Top 5 Cleaning Tips

Do sponges gross you out?

1. Sanitize Your Sponges

Sponges gross me out. I just feel like they are perfect for harboring millions of germs. I do like the sponges with the rough side for scrubbing out hard- to-clean pots and pans, but end up throwing them out before their life cycle is over. What a waste! Instead, put them in the microwave for a couple of minutes and watch as the microbes sizzle away. 2 minutes and it will kill 99% of germs!

2. Kitchen Cabinet Gunk Removal

Have you taken a close look at your cabinet doors lately, especially around the handles? You'd be surprised at how much gunk can accum ulate over time. To be honest, I'm not sure that I've ever given my cabinet doors a good scrub. Yikes! This cabinet cleaner only requires 2 ingredients, and you probably already have them right in the cabinet that needs to be cleaned.

1 part vegetable oil 2 parts baking soda

Mix together with a spoon and go crazy! I like to use my fingers when I use baking soda, because I feel like I can really work the fine grains of baking soda into the surface best that way. But you can certainly use a cloth or a sponge if you prefer to keep your hands mess-free.

3. Clean Small Toys

I've never thought to wash anything in my washing machine other than clothes, but I suppose a laundry bag can make it possible to clean so much more, including small Lego pieces! You could also use this concept in the dishwasher.

4. Cooking Sheet Cleaner

I actually have a few cookie sheets that look just like that - gross! They seem to rust and get grimy really fast. I just cover them with foil before doing any actual baking. Is it time for a cleaning? I think so. Not only does this cookie sheet only require two ingredients but there's also no scrubbing required! Just let it sit and do its job while you tackle other things. Here are the 4 steps. 1. Sprinkle baking soda 2. Sprinkle hydrogen peroxide, 3.Wait 2 hours then 4. Wash it off

5. Clean Fan Blades With A Pillowcase

If you're anything like me, you have about a dozen extra pillowcases lying around in a spare closet. Wait, is that just me? Use one to slide onto the blades of your ceiling fans, and then wipe the blades off inside the case. No more dust in your face! So quick and easy, too.