GTKY - Favorite cleaning tools or tricks

[katietopaz]

This might be a weird one, but I'm obsessed with finding good cleaning shortcuts or tools that make the job easier. When I found out how well a vinegar and water mix would take out old cat urine stains and odors, it was like Christmas.

Share your favorite cleaning tips or a particular cleaning tool you couldn't live without?

Also, I'm dying to find a better way to clean the tile floors in my kitchen and bathroom. A mop really isn't cutting it, it feels like I always have to get down and scrub spots by hand. I've tried a few different mops and a Swiffer vac that you can add wet cloths to, not super happy with any of those. Is it worth it to potentially invest in a steam mop/vac/thing?

[marybeth]

I LOVE magic erasers. If a magic eraser can't clean it, it's not getting clean.

We have a Shark steam mop. I highly recommend it when you have a little baby crawling all over the floor, because the heat/steam sanitizes the floor without harsh chemicals.

[laur1020]

My favorite cleaning tool is the Clorox toilet wand. It makes cleaning toilets easier and I feel like I'm thoroughly cleaning it.

[lauranicole91]

I am still blown away by what a good soak in oxi clean, plus an hour out in the sun (sun bleaching) can do for nasty stained clothing.

[lolo918]

I was going to say vinegar and water too- it's been a lifesaver for my dog who seems to find every skunk on our small bit of property.
This last one is hard to confess because I just feel like I look like such a slob. After my bleeding incident on Halloween, I am amazed at what milk can do for getting out dried on blood stains.

[emu0013]

I love my Irobot Bravva for my hardwood floors, just make sure you get the extra water resivor.

[Ee]

I loooooove our steam mop! We have a Monster steam mop. It even comes with a carpet glide so you can sanitize all the floors. It works better than anything for actually getting kitchen and bathroom floors clean.

[robotpcr]

My steam mop was my fav wedding gift! I feel like it really gets the gunk off my floors much better than a Swiffer.

[amelandre]

HA! I just posted in the randoms about our stupid cat peeing on our couch. I soaked it through with an organic cleaner, then dumped baking soda on it, if that doesn't work I'll try the vinegar. Anyone know if vinegar is okay on microfiber?

[Cornflakegirl]

I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleaning! I love comet for the bathrooms. My steam mop broke so right now I'm using the swiffer wet jet. Also if you needed to really get your kitchen sink sparkling SOS does the trick.

[tabH]

Jan 26, 2015 0:27:17 GMT -5 laur1020 said:

My favorite cleaning tool is the Clorox toilet wand. It makes cleaning toilets easier and I feel like I'm thoroughly cleaning it.

I second the wand! And if you have granite counters, Method makes a specific cleaner for them and it really does make a difference vs your average surface cleaner.

[mlbrooks]

I tried vinegar and water for the first time on our hardwood floors and it cleaned well but left streaks... might be the mop I was using? Any tips for streak free floors?

I second the Magic Eraser- that thing is amazing!!

[brittneysandra]

My BONA Wood Cleaner! (said with my obnoxious boston accent)
No but seriously it cleans my hardwood fabulously..
Looking into Bona Laminate & tile cleaner also !

[kmkd19]

brittneysandra we just tried the bona laminate on our fake wood floors and it worked really well!

[jko454]

We have a cleaning lady because neither of us enjoys cleaning and it just ends in a fight.  It's our splurge, but we don't eat out often etc. It's made a world of difference in our life!  Before that, we cleaned, but didn't have any real tricks (which is maybe why we hated it so much)!  Our cleaning lady likes VIM for hardwood floors (not the cream VIM, it is specifically for hardwood floors) - it doesn't leave a residue behind.  Is that helpful?  Now I feel embarrassed. 

[pintobean]

Best tip, hire a cleaning service!!!!


Seriously, I don't have a ton of cleaning products around my house. I buy a gallon of clean by peroxi from a janitorial supply co. I mix it an oz or 2 in a squirt bottle and use it on my black quarts countertops and spot cleaning my dark wood floors. It's the best streak free cleaning I've ever used.

For stubborn stains, bar keepers friend. It gets water spots off and cleans my stainless steel sink. Bathrooms scrubbing bubbles and the Clorox wands for the toilets. I don't get the magic erasers, I've tried them but on soap scumb the scrubbing bubbles works better.

My favorite trick is I keep a kitchen scrubber in my shower filled with half dawn and vinegar and just clean the shower while I'm conditioning my hair.

[rocksforludo]

We have a steam mop and I really like it.
Vinegar for general cleaning and getting smells out.
OxiClean spray for getting stains out of clothes.

[rels09]

My husband is my favorite cleaning tool (not that he's "a tool," haha). Ok, not helpful, I know, but I do very little cleaning because MH does most of it while I am meal planning and grocery shopping on the weekends. My only tip would be Bona hardwood floor cleaner poured into a Swiffer Wet Jet, if you have hardwoods.

[JustinBobby]

I want a shark steam cleaner, but does anyone know can you use it on hardwoods?

[robotpcr]

Jan 26, 2015 15:18:44 GMT -5 JustinBobby said:

I want a shark steam cleaner, but does anyone know can you use it on hardwoods?

I use mine on our hardwood, on the low setting.  I find it good for getting it clean but it won't give you that shine of hardwood floor cleaners.

[lolacachia]

Jan 26, 2015 15:18:44 GMT -5 JustinBobby said:

I want a shark steam cleaner, but does anyone know can you use it on hardwoods?

Yes you can!

We had a cleaning lady until I quit my job, and now cleaning is my job. I can't say I love all chores, but I have made it my mission to keep things looking nice! My favorite tool is a Swiffer 360 duster!

Anyone got any tips or tricks for a big walk in shower that doesn't have a detachable shower head for rinsing?

[kgnordman]

When I'm feeling lazy, this is my favorite short cut.

Step one) put dirty clothes on the arms of the couch.
Step two) wait.
Step three) watch husband say "this place is a mess," huff, and clean the whole house.

Ironically, I used to use the same cleaning tool with my mom when I was a teenager.

[JustinBobby]

Jan 26, 2015 15:48:19 GMT -5 lolacachia said:

Jan 26, 2015 15:18:44 GMT -5 JustinBobby said:

I want a shark steam cleaner, but does anyone know can you use it on hardwoods?

Yes you can!

We had a cleaning lady until I quit my job, and now cleaning is my job. I can't say I love all chores, but I have made it my mission to keep things looking nice! My favorite tool is a Swiffer 360 duster!

Anyone got any tips or tricks for a big walk in shower that doesn't have a detachable shower head for rinsing?

Thanks! I use a small plastic container and fill with water to rinse.

[mpiemont]

I love this thread. We just bought a new (big) house with hardwood floors and 4 bathrooms and a hell of a lot more space to clean than I have ever had to do before. I think I want to look into the Bona for hardwood- I have heard great things about it. Especially since our kitchen is hardwood and that floor gets nasty fast.

I unfortunately don't have any tips/tricks to share because I suck at "keeping house". I'd love a cleaning service....

[kmkd19]

elliamanda83 no, it actually looks much better. We bought the house with these floors so we're not exactly sure of the brand. But I'd been using just hot water and a bit of vinegar and it was so dull looking.

[cheechee]

Steam mop and anything Norwex - especially their descaler for bathtubs and the cleaning paste for just about anything.

[pintobean]

Jan 26, 2015 15:48:19 GMT -5 lolacachia said:

Jan 26, 2015 15:18:44 GMT -5 JustinBobby said:

I want a shark steam cleaner, but does anyone know can you use it on hardwoods?

Yes you can!

We had a cleaning lady until I quit my job, and now cleaning is my job. I can't say I love all chores, but I have made it my mission to keep things looking nice! My favorite tool is a Swiffer 360 duster!

Anyone got any tips or tricks for a big walk in shower that doesn't have a detachable shower head for rinsing?

Get a kitchen scrubber that holds the detergent in it. I mix 1/ and 1/2 dawn and vinegar. While you are showering scrub everything down and rinse off with a cup.

[pintobean]

One other tip, throw away swifter and swifter wet jets. Go out and buy a very good microfiber dust mop that you can was the pad. (Never wash microfiber with bleach, only water). I have one from a janitorial supply company and it made a huge difference on keeping my floors clean.

[Deleted]

Magic Muscle is the best! I mix it in the sink, and use it on the whole kitchen (fridge included) and the bathrooms! That stuff is amazing!

[obi]

This is more of an accessory to cleaning, but I put a dryer sheet in my vacuum, over where the air blows out of. It makes your house smell great while you vacuum.
Words are hard, I hope that made any sense.