40 Expert-Approved Spring Cleaning Tips and Hacks

Combine one part white vinegar, one part water, a lemon rind and a few rosemary springs into a spray bottle. Shake and let it infuse for a week before using. This natural cleaner can remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges and much more. Keep in mind: Vinegar is not safe for all surfaces, including natural stone and finished wood.

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Rather than struggling to scrub your oven racks in the sink, give them a soak in the bath tub. Scrub racks with a medium or heavy duty scouring pad and grease-fighting dish soap. Our advice? Lay down towels in the tub first to prevent scratching from the metal racks.

Put your dryer to work! Toss drapes, curtains and soft valances in the dryer for 15 minutes on air-only or the lowest temperature your model offers, then immediately rehang to avoid wrinkles.

Attach your vacuum’s soft dusting brush attachment and turn the suction down to the lowest setting available. Close the blinds, hold the slats taut and vacuum slowly. (Move from left to right for horizontal blinds, top to bottom for vertical blinds.) Open and close the slats in the opposite direction, then vacuum each slat again.

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With regular use, even the best cutting boards can become stained. If you think that nasty mark on your cutting board is permanent, you could be wrong. Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to help remove food stains and smells. Sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first for extra oomph. Follow up with a coating of a cutting board oil to nourish the wood.

Most bed pillows can go straight into the washing machine! You need to clean these items only two or three times a year, so they should be at the top of your list during spring cleaning season. Just make sure you check the manufacturer’s label for care instructions.

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Combine ¼ teaspoon of liquid dish soap and one cup water into a spray bottle, shaking to combine. Spray a microfiber cloth with the solution and dab the stain. Once the stain is removed, fill another spray bottle with fresh water and spray the area to rinse any suds. Blot well with a clean microfiber cloth and allow to air dry. You can also refresh carpets between deep-cleanings by using a portable carpet cleaner.

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Lemon juice acts as a natural acidic cleaner, so it can tackle soap scum. Mix it with water and spray it on tubs and showers, then scrub. Keep in mind: Never use this mixture on marble to avoid damaging the surface.

Use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda to refresh the toilet bowl and remove hard water stains. Drain the water out of your toilet bowl. Pour white vinegar into the bowl until it covers the water line and let it sit overnight. Add one cup of baking soda to create a fizzy solution. Start scrubbing until stains are gone, then flush.

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Going over the backs of the mats will push trapped dirt out onto the floor, where it will be easier to pick up. To refresh outdoor mats, hose them off, then air-dry. Pro tip: You can trap more dirt by using two mats, one mat outside and one inside.

Ditch a store-bought disposable duster for something you may have at home — used dryer sheets. Collect dust on furniture, air vents, ceiling fans, baseboards and much more. The anti-static properties are also great for wiping down TVs, mirrors and computer screens.

Clean up those pesky tomato stains once and for all. To clean your microwave, fill a large microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and a lemon, lime or orange cut into thin slices — or several tablespoons of vinegar — and stick it inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it cool for five minutes before opening the door. Remove the bowl and wipe the inside and outside of the microwave with a sponge.

Ketchup helps dissolve tarnish on copper pots and other copper cooking accessories. Just massage the sauce over the surface, and add a pinch of salt if you come across exceptionally stubborn spots.

When it comes to cleaning kids’ toys, don’t overlook the convenience of your dishwasher or washing machine. For plastic toys, choose the crystal or quick cycle on the dishwasher and skip the heated dry. For stuffed animals, check the care labels, and if machine washable, place them in a mesh bag or pillowcase before throwing it into the washing machine on a gentle cycle. A quick once-over with a lint roller can help too.

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It’s the ideal time to pay attention to what’s under the sheets. To clean your mattress, first use a top-performing clothing steamer to kill dust mites near the surface. Vacuum the mattress afterward, making sure to press firmly with your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean the top and sides. After vacuuming, sanitize the mattress with a disinfecting spray like Lysol Fabric Disinfectant Spray.

To rid your carpet of odors, sprinkle baking soda on your carpet. Using a soft brush, work the baking soda into your carpet and let it set for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda off the carpet with a fresh bag or clean dirt cup.

Go through clothes and shoes, purging anything you’ve only worn once and likely won’t wear again. Think a bridesmaid dress, Halloween costume or formal dress you’ve outgrown. Try on anything you’re unsure about before giving it closet space. Keep an eye out for anything stained, in need of repair or worn out.

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In addition to wiping down your fridge’s interior shelving on a regular basis, give the removable bins and shelves a deep-clean every now and then. Pop out the door shelves and bins and wash them in warm, soapy water to help get rid of food bacteria and spillage. Don’t forget to rinse and dry everything well before putting the shelves and bins back in.

Wait for an overcast day to clean windows. Choosing a sunny day is one of the most common window-cleaning mistakes to avoid. “Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth,” Forté says.