Saturday Morning Clean
10 Cleaning Hacks I Learned Over the Years
Growing up, Saturday mornings presented a crossroads of sorts—my television screen beckoning with colorful cartoons (or sports in my teenage years), and my Mom, with her arsenal of cleaning supplies, signaling it was time to scrub and polish. Despite my youthful protests, cleaning on Saturdays soon became a ritual, a shared activity that, in retrospect, taught me more than just the value of a tidy room. On occasion, there would be Whitney Houston or Diana Ross singing in the background, their beautiful voices mingling with the swish of cleaning supplies.
I often dreaded those Saturdays. I later realized they became a time for bonding, for learning the tricks of the trade, and, strangely enough, for finding a bit of joy as we put the sparkle and shine in our home to some soulful songs.
Here are 10 cleaning tips + hacks that I learned from my Mom and many years of reluctantly adulting:
Dust Smartly: Use a microfiber cloth instead of a feather duster to trap dust effectively without scattering it into the air.
Remove Ink Stains from Fabric Furniture: Dab ink stains on fabric furniture gently with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, carefully working from the outside in to prevent the ink from spreading, effectively lifting the stain without damaging the material.
Sparkle Your Windows: Clean windows on a cloudy day to avoid streaks since direct sunlight can dry the cleaning solution too quickly.
Freshen Your Mattress: Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it up to remove odors and freshen it up.
Deep Clean Grout: Make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, apply it to grout, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush to restore whiteness.
Deodorize Drains: Pour a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar down drains, let it fizz for a few minutes, then rinse with hot water to eliminate odors and clear minor clogs.
Revitalize Wooden Furniture: Rub a mixture of olive oil and vinegar on wooden furniture using a soft cloth to enhance its shine and minimize scratches, restoring its natural luster and beauty.
Clean Stainless Steel Appliances: Wipe stainless steel surfaces with a cloth dampened with white vinegar, followed by a water rinse and dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots and enhance shine.
Efficient Microwave Cleaning: Steam clean your microwave by heating a bowl of water with a few slices of lemon in it for about five minutes; the steam will loosen any grime, and the lemon adds a fresh scent.
Boost Laundry Freshness: Add a half cup of white vinegar to your washing machine’s rinse cycle. Vinegar helps to remove any detergent residue, soften fabrics naturally, and eliminate any lingering odors, making it a fantastic, eco-friendly fabric softener alternative.
These simple yet effective cleaning tips, ingrained in me during those early Saturday mornings, have proved invaluable over the years. More importantly, they remind me of the invaluable lessons + ethos my Mom imparted.
So next time you find yourself with a cleaning cloth in hand, remember that sometimes, the best memories are made where you least expect them—even during a routine cleaning.
And, don’t forget your playlist.