10 cleaning tips and shortcuts

There's nothing like coming home to a clean house to make you feel at ease as you unwind from a hectic day. Who wants to live in cluttered, messy or dirty quarters? But dusting, vacuuming and washing aren't everyone's favourite pastimes so we asked Homemakers readers to share their best tips for cleaning their homes faster or better.

The following cleaning tips can help you to save time and money -- and you can still take pride in your squeaky clean home sweet home.

Oven racks that shine in no time
Manufacturers recommend removing oven racks when you use the self-cleaning oven function or they'll lose their shine and won't slide easily. I always remove the racks as I like them to remain shiny. The next time I run the dishwasher, I lay the oven racks on top of the other dishes in the top dishwasher rack.As long as I remember to take the racks out just before the drying cycle, while they are still wet, I find that the baked-on residue scrubs off easily with a metal scouring pad -- no additional cleaning agent required.

This maximizes the use of the dishwasher cycle and cuts down on the amount of cleaning product you use.
Carol Guicheret, Winnipeg

Chemical-free window cleaner
My top cleaning shortcut is a reusable cloth called a Whiz Cloth. Using the cloth and the hottest water I can stand, I clean my windows and then dry with paper towels. I get my windows done quickly with no streaks and using no cleaning solutions.

The cloths are very strong and inexpensive. A package of eight costs about $2 and you can find it at Giant Tiger and Wal-Mart stores. They can be washed in the washing machine and used over again.
Linda McKague, Woodville, Ont.

Click to continue to learn how you can save time cleaning the shower...

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Multitasking showering
I keep a bottle of Eco Mist Tub & Tile cleaner within reach when taking a shower. Some mornings, I just need to stay in the shower a little longer to wake up or warm up so I can kill two birds with one stone by cleaning while I'm in there.

Because the product is environmentally safe, I don't have to worry about the chemicals coming into contact with my skin or inhaling the fumes. When it's time to clean the bathroom more thoroughly, it's a cinch because the shower and tub are already sparkling!
Sue

A homemade bathroom cleaner
We have very hard water with calcium build-up. I started thinking of any household products that would cut through that and here's what I came up with. It works just as well as the expensive stuff you buy.In a spray bottle:
- fill 3/4 full of distilled water
- fill the rest with vinegar
- add about 1 tsp. of fabric softener (depends on the size of the bottle -- you don't need much at all)

Give the bottle a good shake to mix everything together, and there you go. Use after every use of the tub and/or shower.
Cindy Humm, Newbrook, Alta.

Bring on the baking soda!
I've been using baking soda instead of scouring powder for years. I use it to clean stains off my counter tops, grime off my bathtub (so I don't have to worry about residue not rinsing away and then my girls soaking in it at bath time) and it makes my stainless steel kitchen sink shine as well.
Christine Dalzell, South Surrey, B.C.

Non-toxic oven cleaner
For a natural oven cleaner, use baking soda and water. Make it into a paste. Apply on the inside walls of the oven. Leave overnight and then wipe clean.
Katie Saunders, Florenceville, N.B.

Click to continue to learn how you can clean your floors and get a workout at the same time...

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Streak-free windows
I make up two small pails (usually using 4 L ice cream containers). One has warm water and a bit of dishwasher detergent. The other has water and vinegar, about 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar. I use either a j-cloth or an old terry towel for washing the window. I use a separate towel for the rinse, ringing it out and then just wiping the window. Most times you do not even need to use a dry towel afterward; the water and vinegar solution cleans and puts a shine on the window without any streaks. I find this quick, effective and eco-friendly.

Carol WysockiSparkling floors and fun!
When we built our bungalow a few years ago, I wanted the kitchen floor to be white ceramic tile. What was I thinking? This floor needs to be mopped every day, as it shows the tiniest speck of dirt! Finally, I devised a system that saves labour, and cleans the floor between moppings.

After sweeping the floor, I take two old hand towels and wring them out in some water mixed with a little vinegar, and place them side-by-side on the kitchen floor. Then, with my shoes still on for safety, I "skate" around the floor, catching every mark that I see. Since the floor isn't very wet, it dries quickly, and looks as if it's just been thoroughly washed.

It's not dangerous, as long as you don't go too fast. I'm 77 and haven't fallen yet!
Dorothy MacDonald, Niagara Falls, Ont.

A handy duster
My tip is reusing used Bounce/fabric softener sheets for dusting.
Judi Gosbee
Murray River, P.E.I.

Dusting has always been my least favourite and most time-consuming cleaning job; that was, until I started using long- and short-handled Swiffers.

The long-handled Swiffer makes dusting high and low places quick and easy. Instead of having to climb up on a chair or stool, I can dust all ceiling areas, pictures, ceiling fans, and walls while standing on the floor. The long-handle Swiffer also works great under furniture and to get into hard-to-reach areas.
Debora M., Dundas, Ont.

Find more happy home tips in the My Home section of Life & Times.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
-Room-by-room cleaning checklist
-Eco-friendly cleaning products
-24 tips for a healthier home

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