5 Easy Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work (And 3 That Don't)

The Hacks That Work\n\n### 1. Microwave steam clean\nHeat a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon for 3 minutes. The steam loosens baked-on food so it wipes away — no scrubbing.\n\n### 2. Bicarb on the mattress\nSprinkle bicarb soda, leave for an hour, then vacuum. It absorbs odours and moisture far better than any spray.\n\n### 3. Vinegar for hard-water marks\nGeelong's water leaves mineral spots on taps and shower screens. A 50/50 white vinegar and water spray dissolves them in minutes.\n\n### 4. The pillowcase ceiling-fan trick\nSlide an old pillowcase over each blade and pull it back slowly — the dust falls inside the case, not on the floor.\n\n### 5. Lint roller for lampshades and curtains\nTen seconds with a lint roller removes dust a cloth just pushes around.\n\n## And the Ones That Don't\n- Cola in the toilet — sticky sugar, barely effective, and it stains.\n- Dish soap on windows — leaves a film that attracts dirt faster.\n- Salt on fresh red-wine stains — it can set the stain. Blot with cold water and call a professional for carpets instead.