LIFE HACKS: Christmas cleaning with ease

There’s one thing we all hate about the festive season – the cleaning.

What worse than tidying up after a flurry of friends and family have devoured a table full of food, and scrubbing down the kitchen after the Christmas dinner?

Fortunately, we’ve got the scoop on festive clean-up.

To avoid the true sweat of removing the Christmas aftermath, read on for a few life-hacks to speed things up a wee bit:

 

Dishes only?

 

As a quick fix, the dishwasher isn’t only for dishes. Overhead filters, shoes and (supposedly) keyboards can go in for a scrub, effort-free.

 

Get your teeth in

 

To remove a stubborn water ring, try rubbing with a non-gel toothpaste or full-fat mayonnaise. Leave on for at least an hour before cleaning and buffing.

 

Micro-cleaning

 

Save your arms this Christmas. Place a jug of vinegar or lemon water, or even a wet rag/sponge inside the microwave and steam clean the bugger.

 

Feet release

 

By simmering a tablespoon of dried ginger in four cups of water for 20 minutes, and allowing to cool briefly, rest your sore feet for tasks ahead.

 

Stop ammonia-ing

 

Clean out the oven by placing a pot of hot water and a bowl of ammonia inside overnight. Don’t forget to wear gloves when cleaning with chemicals.

 

Find a direction

Sounds weird, right? Tidymom.net suggests working from left to right when cleaning and tidying, leaving a clean area behind and focusing yourself on what’s left to do.

 

A natural scent

 

Fill a spray bottle with any essential oil, a teaspoon of vodka and water. Tidymom.net recommends lavender for its stress-reducing qualities, sprayed on curtains, drapes, lamp shades and bed linen.