The Best Cleaning Hacks for People Who Hate Cleaning

I'll admit it: my home doesn't look like a museum.

It's a busy, lived in home where juice gets spilled, dishes pile up, toys seem to multiply overnight, and the windows don't always sparkle.

For years, I've searched for realistic cleaning tips that actually work for people who don't enjoy cleaning. Recently, I came across advice from American blogger Maggie Olson, who has built a following by turning cleaning into something practical rather than overwhelming.

Her philosophy is simple: cleaning shouldn't feel like punishment. With the right methods, you can spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your home.

From her clever shower cleaning trick using vinegar and dish soap to her stress free approach to tackling the refrigerator, these are the tips that helped me get my house back under control before summer break.

Make Your Kitchen Easier to Maintain

I cook most of our meals, so the kitchen is the first place to become messy. Regular maintenance keeps it from turning into a major project.

Oven

Maggie isn't a fan of relying on a self cleaning oven.

Instead, she recommends using steam to loosen baked on grease.

Place a heat safe dish filled with water inside a hot oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Keep the door closed so the steam softens stubborn grime. After turning off the oven and allowing it to cool slightly, remove the racks and wipe the interior with a sponge dipped in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

For especially stubborn stains, spread a paste made from baking soda and water over the affected areas and leave it overnight before scrubbing.

The oven racks can be cleaned in the sink or, if suitable, in the dishwasher.

Stovetop

A quick wipe often isn't enough.

Every few months, remove the burners and other removable parts to clean them thoroughly by hand or in the dishwasher. While they dry, wipe the stovetop with an all purpose cleaner or a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water.

Sink

Every few weeks, give your sink a deeper clean using warm water, dish soap, and a sponge.

Pay special attention to areas beneath the soap dispenser and around the drain, where grime often builds up unnoticed.

Microwave

If food splatters inside the microwave, clean it right away.

For routine cleaning every few months, heat a microwave safe bowl filled with equal parts water and vinegar until it begins to steam. Let the steam loosen dried food before wiping the interior clean with a sponge.

Refrigerator

Cleaning the refrigerator may be one of the least enjoyable household jobs, but Maggie has a system that makes it easier.

Start with an empty sink or dishwasher so you have room for containers and shelves. Empty the trash first.

Then work one shelf at a time, throwing away spoiled food and wiping shelves with a vinegar and water solution. Remove drawers whenever possible for a more thorough cleaning.

As you return everything, look for duplicate items and move frequently forgotten foods to more visible spots.

Counters and Floors

Wipe countertops and sweep the kitchen floor as needed, even if that means every day.

A quick daily routine is far easier than tackling weeks of built up mess all at once.

Bring Order Back to the Living Room

The living room often becomes the busiest room in the house, especially for families with young children. It's where people play, relax, eat, and gather, which means clutter builds up quickly.

Vacuum rugs regularly, especially in high traffic areas. Sweep wood floors weekly, or more often if crumbs and dirt become noticeable.

Once a year, remove your couch cushions and vacuum every surface thoroughly, including the spaces between the cushions where crumbs, dust, and forgotten items tend to collect.

Keep a small bag nearby. You may be surprised by how many missing toys, hair clips, pens, and coins you discover.

Don't forget the finishing touches. Dust blinds, wash curtains, clean windows, wipe light fixtures, and remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners.

One of Maggie's favorite tricks is to place an old sock over your hand instead of using a dust cloth. It makes reaching awkward corners much easier.

A Simpler Way to Clean the Bathroom

The bathroom needs regular attention, but Maggie believes it doesn't require an entire cabinet full of expensive cleaning products.

Shower and Bathtub

Her favorite cleaning solution comes from her grandmother.

Warm one cup of white vinegar in the microwave, then combine it with one cup of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle.

Remove shampoo bottles and other items from the shower before spraying the mixture generously over the walls, tub, and shower doors.

Leave it for about an hour.

Then, wearing gloves, wipe everything down with a sponge before rinsing with water. The soap residue should come away much more easily.

Toilet

Clean the bowl thoroughly with a toilet brush, but don't stop there.

Remember to wipe the seat, lid, tank, and base as well.

Sink and Mirror

Scrub toothpaste residue from the sink, then polish the mirror with glass cleaner for a streak free finish.

Don't Overlook the Bedroom

Considering we spend about one third of our lives there, the bedroom deserves regular attention too.

Wash bed sheets at least every two weeks to remove sweat, skin cells, and dust.

Dust the headboard and clean beneath the bed at least once a year. It's often surprising how much dust and how many long lost belongings collect underneath.

Finally, dust bedside tables, wipe light fixtures, and take a minute to put away anything that has accumulated on nearby surfaces.

The goal isn't to create a picture perfect home. It's to make cleaning feel manageable by breaking it into simple tasks that are easier to keep up with. And if the house only stays spotless until the kids get home, that's perfectly fine too.