11 cleaning secrets only the pros know

1. Remove stains with white chalk

Creator of Cleanmama.net website and author books "Magic cleaning" Becky Rapinchuk advises to first rub the greasy traces with ordinary chalk, and then wash the item as usual. This method will help remove stains from butter and vegetable oil, salad dressings and more.

If you don't have chalk on hand, use cornstarch or baby powder. Before washing, apply them to the stain and leave for 10 minutes to absorb the grease.

2. Vacuuming slowly

Many do not take into account one very simple thing: when we push the vacuum cleaner forward, we first of all put the device in the right position. Dirt is sucked up when we point the vacuum cleaner back towards us. Donna Cooper, author of Cleaning, Simple and Clean, recommends slowing down at this point for the best results.

It should also be remembered that when cleaning sexes from solid materials, the device can inflate the dust that you want to get rid of in different directions. Therefore, at first it is better to collect it, as well as hair or hairballs using a tube nozzle.

3. Use steam cleaning more often

When we use household chemicals for cleaning, they often remain on surfaces. Then dirt sticks to the rest of the funds, so you have to clean everything again. Debra Johnson, training program manager at the cleaning company Merry Maids, recommends using a steam cleaner because it leaves no sticky residue behind. It can also be used to freshen up carpets.

4. Wipe windows with cornstarch

Clean My Space founder Melissa Maker recommends wiping window a mixture of a teaspoon of cornstarch, a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water.

Glass will be perfectly clean and shiny due to the fact that starch is a natural grinding material. In addition, it perfectly copes with unpleasant odors.

5. Wipe stainless steel with olive oil

If fingerprints on stainless steel irritate you, Melissa Maker suggests using olive oil to solve the problem. Once she even received a standing ovation when she told about this simple life hack at a family dinner.

Apply one drop of oil to the surface, rub in the direction of the metal fibers and remove the residue with a paper towel. This will work with baby oil too.

6. Clean up from top to bottom

Debra Johnson advises always cleaning a room from ceiling to floor to avoid wiping the same surfaces multiple times. Another life hack is to start from the far corner and move towards the door.

Think of a scheme for each room in order to quickly and efficiently complete the "route". For example, in the bedroom, you can first brush dust from the chandelier, then wipe the tops of the furniture, then move on to the bedding, and finally sweep or mop the floors to remove the dust that has settled during the cleaning.

7. Wash the shower cabin with a steel sponge

It's simple: just wet the sponge and thoroughly wipe the glass doors of the cab. The sponge will effectively remove traces of water or soap stains and will not scratch the glass.

8. Clean shower head with white vinegar

Pour the vinegar into a plastic bag, tie it to a watering can, and leave it overnight. In the morning, turn on the shower and rinse off the residue. This method also works for bathroom or kitchen faucets.

Soak a paper towel or microfiber cloth with white vinegar, place it on the surface where there is water marks or limescale, leave for 15 minutes, and then wipe. The acid will destroy all stains and mineral deposits and give plumbing a shine.

9. Dry the toilet brush

No one likes to clean the toilet, but Melissa Maker has a little secret that will make the process less unpleasant. After using the brush, place it on the toilet seat and press the lid on top to keep the brush inside. Leave for 10 minutes or longer to drain excess liquid into the toilet and dry the bristles, then put the brush back into the bowl.

10. Use freezer bags

If you have an item with an unpleasant smell that for some reason cannot be washed, put it in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer overnight. The cold air will kill the bacteria and thereby destroy the bad smell.

This method will also help remove sticky sticker marks from synthetics or wax from a tablecloth. The material will harden and it will be much easier to clean it, for example by carefully scraping off the residue.

11. Clean up with a pumice stone

According to professionals, ordinary pumice stone does an excellent job of removing stains. The main thing - be sure to wet it before use, so that it does not scratch the surface.

For example, if you want to thoroughly clean the toilet bowl from plaque, pour a cup of soda into it, leave it for a couple of minutes and wipe it first with a brush, and then with a pumice stone.