime with a sponge. The lemon steam will loosen stuck-on gunk, making it a breeze to remove. Remove the turntable and soak it in soapy water before giving the microwave's bottom a quick once-over. And voila! A fresh, clean appliance, all thanks to the citrusy power of a lemon.
Take the Easy Route with Your Oven
Why not give your oven a similar treatment whilst you're at it? Heat it to 150 degrees, turn it off, then place a pot of water on the bottom rack and an oven-safe container of ammonia on the top rack. Close the door and let them sit overnight. In the morning, open the door and air it out for 15 minutes before adding a few drops of dish soap to the ammonia, dipping in a cloth, and giving it a good scrub.
Make the Most of Your Bathtub and Dishwasher
Got a bathtub gathering dust? Not just for showers anymore! Use it to soak dirty dishes, oven racks, brooms, fridge shelves, purifier filters, plant pots, and more. Your dishwasher isn't just for dishes, either! Load it up with small plastic or metal items like stove knobs, dustpans, and toothbrush holders for a quick wash and worry-free sanitization.
Let Your Bathroom Work Overnight
Before bed, tackle two major bathroom tasks in one go and let your cleaning supplies do the heavy lifting while you snooze. Begin by using dissolvable, cleaning-product-covered toilet sheets. Pop one in the toilet before bed, do a quick scrub in the morning, then flush. Secondly, descale and de-gunk your shower head overnight by tying a sandwich bag full of vinegar around it. In the morning, scrub the holes with an old toothbrush, then run the shower for a minute or two.
Clean Your Ceiling Fan sans a Mess
Gotta dust your ceiling fan but worried about creating a mess? No need to stress! Just grab an old pillowcase, slide it over each blade one-by-one, and pull it towards you, collecting dust as it goes. Toss the pillowcase in the wash, and voilà—a dust-free fan with minimal effort.
Wash Your Washing Machine without Getting Inside
Yep, your washing machine needs a clean too! No need to dive in headfirst though. Use vinegar to remove odors, simply add a cup of it to the drum or detergent slot, then run the machine through a hot cycle with no clothes inside.
Effortlessly Clean Under Big Appliances
Ever sworn that you'd pull out the fridge and oven for a deep clean once in a while? If not, don't worry, we won't judge. Here's a simple hack to minimize the mess under big appliances when you do finally decide to tackle them: Cut a hole in a sponge, stick a long-handled tool like a spatula or broom handle into the hole, and shove it as deep as possible under each appliance. Scrub back and forth as best you can, making the job a lot less daunting.
Additional Tips
- Shine Stainless Steel Appliances with Olive Oil: Use a small amount of olive oil on a soft cloth to buff stainless steel surfaces, leaving them gleaming and streak-free.
- Clean Oven Racks in the Bathtub: Soak oven racks in warm, soapy water in the bathtub, then use dryer sheets to wipe away grime.
- Efficient Spring Cleaning Hacks: Clear counters, use baskets for storage, label containers, make the most of your bathtub and dishwasher, involve family members, and establish a daily tidying routine.
- After letting the lemon steam loosen grime in your microwave, don't forget to remove the turntable and soak it in soapy water before giving the microwave's bottom a quick once-over.
- For a clean and freshened oven, consider following the recommended overnight treatment with water, ammonia, and a good scrub in the morning.
- When spring cleaning, make use of your bathtub to soak big items like oven racks, brooms, and plant pots, and remember your dishwasher can clean small plastic or metal items such as stove knobs and dustpans.
