We’ve all seen the effects of a dirty home in some way, shape, or form. It creates a feeling of anguish that leaves us feeling nasty about everything we touch. It’s unbearable, to say the least.
Thankfully, the internet is here to save the day! These 50 household hacks are absolutely worth your time if you’re looking to get serious about some heavy household cleaning.
While some may seem unorthodox, others are tried and tested true by so many that they just had to share their secret remedies with us.
Put the expensive pressure cleaner down and take a look at these awesome ways to get the job done. Pretty soon, Mr. Clean will be without a job after you put these nifty tricks to work!
1) Crayons For Holes In The Wall
Firmly press your crayon over the hole and see for yourself! Use the appropriate color for the matching wall and you’ll quickly get a fix going for that annoying nail hole. If you’ve been missing the good ol’ days of coloring, then get ready to get nostalgic with this easy repair method.
2) Painter’s Tape For Perfect Caulk Edge
Odds are you’ve been removing the tape after the caulk dries up, thus pulling some of it right off the edge. The trick is to remove the tape while the caulk is still wet. See for yourself and be amazed!
3) Using A Potato To Unscrew Lightbulbs
Yeap, you read that right. If you’ve ever broken a glass bulb while still in the socket, then you know it can be quite harmful to remove it while the glass is still present. Cut the potato in half and insert it with the soft side facing the glass shards and turn until you feel the broken glass embed itself onto the potato. Be sure to turn the power off and wear protective gloves to ensure safety first!
4) Rubberband To Remove Stripped Screws
By placing a rubberband over the head of a screw, you are essentially increasing friction and getting a better grip on the screw. This will make it considerably easier in removing the screw without the need for more technical machinery. It really is as easy as it seems like!
5) Soap To Cover Nail Holes
Besides crayons, you can use a bar of soap to help with those pesky holes left by nails. Just rub some white soap in a counterclockwise direction over the hole and voila. There’s a chance you might have to use a warm wet cloth to wipe off the remaining residue left by the soap on the wall.
6) Baby Powder For Squeaky Floors
To fix the issue of having wooden pieces rub together, squeeze a small bottle of baby powder in between the two wooden boards. Make sure you get it as evenly as possible inside the crack. In addition, you can use a brush to push the powder down further if need be.
7) Hot Iron For Dents In Wood
Having issues with dents in furniture or hardwood? Not to worry! Pour a little water with a moist towel and then apply a hot iron. Lather with the iron in a smooth, circular motion and that should do the trick!
8) WD-40 To Remove Marker Scribbles
Be careful using this product as it can tarnish surfaces with matte or flat paints with oil. The sheer strength of WD-40 can easily erase any markings on the wall and leave it totally unblemished. If this is too strong of a process, then we suggest using a magic marker as a backup.
9) Toilet Bowl Cleaner For Grout
After you apply a semi-generous amount of toilet bowl cleaner, be sure to let it rest for about 15 minutes. Afterward, use a toothbrush or abrasive tool to scrub the excess grout off the surface. Apply hot water with a mop and be wowed by the results!
10) Soapy Slumber
Sure it isn’t a home hack, but it’s definitely a sleep remedy worth considering. Sleeping with leg cramps can be an extremely unpleasant experience that can prevent you from having a good night’s sleep. Although it sounds odd, placing a bar of soap under your fitted sheets might just do the trick. Researchers say that this could due to the placebo effect, or even due to the magnesium content in soap. Either way, if it works for you, great. If not, then seek medical attention if it’s a consistent occurrence in your sleep routine.
11) Koolaid For Spotting Toilet Leaks
Tired of your leaky toilet? I bet you didn’t know Kool-Aid could fix all of your problems, did ya? Remove the toilet lid and use a packet of dark colored Kool-Aid. After 30 minutes, if you see the toilet bowl as the same color of the Kool-Aid then it shows you have a leak. Wait for the Kool-Aid to work its juju and you should be good to go.
12) Gloves With Aluminum Foil Fingertips
No, this is not a Halloween prop for Edward Scissor Hands. It’s not a home hack either, but it’s a rather nifty idea for those of you living in the frozen tundra up north who have a hard time using your fingers while in the cold. The aluminum foil fingertips can help you finally touch your phone and other screens with little to no discomfort whatsoever!
13) Dishwasher Tablets To Clean Oven Door
Dishwasher tablets have a variety of uses in the home hack world. For starters, they can be used to wipe away the grease stains left on your oven door. Use gloves before scrubbing down the door as dishwasher tablets contain bleach.
14) Tea Bags To Clean Sink Full Of Dishes
Interestingly enough, tea bags contain chemicals called tannins that help cut down oils and grease in no time. Add hot water to the tea bags and watch their magic work for you. You should be able to wipe away a sink full of dishes with a dozen or so tea bags.
15) Houshold Ingredients For Unclogging Drains
No need to use harsh chemicals all the time. Instead, you can use normal household remedies like baking soda, white vinegar, and even salt to help with your messy drain. Apply boiling water initially and then pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of salt and finally 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Give it about 10 minutes and apply one last rinse with hot water.
16) Ice Cubes To Clean Garbage Disposals
Letting the disposal grind ice cubes will keep it clean going forward. It’s a fun, easy trick to help keep your sink from absorbing too much bacteria and unnecessary smells. Go try it and see for yourself!
17) Bread And Vinegar For Garbage Can
Tired of having your garbage can smell like rotten eggs? Try dumping a slice of bread soaked in vinegar at the bottom of the trash and let it sit overnight. Remove the slice of bread the next morning and you’ll see a huge difference!
18) Dish Soap And Broom For Bathtubs
This one is a pretty intuitive hack. Just use your basic dish soap and begin scrubbing the tub with a broom. Not much to it than that.
19) Hole In Trash Can liner
Ever get annoyed by that suction that happens every time you go to remove your trash bag? Well, there’s a pretty easy fix and it involves drilling a hole in it (fun!). No really, just drill a hole in your trash bag on the side of the plastic liner and NOT the bottom so that way it can still prevent any leaks from occurring.
20) Measuring Tape To Find Studs
Looking at your measuring tape closely, you can see how some numbers are marked in red while the rest are in black. The markers are set to help you identify the studs and the space between the studs in the walls of your house. Pretty useful, huh?
21) Aluminum Foil As A Funnel
Need a makeshift funnel? Not to worry! Grab the closest aluminum foil and mold it into a cone shape and watch all of your liquids pour smoothly the way they should!
22) Use Aluminum Foil To Remove Rust From Chrome
Rust can be a big problem when it’s time to clean a surface. Luckily, it’s a pretty easy fix if you’re equipped with some aluminum foil and a soapy watered towel. Run the towel initially and then rub the aluminum foil along the rust to complete the mission.
23) Cabinet Door Bumpers To Stop Slamming Doors
Use a cabinet door bumper on any doorjamb to stop any rattling. The same trick can be applied to cabinet drawers with the same issue. It’s inexpensive and pretty convenient if you think about it!
24) Magic Eraser For Cleaning Stains
The dishwasher isn’t always the best course of action. Before you go there, why not try a magic eraser? These little suckers work their magic when removing stains from surfaces (as long as it’s not stainless steel). Be sure to rinse well after using the magic eraser especially with any items that involve food.
25) Magic Eraser For Stained Walls
This is a must-try hack for everyone! No matter what kind of stain or discoloration is going on, this awesome product can wipe it all away. See for yourself!
26) Tennis Balls To Remove Oil From Swimming Pool
Tennis balls are fun to play with, but did you also know they could be used for cleaning? Some of the oil lotions used for sunscreen can rub off into the pool water. The felts on the tennis ball are perfect for picking up grease residue that is left from sunscreen.
27) Rubberband To Keep Door From Shutting
Sometimes you need to keep the door open a little while longer. Whether you’re carrying in groceries or large furniture, it helps when a door can automatically stay open to let you in. Use a rubberband by looping both sides of the doorknob and that will prevent the door from latching.
28) Nail Polish For Tears In Screen
Nail polish acts as an invisible glue when trying to sew together a broken screen door. Don’t apply too much as it can create a very messy, wet spot. In addition, you may want to make sure the screen tear is small and not big enough to wear the nail polish really wouldn’t be effective in fixing it.
29) Ice Cubes For Carpet Dents
Using an ice cube, place it on the dented area of the carpet and let it melt. The water then absorbs into the carpet and begins to clean out any spots on the surface. Wait until the carpet is completely dry and then use a hard-bristled brush to get the hard stuff out.
30) Vinegar Bath For Your Shower Head
Using a vinegar bath will allow you to remove any mineral deposits and grime from the showerhead. Just goes to show you another nifty application for vinegar. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly as you don’t want any vinegar on you next time you shower.
31) Foam Pool Noodle For Garage Wall Bumper
These are excellent for protecting your car and garage door from getting banged up. Cut a pool noodle in half and use nails to screw it into your garage wall where your car door meets. Trust us, your insurance will thank you by the end.
32) Squeegee To Remove Pet Hair
If you have a furry pet, then you know how insane their fur can drive you sometimes. Not to worry! A squeegee is also a man’s best friend when it comes to removing pet hairs from surfaces. This is especially helpful for carpets that make it near impossible to remove some of the hardest hair follicles.
33) Rotate Ceiling Fans Correctly
This is a great hack for helping you be more energy efficient for heating and cooling costs. During the winter, fans should turn clockwise to pull the warm air up and around the room.
In contrast, the fan should be turned counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down. New fan models already come equipped with a switch that will allow you to change the rotation whenever you like, which is a pretty cool new perk.
34) Common Ingredients To Clean Grout
Both hydrogen peroxide and baking soda work wonders when it comes to removing grout. Not only are they normal household ingredients, but they are inexpensive and serve a multitude of other functions. Apply a mixture of 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and you’re ready to clean grout.
35) Bubble Wrap For Windows
This is phenomenal for trying to block some windows from bleeding heat. Wet the window a bit and then stick the bubble wrap so it can start blocking out the cold and keep the heat inside. It’s not a complicated fix, and it will surely help you with those annoying windows that seem to be blazing up your living room couch ever so often.
36) Assortment Of Cleaners For Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are the worst. A plunger, some baking soda, vinegar, and water should all help to keep you clogged-free as long as you’re using it correctly. It’s really a no-brainer and will help you out when the hassle gets tough!
37) Cooking Spray For Squeaky Door
Cooking oil is a great replacement for WD-40 when it comes to solving squeaky doors. Spray a little on the hinges and it should remove any more annoying squeaky sounds. Now you can finally have quiet and peace back in the house!
38) Dissolved Aspirin On Plants
Some of you may be shaking your head to this idea. However, experts and studies suggest aspirin solution makes plants heartier and more pest-resistant. Dissolve one tablet of aspirin for every gallon of water and spray throughout the garden every 2-4 weeks.
39) Painting Screws To Prevent Them From Coming Loose
The nail polish essentially acts like glue and allows the screw to stay in place. It’s not gorilla glue, but it will certainly do the sticky job. Try it now and let us know!
40) Hydrogen Peroxide For Pest Control
Hydrogen peroxide has a ton of uses both in and out of the home. Spray the chemical on the soil and plants and watch it deter pests. Be sure that the amount of concentration is at 3% or you can risk harming your vegetation.
41) Three Ingredients To Fix A Scorched Pot
We’ve all seen the burnt marks of a pot, but most of us have ruled out a way to clean it. Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and some aluminum foil will help you do the trick! Cover the burnt area with baking soda and then spray hydrogen peroxide on it to form a paste. Leave the paste on for some hours and finally rub it off with some foil to clean out the burnt marks.
42) Moving Appliances With Windex
Everyone can remember the pain and effort that is required when moving in a large appliance to their home. Just use Windex to grease the wheels at the bottom so that the appliance can smoothly be transported without a hitch. Be careful though, as you may want to avoid using Windex on hardwood floors due to the ammonia content in Windex that can ruin it for you.
43) Cleaning Grill With Onion
It’s not a conspiracy theory we promise. If you don’t have a grill brush handy, just cut an onion halfway and stick a fork in it. Use the more texture-heavy side of the onion as the bristles and begin cleaning the grill grates. You’ll be amazed to see how much gunk an onion can scoop up!
44) Line Potted Plants With Coffee Filters
Tired of cleaning up soil from your garden? Before filling the pot with soil, line the bottoms with coffee filters. The filters prevent the soil from seeping out and will still allow the water to drain out of the hole from the bottom of the pot.
45) Microwave Clean Without Scrubbing
How can this be you might ask? Just pour water and vinegar in equal parts in a microwave-safe bowl and then give it about 7 minutes. The steam of the mixture will help loosen up the stains and allow you to easily wipe and clean it at your own pace.
46) Defrost Frozen Lock With Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer contains an alcohol content strong enough to thin the ice on frozen locks. Car, home, bathroom, it doesn’t matter what kind of lock is frozen in place. Other methods include breathing warm air onto the handle, warming your key with a lighter, or even applying some WD-40 to take the ice off.
47) Potato To Help Keep Food From Sticking On Grill
Potatoe has starch which can help create a nonstick surface on your grill. Grab a fork and stick a part of the potato to rub it over the grates of the grill once you warm it up. No more having to pry cooked food from the surface when it’s time to flip them into the plate.
48) Windex For Clogged Printer Cartridge
Who would’ve known this to be a hack? Get a paper towel and spray a bit of Windex on it so you can rub it along the bottom of the cartridge. The job is finished once you notice streaks of ink on the paper towel after you’re finished wiping.
49) Hot Water To Measure Level Of Propane
This is a pretty cool hack. Many grillers seem to have a tough time knowing how much propane is left in their propane tank. Boil some water and pour it into a cup so it can be poured on the side of the tank. The cooler side of the tank will be where the propane gas is in, so it can give you an estimate of how much you still have left in the tank.
50) Amplifying Speakers
For those without a home theatre system, don’t fret. Just put your phone or speaker inside a bowl or container and watch the noise amplify louder! Sound waves will bounce off the sides of the surfaces and echo powerfully across the room for easy listening.
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