Secret Cleaning Hacks from Happy Simple Mom Readers

As moms, most of us have those cleaning hacks that are our go-to options for messes.

I asked my readers what their best cleaning hacks were and these are the responses that I got. Some are hilarious, some are really great ideas, and some are both!

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Secret Cleaning Hacks from Happy Simple Mom Readers:

#1 When you are done with a Swiffer duster and ready to toss it, use it to dust around your toilets! It makes cleaning them later easier because you’re not wiping up wet dust. Then just throw it away because now it’s gross.  -Ashley G.

– OR – Put your Swiffer duster in a lingerie bag, wash, and reuse. -Rose Ann

#2 Hide everything and turn on my Scentsy. -Leah A.

#3 Clear counters  Wiping counters takes seconds when you don’t have to move anything except soap dispensers. In the kitchen, the Chemex and an electric kettle are always out but I have them sitting on a cheese board so I only have to move one thing. -Ashley N.

#4 I use wet dryer sheets to get bugs off the front of my vehicle. I also use dry dryer sheets on my baseboards to help keep dirt and hair off of them. -Keleigh

#5 Owning less and making my own cleaners. -Tina

#6 Put things where they go the first time. -Leah J. A.

#7 Put laundry away the moment it’s out of the dryer. -Yen

#8 Use Clorox wipes daily. -Bonnie B.

#9 Don’t answer the door. -Diann H.

#10 Use a kitchen roll, the thick kind, to dust (paper towels, for us Americans!). -Patricia G.

#11 Get a cleaner! -Jan M.

#12 White vinegar and baking soda. Natural and a great cleaner and brightener.

Get some baking soda (say a couple of tablespoons ) and pour about a couple of teaspoons of white vinegar on top. Be careful, as it fizzes up. If you put it in a container, be aware it will fizz up over the top, so allow room.

Make a paste from the baking soda and white vinegar, say on your dirty stovetop, and let it sit! You can leave it for a few minutes or several hours. Just wipe off with a damp cloth.

You can eyeball it for bigger projects. I use it to clean hard-to-reach built-up dirt in corners too.

This mixture has multiple uses- ovens, glass, etc. Sprinkle baking soda over the bottom of the oven and spray on the vinegar. Just put some in a clean spray bottle, let sit.

As above, wipe off with a damp cloth. Repeat as many times as necessary. It’s safe to use and has no fumes. -Lois T.

#13 Don’t put things down – put them away! -Lucie R.

#14 A feather duster! -Denise C.

#15 “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Apparently something my grandfather said. Keep only what you love. -Jen R.

#16 An old toothbrush. -Kate B.

I have several old toothbrushes for nooks and crannies! -Cornelia L.

#17 I set the vacuum in the living room and plug it in. If I get company, I say, “Oh, you caught me in the middle of cleaning.” lol. -Deborah F.

#18 People coming over. -Stacia B.

#19 The air duster spray for the tiny corners in the raised paneling on cabinets. -Suzette B.

#20 Steam it. -Kristen K.

#21 OHIO – Only Handle It Once. -Darina C.

#22 I really have applied the clutter-free flat surface rule! -Teresa N.

#23 Cut a Magic Eraser into 3-4 pieces – it lasts longer. Use ammonia overnight in a plastic bag to clean stove burner things! Burnt-on stuff wipes off. Can soak a paper towel that way too. -Elaine R.

I like to use off-brand sponges. They work amazing, and they cost half the price. -Happy Simple Mom

#24 I vacuum crumbs off of my stove and out of the microwave and air fryer. It takes a lot less time and does a better job. Then I wipe everything down. -Roxanne K.

#25 Cleaning the bath with a long-handled broom so I don’t have to bend. -Abigail W.

BONUS CLEANING HACK:

Declutter first. Then, cleaning will take half as long. Once you’re clutter-free, put your cleaning tasks on a rotation. If you don’t get to something this week, no big deal. You will see it again next week!

Download your free copy of the Happy Home Cleaning Schedule by filling out the form at the bottom of the post. 👇