TikTok has turned cleaning into a full-blown obsession, with hacks so creative they make scrubbing the sink look fun. But which ones actually work outside of a 30-second video? Here are eight TikTok cleaning hacks that are worth trying.
8. Brighten White Shoes with a Salon Secret
The secret to white shoe soles is a product called Salon Care 40 Volume Creme, a hydrogen peroxide-based developer that works wonders on dingy rubber. The active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, helps break down the molecules causing the yellowing and discoloration, restoring your shoes to their former glory. Apply a thick layer of the creme to the soles, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it away to reveal a whiter surface.
7. Use Shaving Cream to Deep Clean Your Bathroom
That can of shaving cream in your cabinet is a secret cleaning weapon. Because it expands, shaving cream is effective at getting into the nooks and crannies around the base of your toilet. Its soap-like properties allow it to break down stains and eliminate smells. Simply apply a layer of shaving cream, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then wipe it away. You can also use it to defog mirrors, shine faucets, and lift stains from microfiber couches.
6. Erase Stubborn Toilet Rings with a Pumice Stone
That persistent ring in your toilet bowl has finally met its match. A simple pumice stone, often found in the cleaning aisle for under $5, is the effective tool you need. The porous stone is abrasive enough to scrub away hard water stains and mineral buildup without destroying the porcelain of your toilet.
5. Refresh Fabrics with a Two-Ingredient DIY Spray
Commercial fabric sprays are full of questionable chemicals. For an all-natural alternative, consider a DIY fabric spray made from one part vodka and one part water. Kathryn Kellogg of the blog Going Zero Waste recommends this for deodorizing and removing bacteria from fabrics, and it works well on curtains, couches, and other upholstery. The alcohol in the vodka acts as a natural sanitizer and deodorizer, killing odor-causing bacteria.
4. Remove Pet Hair in Seconds with a Rubber Glove
Pet owners, this one’s for you! All you need is a standard rubber cleaning glove. Simply dampen the glove and run your hand over the hair-covered surface. The friction and static electricity created by the rubber will cause the pet hair to lift away from the fabric and clump together. This low-cost hack is a must-try for anyone who often battles with pet fur.
3. Erase Furniture Dents from Your Carpet with Ice Cubes
Rearranging furniture can breathe new life into a room, but it often leaves behind dents in your carpet. Before you despair, try this simple and effective trick: place an ice cube in each of the dents and let them melt completely. As the ice melts, the water is absorbed by the carpet fibers, causing them to swell and return to their original shape.
2. Keep Your Shower Sparkling with a Daily Squeegee
TikTok cleaning queen Vanessa Amaro endorses the practice of keeping a squeegee in the shower and giving the glass doors a quick wipe-down after every use. This 30-second task prevents the buildup of hard water stains and soap scum, which are much more difficult to remove once they’ve set in. By removing the water from the glass, you’re also preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
1. Get Sparkling Silverware Using Aluminum Foil
You probably have a roll of aluminum foil in your kitchen drawer, but did you know it can make your cutlery shine? The viral TikTok hack of adding a crumpled ball of foil to your dishwasher has been met with mixed reviews, but science supports it. The aluminum reacts with the chemicals in your dishwasher detergent in a process called ion exchange, which breaks down tarnish on silverware.