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11 Unconventional Cleaning Hacks for College Students

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Vic chapter.

 

I have compiled 11 cleaning hacks that might come in handy at some point in your adulting experience. Note that the significance of these tips lies on the benefits of good hygiene, both personal and of our environment.

Let’s start by introducing this miraculous cleaner that I used when I worked cleaning offices. This homemade non-toxic cleaner is made out of fresh lemon (or lavender oil), white or apple cider vinegar, and baking soda. Follow this recipe to make it yourself to save some money, and follow this link to check out what it can be used on.

The reason why vinegar and baking soda work so well together to fight germs and dirt is that their combined acidity levels can break down scum, brine, and common glue. Vinegar is like an acidic wine or cider, because it is made through double fermentation of fruits or grain distilled alcohol.

 

1. Citrus on cutting boards

Remove stains from your cutting board by sprinkling coarse salt onto it and then scrubbing it with half of a lemon.

 

2. Old news for like-new windows

If you are not sure of what to do with that old Martlet lying around on your coffee table, this hack will come as a pleasant surprise: use it as a rag replacement to keep your windows streak-free. I would recommend, though, to avoid cleaning the window frame with it, as it can leave marks.

 

 

3. Blend the blender

Fill your dirty blender with warm water and a tiny drop of dish soap. Turn it on and let it go for a few seconds, and finish by rinsing it with warm water.

If you do not have a blender yet but cannot wait to try this hack, I would recommend getting this one at the Uptown Walmart and test drive this trick after preparing one of these smoothies.

 

4. Clean your sponge

Sponges are to bacteria as McPherson Library is to stressed students, but here I present an easy way of handling this misfortune: put your sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds to remove any bacteria! Remember to wait for two minutes before pulling it out, since it will still be hot.

 

5. Use vinegar to get rid of water stains (aka hard water spots)

Now you get to use the miraculous cleaner mentioned before. Apply it on your faucets with hard water spots, wait for one minute and scrub it off gently. Check out this video to see how it works!

 

 

6. Easily clean shower scum

Fill a dish wand with our miraculous cleaner and dish soap and start scrubbing! To reach the edges, use a toothbrush after applying the solution, then finish by rinsing the shower thoroughly. Check out this video for an additional, unusual tip.

 

7. A safe way to clean your laptop

Mix some of our miraculous cleaner with water and pour some drops onto a microfiber cloth. Gently scrub the keyboard and touchpad. Follow the same instructions to clean the screen, using LESS solution and making sure not to spray the solution directly onto the screen. Use Q-tips to reach between the keys and the edges (with no solution this time). You may also use the sticky side of a Post-it note to get rid of the dust between the keys.

 

8. Treat your ears

Use a dry and clean toothbrush to gently clean the interior of your earbuds. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe the sides.

 

 

9. Whiter sneakers

All you need is an old toothbrush and a little baking soda to get your sneakers looking like new! Make a thick paste and apply it like this on your Converse or Stan Smiths, let them dry overnight, and then remove the paste with a damp cloth the next morning.

 

10. Trust magic erasers

Believe in their magic whenever you need to clean whatever, including:

  • Converse shoes (white tip and sides)

  • Walls and baseboards

  • Faucets

  • Shower curtain liners

  • Sinks

  • Toilets

  • Bathtubs

  • Toothbrush holders

 

11. Even to remove red wine stains from a wall …

If you witness the misfortune of red wine on a white wall, let magic erasers do their magic to solve any wine-tastrophe.

 

BONUS. Speed up the clothes-drying process

Throw a dry towel in your dryer for faster results: it will help soak up some of the excess moisture.

Psychology & Business student. Currently broadening my knowledge on investments, insurance, & education. Aspiring CFA.
Ellen is a fourth year student at the University of Victoria, completing a major in Writing and a minor in Professional Writing: Editing and Publishing. She is currently a Campus Correspondent for the UVic chapter, and spends most of her free time playing Wii Sports and going out for breakfast. She hopes to continue her career in magazine editing after graduation, and finally travel somewhere farther than Disneyworld. You can follow her adventures @ellen.harrison