Super Sneaky Shortcuts

Cut cleaning in half: Wash just the bottom part of a window. Forget the top, which is usually covered by a shade or a blind.

Blow it off: Use a hair dryer to speed-dust books, artwork, and figurines. Vacuum up whatever falls to the floor.



Seal in the shine:When Thanksgiving is over, place polished silver in a self-sealing plastic freezer bag (The Good Housekeeping Research Institute recommends Ziploc Double Guard Freezer Bags), press out the air, and close. This will help keep the pieces tarnish free.



Prep dirty dishes: Before you start cooking dinner, fill the sink with hot soapy water. As you finish with each pan, stick it in the sink-cleanup will be much easier.

Vacuum selectively: Think high traffic. Run your machine in front of chairs, around the sides of the bed, and on the bottom or top two steps of the staircase.

Banish pet hair: Grab an old pair of pantyhose, bunch them into a ball, and rub along upholstery to pick up pet hair. If your cat or dog constantly sheds, keep a Scotch-Brite Carpet Touch-Up Roller ($10 at mass merchandisers) handy for quick swipes across your sofa, drapes, etc.

Try the paper-towel shuffle: Spritz spray cleaner on two paper towels, put them under your bare feet, and slide around to spot-clean a dirty area on your kitchen floor.

Avoid a fouled-up fridge: Line crisper drawers with paper towels to catch drips and avoid scrubbing dried-on food later. Toss the towels when they're dirty and replace them with new ones.

Beat dusty blinds in an instant: All you have to do is close them in reverse-and no one will know.

Make your microwave self-clean: Bring a cup of water to boil in the oven; the steam will loosen dried-on particles. Then just wipe away.

Cut cleaning in half: Wash just the bottom part of a window. Forget the top, which is usually covered by a shade or a blind.

Not sure what I think of some of these and more importantly if i would own up to practicing them!!

Banish pet hair: Grab an old pair of pantyhose, bunch them into a ball, and rub along upholstery to pick up pet hair. If your cat or dog constantly sheds, keep a Scotch-Brite Carpet Touch-Up Roller ($10 at mass merchandisers) handy for quick swipes across your sofa, drapes, etc.
awwwwww you know what I finally figured out?? I will no longer own any upholstery furniture.. Leather is the way to go if you have pets that shed all over the place..