10 Spring Cleaning Hacks to Transform Your Home in No Time
- gerenme
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Tackling everything on your spring cleaning checklist can feel daunting, but it's easier when you're aware of time-saving hacks — like putting kids' toys in the dishwasher or scrubbing soap scum with lemon. To compile the best spring cleaning hacks of all time, we tapped Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, for her expert advice.
Whether you have only five minutes to freshen things up or you've dedicated an entire weekend to spring cleaning, these cleaning tips will help you move through your to-do list with ease. You may even save money on cleaning supplies — did you know you can make your own all-purpose cleaner with white vinegar?
Jamie Grill
1 Make your own all-purpose cleaner
Combine one part white vinegar, one part water, a lemon rind and a few rosemary springs into a spray bottle. Shake and let it infuse for a week before using. This natural cleaner can remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges and much more. Keep in mind: Vinegar is not safe for all surfaces, including natural stone and finished wood.
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2 Clean oven racks in the bath tub
Rather than struggling to scrub your oven racks in the sink, give them a soak in the bath tub. Scrub racks with a medium or heavy duty scouring pad and grease-fighting dish soap. Our advice? Lay down towels in the tub first to prevent scratching from the metal racks.
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3 Refresh window treatments in the dryer
Put your dryer to work! Toss drapes, curtains and soft valances in the dryer for 15 minutes on air-only or the lowest temperature your model offers, then immediately rehang to avoid wrinkles.
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4 Vacuum blinds
Attach your vacuum's soft dusting brush attachment and turn the suction down to the lowest setting available. Close the blinds, hold the slats taut and vacuum slowly. (Move from left to right for horizontal blinds, top to bottom for vertical blinds.) Open and close the slats in the opposite direction, then vacuum each slat again.
RELATED: How to Clean Blinds Fast
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5 Clean cutting boards with lemon
With regular use, even the best cutting boards can become stained. If you think that nasty mark on your cutting board is permanent, you could be wrong. Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to help remove food stains and smells. Sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first for extra oomph. Follow up with a coating of a cutting board oil to nourish the wood.
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6 Wash pillows in the washing machine
Most bed pillows can go straight into the washing machine! You need to clean these items only two or three times a year, so they should be at the top of your list during spring cleaning season. Just make sure you check the manufacturer's label for care instructions.
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7 Use dish soap to tackle carpet stains.
Combine ¼ teaspoon of liquid dish soap and one cup water into a spray bottle, shaking to combine. Spray a microfiber cloth with the solution and dab the stain. Once the stain is removed, fill another spray bottle with fresh water and spray the area to rinse any suds. Blot well with a clean microfiber cloth and allow to air dry. You can also refresh carpets between deep-cleanings by using a portable carpet cleaner.
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8 Tackle soap scum with lemon
Lemon juice acts as a natural acidic cleaner, so it can tackle soap scum. Mix it with water and spray it on tubs and showers, then scrub. Keep in mind: Never use this mixture on marble to avoid damaging the surface.
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9 Clean the toilet with white vinegar
Use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda to refresh the toilet bowl and remove hard water stains. Drain the water out of your toilet bowl. Pour white vinegar into the bowl until it covers the water line and let it sit overnight. Add one cup of baking soda to create a fizzy solution. Start scrubbing until stains are gone, then flush.
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10 Vacuum door mats on both sides
Going over the backs of the mats will push trapped dirt out onto the floor, where it will be easier to pick up. To refresh outdoor mats, hose them off, then air-dry. Pro tip: You can trap more dirt by using two mats, one mat outside and one inside.
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