I test and review 100s of cleaning tips for a living – here are the 7 I always use in my own home

As a Solved content editor, I spend a good chunk of my time outside of work reviewing cleaning methods to find the best hacks and time-saving tricks.

At the end of the day, however, there are some methods that I turn back to time and time again whenever I really need to deep clean and scrub my space.

Of the hundreds of hacks, products, and methods I have tested, these are the seven cleaning tips I actually use around my home for sparkling results and why they have stuck with me for good.

7 cleaning tips I actually use as a cleaning editor

1. Damp dusting

I love the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster. It started as an impulse purchase at the cash register of a store and ended up becoming my go-to method to remove dust properly.

Its deep groves help to pick up dust, rather than spread it around, so particles don’t end up floating around the air only to resettle somewhere else later. Plus, it only uses water, reducing the need for harsh chemicals when cleaning my home, and helping to keep my household healthy.

Better yet, it is simple to use. All I have to do is dampen the sponge, dust, rinse, and repeat.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

2. Removing stains with glycerin

Did you know you can use liquid glycerin for stain removal? This nostalgic cleaning tip comes from the '70s, but the results are far from outdated.

The viscous liquid soaks into the stain and lubricates the particles, making it easier to scrub and wash out. Like the damp duster, it is also a natural cleaning method so I can clean a home without harming the planet.

It is now a must-have when setting up a stain station in my home.

3. Scrubbing with The Pink Stuff

Cleaning with The Pink Stuff is one of the best ways to clean shower grout and clean glass stove tops – there is next to no grime this simple paste can’t break through. I even use it for a ‘pink and blink’ window-cleaning hack.

The Pink Stuff, available in bulk at Amazon, is also non-toxic, although it does contain ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.

The popular cleaning paste is made up of a gentle abrasive, helping to tackle stubborn debris such as limescale and burnt food while reducing the need to scrub. It also contains sodium silicate, a water-repellent substance that helps water and food spills bead for easier cleaning in the future.

4. Cleaning with vinegar

Before I started working as a Solved editor, I only used vinegar as a condiment. Now, however, my eyes have been opened to all the ways you can clean with vinegar. From getting rid of black mold to cleaning a washing machine, vinegar is by far one of the best multi-purpose, non-toxic cleaning supplies in my cabinet.

Vinegar is also a fantastic natural deodorizer, helping to absorb compounds in the air that cause nasty smells. As it is food-safe, it is perfect to get rid of fridge smells and the lack of chemicals means it is also safe for use on most fabrics, helping to remove odors from upholstery, too. If you're concerned about vinegar's pungent smell, it's important to note that when vinegar dries on a surface, it is odorless.

5. Automating cleaning tasks

I am a pretty busy person, which makes fitting all my chores in at sensible times tricky. The solution? Automating my tasks with smart home cleaning tools.

One of my long-time go-to's has been programming my washing machine to run first thing in the morning so that my laundry is ready to hang up when I go down for breakfast. This way, I load everything up before I go to bed, and I am less likely to fall into bad laundry habits ruining items such as leaving the laundry in the drum all day while I work.

Similarly, I am currently testing out a robot vacuum cleaner and mop for the first time, and I am blown away at how much time I have freed up by having the appliance clean floors for me when I am out of the house. Plus, I have far less guilt when I don't have the time or energy to vacuum myself. The best robot vacuums are, in my eyes, one of the best investments for any home.

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, swears by hers too, adding, 'It reduced my canister vacuum use by 90%, which is no mean feat in a house with two cats that love to sleep and groom themselves everywhere but their beds!'

6. The one-tool method

The one-tool method is something I learned from my dad when I first started doing chores as a child. The idea is you pick up one tool and walk around the house, ticking off every task it is required for, before picking up the next tool and doing the same.

For example, I will go around every room with a Damp Duster to remove dust from every visible surface until I get back to the room I started in. Then, I go around with a disinfectant and a cloth, and, in the days when I vacuumed the floors manually, I would finish with my best cordless vacuum cleaner.

This can help chores go by more quickly, reducing stops-and-starts for improved flow and a more achievable cleaning routine.

7. Closing shifts

I may have given up on my Sunday resets, but my closing shift routines are here to stay. I follow the same order of tasks every night to close my home down and prepare it for the next day.

I always start by washing dishes so my kitchen counters and sink are clear for me to make breakfast the next morning. Then, I fluff up the sofa cushions and put the blankets back in my storage basket before checking the doors and windows are locked overnight. If I need to, I will also set up my best washing machine to run a load ready for the morning, too.

The tasks might seem simple, but they make my home far less overwhelming and set me up for a better opening shift the next morning.

FAQs

How do I find cleaning tips that work for me?

When trying to find good cleaning tips and routines that work for you, test out different approaches and use trial and error to find systems that feel natural to you, fit into your existing routines, and use products that you like.

There is no point in trying to force yourself into a hack or routine that is trendy if it leaves you exhausted and stresses you out. If you don't know where to start, our Cleaning Method Library is useful for picking out things to try according to the amount of time you have or a particular snag you're hitting, such as procrastination or feeling overwhelmed when cleaning.

No matter how many cleaning tips I tried out, cleaning still felt overwhelming until I finally found the right cleaning balance in my home. Picking your battles and deciding what you need to clean versus what you can afford to neglect most of the time will help you avoid burnout while maintaining your home in a more manageable way.