9 Tricks to Help Clean Out Things You've Already Given Up on

Each of us has at least one thing at home that we are tired of struggling with and constantly cleaning, because it does not bring any positive results. And, as a rule, we have either come to terms with it or have not yet found that mega-cool way that would finally put it in order.

This may seem surprising, but often it is specific items that cause us problems. This list is small and includes the most common products - a grate on the stove, seams between tiles, a sink, a microwave (and with an unpleasant smell), an oven, silverware and a couple of other things that we have long given up on. But don't relax. We'll tell you how to deal with dirt even where everything seems hopeless.

Cooker grate

This thing gets covered in grease in minutes. Moreover, for some reason we forget to clean it right away, and then we simply encounter difficulties when cleaning, because the grease deposit very quickly turns into carbon deposits, the layer of which only becomes thicker and more hopeless over time. It turns out that there is no need to worry and think that “boss, everything is lost!”, because this problem can be solved in a simple way.

It will be easier to clean individual grates that are designed for each specific burner.We remove them, take a plastic bag of suitable size, put a wire rack there and add about 30 ml of ammonia. Close the bag very tightly and leave it like that for 12 hours. Then you just need to rinse the product well under clean water. If necessary, you can additionally scrub with a brush and add dishwashing detergent.

Be extremely careful! The smell of ammonia (both during work and when you open the package) will not bring the most pleasant sensations, so be sure to use a respirator and gloves. Better yet, do everything with the window open.

If the grate on your stove is solid and covers the entire surface, then the task will become a little more complicated, but you shouldn’t give up here either. First, wash it with detergent to remove at least some of the grease and dirt. Now prepare the mixture:

• 3 tbsp. l. vinegar 9%;
• 3 tbsp. l. dry mustard;
• 1 tbsp. l. dishwashing detergent.

Mix all this with water until a thick consistency is obtained (like sour cream) and apply in a layer on the grill. Depending on the degree of contamination, leave the product in this form for 2–5 hours. Then we take a stiff brush and try to clean the rods as much as possible. In fact, it should work the first time. If not, try again.

Window frames

We don’t wash our windows so often that we can count on them being impeccably clean. And at that magical moment when we open the frame, we immediately understand that it is easier to quickly close it and forget about the dirt that has accumulated there than to try to wash this disgrace.

But here there is an excellent solution, and it’s extremely budget-friendly. You need to cover the bottom frame, where most of the dust and debris settles, with soda. Now mix water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle.Spray this entire solution on top of the soda. It is clear that a reaction in the form of violent foam will immediately occur. When it “calms down” a little, we wipe everything with a brush and then dry it with a paper napkin. That's all.

The same method can be applied to both the side and top frames. But here a difficulty arises: how to cover them with dry soda? You can try diluting it with a little water so that the mixture somehow lies on vertical surfaces. But then you will have to spray the vinegar solution right there, cleaning the recesses step by step.

Upholstery of upholstered furniture

This method is useful if you have only recently stained the fabric. To remove stubborn stains, it is probably better to go to a dry cleaner. But if the stain is completely fresh, then try to revive the upholstery of upholstered furniture in this way:

• mix 1 tbsp. l. soda, a third glass of vinegar, 1 tbsp. l. washing powder and dilute everything with warm water;
• stir the mixture well;
• Apply the solution to the stain and remove it with a soft bristle brush.

By the way, soda perfectly refreshes fabrics. From time to time you can sprinkle a thin layer of it on the upholstery, and after a couple of hours you need to vacuum the furniture well.

Joints between tiles

Cleaning the joints between tiles can be difficult at times, but this is where mold is most often seen. The same method will come to the rescue as with window frames:

• mix soda with water;
• cover the seams with the mixture;
• spray vinegar on top;
• brush and rinse.

Another option - tooth powder - also helps and also whitens a little.

Sink

This method is quite effective on any plumbing fixture. With its help, you can restore snow-white cleanliness not only to the sink, but also to the bathtub and toilet. So, the process is step by step:

• mix 2 tbsp. l.soda ash and baking soda and fill the plumbing fixtures with this mixture;
• after 15 minutes, apply a solution of 50 grams of vinegar and 50 grams of bleach on top of the first layer;
• leave for 30 minutes, then rinse well with clean water.

If the plumbing is very dirty, you can additionally scrub it with a brush. But delicately, without making too much effort so as not to scratch the surface.

Oven

The oven is also often covered with a layer of grease, which is not so easy to clean. But ammonia solves everything. It needs to be poured into a small container and placed inside the oven overnight. Naturally, we don’t turn anything on and don’t warm it up. In the morning, be sure to open the windows, put on a respirator and take out ammonia. Now all that remains is to rinse the inside of the cabinet walls - the dirt will come off easily. By the way, the unpleasant smell will also disappear.

Microwave

With this technique, you can solve the problem either using the method described above with an oven (we do it in exactly the same way), or another, no less effective:

• Pour a glass of water into a microwave-safe bowl and add about 30–40 ml of vinegar;
• Place the container inside the microwave and turn it on for 1 minute;
• you need to wait for the appliance window to fog up, and then stop the heating mode, wait for 15 minutes and carefully remove the dishes (they may be hot!);
• wipe the inner walls of the microwave with a damp sponge;
• ready!

Vinegar can be replaced with lemon juice in the same amount.

Silver plate

If you have silverware in your arsenal, but they have long lost their shine and purity, then you can try washing them like this:

• take a pan and cover its bottom with foil;
• fill the container with hot water and add about 30 grams of salt and 75 grams of baking soda;
• place silver cutlery inside and leave for 40 minutes;
• We take out our treasure and rinse it well with clean water.

Cutting boards

Plastic boards are often stained by food: carrots, beets, tomatoes, herbs, etc. Usually, simple washing is not always enough, and therefore over time the stains become more pronounced and noticeable. This is also easy to fix:

• wash the board with dishwashing detergent and dry it so that not a single drop is left;
• rub the surface with ordinary salt, but rub very well, I would even say with passion;
• Now we immerse it in a container with warm water and clean it with a brush or the hard side of a sponge;
• rinse thoroughly.

If this doesn't work the first time, repeat until the cutting boards are clean. By the way, you can add a little bleach to the salt, but then you will have to rinse more thoroughly.

These simple methods can bring back to life things that you have not hoped for for a long time and have given up on. Tell us what life hacks you use when cleaning - you probably have some cleanliness secret in your arsenal.