I thought I’d get a few laughing or surprised emoji reactions… never could I have imagined those crime-scene-like photos would be my most liked, commented and viewed stories of all time!

Apparently, a toilet cleaning hack that looks slightly unhinged is exactly the content the internet wants ! But here’s the best part. This shaving cream toilet cleaning hack actually works.

Related article: 18 of the best bathroom cleaning hacks to make your space sparkle
Related article: How to clean grout — 6 of the most effective grout cleaning tricks

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Beschorner | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

Why toilets can smell even after cleaning

You scrub the bowl, disinfect the seat and mop the floor. And yet, the bathroom still smells. As a Mum with two young boys, I feel this deep in my core… trust me!

So if your toilet looks clean but still smells, the issue is usually hiding in places you’re not cleaning properly.

Common culprits include:

• urine splashes around the base of the toilet (hello life with boys!)
• odours absorbed into grout or silicone joins
• tiny drips that run down the back of the pan
• build-up underneath the rim
• poor ventilation. This is especially common in smaller bathrooms.

Often, toilet smells from underneath or around the base are caused by microscopic splashes that soak into porous surfaces. Standard surface sprays don’t always penetrate deeply enough to neutralise the smell.

What causes toilet smells around the base?

This is the big one. Even in spotless bathrooms, urine can splash onto grout, silicone joins, tile joins and the underside edge of the toilet base.

Over time, these surfaces absorb odours. That’s why you can clean the bowl thoroughly and still notice a lingering smell, especially in warmer weather.

How the shaving cream toilet cleaning hack works

So why shaving cream? Shaving foam expands and clings. It seeps into grout lines, textured tiles and tiny crevices around the toilet base. As it sits, it helps draw out odours trapped in porous surfaces.

I will say that it’s not perfect solution. And it’s not a substitute for proper disinfecting. However what it IS brilliant for, is deodorising.

That’s why this shaving cream toilet smell trick has gone viral. It’s simple, inexpensive and surprisingly effective.

Your step-by-step guide for how to get rid of toilet smells using shaving cream

1. Start with a clean toilet

Give the bowl, seat and exterior a standard clean first.

2. Shake your shaving cream

Use a basic white shaving foam (not gel). The cheaper the better.

3. Apply generously

Spread the shaving cream:

• around the entire base of the toilet
• along grout lines nearby
• onto the floor around the toilet
• lightly on lower wall tiles if needed.

Yes, it will look dramatic! Lean into it

4. Let it sit

Leave it for at least 15 minutes. For stronger odours, up to 30 minutes should do the trick. You can leave it on for up to 3 hours if you like, but no longer than this, as the shaving foam could dry and become more difficult to remove.

5. Wipe and rinse

I like to clean it off using a 2-part approach. I start by removing the excess shaving cream with a microfibre cloth (one only used for the toilet) and warm water. Then I go back over with multipurpose cleaner and paper towel to remove any residue. Shaving cream can be slippery so it’s important to remove it all.

You should notice the bathroom smells fresher immediately.

Does shaving cream really remove toilet smells?

The short answer is yes… but with context.

Shaving cream helps neutralise and lift odours trapped in porous surfaces. However:

• it won’t fix plumbing issues
• it won’t repair a broken wax seal
• this is not a long-term solution if there’s a deeper leak.

If your toilet constantly smells from underneath, or there’s a strong sewer smell, it’s worth getting a plumber to check it out.

But for everyday odour build-up, this toilet cleaning hack is a winner. I’ve tried it, I’ve tested it, I live in a rental and I have 2 young sons. I feel like I’m pretty a pretty good case study for this cleaning hack!

How to stop toilet smells coming back

If you want to prevent the problem rather than just treat it, you should regularly clean around the base of your toilet, not just the bowl. Be sure you pay attention to the grout and silicone joins and consider resealing your grout if it’s very porous.

If possible, improving the ventilation in your bathroom can help stop toilet smells from coming back. And give your toilet (and the base) a monthly deep clean using this shaving cream method.

It’s a simple DIY toilet deodoriser trick that can make a big difference.

FAQ: Toilet smells and natural cleaning

Why does my toilet smell even after cleaning?

Because odours are often trapped in grout, silicone joins or around the base… not in the bowl itself.

How do I deodorise a toilet naturally?

Baking soda and vinegar can help, but shaving foam is particularly effective at penetrating porous areas.

Is shaving cream a non-toxic toilet cleaner?

It’s generally mild, but it’s best used as a deodorising step, not as a disinfectant.

Is this just another household cleaning hack trend?

Maybe! But sometimes the internet trends gets it right.

If you’re keen for ideas on how to get rid of toilet smells, I’d highly recommend giving this shaving cream toilet cleaning hack a go. It’s affordable, low effort and oddly satisfying.

Just prepare yourself. It will look like a bubble bath exploded in your bathroom! And honestly? That’s half the fun. Be sure to tag me on Instagram if you give it a go and ask any questions you may have in the comment section below!

More cleaning hacks here

The post How to get rid of toilet smells: Shaving cream toilet cleaning hack appeared first on Style Curator.

So keep reading as I share the best outdoor cleaning tips and tricks to have your outdoor areas looking new in no time. Whether you’re tackling the job yourself or considering the expertise of a commercial cleaning company, there are plenty of ways to get your outdoor spaces looking their best.

Related article: Gina’s alfresco makeover: Taking my front balcony from drab to fab!
Related article: How window cleaning robots handle different window shapes

1. Best way to clean driveways and concrete paths

Concrete paths can become discoloured or stained over time. Yet a simple and natural solution can get them looking like new.

The best concrete cleaning recipe I’ve used is to combine bi-carb soda, dish soap and white vinegar directly onto the concrete and scrub. I use equal amounts of dish soap and bi-carb soda and then pour vinegar over to start the bubbling action.

For large areas it pays to have a scrubbing brush that can do the hard work for you… otherwise that next day muscle soreness can be a killer!

2. Easy hack to clean cobwebs

It’s amazing the difference cleaning cobwebs can make to the look of your home. And if you believe in Feng Shui, cobwebs are symbols of the past so clearing them away can also help clear your home of stuck energy.

A cheap hack to clean cobwebs is to slip an old sock over a broom. The sock helps to catch cobwebs more easily, makes clean up a breeze and can prevent possible scratches to your home’s exterior.

3. DIY streak-free windows solutions

Get your windows sparkling with this super easy solution.

Best window cleaning recipe:

• 1 part warm water
• 1 part white vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol.

Mix the solutions together and watch how it cuts through dust and grime. White vinegar and rubbing alcohol are excellent cleaning agents and work perfectly to create a streak-free finish. Wipe on window and squeegee off.

4. Easy watermark removal hack

As another window cleaning hack, if you have any tough watermarks that just won’t budge, grab a spare toothbrush and white toothpaste. Apply the toothpaste to the watermark and gently polish it away.

5. Barbecue grill deep clean hack

With barbecue season here, it’s time to give your grill a deep clean. This is another area where I let the RYOBI power scrubber do the work, but you can accomplish the same result with a brush and muscle power.

Apply a small amount of dish soap and water and use a scrubbing brush to cut through built-up grime with ease. Finish with coat of vegetable oil to prevent rust. Now it’s ready to go when you are!

6. Easy window track cleaning tip

As well as cleaning windows, window and door tracks can benefit from a clean. Start by vacuuming up larger debris and dirt. Then wrap a damp microfibre cloth around a butter knife for the ultimate clean, getting into all those hard to reach places.

7. Natural snail and slug deterrent

There are so many clever gardening hacks out there but one of my personal favourites is this natural spray. Add 20 drops of Cedarwood oil to a spray bottle with water and spritz over your plants and outdoor areas. This essential oil will deter snails, slugs and ants and help protect your outdoor spaces. If you’re dealing with a more stubborn infestation, professional pest control services can offer a more comprehensive solution while still being mindful of your garden.

8. Easy fly screen cleaning hack

Normally a pain to clean, this hack doesn’t require you to remove fly screens from the frame to clean them. Simply vacuum the fly screen with a soft bristle brush and then wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth.

9. Expert outdoor grout joint clean

Grout joints can become extremely discoloured over time. Renew outdoor tiled areas using this effective grout cleaning solution.

Make the best grout cleaner by mixing:

• 1/2 cup of bi-carb
• 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 tsp dish soap.

Apply it onto the joints and leave for 5 minutes before scrubbing clean.

We hope these expert outdoor cleaning hacks help you make your outdoors sparkle. Have you tried any of these? Do you have any other hacks you’d like to share? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!

Find more cleaning hacks here

This post was first published in October 2022.

The post The best outdoor cleaning hacks and tips to make your home exterior look new! appeared first on Style Curator.

We’re all short on time and undertaking a deep house clean can seem like an impossible job when juggling a busy life so we’ve broken it down into 50+ quick tasks. Work your way through this list like a checklist and we’re sure your home will feel fabulous just in time for spring!

Do you have more quick cleaning tasks or decorating updates to add to the list? Share them in the comments below.

Related article: My secrets to keep your home organised and tidy
Related article: How to style and organise your pantry

1. Open your windows

This first tip is totally free and will instantly make you feel like spring is coming!

Many of us keep the home locked up over winter with the heater running constantly — meaning your home hasn’t had a big dose of fresh air for several months and the ongoing heater use has likely contributed to dust in the air.

While it may not be warm enough to have the windows open yet, take one afternoon to keep as many windows open as you can for several hours. You’ll be amazed how much better your home feels.

2. Sort your linen closet

With the weather warming up, you can start to wash and pack away fleecy and heavier-weight bedding. Pack these into vacuum storage bags and label them with their contents, that way they’ll stay clean and dust-free until next winter and you’ll know exactly what’s inside without having to open them.

Check out our round up of linen cupboard inspo here.

3. Dust your shelves and surface areas

We mentioned dust above and unless you’re a cleaning warrior, chances are you haven’t thoroughly dusted your home for a while.

Dusting your whole home can take a long time so we’ve split the job up into several smaller tasks — starting with shelves and surface areas.

Take the time to remove all books and decorative items from shelves or areas like your coffee table and sideboard to wipe them clean. You might like to try one of our DIY natural cleaning recipes here.

Place items back or take the opportunity to reshuffle things and mix up your shelfie styling. We’ve got all the shelf styling tips and tricks you need here.

Cleaning hack: Make you own dust repellent by mixing 1 cup of water + 2 tbsp white vinegar + 1 tbsp baby oil in a spray bottle. Lightly mist onto a cloth and wipe surfaces. The vinegar cuts grime, and the tiny amount of oil leaves an antistatic layer that repels dust. Just don’t overdo it as too much can make things greasy and have the opposite effect!

4. Update your cushions

Without a doubt one of the easiest and most affordable ways to give your home spring vibes is by updating your cushions.

Just a few new season cushions can introduce a fresh colour palette and make a tired sofa look great again. While winter was very much about moodier colours and richer textiles, like velvet, this spring opt for lighter fabrics such as linen.

Stylist tip: This season’s ‘it colours’ are peach, earthy pink, soft lavender, sage green and powder blue.

5. Declutter your wardrobe

Are you guilty of hanging onto clothes because you think you might wear them one day… even if they’ve been hanging unworn in your wardrobe for 10 years?

We’re telling you now that day will likely never come and you’d feel so much better donating or selling the item to simplify your wardrobe!

One way you can organise your home this spring is to take an afternoon to completely declutter your wardrobe. Simply remove everything and sort items into piles of keep, donate, sell and bin. Then group like items together, such as all basic T-shirts, and work out a logical way of organising the clothes in your wardrobe. Smart storage solutions such as hanging shelves, shoe boxes and baskets for accessories can help keep your wardrobe organised. Find all our tips to declutter your wardrobe here.

6. Sanitise remotes and other tech

A super quick task to tick off the list is disinfecting all remote controls, computer keyboards or mobile phones. Simply get some Detol or alcohol wipes and wipe each of them clean.

7. Introduce new indoor plants

Have you jumped on board the interior plants trend yet? Or perhaps some of your plants didn’t make it through the winter?

Either way, you can never have too many indoor plants! They are a great way of enhancing that indoor outdoor connection and offer a wealth of health benefits from improving air quality to even helping lower blood pressure or assisting with insomnia.

Check out what plants are trending here or play it safe and pick one of of these top 20 hard to kill indoor plants.

8. Throw away old beauty products

Storage space in bathrooms is valuable so don’t waste any with out of date beauty products you’ll no longer use (or shouldn’t use!).

Simply go through your beauty and body products checking the expiry date and throw away anything that’s passed its use by date or you’ll no longer use.

If you’re feeling super organised, you could invest in a few simple storage baskets to better organise your drawers. You can find containers with or without lids in all different sizes so you can configure these to fit whatever drawer size you have.

9. Wash your mattress protector and revive your mattress

Before you layer your bed with gorgeous new season bedding, give your mattress a good clean. This spring cleaning hack simply involves using your vacuum’s upholstery head and firmly pressing as you slowly vacuum over the whole mattress. If there are any spots or stains, clean these with mild suds and warm water. Finally spray your mattress with a disinfectant spray, we like natural ones like Lil’ Bit disinfectant spray. Let your mattress dry completely before placing your washed mattress protector back on.

10. Style your bed

Now that your mattress is refreshed, you can have fun creating a new spring bedding look.

Your bed is one of the largest surfaces in your bedroom so simply treating yourself to a new quilt cover, and possibly some fun new cushions, you can create a big impact with minimal spend.

Gina shares all her tips on how to style a bed like a pro here including a quick video showing just how it’s done.

11. Wash doors and walls

It’s incredible how much dirt, dust and scuff marks can build up on walls and doors throughout the year but it’s relatively easy to remove most using a bucket of warm water with sugar soap and a sponge.

Giving your walls and doors a good wash is the next best thing to repainting. It’s also great at eliminating house odors (for example if you have pets who like to lay against the wall).

12. Vacuum or wash window coverings

Whether you have plantation shutters, curtains or roller blinds, there is a way to safely clean your window coverings. Take a moment to Google the safest and most effective way to clean your window coverings and then work your way one room at a time around your home.

13. Add a splash of colour

If you’re up for a DIY project, painting a room or several feature walls in your home can totally transform the feel with minimal spend.

This season we’re seeing a broad range of new colours trending — from terracotta tones to foresty greens, warm greys, and even light and bright sorbet tones too.

14. Clean all stainless steel surfaces

Make your appliances or stainless steel surfaces sparkle! A mild cleaner or vinegar and microfibre cloth is one of the most effective ways to remove all finger prints and spots from stainless steel.

15. Style your coffee table

A central spot in most homes to do a touch of spring styling where it’ll have maximum impact is your coffee table. Wipe the surface down and then look for pieces you already have (or treat yourself to a few new ones) that evoke feelings of spring. Pops of colour and floral patterns are always popular but the options are limitless. Check out these tips and tricks to style your coffee table with ease.

16. Clean windows

Ok we know, we know, this is the mother of all spring cleaning jobs! But you can break it up into smaller tasks by working your way through a few rooms at a time, starting on the inside of the house before moving your way outside.

We find a combination of methylated spirits, white vinegar and warm water cleans windows beautifully and doesn’t leave streaks. Do you have a secret window cleaner formula you can share in the comments?

Alternatively, you could consider giving yourself a year off and calling in the professionals if budget permits. Professional house cleaners have the tools, skills, and eco-friendly products to get your windows sparkling clean — no streaks, no spots, just crystal-clear views to enjoy all spring long. They’ll even tackle those hard-to-reach spots, so you can sit back, relax, and let the sunshine in!

17. Sort and organise kids toys

Get organised this spring and do something about all those kids toys that you’ve been putting off… surely it can’t just be us who has kids toys taking over the house! From getting rid of broken toys to toys they’ve grown out of, you can simplify the amount of kids toys in your home. Perhaps you could also better organise these so that daily toy clean up is made easier. We’re a big fan of baskets to quickly gather and pack away toys, and cube shelves are great for storage too.

You could consider starting a toy rotation system or at the very least getting some better storage solutions to keep their toys organised.

18. Declutter your office

If you’re drowning under a sea of paperwork or find you’re completely unproductive in your office space, it’s time for a good declutter and to establish some new systems for staying on top of things.

You may be able to immediately throw away a stack of paperwork that is no longer needed or relevant, while other documents could be scanned and stored electronically (just be sure you have back ups in place).

Using a system of in/out trays may help prevent your office getting out of control and you can take advantage of online tools such as online letters or direct debit services to keep your paperwork down.

We’ve got loads of tips on how to streamline your office for a more stylish and productive workspace here.

Recently we made an oversized pin board to keep organised and display inspo. If your office could do with something similar, check out our pin board DIY here.

19. Treat yourself to new art

A new piece of art is another great way to liven up your walls or introduce a new colour palette in your home.

There’s never been a bigger selection of affordable places to buy art. Bluethumb is one of our ‘go to’ places for original art and we recently rounded up some of our favourite abstract artists here. Online stores such as Urban Road and Gioa have a large and ever-changing collection of affordable wall prints too. Here’s our complete list of places to buy affordable art online.

20. Clean out all drains

Eww we know, this job is gross! Wearing heavy duty gloves (and possibly a face mask, ha ha) will help you get stuck into cleaning out your sink and shower drains. If your drains have become a little clogged, you may need to use a tool of some kind to remove any debris that has become lodged.

But if your drains are still flowing well, you’ll just need to clean them with a cheap combination of baking soda and white vinegar. Simply tip half a cup of baking soda over the drain and then pour one cup of warmed white vinegar (heated in the microwave) over the top. This will create a bubbling reaction in the pipe that’s very effective for cleaning. After five minutes, pour half a kettle of boiling water down the drain to rinse clean.

21. Remove stains from carpet or flooring

Another spring cleaning must do is to address stubborn stains in carpet or flooring. There are some stains or dirt that just won’t lift from your floors with regular cleaning so set aside some time to get rid of any problem areas or stains that have built up.

You can now find loads of products that allow you to give your floors a deeper clean without having to call in the experts, such as carpet cleaner powder, but be sure to test these in an inconspicuous area or on a sample piece of flooring before tackling the job.

22. Declutter and organise your pantry

Whether it’s expired foods or foods you bought on a random health kick that you know you’ll never use again, it’s time to tackle your pantry!

We’ve got a great article on how to declutter and organise your pantry.

23. Create a spring inspired vignette

We already mentioned styling your coffee table but if you prefer to keep your coffee table clear, look for another spot in your home (perhaps a console table in your entry or sideboard in your dining room) where you can create a small spring inspired arrangement. We’ve got loads of tips on how to create different arrangements here.

24. Dust all lights and light switches

Nothing ruins the look of pendant and feature lights more than floating cobwebs or a build up of dust so pull out the step ladder and get stuck into cleaning your lights. While you’re at it, use a disinfectant spray to also clean all your light switches.

25. Change your candles or diffusers to summery scents

Often when we decorate we focus so much on what we can see, but paying attention to the other senses — particularly touch and smell — can really enhance our interiors.

Set the spring mood with new candles or diffusers in fresh scents with citrus notes. This is our round up of the best summer scent candles.

26. Clean out ‘that’ drawer

You know the one we’re talking about… because we all have one drawer in our home that becomes the junk drawer for random bits that we most likely don’t need or can never find when we do!

Go through your random junk drawer and throw away what you can or find a more suitable spot to store the items that serve a purpose.

27. Sweep and tidy your front entry

A clean and tidy home for spring starts at your entrance. Give the area a good sweep. Shake out your doormat or consider getting a new one if yours is looking tired. Also look up and dust away any cobwebs. Check on the state of your plants or flowers — did they make it through winter OK? Or if your front entry is fairly bare, perhaps add some pops of colour by picking up a new plant or two.

Feng Shui tip: a clean and tidy entry attracts positive energy. It invites fresh, supportive energy into the home, which can bring opportunities, harmony, and prosperity. Find more Feng Shui tips here.

28. Clean and disinfect your rubbish bins

Take your rubbish bins outside and spray them with a solution of white vinegar and disinfectant, leave for several minutes before rinsing clean. White vinegar helps eliminate odours while disinfectant will reduce any bacteria that has formed from food spills.

29. Organise electronics and cables

With technology changing as quickly as it is (and items no longer lasting for as long as they should), it’s likely that you’re holding onto electronics that you either no longer use or that don’t work. Cables are a particular problem point because too often we don’t know what they’re for but we’re too worried about throwing them away because they might be needed for something important. Try to go through all your electronics and cables and eliminate things you’re sure you don’t need.

30. Wipe down and vacuum furniture

When was the last time you looked under your sofa cushions? You’d be amazed at what you might find, ha ha.

Work your way through the house one room at a time to wipe down and vacuum all your furniture. For a deeper clean, you could hire a Britex machine from Bunnings and give upholstery furniture a wash.

31. Pick up new a hand soap

Another way to add summery scents into your home is with new hand soaps — plus with all this cleaning you’re doing, you deserve it! We recently rounded up our top 7 liquid hand soaps at all price points here.

32. Clean your microwave

You’re not alone if your microwave makes you cringe a little each time you use it but there is a super quick and simple way of cleaning it — simply 1/2 fill a large microwave safe bowl with water and place several slices of lemon in the bowl, cook on high for 8 minutes or until the microwave becomes steamy. Then use a clean damp cloth to wipe away any food residue that has softened with the steam. Your microwave should now have a delightful citrus scent too. If your microwave hadn’t been cleaned for a long time, you might want to repeat this at least twice to get it sparkling clean.

33. Oil or polish wood furniture

Whether it’s an outdoor timber table or a sideboard in your dining room, most of us have at least one or two pieces of wood furniture that could do with a little TLC.

Clean the furniture pieces before using polish or furniture oil (depending on the finish of your furniture), to bring them back to their best and better protect them for the hotter, dryer weather ahead.

34. Clean and organise pet products

If you have pets, there’s bound to be more than a few quick jobs you can do this spring to clean and organise their products. From cleaning feeding bowls to sorting through their toys or accessories, take some time to organise their things.

35. Tidy and dust your bedside tables

Get rid of any clutter or things that have piled up on your bedside table, wipe the surfaces clean and only replace items that are essential or look great. We have 20 bedside styling ideas here.

36. Clean your oven

Although most of us wipe down our ovens regularly, baked on grease and food can be hard to budge. Use an oven cleaner inside your oven and on all racks to completely dissolve all that grime away. Be sure to rinse your oven and trays thoroughly before using them for cooking again as oven cleaner is toxic stuff!

37. Wipe down sticky bottles

While you’re in your kitchen, another quick cleaning task is to wipe down sticky or greasy bottles. From honey bottles to oils and vinegars, chances are you’ve got more than a few bottles that would benefit from a clean. Alcohol wipes are great at cutting through grease or you may need to use a warm damp sponge to soften and wipe away heavier build up.

38. Clean rugs

Remove rugs to outside and give them a good shake and possibly shampoo wash. Thoroughly clean the flooring where the rugs were before returning your cleaned rugs inside.

39. Declutter your garage

OK, so this task isn’t exactly quick buuuuut if you’re not going to do it in spring, when are you going to do it?!

Don’t waste precious storage space in your garage by holding onto things that no longer serve a purpose.

Or if you do need everything in your garage perhaps you could pick up some better storage solutions to help you maximise space. Large clear boxes are great for keeping ‘like’ products together, such as Christmas decorations, whereas bike racks and shoe racks can help save on floor space.

40. Organise books

Still holding onto books just because? You can donate books that you won’t read again, including old text books.

Or if you love all the books in your collection, perhaps you just need to give them a bit of a clean up? You can sort books by type, eg kids books, coffee table books, reading books etc, or alphabetically, or by size or even colour… whatever works for you!

41. Dust cornices and ceiling fans

Pull out your duster and look up… do you have floating cobwebs around your cornices or ceiling fans? Work your way through each room of the home and banish dust and cobwebs up high. This is a particularly important dusting job to do before the warmer weather sets and you start using your fans as you don’t want to be spreading that build up of dust around your home.

42. Wash your washing machine

Every washing machine needs a wash from time to time. Depending on your model, there may be a central compartment that you can unscrew and clean out? Be sure to check if your machine is under warranty first though and whether or not you need a licensed professional to service your machine.

At the very least, you could do a wash using a chlorine bleach instead of regular detergent and running a normal cycle with hot water (and no clothes of course). You can also wipe all rubber seals and the exterior surfaces, and ensure the inlet hose is free of debris.

43. Clean or replace vent filters

With your heater getting lots of use over winter, you can be sure those vents need a thorough clean or possibly even a filter replacement.

If your heater has a thin foam vent filter, take care when cleaning it — you may find vacuuming it will cause it to dissolve. Rather, simply rinsing it under warm water on both sides should remove most of the dust. Allow it to dry out completely before replacing it.

On the other hand, if you feel like your HVAC system needs a change of vent filters you can get a new one from Alpine Home Air.com. Additionally, if you are noticing problems with your HVAC, consider getting help from professionals if you’re unsure how to address the issue.

44. Scrub your shower and possibly reseal

Give your shower a deep clean by scrubbing grout joins with a tooth brush and cleaning product of your choice (we like to use a professional grout cleaner but bicarb or vinegar based cleaners work effectively too).

Also scrub away soap scum from all glass surfaces, including your shower shelf if you have one.

And take a moment to look at the state of your seal joins — are they cracked or mouldy? You can reseal these joins yourself using nifty products like we share in this blog post.

45. Empty and clean your fridge

Remove all items from your fridge and use warm soapy water to wash down all internal surfaces — it’s amazing how many small spillages you’ll find or food crumbs that have found their way into hard to reach places. Thoroughly cleaning out your fridge will help eliminate bacteria. While you’re at it, check the expiration of foods and throw away out of date items.

46. Degrease kitchen cabinets

Dust and grease can build up on kitchen cupboards to form a sticky grime, particularly around your rangehood.

A warm, damp cloth and white vinegar should dissolve away most grease but for tougher areas, you may need to use dish soap or a degreaser.

47. Deep clean floors

By this point in the checklist you’ve already cleaned your rugs and spot cleaned any stains but now it’s time to address your general floors. Vacuuming and mopping are great for general cleaning but every 12-18 months it’s a good idea to give floors a deep clean.

Depending on your flooring material that could involve investing in some higher quality products, such as using a professional tile cleaner, or hiring tools such as a floor cleaner/scrubber if you have large areas of polished concrete. Alternatively, this may be a job you want to bring the professionals in to do, such as professionally steam cleaning carpets. Whatever you decide, just be sure to do your research first so you select products or professionals that are right for the job!

48. Dust all skirting boards and window tracks

Over the course of a year window tracks can accumulate a lot of dust, especially if you have pets! Get stuck into cleaning these well by vacuuming first and then using paper towel sprayed with disinfectant spray to pick up fine dust.

You can also use paper towel and disinfectant spray over the top of all skirting boards — you might be surprised just how much dust you pick up!

49. Declutter other cupboards or problem areas

We’ve addressed the most obvious problem areas to declutter already but every home is different. Is there another cupboard or room that could benefit from a declutter this spring? Use the tried and proven technique to declutter; remove everything, sort into piles of keep, donate, sell or bin, and then place items back in an organised way adding better systems or storage solutions whenever possible so the problem doesn’t come back.

50. Take a trip to the tip or Salvos

Has all this cleaning and decluttering helped identify larger pieces you no longer need? Perhaps excess furniture you’ve been storing in your garage, a bunch of garden pots you’re never going to use, or something else?

Rather than continuing to store things you no longer want or need, it may be a good time to let them go. If the pieces are still in good condition, you could donate these to your local charity but if they are looking worse for wear, take them to the tip instead.

Have you been inspired to tackle some spring cleaning jobs or update your interiors? Tell us in the comments below!

Check out more cleaning and organising ideas here

This article was first published in September 2020 and continues to be updated with latest spring cleaning tips and tricks.

The post Get your home ready for spring: 50+ quick cleaning + styling jobs appeared first on Style Curator.

The good news is there are plenty of affordable and quick hacks to make your home smell good. We’ve gathered 12 of our favourite hacks, from quick fixes to longer lasting solutions.

Related article: The best outdoor cleaning hacks
Related article: How to clean grout

1. Neutralise odours with white vinegar

There’s no point adding a bunch of fragrances to your home to try and mask bad odours. Wherever possible, start by addressing the issue of the smell. Whether it’s a rug that needs deep cleaning, walls that haven’t been wiped clean for a long time or a pet bed that could be washed, look for ways you can eliminate odours at the source.

SC is brimming with cleaning hacks and the best cleaning trick will depend on a few things like the what’s causing the smell, the material of the item and whether it can be removed (ie put in the washing machine or pressure washed outside). Safe to say, whatever cleaning solution you find will likely contain white vinegar. It’s incredibly powerful at eliminating smells while being gentle on materials.

2. Use essential oils around your bins

Have you seen that clever hack where you stick a furniture protector sticker soaked in essential oils inside your bin? Or perhaps the one where you soak cotton balls in essential oils and place them under your bin liner?

Whatever method you use, some of our favourite essential oils to neutralise bin smells are peppermint, eucalyptus or lemon oil.

3. Keep you sink and drains fresh

Staying in the kitchen, it’s common for our drains to also smell over time. To deep clean your kitchen drain naturally, sprinkle 3 heaped tea spoons of bi-carb soda into your drain and pour over 1 warmed cup of white vinegar. It will begin bubbling immediately. Place a damp cloth over the drain to let the bi-carb and vinegar work its magic for 5 minutes. Rinse clean with a jug of boiling water and finish with 5 drops of peppermint oil in the drain.

4. Wash walls with sugar soap

Not just a fab product for prepping your walls to paint, sugar soap also works wonders to remove grime and eliminate odours from your home. During the toddler stage where hand prints or food smears on walls was the norm, Gina added this cleaning trick to her regular cleaning schedule.

Perhaps your walls aren’t noticeably dirty but they could be harbouring odours that’s making your house smell. Give this cleaning hack a try in your entry, hallway and other high traffic areas.

5. Use reed diffusers around your home

Won’t lie, we were late coming to the home diffuser party! But now that we’ve joined, we’re converted! A few well-placed diffusers around the home is a simple yet effective way to make it smell divine.

You can make your own diffusers using our tutorial or buy them ready-made in stores. You can also transfer store-bought diffusers into any stylish water-proof vessel around your home. If you have dried or artificial floral arrangements in your home, you can also place 1-3 individual reeds into these arrangements.

If your home has musty or stale air, it could also be a sign of poor ventilation or a malfunctioning air conditioning system. Aircon repairs can help ensure your system is working efficiently, which can improve airflow and reduce unpleasant smells that linger in your home. A well-maintained aircon can also prevent the buildup of moisture that often causes mouldy or damp odours.

6. Bowl of coffee beans

Sounds weird but a bowl of coffee beans can naturally absorb odours and neutralise unwanted smells. Try this in small, enclosed spaces like wardrobes, bathrooms, pantry or near pet areas. You can also add a handful of coffee beans to a tea light holder with a candle to make your home smell like coffee.

7. Burn candles

You had to know this one would be on the list! We love burning candles for their slow, continuous release of fragrance, and cosy and inviting atmosphere. From fresh citrusy or floral candles, to warm and woody scents, there’s a fragrance out there for you. Just be sure to find a quality candle that burns cleaner, the last thing you want to do is eliminate bad smells only to replace them with toxic ones.

8. Wash your curtains

Curtains can trap odours and be the source of bad smelling rooms. Depending on the fabric of your curtains, you should be able to remove them and place them in your washing machine. A simple solution of eucalyptus oil and white vinegar can eliminate smells and odours from your curtains, leaving them looking new and smelling better than ever. See the tutorial here.

9. Try a simmer pot

Not just a great way to make your home smell festive at Christmas time, a simmer pot can be used year round to make your home smell amazing.

What to simmer to make your home smell good:

• Cinnamon sticks: warm, spicy and comforting — perfect for autumn and winter vibes
• Orange peels: sweet and citrusy, they add a bright freshness to the air
• lemons: clean and zesty, great for neutralising cooking or bin odours
• cloves: a strong, grounding and spicy scent that pairs beautifully with citrus
• rosemary sprigs: earthy and refreshing, ideal for a spa-like feel
• Vanilla: seed pods or simply a few drops of essence, it’s sweet and cosy
• Bay leaves: earthy and aromatic, often used in calming scent blends
• Lavender: relaxing and perfect for winding down in the evening.

10. Fix wardrobe smells

Wardrobes can give off musky grandma’s closet vibes but there are plenty of quick and easy fixes.

Easy ways to get rid of wardrobe smells:

• Cedar wood balls can make your wardrobe smell fresh while naturally repelling moths
• use the furniture floor sticker soaked in essential oils hack
• make your own scented wax bars
• hang a scented sachet.

It can also help to add a moisture absorber like DampRid to prevent odours from dampness.

11. Hang eucalyptus in your shower

This one’s as stylish as it is clever! Tie a bundle of fresh eucalyptus from your showerhead. When the steam hits, it releases a natural spa-like scent that turns your morning shower into a mini escape and it looks gorgeous too.

12. Make your own room spray

Finally, room sprays are a quick and easy way to instantly freshen up your home. With just a few spritzes, they can mask unpleasant odours and fill your space with a beautiful scent. These are super simple to DIY and we have all the steps to make your own room spray here.

More cleaning tips and tricks

The post 12 hacks to make your home smell good appeared first on Style Curator.

It’s quick and SUPER easy to do. And the best part is, you’ve probably got all the ingredients you need in your pantry already!

Related article: Top 7 TikTok cleaning HACKS for your home
Related article: How to make your own washing powder: DIY laundry powder

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Ciancio | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

Items you will need:

• 1 tbsp bi-carb
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• Small bowl
• Spoon
• Scrubbing brush

Steps:

1. Start by combining the bi-carb, salt and water in a bowl to make a paste.

2. Next, work the paste into your cutting board with your brush. Then simply rinse clean with tap water.

3. Finally, for an added cleaning hit, pour over white vinegar and rinse clean with boiling water.

That’s it! We told you it was easy!

Who knew how to deep clean a cutting board was that simple!? Will you give it a go? Be sure to tag me @stylecuratorau when you post pics online if you do!

More cleaning tips here

This article was first published in March 2022.

The post How to deep clean a cutting board… naturally! appeared first on Style Curator.

But to actually make the most of these qualities, your crystals have to be cleansed and recharged regularly. This helps release any negative energy the crystals may have absorbed and to renew their energy to suit your needs. Think of it like cleaning cooking utensils, you don’t want to cook with dirty dishes.

So keep scrolling as we cover the best ways cleanse crystals and then recharge them.

Related article: 10 most popular crystals and their properties
Related article: Room-by-room guide to using crystals: What crystals to use and where in your home

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Beschorner | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

When should you cleanse your crystals?

Ideally you want to cleanse your crystals monthly. It’s a general rule of thumb that ensures your crystals are ready to go when you are.

It’s also highly recommended that your cleanse crystals as soon as they arrive at your home. Even if you purchased the crystals in a store, think of all the hands, surfaces and energies the crystal may have encountered on its journey to you.

Finally, if you’re a keen user of healing crystals, you’ll want to cleanse your crystals after every use.

What are the best ways to cleanse your crystals?

There are many ways you can cleanse your crystals and we’re going to run through the 10 most commonly used techniques. It’s important to keep in mind that not all crystals can be cleansed in all of these ways so be sure to know the type of crystal you have. For example, moisture sensitive crystals shouldn’t be cleansed under running water.

1. Running water

Water is said to be one of the best elements to neutralise negative energy in your crystals. Ideally you’ll want to place the crystals in a natural running water source — like a stream.

However, if these aren’t available to you, holding each crystal under a running tap for one minute will do the trick. Pat dry when you’ve finished.

You can take it one step further by holding and speaking your intentions of removing all negative energy as you hold the crystal in the water.

This is probably one of the easiest ways to cleanse crystals in your home, but just make sure your crystal is not moisture sensitive or brittle. Hard crystals like quartz, amethyst and citrine are all safe to be cleansed in water.

2. Smoke cleansing

An ancient ritual used by many Indigenous cultures around the world, smudging is said to purify objects and can purify your crystals. Many people often cleanse crystals by using the smoke of sage, incense or palo santo holy wood.

Do this by lighting either of these and holding the crystals above the smoke, allowing your pieces to gently absorb the cleansing smoke.

If you don’t have any available to you, you can also use a candle for a quick smoke cleanse.

This is a great choice for porous stones as the smoke won’t affect the structure of the crystals.

3. Saltwater

Fresh water isn’t the only type of water that can be used to absorb unwanted energy, saltwater is especially good for this.

You can collect fresh sea water from the ocean, or mix together a tablespoon of rock, table or sea salt into a bowl.

Submerge your crystals in the water for around a hour before removing, rinsing with fresh water and patting dry.

Again, make sure your crystals aren’t porous.

4. Brown rice

Yes, you can even treat your crystal like a broken phone and cover it in brown rice. Said to be especially beneficial for protective crystals, this method draws our negativity in a contained way.

To use this method, simply fill a bowl with dry brown rice and place your stone in the centre. Cover the stone with the grain and leave for about 24 hours.

Dispose of the rice immediately afterwards.

5. Purpose made cleanser

Another simple way to purify your crystals is through the use of a purpose made cleanser. From smudging sprays to crystal infused clearing mist sprays, there are many types to choose from. You only need a spritz or two on each crystal.

6. Natural light

You can use the natural light from the moon and sun to cleanse your crystals. Set the stone outside just before nightfall and retrieve it in the morning, before it gets too hot. This allows the stone to bathe in the light of the moon and sun.

Preferably you’ll want to place the stone on soil or a natural surface, but even a windowsill will do. If you place the crystals on the earth, you may need to rinse and dry it afterwards to remove any dirt.

This crystal cleansing method is especially good for tumbled stones, but can work for most. However, it isn’t recommended for vibrant or soft stones like calcite, which may be damaged by the light.

7. Sound healing

If you have a large collection of crystals and moving them all is too much work, this is for you. And it only takes about 5-10 minutes!

Whether through chanting, singing bowls or even a nice bell, sound healing allows a single tone to wash over a room or space.

There are an abundance of sound healing instruments available for you to choose from. While it doesn’t matter what key the sound is in, the sound just needs to be loud enough to cover and encompass the stone.

8. Other crystals

Some crystals have the ability to cleanse other crystals and this method is safe for all crystals. Stones like Carnelian, Clear Quartz and Selenite are especially good clearing stones. However, you may need more than one crystal to clear others.

To use this method, place the clearing stones in a spot where they will not be disturbed. Then, place the crystals you are cleansing on top of them. Leave for about 24 hours.

9. Burying crystals in soil

Burying crystals in the soil connects them back to Earth, which can have profound cleansing affects.

Find a quiet spot in your backyard or garden. Bury the crystals a few centimetres deep. Ensure the crystals are completely covered, but leave a marker for yourself.

You can leave them for 24 hours or even a few days, just be sure to rinse them clean and pat dry to remove any dirt.

10. Breathwork

Although you may feel a little ridiculous trying this cleansing method, it can be really effective on small stones.

Simply hold the crystal close to your mouth in your dominant hand and then focus your intention of cleansing the crystal. Take in a big breath through your nostrils and exhale quick, powerful breaths through your mouth onto the crystals.

You only needs to do this for about 30 seconds for each stone.

Charging your crystals

Along with cleansing your crystals, it’s important to recharge your crystals before you set your attentions. Charging your crystals is said to intensify the energy in the crystal to allow the crystal to work effectively.

There are a variety of ways to recharge crystals, including:

• moonlight — it is said that charging your crystals in the light of a full moon is one of the most powerful recharging methods. Simply place your crystals outside, preferably on a natural surface, but avoid moisture
• moonwater — for non-water sensitive crystals, this is another great option. We found a DIY to make your own moonwater, which you can submerge your crystals in for around an hour
• sunlight — charging your crystals in direct sunlight for 12 hours is said to charge crystals with abundance, love and vitality. Just be sure they are a hard, non-vibrant stones that won’t weather from the heat
• carnelian — place your crystals on a piece of carnelian for 24 hours
• salt bath — place your hard crystals in sea salt and leave overnight.

Many of the 10 crystal cleansing ideas above can also be used to recharge your crystals, it’s all about what suits your lifestyle and crystals.

Set your intentions

Founder of Higher+Self, Soud recommends two steps for setting your intentions, which you may have seen in our room-by-room crystal guide.

Firstly, set your intentions by holding crystals one by one and saying what you would like your crystal to support you in. This can be a goal for the upcoming month, a wish or even your hopes for the future.

Soud also suggests writing your intentions down on a piece of paper and placing a clear quartz point on top of your paper. Leave the paper and point together for a few weeks to help with your manifestations. This will help further amplify your intentions.

We hope this guide to crystal cleansing is helpful. Which of these methods do you use to cleanse crystals? Do you any other ideas or suggestions you’d like to share? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!

Check out more styling inspo here

The post How to cleanse crystals, recharge and set intentions appeared first on Style Curator.

Get your curtains back to looking their best by following our simple guide to wash and clean sheer curtains. Oh and if you have any other tips and tricks, we’d love you to share them in the comments so we can keep adding to this article over time.

Related article: Best essential oils for cleaning and our top home cleaning HACKS
Related article: How to clean grout — 6 of the most effective grout cleaning tricks

How often should you wash sheer curtains?

Wash sheer curtains at least once a year, and we suggest doing this in spring as part of your deep clean routine.

If you keep your windows open regularly or you have small children and pets in the home, you may want to wash your curtains more frequently, like every three to six months. Also, if they are near a kitchen, you’ll probably want to clean them more often. Regular washing keeps sheer curtains bright and extends their lifespan, and creates a healthier home.

Can you machine wash sheer curtains?

Spoiler alert, our trick to effortlessly cleaning your sheer curtains is to simply put them in the washing machine!

Most sheer curtains are machine washable, but always check the care label first. Our sheer curtains are polyester and we’ve washed them in the machine for years without any problems. If your sheer curtains are made from natural linen or another type of fabric, it’s best to check with the manufacturer to see if the fabric of your curtains is machine washable.

Watch the reel below or follow our step-by-step guide on the best way to wash your sheer curtains.

Step-by-step guide to washing sheer curtains

1. Remove dust before washing

Shake out sheer curtains or use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment. This prevents dust from turning into grime during washing.

It’s easy to remove sheer curtains by simply unclipping them from the curtain track. Depending on your curtain style, such as S fold or eyelet, the technique to remove them will differ slightly.

If like us you have S fold, you will remove the curtain fabric with the plastic clips attached (fixed into the head of the curtain fabric). Pinch each bracket firmly with your thumb and index finger as you push out the clip towards you.

2. Choose the right detergent

Rather than using laundry detergent, we use one cup of white vinegar in the barrel of the machine and 15 drops of eucalyptus oil added to the detergent compartment of the washing machine. This natural cleaning formula is mild yet effective and leaves your curtains smelling amazing.

Some people prefer to use a mild liquid detergent. For example, we would suggest a brand like Koala Eco.

Tip: avoid harsh chemicals as they can weaken delicate fabrics and cause fading. Also don’t overdo the cleaning products — it’s better to use less so it gets rinsed out fully to prevent residue from making the fabric stiff or discoloured.

3. Machine wash on a gentle cycle

Wash sheer curtains in cold water using a delicate or hand wash cycle. Set the machine to a slow spin to avoid stretching.

4. Hand wash if necessary

For extra delicate sheer curtains, such as those made from pure linen, hand wash them in cold water with a small amount of detergent. Swirl gently and avoid scrubbing.

5. Air dry immediately

Finally, hang sheer curtains while damp to prevent wrinkles. Rather than hanging them on the washing line, we simply reattach the curtains to the track. This saves a step in the cleaning process, while protecting them from sun damage or getting a crease in them from hanging them on a line.

Tip: keep the door open or run a dehumidifier while your sheers are drying to prevent dampness.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Beschorner | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

How to remove stains from sheer curtains

For stubborn stains, you may need to do a spot clean or additional cleaning step before washing your curtains in the machine. For example, we recently had to remove ink pen from our office sheers. We did this using the same cleaning trick to remove ink from regular fabric, by hitting the stain with rubbing alcohol and rinsing it clean. Repeating this step 2-3 times lifted the stain, and then we followed the washing steps above.

The steps to remove stains from sheer curtains will depend on what type of stain it is, and we cover the most common stain removal hacks in this article.

Tip: always avoid bleach, as it weakens fabric and causes yellowing.

Tips to keep sheer curtains clean longer:

• vacuum sheer curtains regularly to remove dust
• avoid smoking or burning candles or incense near sheer curtains
• keep windows closed during high pollen seasons or days that are windy. Alternatively, you can draw the curtains open and stacked to the side of your window to prevent them from catching dirt or pollen on these days.

Were you surprised to find out you can wash sheer curtains in the machine? Or perhaps you have a different technique to clean your curtains? We’d love you to share your tips in the comments below.

More cleaning tips and tricks

The post How to wash sheer curtains: Easy cleaning hack for sheers appeared first on Style Curator.

Dirty grout not only looks awful, it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and other nasties. And being a porous substance, it’s best to clean grout regularly to avoid permanent discolouration or worse.

So after researching and testing dozens of techniques, these are the 6 most effective grout cleaning tricks that (mostly) don’t require harsh chemicals. Let’s get cleaning!

Related article: The best way to clean your shower and glass screen — and it’s natural!
Related article: Everything you need to know about picking the right grout: From the type of grout to what colour, your questions answered

Tips on how to clean grout

As with any new cleaning product, it’s always a good idea to do a test patch first. Somewhere inconspicuous like behind the toilet or under the vanity.

We would also recommend trying the mildest cleaning solution first, then working your way up to stronger solutions. Although this tip may not be favourable because it could require multiple tries before getting your grout clean

Get yourself a grout brush. A grout brush is a small, stiff-bristle brush usually made of nylon. It has a long handle to make scrubbing grout lines a bit easier and much quicker than using an old toothbrush!

The best grout cleaning methods

1. Baking soda and vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda (aka bicarb soda) liberally over each grout line. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray over the baking soda. Allow it to sit and bubble away for a few minutes. The baking soda adds ‘grit’ when cleaning, helping to lift the dirt away from the grout lines. Scrub your little heart out using a grout brush, then wipe away the dirt as you go.

2. Baking soda and dishwashing liquid

A similar method to the one above is to mix baking soda with water and a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Add more water to make it liquid, or more baking soda to make it a paste.

Trickle white vinegar into the grout lines, then add the baking soda mixture. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then scrub away with a grout brush. Wipe away the dirt with a sponge.

You could also use our soft scrub cleaner which contains similar ingredients and has amazing results!

3. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

In a bowl mix equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Add to grout, leave for 5 or so minutes then scrub with a stiff bristled brush or grout brush.

Hydrogen peroxide is a non-toxic alternative to bleach. When cleaning and used with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide is less harsh than bleach yet more effective than using just water. It’s available in most supermarkets and is usually found in the health and beauty aisle.

4. ‘That’ TikTok toilet cleaner

We’re the first to admit, this TikTok grout cleaning hack makes us nervous… but it does seem to have very positive results. So, we’re including it in this round up of the best grout cleaning tricks. But with a warning!

TikTokers suggest using a commercial toilet cleaner. Pour it onto each grout line then allow it to sit and bubble away. Leave for 10 minutes before scrubbing it off with a brush.

Be aware: Caustic ingredients in some toilet cleaners can erode the sealer on your grout over the long-term. So, either use this method sparingly, or try more natural methods in this article.

5. Grout saw

A grout saw is another effective way to remove stubborn dirt in your grout lines that the above options may not be able to remove. It’s a little tool (available from most hardware stores) that comes with a carbide grit-edge.

Rub the grit-edge along the grout line to lift off stains but remember not to go TOO hard. This tool is also used for removing grout so take it easy!

6. Tile and grout cleaner

Seems obvious, but many people aren’t aware you can buy specific tile and grout cleaning products, such as Ardex ACP 21, from tile stores. Although it’s a professional grade cleaner, it’s classed as non-hazardous and has a low VOC content (chemical gasses emitted from the product).

This product is mild enough to use as part of your everyday cleaning schedule and you can clean with confidence knowing it’s specially formulated for this purpose… not going to lie, that TikTok hack concerns us a bit!

Keeping your grout clean: grout cleaning maintenance tips

Once you’ve cleaned your grout, there are a few tricks you can do to help keep it this way!

Grout sealant

Before you use the space again, it’s a good idea to apply a grout sealant. Follow the instructions on the product you buy but generally you need to apply 2 coats, allowing it to dry fully in between applications.

You should reapply grout sealant once a year after a good deep clean.

Brush regularly

Just like your teeth, grout lines benefit from regular brushing. For shower grout lines, a clever tip is to get yourself a dispensing dish brush!

Fill it with regular washing up liquid and scrub your grout lines with the brush. Whip around the shower every few days while you’re in the shower to keep it sparkling clean. Keep it in the shower so it’s always on hand to use.

Have we inspired you to give your grout some much needed love and attention?! Or perhaps you have another grout cleaning method you swear by. We’d love you to share it with us in the comment section below!

More cleaning tips here

Disclaimer: This post was first published in December 2021 and continues to be updated with latest information.

The post How to clean grout — 6 of the most effective grout cleaning tricks appeared first on Style Curator.

Keep scrolling for our quick and easy guide on how to make DIY room spray with essential oils. It’s a wonderful and cheap gift idea that you can personalise with a custom fragrance or bottle packaging. You can also use this tutorial to make a monster room spray for children who have trouble going to sleep.

Related article: Top 10 essential oils you need for the home
Related article: Luxe DIY bath bombs

Items you will need:

• Spray bottles (we got ours from Eco Modern Essentials but otherwise you may have some small spray bottles around the home you could repurpose?)
• Measuring cup
• Small funnel or pouring jug (optional but it makes life easier)
• 1/2 cup water (distilled or purified is best)
• 1/2 cup witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol or vodka)
• 20 drops essential oil (you could use a pre-mixed blend or make your own — see below for some of our favourite blends)

Steps:

1. Decide on the type of room spray you want to make — relaxing or energising, grounding or uplifting — and create an oil blend to achieve that. You can find pre-mixed blends that already do this for you and we love calm and destress, energy blend, clarity and focus, and anxiety blend. You also can’t go wrong with a single fragrance like lavender oil.

Alternatively, you could mix together your own personalised scent and we share our favourite room oil blends below.

2. Place a funnel in your open spray bottle and carefully pour in your water, witch hazel (or alcohol), and add 20 drops of your essential oil blend. Depending on the size of your bottle, you may need to top it up — simply use a similar ratio of water, witch hazel and essential oil until the bottle is filled 2cm from the top.

3. Screw on the lid and shake well to combine. New bottles will need 10-20 pumps before they begin spraying.

Our favourite room oil blends

You can have a lot of fun mixing essential oils to come up with your own uplifting home fragrance. Personally, we love adding a zesty note of lemon, sweet orange or grapefruit and balancing this with the relaxing and grounding scent of lavender. Depending on the season, you may want to have more floral or earthy notes wafting through your home.

Best room spray blends:

• Sweet lavender: 12 drops lavender oil, 6 drops chamomile oil and 2 drops Ylang Ylang oil
• Summer breeze: 5 drops sweet orange oil, 5 drops lemon oil, 5 drops grapefruit oil, and 5 drops Melissa oil
• Antibacterial and deodorising: 4 drops tea tree essential oil (also known as melaleuca essential oil), 9 drops lemon oil and 7 drops eucalyptus oil
• Winter warmer: 6 drops sweet orange oil, 5 drops frankincense oil, 5 drops clove oil and 4 drops bergamot oil.

IMPORTANT: Some essential oils, particularly citrus oils, have been known to discolour fabric because of their acidity. We always recommend spraying into the air rather than directly onto fabric. If you are concerned about any fabrics in the space, test in an inconspicuous area first. Also avoid dark yellow oils that can cause discolouration.

If you love making your own cleaning products using essential oils, you may also like to check out our best DIY cleaning recipes and cleaning hacks.

Check out more DIYs

Disclaimer: this post was first published in October 2019 and continues to be updated.

The post Make your own room spray: Natural DIY room sprays appeared first on Style Curator.

From clever to downright weird, even some of these cleaning hacks surprised us buuuuut apparently they work. We hope you find a few to try at home or share your fave cleaning hack in the comments below.

Related article: Top 7 TikTok cleaning HACKS for your home
Related article: Top 7 stylish bathroom accessories: Must-have bathroom decor to elevate your space

1. Shower head cleaning hack

Starting our list of bathroom cleaning hacks is our showerhead cleaning hack. Showerheads can become so gross overtime yet you need to be careful about scrubbing and damaging your tapware coating.

Well, not to toot our own horn but our latest showerhead cleaning hack is the perfect way to remove limescale without damaging your tapware finish. Using white vinegar, warm water and dish soap in a plastic bag, you don’t have to do any scrubbing and it looks good as new! Watch our reel below for all the steps.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Ciancio | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

2. Grape fruit scrubber

According to Homewhis, nothing is better at cleaning soap scum than grapefruit. They recommend using have a grapefruit covered in coarse salt to create an all-natural cleaning scrub. Rub in circular motions across all the stained tub areas, squeezing the fruit as your rub. Leave to soak for 10 minutes before sponging off the scrub.

3. Toilet cleaning fizzies

Keeping your toilet clean is a necessary but sometimes unpleasant chore, and with the help of toilet cleaning bombs, a quick and easy clean. Growing in popularity on just about every social media platform, DIY fizzy toilet bombs are a great way to freshen up your toilet with minimal work.

Below are just two toilet cleaning bomb recipes, but there are a variety of recipes out there to suit your needs.

4. Chopstick cleaning hack

Around your sink, faucets and just about every corner, there are so many crevices in your bathroom that can be hard to reach. Apartment Therapy counters this problem with a chopstick wrapped in cloth — perfect for cleaning vents, grout, faucets and other small fixtures.

5. Natural shower screen cleaner

If you’ve been googling how to clean your shower door, our DIY natural shower cleaner is for you. After testing out a variety of methods, we created our shower cleaning recipe so we know it works! Best of all, it’s natural with no harsh chemicals! Clean not just your shower screen of soap scum, but your vanity, bathtub and toilet in no time with this effective cleaning recipe.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Ciancio | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

6. DIY mould remover spray

Have you ever cleaned your bathroom walls? If you haven’t, it’s time! Your bathroom walls will be home to a variety of bad bacteria that can encourage mould growth. Instagrammer @mama_mila_au shared this easy mould remover hack, using a variety of natural essential oils to prevent surface mould build up.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chantel Mila (@mama_mila_au)

7. Shaving cream bath cleaning hack

Arguably the queen of cleaning hacks on TikTok and Instagram, @carolina.mccauley shared this shaving cream hack. She states that shaving cream is a great disinfectant that will remove soap scum and polish your tub, making it shine.

Considering the growth in shaving cream hacks over the years, it may definitely be worth a shot!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carolina McCauley (@carolina.mccauley)

8. Toilet refresh hack

Homewhis has another hack to remove toilet odours and make your bathroom smell good. All you need to do is pour a quarter cup of mouthwash into the toilet tank. Once you flush, the mouthwash will freshen up your toilet bowl without leaving any stains. Quick and easy!

9. Pumice stone

If there’s a persistent stain that just isn’t going away in your toilet, The Spruce says a pumice stone is an unexpected but effective toilet cleaning tool. Just soak the pumice stone in warm water to prevent scratching and gently scrub the stain until it’s gone. Flush to rinse.

10. Tap cleaning hack

Like your showerhead, your taps also need a good clean every once in a while. While you could definitely use our showerhead deep clean recipe above, you can also try this tap deep clean hack by @vanesa_amaro.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vanesa Amaro (@vanesa_amaro_)

11. Tap soaking hack

Similarly, this bathroom cleaning hack by @carolina.mccauley removes the need to scrub around your taps after soaking the area around your taps in vinegar. She shares a few more excellent cleaning hacks in the reel below, all of which use vinegar!

Vinegar is an excellent all-natural cleaner that’s made it’s way into all kinds of cleaning hacks. Perfect for cleaning just about any surface, eliminating odours and removing dirt, don’t shy away from this eco-friendly cleaning alternative.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carolina McCauley (@carolina.mccauley)

12. Soak your toilet brush in vinegar

In a busy home, Gina has a lot of bathroom cleaning tips to help you make the most of every clean. One of the easiest is to simply soak your toilet brush in white vinegar to ensure your toilet gets the best possible clean. While you’re freshening the space, it also helps to restock everyday essentials like quality toilet paper so your bathroom stays functional and guest-ready

Watch the reel below for three of Gina’s favourite toilet cleaning hacks.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Ciancio | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

13. Genius shower mould remover hack

Melissa from Lowcountry Kings came up with this clever bathroom cleaning hack to remove mould in her shower. Using just bleach and cotton balls, Melissa says this hack will not only remove the mould, but prevent it from reappearing in future. Find out more about her bathroom cleaning method here.

14. Streak-free mirror hack

Instantly give your windows and mirrors a streak-free shine with cold tea. Woman and Home claims this quick fix is all you need to leave glass surfaces streak-free.

Simply stew black tea in boiling water, leave to cool and then transfer to a spray bottle. Spritz onto the surface and wipe off as normal. You can even take it one step further by using newspaper to wipe, instead of a normal cloth.

15. Baking soda grout hack

There are plenty of clever grout cleaning hacks, but our go-to is a combination of baking soda and white vinegar spray. Find all our tips and hacks to clean grout here.

16. Drain cleaning hack

There’s just one word to describe blocked drains — gross! Hair, dirt and grime can lead to blockages and even awful smells. These blockages are not easy to remove, but Instagrammer @cleaningwithgabie has shared this drain deep clean hack using a ziptie. We know! It’s an unusual cleaning hack, but it’s clearly working!

Warning: Graphic cleaning content ahead!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabie Vigneault (@cleaningwithgabie)

17. Remove odours with rice

Bathroom can just start to smell gross and it may be out of your control. From cleaning out the drains to washing every towel, sometimes those pesky odours just don’t want to go away.

Apartment Therapy has this clever odour remover hack that you can hide in your bathroom closet. Simply place 1-2 cups of rice inside a glass jar, add 10-20 drops of your favourite essential oils and mix. You can also cover the top with a breathable fabric to secure it. Stick it in your bathroom cupboard, above your toilet or wherever else you like.

18. Shower curtain disinfectant hack

Have you cleaned your shower curtains recently? If you’re unsure, it’s probably been a while. And considering how long it can take, it’s no wonder why. Tutorials suggest multiple steps that involves scrubbing, countless rinsing and extra steps.

Homewhis says you can whiten and disinfect your shower curtains all in one with a simple soak. Pour 2 parts water, 1 part vinegar and 1 tablespoon of laundry detergent into a bucket. Soak the shower curtain for an hour, give it a quick rub and rinse, and leave to dry in the sun. So easy!

We hope you found these bathroom cleaning hacks useful! Which of these bathroom cleaning hacks are you going to try? Do you have any bathroom cleaning hacks you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear all your thoughts in the comment section below!

Find more cleaning articles here

The post 18 of the best bathroom cleaning hacks to make your space sparkle appeared first on Style Curator.

From wine stains, oil stains, tomato stains to grass stains and everything in between, these home remedies to remove stains are quick and easy methods we know they work!

Related article: The best outdoor cleaning hacks and tips to make your home exterior look new!
Related article: Top 7 TikTok cleaning HACKS for your home

How to remove oil stains

You know the one. A splash of oil on your favourite shirt and you think it’s ruined forever. Fear not! We have a super simple way to remove oil stains from clothing and upholstery. Check out our quick video for the how to or follow the step-by-step method below.

Tip: The sooner you can clean the stain, the better your results will be.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Beschorner | Style Curator (@stylecuratorau)

Items you will need:

• Bi-carb soda
• Dishwashing liquid

Steps:

1. If the oil stain is fresh, blot (don’t rub!) off the excess oil.

2. Sprinkle a generous amount of bi-carb soda over the stain. Tip: you can place a plate underneath the stain if it’s on a T-shirt or other item of clothing where the oil could seep through to the other side.

3. Add a dash or 2 of washing up liquid on top and gently rub together to form a paste. Be sure that the paste fully coats the oil stain.

4. Leave for 15 minutes.

5. Wash the garment on a warm wash cycle (providing it is able to be washed on warm) then air dry. If you’re applying this method to somewhere like your couch, gently remove the bi-carb mixture with warm water and allow to air dry.

6. Repeat again if it’s a particularly stubborn stain.

How to remove grass stains

Grass stains are a fact of life, especially if you have kids. Like those brand pants you bought that they wear once and end up with huge grass stains on both knees (true story). Yep, you definitely need these grass stain removal methods in your back pocket!

Method 1: Grass stain removal

Items you will need:

• Salt
• Lemon juice

Steps:

1. For an effective fabric stain removal that works great on grass stains, simply work salt and lemon juice directly into the stain.

2. Wait 10 mins and rinse clean. Again, for stubborn stains you may need to repeat this step.

Method 2: Grass stain removal

Items you will need:

• Water
• White vinegar
• Toothbrush

Steps:

1. Make up a mixture using 2 parts water and 1 part of vinegar (eg. 2 cups water, 1 cup vinegar).

2. Rub the mixture onto the grass stain with a toothbrush, then run it through the wash.

How to remove blood stains

From minor injuries to women’s monthly cycles, blood stains are one of the most common types of stains. We’ve found 2 different methods for you to try, whether you’re looking to remove dried blood stains or remove blood stains from sheets.

Give one of these a try the next time you find an unwanted blood stain.

Tip: You need to wash out your bloods stain in cold water. Using hot water will set the stain and make it a lot harder to remove.

Method 1: Blood stain removal

Items you will need:

• Salt
• Cold water

Steps:

1. Create a paste over the blood stain using salt and cold water.

2. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse clean with cold water. Depending on the stain, you may need to repeat the process several times.

Method 2: Blood stain removal

Items you will need

• Bar of soap — we like the pure soap bar, Sunlight soap. You can find it in the laundry aisle of the supermarket.
• Hydrogen peroxide — found in the health and beauty section of the supermarket.
• White vinegar

Steps

1. Rub the blood stain with the bar of soap in cold water.

2. Rinse it off then soak the stain in a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and top it up with white vinegar.

3. Allow to sit for 15 minutes then wash on a cold cycle.

How to remove sweat stains

Sweat stains are caused by a build up of aluminium compounds, found it many antiperspirant deodorants. These react with the salts in your sweat and cause those awfully unattractive yellow sweat stains.

Try one of these methods to remove stains from clothes.

Method 1: Sweat stain removal

Ah the humble bi-carb soda. Useful around the house for so many reasons. Including how to remove stains from clothes with baking soda (aka bi-carb soda).

Items you will need:

• 4 x tbsp bi-carb soda
• 1/4 cup x warm water
• Sunshine

Steps:

1. Make a paste with the bi-carb soda and warm water and rub into the stain.

2. Leave in direct sunlight for 2 hours.

3. Wash as per usual.

Method 2: Sweat stain removal

Items you will need:

• Hydrogen peroxide — found in the health and beauty section of the supermarket.
• Water
• Bi-carb soda

Steps:

1. Make up a mix of 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 1 part water and 1 part bi-carb soda.

2. Place it over the sweat stain and allow to sit for an hour.

3. Wash as per usual.

How to remove red wine stains

We may be guilty of this one more so than any of the other common household stains! So as far as stain removal methods go, these are worth a shot if you spill some of your precious liquid red .

Method 1: Red wine stains

Items you will need

• Hydrogen peroxide — found in the health and beauty section of the supermarket.
• Washing up liquid

Steps

1. Mix 3 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part washing up liquid and apply to the stain.

2. Allow to sit for about 1 hour.

3. Blot the stain and then wash the garment.

Method 2: Red wine stains

Items you will need:

• Soda water (aka sparkling water)
• White vinegar

Steps:

1. Mix together some soda water and white vinegar and blot onto the stain.

2. Soda water alone should work but add in some white vinegar if you need that extra cleaning boost.

Method 3: Red wine stains for carpet or upholstery

Try and clean stains from carpet or upholstery as soon as possible. This will give you the best chance at saving your fabrics from permanent stains.

Items you will need:

• Salt

Steps:

1. Simply pour a generous amount of salt over the stain and allow to sit for a few minutes.

2. Dab or blot (do not scrub) at the stain to remove the salt.

3. If this doesn’t remove the red wine stain, use the soda water and vinegar option from method 2.

How to remove pasta sauce / tomato sauce stains

Dropping pasta sauce or tomato on yourself is bound to happen if you’re a) wearing white, or b) dining out at a restaurant. Plus if it’s your child eating it, it’s almost guaranteed to end in a stain! Give these low-tox stain removal options a try!

Method 1: Pasta sauce / tomato sauce stains

Items you will need:

• Liquid laundry detergent
• Spoon
• Hydrogen peroxide — found in the health and beauty section of the supermarket.

Steps:

1. Remove as much excess food as possible.

2. Run the garment under water from the reverse side. This allows the water to help the stain run off the fabric, not soak further in.

3. Add a little liquid laundry detergent and rub with the back of a spoon. Rub from the outside of the stain, working your way in.

4. Rinse thoroughly.

5. If the fabric is white, use some hydrogen peroxide with a sponge and then rinse.

6. Repeat from step 2 if necessary until the stain is gone and then wash the garment.

Method 2: Pasta sauce / tomato sauce stains

Items you will need:

• Washing up liquid
• Ice
• White vinegar
• Cleaning cloth

Steps:

1. Remove as much excess food as possible.

2. Add washing up liquid on top of the stain and rub with the ice.

3. If the stain does not fully come out, rub with white vinegar and a clean cloth.

4. Wash as per usual.

How to remove pen ink stains

You know the drill. You discover a pesky ballpoint pen mark on your clothes or worse, a pen leaks! Or perhaps it’s (cringe!) permanent marker. You may need to result to bleach for this one, but before you do that, why not give one of these stain removal methods a go?

Method 1: Pen ink stain removal

Items you will need:

• Cleaning cloth
• Liquid laundry detergent

Steps:

1. If the stain is fresh, blot the stain with a clean cloth to transfer the ink to the cleaning cloth.

2. Pour a little laundry detergent on to the stain and allow to sit for 5 minutes.

3. Wash on a hot cycle (as hot as the garment fabric allows) and check the stain before drying. If it’s still there, repeat the process while the garment is still wet.

Method 2: Permanent pen ink stain removal

Permanent marker is called permanent for a reason. It’s a tricky one to remove but before you throw out the clothing or upholstery with pen on it, give this a try first.

Items you will need:

• 2 x cleaning cloths or paper towel
• Rubbing alcohol. We often use Isocol (the green bottle with a crocodile on it), available in the health and beauty aisle of the supermarket.

Steps:

1. Place 1 cleaning cloth or paper towel behind the stain.

2. Using the second cloth or paper towel, blot the rubbing alcohol onto the stain. As the stain transfers to the cloth behind, move the cloth to allow more dye to transfer to the cloth.

3. Repeat until as much of the stain has been removed as possible.

4. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

5. If the stain is gone (hooray!) wash on the hottest setting suitable for the fabric.

6. If the stain is NOT gone (boo!) you may need to fully submerge the fabric* it in a solution of oxygen bleach and water (check the safe ratio on the bleach bottle).

7. Still there?! Make up another bleach and water solution and repeat the soaking process.

*Note: Oxygen bleach is not suitable to use on silk, wool, or fabrics with leather trim or wooden buttons.

We hope these stain removal hacks help you rescue a garment or your upholstered furniture! If you have any more life-saving stain removal tricks, we’d love you to share them in the comments below!

More cleaning tips and tricks

The post Stain removal for the most common types of stains appeared first on Style Curator.