Downside to the sun? You can see all the collective grime and dust that’s covering your house. All of a sudden that whole concept of spring cleaning makes sense. Here's some super easy ways to get your house so clean your mum would be proud.
The Dishwasher
Lucky enough to have a dishwasher? It’s the greatest right? Although one year on, it’s kind of got a weird smell. Which is odd. Because dishwashers are self cleaning right? Sadly not. To fix this, it’s SO freaking easy. Take everything else out of the dishwasher and put a cup in that’s full of white vinegar (and some nice smelly oils if you’ve got them) then put it on the hottest setting and SHAZAM – all the grime is gone, so is the smell. Easiest clean ever.
The Oven
Our oven’s currently doing that fun smokey thing every time you turn it on and open the door. Apparently it’s something to do with the huge amounts of baked on grease coating the walls and grills. Oops. Because oven cleaners are expensive (although super fun with all the foaming action) we’re probably never going to buy one again. BUT if you mix vinegar (that guy again) with baking soda and cover the inside you’ve got yourself a cheap alternative. All you need to do is scrub after you've left it for a bit. This also works on that expensive pan you bought that your flatmate ruined trying to fry rice. Idiot.
The General Odour
If you still can’t shake that smell from your ground floor of fag ash and stale booze from the time you had a house party six months ago get yourself a big pot of hot water, add rosemary and lemon and simmer throughout the day. It’s better than Febreeze. Also, switch it up with oranges and cinnamon in the winter.
That Squeaky Door
Not techinically a cleaning thing but OH MY GOSH its so clever. If your flatmate’s bedroom door squeaks every time they nip out to the loo in the middle of the night, waking you up in the process, get yourself some baby oil (seriously, cheapest and most effective moisturuser ever) and pour it on the hinges. They won’t notice (unless you get it on the carpet) but you’ll finally be able to sleep through the night. Which is great.
The Shower
In shared houses it’s almost a given that the water pressure is basically nil, rendering your shower a lame dribble the requires Crouching Tiger moves to get yourself all wet. To marginally (and we mean marginally) improve this, out vinegar in a plastic bad and fasten it round the head overnight. Wipe away and all that crap that’s built up around the holes will be gone meaning your water might be that tiny little bit harder, better, faster, stronger.
Follow Jess on Twitter @jess_commons
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.