Mum reveals how to 'clean smarter not harder' with household hacks and gadgets

Anything that makes life easier is good by us, especially when it cuts down on time spent on the most thankless tasks; cleaning being one of them.

Mum and influencer Carolina McCauley knows all about streamlining the daily routine, and has been sharing hacks to do just that on TikTok.

In a series of videos titled ‘How to clean smarter not harder,’ the Australia-based content creator reveals the methods and gadgets that makes her chores list a doddle.

From tools that help you change bedsheets without breaking a sweat to how to make your own eco-friendly kitchen wipes, there’s a lot to learn.

So to help you along, we’ve compiled some of the handy tricks and tips.

Forget elbow grease and endless scrubbing, this is how to simplify getting your house sparkling clean.

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Reuse your toilet roll tubes

After you’re finished with a loo roll, don’t throw out the cardboard inner tube.

Instead, pop one over your vacuum nozzle and squeeze the end gently. This allows you to slot it into those hard-to-reach areas (like windowsills and door tracks) and pick up lingering dirt with ease.

Use drain covers

We recently wrote about an incredible tool that pulls hair and clogs out of drains, but this tip means it shouldn’t come to that.

Carolina recommends using drain covers in the shower to collect debris before it creates a blockage – and they’re universal, so fit every sink and plughole.

Buy a five-pack of reusable drain covers for £8.99 at Amazon.

Make homemade toilet fizzers

You’ve likely seen those effervescent toilet cleaning bombs in supermarkets, although you can save cash by making your own.

Carolina mixes baking soda, water, and citric acid into a paste, patting the mixture into a large ice cube tray. After leaving to dry overnight, the cubes can be stored in a cool, dry place and dropped down the loo whenever you want to refresh the cistern.

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Add a clean towel to your dryer

If you have a dryer, Carolina says you can speed up drying time by putting a clean towel in with your load.

You can experiment with wet or dry additions, as different appliances will give different results.

Use a silicone toilet brush

Toilet brushes can harbour bacteria, dirt, and smells, so the Perth mum recommends switching to a silicone version instead.

It’s far more hygienic, plus the ergonomic design allows you to reach areas bulkier brushes can miss.

Buy for £7.98 at Amazon.

Invest in a power scrubber

Carolina shows off a nifty gadget for lessening effort when cleaning the bathroom and kitchen.

The electric power scrubber has a number of heads, rotating at 300RPM to do the hard work of shining windows, showers, and hard surfaces for you.

It’s also a favourite of cleanfluencer Mrs Hinch, and super useful if you have mobility or accessibility issues.

Buy for £32.99 at Amazon.

🧠 How to clean smarter not harder – Part 9 #cleaninghacks #homehackswithcarolina #homehacks #hometips

Save on heavy lifting when changing sheets

Changing bedsheets is a necessary task, but one that can really take it out of you.

Carolina reduces the need for heavy lifting with a purpose-made wedge that can slot under and elevate the mattress for sheet changing.

It’s a simple product that really fits the definition of cleaning smarter not harder.

Buy a pack of two for £15.99 at Amazon.

Use shaving cream for a sparkling shine

Rather than using shaving cream for its intended purpose, Carolina’s tip is to repurpose it as a cleaning product instead.

Any old shaving foam works, and the household guru says ‘it’ll be shiny and smells amazing.’

Remove water stains from around taps

The bases of taps can get grimy, with hard water stains and mildew sticking to the sealant and requiring a lot of scrubbing – until now, that is.

Carolina advises soaking cleaning cloths in white vinegar, before wrapping the fabric around the bottom of the tap and leaving to do its magic. When the stains appear to be lifting, simply wipe away any residue.

🏠 How to clean smarter not harder – Part 14 🧽🌸 #homehackswithcarolina #homehacks #cleaninghacks #cleaningtips

Make eco-friendly cleaning wipes

Disposable wipes are bad for the planet, however this tip allows you to have cloths to hand that are reusable and environmentally-friendly.

In a large container, mix two cups of water, one cup of vinegar, and half a cup of rubbing alcohol. Add your favourite (clean) cloths to the jar and you’ve got disinfectant wipes that can be washed after use.

Choose a wet/dry vacuum

To save you time on mopping up spills, Carolina’s holy grail is a wet/dry vacuum that makes light work of liquid, dust, and everything in between.

‘Clean up nasty spills without breaking your back,’ says the mum.

Her choice is the Bissell CrossWave, which is suitable for hard floors and area rugs alike. Go for a Febreze solution in the machine to eliminate pet smells too.

Buy the Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro for £239 (was £299.99) at Amazon.

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