1. Vinegar
The DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Create an effective all-purpose cleaner by mixing vinegar, baking soda, water, and a few drops of essential oil. This simple solution can tackle a variety of cleaning tasks around your home.
Clean Your Coffee Maker
Coffee makers often get clogged with minerals and hard water buildup. Vinegar is a cost-effective solution. Pour it into the water reservoir and run it through the machine. Follow up with several cycles of water to remove any vinegar taste and smell.
Remove Hard Water Stains
Battling hard water stains? Vinegar can help. Soak a cloth or paper towel with vinegar, lay it on your faucet, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wipe away the hard water stains with ease.
Shine Up Your Cutlery
Vinegar can also be used to shine up your cutlery. Simply soak your utensils in vinegar for a few minutes, then rinse and dry them for a sparkling finish.
Vinegar is a versatile and natural cleaning agent that can replace many commercial products in your home.
2. Baking Soda
Deodorize Toilet Bowl
Instead of using chemical cleaners from the store to clean your toilet, grab the baking soda for a natural option. Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a scrub brush and flush clean. It will absorb odors, and the sodium bicarbonate ingredient in the baking soda will work at removing dirt and stains.
Unclog and Freshen Drains
Unclog and freshen up your drains by mixing 2.5 parts baking soda and 1 part hydrogen peroxide and pouring it down the drain. Let it sit for 10 to 30 minutes, then flush for a few minutes with running water. The combination of the two causes a reaction that liquifies the grease, the peroxide kills the bacteria, and the baking soda neutralizes the smell.
DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
The DIY all-purpose cleaner vinegar, baking soda, water, and essential drops is all you need!
Tackle Built-Up Grout Dirt
Dirty grout be gone! Tackle built-up grout dirt with this hand mix:
Remove Grease Stains
Grease stains not coming out in the wash? Try this secret weapon:
Bust Rust on Kitchen Items
Pesky rust setting in on kitchen items? Try these natural hacks to bust the rust!
Shine Up Cutlery
Shine up your cutlery the easy way:
Removing Oven Stains
Your oven’s self-cleaning feature is a great way to eliminate burnt food and grease, but what about the stains it leaves behind? Use a cleaning pumice stone for an oven that will look brand new. A cleaning pumice stone differs from the type you use on your feet, so be sure to get the right kind for cleaning your oven. You can find them on Amazon for less than $10.
Baking soda is a versatile and powerful cleaning agent that can tackle a wide range of household cleaning tasks. From deodorizing your toilet bowl to removing stubborn grease stains, this humble powder is a must-have in your cleaning arsenal.
3. Essential Oils
Essential oils are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your daily life. Here are some genius hacks to make the most out of these aromatic wonders.
DIY Air Freshener
Create a simple DIY air freshener by filling a small bowl with baking soda and adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in any room to freshen up the air naturally.
Natural Cleaner
Mix essential oils with vinegar, baking soda, and water to create an effective all-purpose cleaner. This natural solution is perfect for keeping your home clean and smelling great.
Relaxation and Sleep
Add a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil to your pillow or diffuser to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. This simple hack can make a big difference in your nightly routine.
Skin Care
Incorporate essential oils like tea tree or rosehip into your skincare routine. These oils can help with acne, dryness, and other skin issues, making your skin look and feel healthier.
Remember to always store your essential oil bottles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Pest Control
Use essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus to repel pests. Simply add a few drops to cotton balls and place them in areas where you commonly see insects.
Aromatherapy
Utilize essential oils in a diffuser to create a calming or invigorating atmosphere in your home. Whether you need to relax or get energized, there’s an essential oil for every mood.
4. Pipe Insulation
Keep Your Pipes Warm
Pipe insulation is essential for maintaining the temperature of your water pipes. Proper insulation can prevent pipes from freezing during winter, saving you from costly repairs.
Easy Installation
Installing pipe insulation is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:
- Measure the length of the pipe you need to insulate.
- Cut the insulation material to the appropriate length.
- Wrap the insulation around the pipe, ensuring a snug fit.
- Secure the insulation with adhesive or tape.
Energy Efficiency
Insulating your pipes can also improve your home’s energy efficiency. By keeping the water in your pipes warmer for longer, you reduce the need for your heating system to work overtime.
Insulating your pipes is a simple yet effective way to enhance your home’s energy efficiency and protect your plumbing system.
5. Cable Ties
Stay-Put Cord
Zip ties are great to have on hand for quick repairs and fastening jobs around the shop. For instance, you can zip-tie one end of an electrical cord to keep it with the cord reel. Ensure the connection is loose enough to pull out enough cord to reach an outlet.
Hide Cords
Help keep your home office space organized by using PVC pipe to hide cords. Wrangle all those computer, mouse, monitor, and phone cords and hide them in some PVC pipe. You can even use some colorful tape to match your office décor.
Hands-Free Light
Use zip ties to attach a flashlight to a broom handle or any other long object to create a hands-free light source. This is especially useful when working in dark or tight spaces.
Pro Tip: Zip ties are incredibly versatile and can be used in a multitude of ways to make your life easier. Keep a pack handy for those unexpected moments when you need a quick fix.
6. Garden Rake
Handy Rake Handle
Save your back when raking mulch or shoveling heaps of dirt by adding another handle to your long-handle tools. A section of PVC pipe with a tee fitting and cap work perfectly. Add a screw through the tee fitting and into the handle for won’t-budge stability.
Mix Concrete with a Rake
Try a garden rake instead of a hoe the next time you have to mix concrete. The rake won’t splash as much water over the edge, and the tines do a good job of combining the water with the powder. With a hoe, you waste a lot of time just pushing powder around the tub.
Pro Tip: A medium mixing tub costs around $7 at home centers and is perfect for this task.
Makeshift Trench Tool
If you need to dig a narrow trench, consider mounting a pry bar on an old hoe handle. This makeshift tool can save your knees and speed up the process significantly.
7. Old Sneakers
Ladder Bumpers
You could buy special rubber bumpers for the tops of your ladders to protect your siding or walls, but why? A pair of old sneakers (who doesn’t have some!) and a little duct tape will do the job just fine.
Washing Machine Hack
Experts recommend putting a few old towels into the washing machine when you’re washing shoes. This way, there will be enough things in the machine and the shoes won’t hit the glass the whole time.
Clean Sandpaper
Make sandpaper nearly new again with a lowly old sneaker. Start up your power sander and dust collection system (remember to wear hearing and eye protection). Then slowly press the rubber sole of an old sneaker along the sandpaper—you’ll see a difference instantly!
Old sneakers can be surprisingly useful around the house. From protecting your walls to cleaning your tools, they offer a range of practical applications you might not have considered.
8. Ladder Bumpers
Repurpose Old Sneakers
You could buy special rubber bumpers for the tops of your ladders to protect your siding or walls, but why? A pair of old sneakers (who doesn’t have some!) and a little duct tape will do the job just fine. You can also use a sneaker to clean your sandpaper—really!
Pool Noodle Padding
I spend a lot of time on my ladder, and leaning against the rungs all day was taking a toll on my shins and thighs. Then I got smart and slit pieces of my kids’ pool noodles lengthwise and wrapped them around the front of the rungs. Instant relief! The cushions are easy to move as you work. Just make sure you never stand on the pool noodles, and always place them higher than you’ll step since they can create an uneven step or fall off if you step on them.
Foam Pipe Insulation
I recently installed new gutters. When it came time to clean them out, I didn’t want my metal ladder to dent or scratch them, so I made ladder protectors out of an old swim noodle (foam pipe insulation would work too). I cut 2-ft. sections of the foam noodle, slit them with a razor knife and stuck them on the sides of the ladder. They were the perfect cushions! If the foam doesn’t stay put, tape it on.
Pro Tip: Using household items like old sneakers or pool noodles can save you money and provide effective solutions for ladder bumpers.
9. Ball Tower
Ingenious Storage Solution
If you have kids who are into balls of any kind, you know how quickly they can accumulate. An ingenious storage solution is to build a ball tower using bungee cords. This system keeps the pile organized while allowing easy access to the bottom ball.
Materials Needed
- Bungee cords
- Hooks or pegs
- A sturdy frame or wall
Steps to Build
- Attach hooks or pegs to a sturdy frame or wall.
- Secure bungee cords vertically, ensuring they are firm but stretchy.
- Place balls within the cords, starting from the bottom.
This simple yet effective hack will save you time and space, making it easier to keep your garage or play area tidy.
10. One-In, One-Out Rule
The "one-in, one-out" rule is a simple yet effective strategy to keep your home clutter-free. Any time you bring a new item into your home, you let go of another. This could be something old, broken, or unnecessary. By following this rule, you maintain a balanced and organized environment, preventing accumulation and overwhelm.
Benefits of the One-In, One-Out Rule
- Keeps your space clutter-free
- Helps maintain a balanced environment
- Prevents accumulation and overwhelm
How to Implement the One-In, One-Out Rule
- Identify items that are no longer needed or used.
- When you acquire a new item, choose an old item to discard or donate.
- Make this a consistent habit to ensure long-term success.
This design writer found the smartest rule to keep her home clutter-free. Here’s why experts swear by the "one in, one out" rule.
