20 Genius Cleaning Tips to Make Your Home Sparkle and Shine

Break Out the Alcohol

No, we aren't recommending you have a beverage before cleaning—but do as you like. Dulude says her staff loves using alcohol as an all-purpose cleaner. It's great at killing germs on most surfaces, and it makes for a great product to use on mirrors, windows, and other high-gloss areas that would normally need extra polishing to get streak-free results.

Be Nice to Your Future Self

Once you've deep cleaned the tops of your cabinets, Dulude recommends putting down a layer of paper towels.

"You won't see the paper towels since they're high above the ceiling, but they'll trap all the greasy, sticky dust," Dulude says. Next time you're deep cleaning the kitchen, all you'll have to do is swap out the dirty towels.

Get a Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums aren't a secret, but here's how to use yours like a professional. Take an afternoon to arrange your wires and furniture so that the robot can access most of your home without getting stuck.

Dulude says to run the vacuum every morning—yes, every morning. "This keeps your floors clean but also your air since there's less dust flying around," she says.

Store Gardening Tools Without Hassle

Sears says her favorite hack is to use any ordinary beverage cooler if you’re just getting started and have limited storage space for gardening tools.

"It’s the perfect weather-proof, put-it-anywhere, space-saving garden tool storage for items like hand tools, nutrients, and gloves—and a perfect way to hide the mess," she notes.

Keep Stainless Steel Looking Beautiful

If polishing stainless steel is the task that always remains at the bottom of your to-do list, we don't blame you. To make the arduous chore easier, Dulude recommends Weiman stainless steel cleaner. It does a great job cleaning and polishing your stainless steel well, but it will also protect it from dust and dirt.

Spend Five Seconds Instead of Five Minutes

According to Davis, all community spaces in the home should be wiped down daily. And no, that's not obsessive. Keeping an area clean means you won't have to deep clean it later, so get into the habit of grabbing a towel at the end of the day and you'll free up your weekend time.

Don't Let Basil Go Conquering

If you want to keep your herb garden orderly, here's how to cut back on time spent pruning. If you’re planting multiple herbs, Sears says to put them in containers. That way, they won't spread and overtake the rest of your garden.

Store Your Seeds

For tidy and successful planting, it's important to store your seeds well. Sears recommends using airtight plastic containers or mason jars to keep them organized and storing them in a cool, dark place.

Skip the Harsh Products

If you are cleaning specifically to target germs, Davis recommends skipping those heavy-duty, harsh products, as frequent use will release more irritants into your home. She recommends using clean products instead.

Don't Let Liquids Sit

It's tempting to let your countertop dry naturally and continue cooking or relaxing, but that's actually not in your best interest. Bacteria grow and live on wet surfaces, so Davis recommends wiping counters down prior to using them.

Do Some Prep Work

Who hasn't moved an item while cleaning and then spent the next two days wondering where it went? Davis recommends storing all of your personal items before you start a deep clean. You won't have to stop and move things every five minutes— and the remote control won't go walking off.

Use a Cleaning Supply Subscription

Be nice to yourself and the planet and buy a cleaning subscription. Your cleaning supplies will be cute and organized, you won't be creating plastic waste, and you'll never run out mid-spill.

Make Cleaning the Microwave Easier

Don't waste time scrubbing baked-on food splatters. In a microwave-safe bowl, mix a cup of water with a couple spoonfuls of apple cider or white vinegar, then pop the mixture in the microwave on high for a few minutes to get it boiling. Once it's good and steamy, turn off the microwave, let it sit for a few minutes, remove the bowl, and wipe down the inside with a cloth. 

Grab a Paperclip

If soaking and scrubbing don't get all of the debris off of your stovetop burners, Dulude recommends using a bent paper clip to gently nudge off stubborn particles.

Buy a Pan Brush

No burnt-on bits or grease are a match for a wooden pan brush. Its bristles break up grime a billion times faster than a sponge, and you won't be left with a dirty, torn-up sponge after cleaning up your dinner.

Don't Forget Your Mattress

To ensure your mattress lasts for years—and smells nice all summer—it's important to clean it every now and then. Remove everything from your bed, then spray it down with a solution of two parts water to one part laundry detergent. After it dries for thirty minutes, vacuum the mattress to remove any debris and dust.

Dust Your Plants

On your journey to eliminate dust, don't forget your plants. Plants can't absorb dust, and letting it sit on the leaves prevents the plant from absorbing the most sunlight possible. Dust also dulls the vibrancy of the leaves, so grab a soft, damp towel to wipe them down.

Let It Sit

When it comes to bathroom cleaners, it's best to let them sit on a surface for five to ten minutes. This gives them time to break down scum and work more efficiently—and in the case of disinfectants, the extra time is often essential for killing germs.

Don't Throw Out That Old Toothbrush

One of the most powerful tools in a cleaner's arsenal is the simple toothbrush. You can use it to scrub out stains from tricky spots, like your kitchen stove or bathroom grout, or you can use it to really get in those tight corners.

Use a Makeup Expiration Chart

Instead of playing guesswork, use a makeup expiration chart to track when to toss items. Throwing out items over time as they expire will keep your space and your skin clear.