Everyone has their favourite cleaning products and tools to make their house sparklingly clean. However, sometimes a little extra effort or a special trick is needed to shift stubborn dirt or stains. Luckily, this is often easier than you think, and in most cases specialised cleaning equipment or products isn’t required.

Here are 8 cleaning hacks that work wonders for stubborn dirt and stains.

1.Clean your Sponges and Cleaning Tools

Let’s start with the basics. Grab your microfiber cloths, sponges, mops, and other cleaning tools and wash them thoroughly with warm water. Your cleaning equipment should be cleaned and disinfected after every cleaning session – otherwise it won’t work as well and could actually spread dirt and germs instead of having the desired effect.

Wash sponges etc thoroughly and soak them in boiling water or a disinfectant for 10 to 15 minutes. Some cleaning cloths can run through the washing machine, but you need to run a hot water cycle to disinfect them thoroughly. Always check the care instructions to know the maximum temperature you can use to wash cleaning sponges and cloths properly.

2. Dryer Sheets for Stuck-On Food

Doing the dishes is most people’s least favourite cleaning chore, especially when it comes to scrubbing burnt food frompots and pans. You can scrub them with  regular dishwashing liquid as much as you want, but the stuck-on food will not shift easily.

Even hot water doesn’t work on heavily stained dishes. The best thing you can do is put a dryer sheet in the pan and fill it with a solution of detergent and warm water. Let it soak for a while. You will be surprised how easily stubborn food residue is removed as the grime comes off the pan.

3. Baby Powder for Oil-Based Stains

The most difficult spots to clean on your floors, furniture, and clothes are oil-based stains. People spend hours scrubbing their furniture or floors only to end up disappointed. Oil stains do not fade easily, but one cleaning hack that works on oil stains is baby powder.

Mix equal parts of baby powder with your regular cleaning detergent and apply it to the stained area. You can use it on floors, upholstery, clothes, and other surfaces with oil marks. Chalk is another great hack for removing oil stains from furniture and clothes.

4. Vegetable Oil for Vinyl Floors

Most households have vegetable oil in the pantry, but it may surprise you that it can be used for many purposes other than cooking. If you are wonderinghow to deep clean vinyl floors,give vegetable oil a shot and see how quickly the stubborn and hideous stains lift off. Grab a spray bottle and fill it with equal parts of vegetable oil and vinegar. Spray this natural cleaning solution over the stained area and let it sit for an hour before rinsing it off with warm water.

5. Sunscreen for Permanent Marker

Stains from permanent marker can stay on surfaces for years. If you have seen these spots before, you know they stick to surfaceseven after attacking them with a range of cleaning products. The best cleaning hack for these marks is sunscreen. Take a small amount of sunscreen and rub it gently on the stained area. It will lighten the mark and eventually remove it.

6. Lemon for Odors

Lemon is a natural remedy for foul smells and odors. There is no need to use bleach – simply slice a lemon and remove all the seeds. Rub it all over your kitchen sink and other areas with a funky smell. Within a few minutes of cleansing, the odour will be gone. Better yet, it will be replaced with a fresh, citrus smell.

7. Vinegar for Water Stains

Hard water stains can be removed with a spot of vinegar and warm water. Mix 50% vinegar with 50% water and put it in a spray bottle. Use this vinegar solution on the affected area - the acid in vinegar destroys the mineral deposits that cause these ugly white stains. These marks are commonly found on tiles and marble. Spray the solution and let it sit for 15 minutes beforecleaning it off with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth.

8. Use a Good Dirt-Trapping Doormat

A considerable amount of dirt is probably coming into your house because your pets and kids walk it in with dirty and muddy feet. It’s important to have a good doormat in place to trap dirt and debris. Make sure your doormat stays in good working order by vacuuming it every two or three days or so. Most doormats are suitable to go in the washing machine, but it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions first. 

Even if you use the best cleaning products to achieve a spot-free and sparkling home, these chemical-based detergents can discolour your floors, fabrics, and furniture, leaving permanent marks. The above cleaning hacks are easy, safe, and effective!