As the New Year looms only a few days away, many will be preparing to scrub their homes up and down after a busy week of hosting family for the festivities.
But while tidying up your house often feels like a chore, it can be much more manageable with some strategic cleaning habits.
With countless hacks circulating, it’s tricky to determine what works and what doesn’t.
Femail spoke to Matthew Harrison, cleaning expert at PriceYourJob, who shared chemical-free hacks that will significantly reduce your cleaning time and simplify the process.
From using a simple ingredient we’ll all have in our fridge to sort out your shower to utilising vodka in a surprising way, these are the perfect DIY tricks to take up in 2025.
By using the right tools and the best methods, you can make tidying up more fun, and increase the time needed between washing up.
Plus, you can eliminate the need for extra dusting or scrubbing!
Give these tips a try during your next big cleaning session and see just how much of a difference they make.
If you have water stains on your glasses, vinegar can work wonders. All you need to do is create a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water. Stock image used
Scrub shower doors with salt and lemon
Shower doors can easily become quite grimy over time.
Luckily, you don’t need any harsh cleaning chemicals to get them gleaming again.
Simply cut a lemon in half and dip one-half in salt, then use it to scrub the doors.
The abrasive salt content and the acidity of the lemon will eat away at all the mineral and soap scum build-up.
Plus, the lemon will also leave your shower smelling citrusy-fresh.
Shower doors can easily become quite grimy over time. Luckily, you don’t need any harsh cleaning chemicals to get them gleaming again. Simply cut a lemon in half and dip one-half in salt before using it to scrub the doors. Stock image used
Disinfect your sponges in the microwave
Sponges are great for cleaning your home.
But did you know, as your sponges get dirty, you could be spreading millions of bacteria throughout the house with every wipe?
Fortunately, disinfecting sponges is easier than you might think. Simply place a damp sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds on full power – this will reduce the amount of bacteria present by up to 99 per cent.
Steam clean the microwave
Similarly, you can clean the inside of your microwave without any scrubbing.
All you have to do is place a bowl of hot water inside the microwave and turn it on for five minutes.
The steam from heating the water will loosen any grime on the inside of your microwave. Then, you can easily wipe the dirt away with a clean cloth.
The steam from heating the water will loosen any grime on the inside of your microwave. Then, you can easily wipe the dirt away with a clean cloth. Stock image used
Remove water stains with vinegar
If you have water stains on your glasses, vinegar can work wonders.
Simply create a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water, then apply it to the water stains, allowing it to sit for around 15 minutes.
Once the vinegar has had time to break down all the debris, you can then use a toothbrush to scrub away the scum.
Give the glass a quick rinse and wipe the surface clean and dry.
Clean mildew with vodka
If you have any mildew present in your bathroom, you can get rid of it in no time with a dash of vodka.
Add one part vodka and one part water to a spray bottle and spritz directly onto the affected area.
Leave it to sit for around 10-15 minutes and then wipe it away with a clean cloth.
The alcohol content will kill the mould and prevent it from returning.
Use a dryer sheet to clean skirting boards
Nobody likes the idea of getting on your hands and knees to wipe the skirting boards.
The solution: attach a dryer sheet to your sweeper, and you’ll pick up all the dust and debris, while also adding a nice fresh scent to your home.
Dust upholstery with a lint duster
If your sofa and other upholstered items are looking a bit dusty or crumby, a feather duster won’t usually do a lot.
Instead, grab a lint roller and run this along the surface. It will pick up dust, crumbs and more stubborn debris, such as pet hair.
Remove carpet stains with vodka
Clear alcohol, such as plain vodka or white wine, is great for bringing up carpet stains.
Begin by blotting the stain and then pour the clear alcohol directly over it.
Leave it to soak for around 15 minutes before blotting again. You’ll see the stain come up like magic.
Dust off electronics with coffee filters
Coffee filters are useful items to keep around the living room and office for cleaning.
They are great for removing dust from things like computer screens, TV screens and any other monitors around the home.
The best thing about using coffee filters for dusting is that they won’t leave behind any fibres – unlike a cloth or towel.
Get rid of stains on food containers with the sun
Even if you put your plastic food containers in the dishwasher, it’s impossible to get them looking like new again.
The sun acts as a natural bleach and can help to eliminate the majority of stains.
Next time you wash your food containers, place them on a clean, dry towel on a windowsill facing the sun and allow them to dry naturally.
Leave them to sit there for around eight hours before rinsing them off and allowing them to dry. The sun will help to eliminate staining.
