Research shows that more people than ever are cleaning their homes every single day following the coronavirus pandemic, but you don't need to spend all your free time cleaning to keep germs and mess at bay – these eight easy hacks will get everywhere looking spick and span with minimal effort.
MORE: How to get rid of dust in your home - and keep it away
Expert organiser Nicola Lewis, aka This Girl Can Organise, has shared her top tips on how to make cleaning as quick and efficient as possible, and we've also added some cleaning hacks from Mrs Hinch and other experts to save you precious time and effort.
WATCH: Nicola Lewis' fuss-free family travel staycation hacks
1. How to clean your shower quickly
If your shower head is clogged with limescale, wrap it in a plastic bag filled with white vinegar and secure it with a rubber band. Leave it for 30 minutes while you put your feet up and relax, and once the time is up your shower will be looking as good as new.
© Photo: InstagramNicola Lewis offers lots of cleaning tips and tricks on social media
MORE: 5 brilliant kitchen cupboard organising hacks from a decluttering expert
2. How to clean your carpet quickly
Now that we are allowed to have friends and family round, we may find our carpets looking a little worse for wear. To give them a deep clean and remove any smelly odours, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the carpet using a fine mesh sieve. Leave for a few hours or ideally overnight to absorb then vacuum or use a spray extraction machine like the Kärcher SE 4001 carper cleaner which uses water and detergent to clean deep into the fibres.
Kärcher SE 4001 carpet cleaner, £199.99, Amazon
SHOP NOW
3. How to clean your hallway quickly
As guests travel in and out, you may start to notice more scuff marks on the hallway walls. For an easy fix, grab a tennis ball and gently rub against any marks to remove them.
Pack of 3 Summit tennis balls, £2.99, The Range
SHOP NOW
READ: The Queen of Clean reveals her top Amazon cleaning buys that are worth their weight in gold
4. How to clean your microwave quickly
Cleaning your microwave can seem like a laborious task, meaning it is never at the top of our to do list. However, there is a quick and eco-friendly way to get your microwave sparkling again. Simply place some slices of lemon in a bowl of water and add a toothpick to prevent it from boiling over. Pop the bowl in the microwave and set the time for three to five minutes. This will loosen all the grease and grime and make it super easy to wipe away with a cloth.
Marigold microfibre cloth, £1.99, The Range
SHOP NOW
5. How to clean your windows quickly
Cleaning windows, mirrors and shower screens needn't be an arduous task. Investing in a Kärcher window vac is a really smart move to save time and get perfect results fast. They effortlessly suck up moisture leaving surfaces sparkling clean and streak free in a matter of minutes. To prep, you can also get a premium spray bottle kit that has a microfibre cloth attached for simultaneous spraying and wiping.
Kärcher Window Vac WV 6, £85.21, Amazon
SHOP NOW
You can banish streaks and fingerprints in seconds with a homemade glass cleaner. Simply mix white vinegar with distilled water and a drop of essential oil then shake, before spraying over glass and wiping away.
6. How to clean your washing machine quickly
You can also get your washing machine clean in no time with a clever hack from Mrs Hinch, who suggests adding a capful of white vinegar into the drum along with a scoop of bicarbonate of soda, then putting the machine onto a quick spin cycle.
MORE: Best tumble dryers to make laundry day stress-free
READ MORE: 5 best budget washing machines
7. How to clean your oven quickly
© Photo: iStockIf you've neglected your oven and have noticed grease and grime building up inside, you can get the interior looking clean with little effort with this easy hack. Olivia Young, Astonish's Cleaning Chemist, says that one of the easiest ways to clean your oven is to start by heating it up to 200 degrees, at which point any food residue on the inside of the oven should begin to incinerate.
"Once cooled, simply wipe away any of the remaining ash or food remnants with a damp cloth and cleaning paste, such as Astonish's The Good One, specially designed to remove tough food and grime," she says.
DISCOVER: 8 best books for home organisation hacks: Stacey Solomon, Mrs Hinch, Marie Kondo and more
8. How to clean a mattress stain quickly
Noticed a stain on your mattress? You should immediately blot any stains with a clean cloth to help remove it, rather than using chemical solutions or bicarbonate of soda, according to the experts at And So To Bed. This should help to quickly lift the stain and clean your mattress without causing any further damage.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
