15 Deep Cleaning Hacks You Need to Try

Is your home still looking a little bit dull or grimy even after you clean it? Then you know it’s time for a deep clean.

Sometimes your standard sweep, mop, and wipe routine just won’t do. So we’re going to take a look at some deep cleaning hacks that will take your home from “clean enough” to “absolutely sparkling.”

1. Clean Your Microwave with Lemon

Microwaves can get nasty, fast. That splattered sauce, melted cheese, and popcorn kernel debris really builds up in there. Rather than scrubbing for ages, try this easy lemon hack:

Cut a lemon in half and place the halves in a microwave-safe bowl filled with water. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes until the water is boiling. Let it sit for 5 more minutes without opening the door.

When you open it up, all that gunk will wipe away easily! The steam and lemon juice work together to loosen and dissolve the mess. Just give the inside a quick wipe-down, and you’re good to go.

2. Use Baking Soda to Clean Your Oven

Oven cleaning is one of those chores that most of us dread. The harsh chemical fumes, the intense scrubbing, the struggle to get every nook and cranny – it’s enough to make you want to just order takeout forever.

But there’s a simple, natural solution that works just as well (if not better): baking soda.

Start by sprinkling a generous layer of baking soda all over the interior of your oven, focusing on any particularly dirty areas. Then, spray it with some water until it forms a thick paste. Let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes (or overnight for really stubborn grime).

When it’s time to clean, the baking soda paste will have broken down all that built-up food and grease. Just grab a damp cloth or sponge and wipe it all away. No harsh chemicals, no intense scrubbing – just a fresh, clean oven.

You can also try our homemade oven cleaner.

3. Clean Your Showerhead with Vinegar

Mineral deposits and hard water can really gunk up your showerhead over time, leading to poor water pressure and an uneven spray. But you can get your chrome sparkling clean with just some white vinegar.

Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and secure it over the showerhead with a rubber band. Let it soak for at least an hour (or overnight for best results). The vinegar will dissolve all those nasty deposits.

When time’s up, remove the bag and turn the shower on. The water pressure should be restored, and you’ll have a shiny, clog-free showerhead.

4. Use a Squeegee to Clean Windows

Window cleaning is one of those tasks that always seems to leave streaks and smears, no matter how much elbow grease you put in. But the secret to streak-free windows is a simple squeegee.

Start by giving the windows a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth to remove any loose dust and dirt. Then, spray on your favorite window cleaner and use the squeegee to wipe it away in long, straight strokes.

Work from top to bottom, overlapping each stroke slightly. Wipe the squeegee blade clean with a microfiber cloth after each pass to prevent streaking. It may take a little practice, but you’ll get the hang of it – and end up with sparkling, spot-free windows every time.

5. Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Just like your oven and microwave, your dishwasher can build up all kinds of gunk and grime over time. And that can lead to smells, stains, and even poor cleaning performance.

To give your dishwasher a deep clean, start by running an empty cycle with just a cup of white vinegar in the top rack. The vinegar will help dissolve any built-up food, grease, and mineral deposits.

Once that’s done, sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run another short cycle. The baking soda will help deodorize and freshen up the interior.

After this simple two-step process, your dishwasher will be sparkling clean and ready to tackle your dirtiest dishes.

If this doesn’t work, try our 4 step process to clean the dishwasher!

6. Clean Your Ceiling Fans with a Pillowcase

Ceiling fans are notorious dust collectors. All those nooks, crannies, and blades make it a real challenge to get them truly clean. But here’s a clever hack that makes the job a breeze:

Grab an old pillowcase and slip it over one blade of the fan. Gently pull it towards you, trapping any dust and debris inside the case. Repeat this process for each blade, and voila – a perfectly clean fan with minimal effort.

The pillowcase acts like a little dust-catching sleeve, so you don’t have to worry about all that gunk flying everywhere as you wipe. Just toss the pillowcase in the wash when you’re done, and your fan will be good as new.

Or try another of our methods for cleaning ceiling fans.

7. Use a Pumice Stone to Clean Toilets

Stubborn toilet stains and hard water rings can be a real pain to scrub away. But have you ever tried using a pumice stone? This volcanic rock is an absolute game-changer for toilet cleaning.

Simply wet the pumice stone and gently rub it over any problem areas in your toilet bowl. The abrasive surface will quickly lift away those tough stains and deposits without a ton of elbow grease.

Just be sure to avoid using the pumice stone on anything other than the porcelain – it’s too harsh for most other surfaces in your bathroom. But for getting your toilet sparkling clean, it can’t be beat.

8. Clean Your Washing Machine with Bleach

Over time, your washing machine can start to develop that not-so-fresh smell, thanks to all the dirt, grime, and detergent residue that builds up. To get it smelling (and functioning) like new again, run a cleaning cycle with some bleach.

Start by running an empty, hot water cycle with just a cup of bleach in the drum. This will help eliminate any mold, mildew, or bacteria lurking in your machine.

Once that’s done, run another empty cycle with just plain hot water to rinse away any remaining bleach. And voila – a squeaky clean, fresh-smelling washing machine, ready to tackle your dirtiest loads.

9. Clean Your Mattress with Baking Soda

Your mattress is a magnet for all kinds of nasty stuff – sweat, skin cells, dust mites, and more. And over time, that can lead to some seriously funky odors.

But you can easily freshen it up with a simple baking soda treatment. Start by stripping your mattress of all bedding.

Then, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda all over the surface. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours for best results).

The baking soda will help absorb any moisture and odors, leaving your mattress feeling and smelling fresh and clean. Just vacuum up the excess baking soda when you’re done, and you’re ready to remake your bed.

10. Clean Your Baseboards with a Magic Eraser

Baseboards can be a real pain to clean – all those nooks and crannies make it tough to get them truly spotless. But a magic eraser can work wonders.

Dampen the magic eraser and gently rub it along your baseboards. The abrasive surface will lift away dirt, scuffs, and grime without too much elbow grease. Just be sure to go slowly and avoid pressing too hard, as the eraser can sometimes leave behind a slight residue.

For an extra shine, you can follow up with a quick wipe-down using a microfiber cloth and some all-purpose cleaner. Your baseboards will look brand new in no time.

11. Clean Your Dishwasher Filters

Your dishwasher filters are like the unsung heroes of your kitchen – they work tirelessly to keep your dishes sparkling clean, but they rarely get the attention they deserve.

Over time, those filters can get clogged with food particles, grease, and mineral deposits, which can seriously impact your dishwasher’s performance.

To give them a deep clean, simply remove the filters (consult your owner’s manual if you’re not sure how) and soak them in a mixture of hot water and white vinegar for at least 30 minutes. This will help dissolve any built-up gunk.

Give the filters a good scrub with an old toothbrush, rinse them off, and pop them back in place. Your dishwasher will thank you with sparkling clean dishes every time.

12. Clean Your Stove Grates with Ammonia

Those stubborn, baked-on food stains on your stove grates can be a real pain to scrub away. But did you know you can use ammonia to make the job a whole lot easier?

Start by placing the grates in a large plastic bag and pouring in a cup or two of household ammonia. Seal the bag and let it sit overnight. The ammonia fumes will help break down all that grime, making it a breeze to wipe clean in the morning.

Just be sure to ventilate the area well when handling the ammonia, and avoid letting it touch your skin. A quick rinse and scrub with a sponge or brush, and your stove grates will look good as new.

13. Use a Toothbrush to Clean Grout

Dirty, discolored grout can really ruin the look of your tile floors and backsplashes. But getting in there with a regular sponge or cloth just doesn’t cut it. For a deep, thorough grout clean, reach for an old toothbrush.

Dip the toothbrush in a mixture of warm water and baking soda or your favorite grout cleaner, and start scrubbing away at those stubborn stains. The small, bristled head of the toothbrush is perfect for getting into all those tight grout lines.

It may take a little elbow grease, but this simple trick will have your grout looking brand new in no time.

14. Clean Your Garbage Disposal with Lemon Peels

Your garbage disposal is another one of those often-overlooked appliances that can get pretty nasty over time. All that food waste and grime can lead to unpleasant odors and clogging issues.

But you can keep it fresh and functioning with a simple lemon peel trick. Just toss a few lemon peels down the disposal and run it with hot water. The citric acid in the lemon will help break down any built-up residue, while the fresh scent will leave your sink smelling clean and bright.

You can also try grinding up some ice cubes in the disposal – the abrasive action will help scrape away any stuck-on gunk.

15. Use a Squeegee to Clean Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors are notorious for streaks and water spots, no matter how much you wipe them down. But just like with windows, a squeegee is the secret to getting them sparkling clean.

Start by giving the doors a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth to remove any loose dirt and dust. Then, spray on your favorite glass cleaner and use the squeegee to wipe it away in long, straight strokes.

Work from top to bottom, overlapping each stroke slightly, and be sure to wipe the squeegee blade clean after each pass. With a little practice, you’ll be able to get those sliding doors looking streak-free and crystal clear.

So there you have it – 15 unexpected deep cleaning hacks that are going to transform your home. From microwaves to mattresses, there’s a clever trick here to tackle just about any cleaning challenge.

Ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work? Grab your supplies and get ready to be amazed at how fresh and sparkling your space can be. Happy cleaning!