Quick and Easy Cleaning Tips

As stated in other articles, having 2 kids and a full-time job, I never seemed to have enough time to do everything else. These are a few tips I have picked up through the years.

1. Cleaning the microwave: I always hated this job. Trying to scrape off baked on food from the top was nearly impossible. Almost as impossible as covering the food before turning the microwave on in order to avoid food splatter (I am sure this is difficult because no one ever seems to do it). So to avoid a half hour of scrubbing, place a coffee cup full of water in the microwave and turn on high for 2-3 minutes, or until water boils. Do not open the door when the timer goes off. Let the cup sit in the microwave for about 10 minutes, allowing the steam to do its job. Open door, take cup out (be careful, cup is hot), wipe out microwave with a damp cloth. That's it! Simple and easy.
2. Window cleaning:I don't know about you, but it seems to me that cleaning products are getting more and more expensive. To clean windows, forget the window cleaner (average price $4 a bottle) and paper towels (average price $2 per roll). Instead, try using rubbing alcohol and coffee filters ($1 for a bottle of alcohol and $1 for an entire pack of coffee filters and you can clean windows for a month or two). Not to mention that the latter will be streak and lint free.
3. Laundry: There are so many products out now that have the word Oxy in them, and they charge about $5 more for their products. However, if you want to get blood stains, chocolate, grass, whatever, out of your clothes, pre-soak them in water with ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide (available at most grocery stores and pharmacies for only $1 per 16 oz bottle). If it is just one or 2 stains, you can just put a capful of peroxide directly on the stain itself and let sit for about 30 minutes before washing.
4. Drains: not exactly cleaning, but still, no one likes when their sink drains clog. Instead of buying those expensive drain products, boil a large pot of water and dump it down the drain once a week to keep your drains clog free.