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A clean home is a dream home. Maintaining your home and keeping it clean are not easy tasks.
Although numerous home cleaning products are now available, they are packed with brutal chemicals. Using such products can have a negative impact on your health. They’re also not eco-friendly.
Implementing simple but effective home cleaning hacks can be an efficient and practical way to tackle an unclean home without the use of chemicals.
In this article, you will discover hacks you can use to maintain a clean home.
Home Cleaning Hacks
Here are some handy home cleaning hacks you may not be aware of.
1. Baking soda to control bad odor
Baking soda (chemical name sodium bicarbonate) can be used to address the issue of bad odor that may arise from kitchen waste or simply from your garbage. Even a fridge that hasn’t been cleaned in a few weeks can reek of foul smell.
The use of baking soda was studied for its potential as an air freshener. The study concluded that the use of baking soda can reduce bad odor by about 70%. (1)
To use baking soda for odor control:
- Sprinkle baking soda in the trash can or compost bin each time you add new waste.
- To deodorize the fridge, place an open box of baking soda on one of the shelves. Replace it every 3 months.
- For garbage cans, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda in the bottom of the can before adding a new trash bag.
2. Baking soda to disinfect surfaces
Research has indicated that baking soda can be an effective cleaning agent for kitchen surfaces. This is because of its various properties including:
- Acid neutralization
- Antibacterial
- Virucidal
- Antifungal
Thus, it can be proposed that baking soda can be used as a disinfectant for surface cleaning. (2)(3)
To use baking soda for disinfection:
- Mix ¼ cup of baking soda in warm water.
- Dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture and wring out the excess liquid.
- Wipe down surfaces such as kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, and stovetops with the solution.
- Allow the baking soda solution to sit on the surface for a few minutes.
- Rinse the surface thoroughly with water and dry with a clean cloth.
3. Vinegar to unclog your sink
White vinegar is famously used in the kitchen for its various cleaning purposes. The best one is to unclog your sink.
To use vinegar to unclog the sink:
- Add 1/3 cup of baking soda to your drain.
- Rinse it down with an ample amount of vinegar.
- Run hot water down the drain to clean the pipes. (4)
4. Baking soda to remove pesticides from fruits
Some fruits have a layer of pesticides that is added during production to prevent pest infestation. Eating such fruits without cleaning them can be bad for your health.
Baking soda has been demonstrated to be valuable in removing pesticides from the surface of apples because it causes chemical degradation of the pesticide. (5)
So, wash your fruits with baking soda before eating them!
To use baking soda to wash fruits:
- Fill a large bowl or basin with cool water and add 1–2 teaspoons of baking soda per cup of water.
- Add the fruits to the water and soak them for at least 15–20 minutes.
- Scrub the surface of the fruit.
- Rinse the fruits thoroughly with running water to remove any baking soda residue.
- Dry the fruits with a clean towel.
5. Soap solution to keep your combs clean
Constant use of the same comb daily for detangling or styling your hair can make them unclean, which can be bad for your hair health.
Also, if someone around you has head lice and they use your comb, your chances of contracting these pests increase.
So, it is important to clean your combs now and then. You can do so by soaking them in warm water and soap. (6)
To use soap to clean combs:
- Fill a sink or a bowl with warm water.
- Add a small amount of mild liquid soap to the water and stir to create a soapy solution.
- Place your combs into the soapy solution and let them soak for 10–15 minutes.
- Scrub the combs and remove any buildup or debris.
- Rinse the combs thoroughly with warm water to remove all soap residue.
- Let them air-dry.
6. Toothpaste to clean stains
Toothpaste comes in very handy for cleaning various kinds of stains. Do your favorite pair of sneakers get dirty while walking? Well, that is not an issue anymore; all you have to do is scrub the rubber part of your sneakers with toothpaste and you’ll be good to go.
Even a dirty ring or spot on your favorite mug can be taken care of by applying a little toothpaste to it and washing it as usual. The same can be done to clean your iron.
Moreover, rubbing toothpaste on the stain of your new carpet and cleaning it with a damp cloth can fix your problem. (7)
7. Coca-Cola to clean rusty cast iron pans
To remove any kind of rust buildup from your cast iron pans, all you have to do is soak them in cola.
Cola contains what is called phosphoric acid, which is industrially used to remove rust and tarnish by converting it into iron phosphate, which can be scrubbed off easily. (8)
8. DIY solution to clean fish before cooking
Farmers use lots of pesticides to grow crops, and these chemicals end up in the environment and food. Eating food with pesticide residue can be harmful to your health.
Fish in particular can ingest pesticides and contaminants that enter water bodies. So, it’s important to find ways to clean contaminated food such as fish.
Research has found that the most effective way of cleaning fish is to dip it into a solution containing baking soda, vinegar, salt, and lemon juice as it results in significant reductions in pesticide concentration in the fish flesh. (9)
The same research also shared that using 2% salt water can be useful for cleaning raw fish. However, it is not as effective as the above-mentioned mixture of baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. (9)
9. Salt to clean vegetables
Eating vegetables is very important for one’s health, but making sure they’re clean before consuming them is a must.
Researchers have shared how a solution of salt and water (neutral pH) can help get rid of pesticides on raw food.
One study demonstrated that washing kale with a 0.9% salt solution for 15 minutes got rid of a substantial amount of pesticide residues. (9)
Most-Asked Questions
How to remove crayons from walls?
You can use non-gel toothpaste to get rid of crayon marks on your walls. Put toothpaste on the stained area and scrub it off.
The use of mayonnaise to get crayon marks off your walls is also quite famous. (10)
How to revamp rusty knives?
To remove built-up rust on knives, soak them in a lemon-water mixture and let them sit for a little while. Then, scrub them for final cleaning. (11)
Final Word
Sustaining a spotless and organized home can be difficult. With your endless day-to-day obligations, taking out time to commit to cleaning up can be hard. Fortunately, there are simple and affordable hacks that you can do to keep your home clean.
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