Clean Sweep

MATTRESS MEET BAKING SODA. Dead skin, sweat, stains, oh my! Unfortunately, tossing a mattress into a washer anytime we feel it deserves a washing is impossible. However, buying a new mattress just because of a few little stains also seems a bit excessive. A mixture of lemon juice and salt has been known to remove stains completely in less than 60 minutes, and you can also sprinkle baking soda over the surface to absorb oils and keep the bed smelling fresh. Let it sit for an hour or so; then vacuum it up.

WINDOWS MEET NEWSPAPER. For smudge-free, streakfree mirrors and windows, grab the newspaper. Simply spray your windows down with your favorite glass cleaner or vinegar (make and store your own vinegar cleaner with 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 cups water). Spray the cleaner, and then use wadded up paper to clean in a circular motion first, then vertical, then horizontal until the liquid has disappeared to leave windows free of streaks.

KITCHEN APPLIANCES MEET FURNITURE POLISH. Spray furniture polish on any stainless steel appliance to make it have that shiny, new look again. Just be sure to keep it off the floor—it’s super slippery!

SCUFF MARKS MEET WD-40. You could pay for new hardwood floors, or you could just put down some WD-40. The cleaning agents in this chemical can loosen up the particles of scuff marks and leave your floor much cleaner.

MICROWAVE MEET WATER. If your microwave is in use, there are probably food particles splattered everywhere. Instead of scrubbing for an hour, place a bowl of water inside and set the microwave for three minutes. Let the steam loosen up the grime. Afterward, a good wiping is all you will need.

OVEN MEET VANILLA EXTRACT. Cover up the smell of the awful dinner you attempted to make with two cap-fulls of vanilla extract in a coffee cup, and then place it in the oven at 300°F for one hour. In 20 minutes, your house will smell like you spent all day baking.