By Shaza Walid

Cleanliness is one of the main assets of a welcoming home. The smell of freshly mopped floors, the sight of polished windows, and the feeling of neat bed sheets will make you want to stay at home all day. Despite your regular home-cleaning regimen, there would be some spots you might miss or some spills could happen that leave you confused about how to clean them. Yaoota is presenting you the top 10 home-cleaning hacks that will make your living space spotless and shiny.

*Prices listed in the article are the ones provided when the article was published, and they are subject to change according to supply and demand of the market.

• Cleaning The Sofa

You may be dusting your sofa every now and then and it looks fine. However, if you want it to feel new again, you should try this cleaning tip. Sprinkle the sofa with a generous amount of baking soda, leave it on for about 15 minutes, and then use a vacuum cleaner to wipe it away. The baking soda helps in breaking down stains and getting rid of any unwanted smells on the sofa.

Check out baking soda here from Nature’s Gifts Stores. Prices start from 465 EGP.

You can also check out different models of vacuum cleaners here, with prices starting from 465 EGP.

• Cleaning The Ceiling Fan

If you have ceiling fans at your home, then you probably dread the task of cleaning them every now and then. Now that the weather is getting colder and you will not be using them in the next few months, you will need to make sure they are dust free. A simple way to clean it is with an old pillowcase. The pillowcase’s fabric will wipe the dirt right away and will trap the dust inside so you do not have to worry about cleaning the floor afterwards.

• Cleaning The Microwave

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After

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A good use for lemon halves is cleaning the microwave. Because of constant heating of food and drinks, spills and stains are inevitable. You would not want to use harsh detergents where you heat your food. Therefore, all you need to do is get half a bowl of water (or vinegar), cut a lemon in half, and squeeze some of its juice in the water. Then throw the half lemon in the water and heat in the microwave for five minutes. Leave the bowl in for another five minutes so the steam can further break down the stains. Use a towel to clean all the stains and do not forget the door. And voila, you have a clean microwave.

Check out this diverse collection of microwaves here. Prices start from 1149 EGP.

• Cleaning The Washing Machine

This is an example of the places you think are naturally clean but in fact are not. By time, you will find that your washing machine has detergent buildup and sometimes mold. To clean your washing machine, first mix ¼ a cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of water in a small bowl. Add the mixture to the detergent drawer of the washing machine then add half a cup of vinegar. Set the machine to the normal load at the hottest temperature. After the cycle is over, open the door and leave the interior to air dry. Use a cloth to wipe away any residue or mold.

• Cleaning The Towels

After several uses, you might notice that your towels do not smell as fresh as they should be, even if you had just washed them. Fabric softeners and detergents cause towels to become a bit smelly over time and lose their absorbance. You would need to put the towels in the washing machine, add a cup of hot water right over the towels, and then add ½ a cup of baking soda. Run the normal cycle and see how the towels smell fresher. Make sure the towels are dried thoroughly in a dryer or air-dried. If you still notice an unwanted smell, repeat the steps again until you get rid of it.

• Cleaning The Faucets

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You know the annoying hard water stains on kitchen and bathroom faucets that never seem to come out? Cut a lemon in half and use it to rub the unwanted stains on the faucets. The acid will break down the stains and make them easier to clean. It will also give your kitchen and bathroom a fresh citrus smell.

• Cleaning The Shower-head

You might think the shower-head is naturally clean since water comes out of it every day. But take a closer look and you will find that it is covered with mineral deposits. You will need some vinegar, Zipper plastic bag, and an elastic tie. Fill the plastic bag with vinegar enough for the shower-head to be submerged, and then use the elastic tie to secure the bag and keep it in place. Leave it on overnight. The next morning, use a cloth to wipe the shower-head well. Run the water for a few minutes over the shower-head to make sure all the vinegar is off the shower-head.

• Cleaning Carpet Stains

Carpet stains are quite common, especially if you have children. That is why it is important to maintain the cleanliness of your carpets regularly. If there is a stain on your carpet, dab it first with a cloth to remove any excess residue; do not rub. Then use a cloth dabbed in vinegar to absorb the stain. You will need to do that for 10-15 minutes for the stain to be removed. Use a cloth dabbed in warm water to remove any excess residue. The carpet might smell of vinegar during the cleaning process but it will disappear eventually.

• Cleaning Window Tracks

Now we come to the tricky spots. Window tracks might not be the easiest spots to reach but they restore much dirt. For cleaning them, you will need some baking soda, vinegar, old toothbrush, and a cloth. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the parts that have most dirt. Pour some vinegar on the baking soda. The mixture will start to bubble. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes to dissolve all the dirt. Then use the toothbrush to rub away the dirt. Later, you can use the cloth to remove any excess dirt.

• Cleaning Your Lampshades

Lampshades can be awkward to clean sometimes because of their irregular shape. It is important to keep them clean because they collect dust from the heat of the lamp. All you will need is a lint roller. Start by unplugging the lamp for your safety. Then proceed to clean the lampshade using a lint roller. It is easy and will take no time.

Check out lint rollers here. Prices start from 26 EGP.

Now tell us, what are your top cleaning hacks?

Some items may currently be out of stock, but they will be available soon. If you encounter any similar problem, please comment on the article, or contact us through our Facebook page.