Keeping your home fresh and spotless doesn’t have to mean stocking up on expensive cleaning products. Hot water and vinegar are two simple, natural ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen — and they can handle just about anything. From shining faucets to deodorizing trash cans, these easy tricks will make cleaning faster, cheaper, and surprisingly satisfying.
1. Descale Your Kettle
If your kettle has that chalky white buildup inside, don’t worry — it’s just limescale. Fill it halfway with water, add half a cup of vinegar, bring it to a boil, then let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse well, and it will look almost brand-new. I like to do this every couple of months so my morning tea doesn’t taste “off.”
2. Deodorize the Microwave
Microwaves can trap stubborn smells from last night’s leftovers. Just put a cup of water with two tablespoons of vinegar inside and heat until it’s steaming. The steam softens stuck-on food, so you can wipe everything clean with almost no effort. I always do this after making popcorn — it gets rid of that burnt smell fast.
3. Clean Cutting Boards
Wooden cutting boards can hold on to smells and bacteria. Spray them with hot vinegar, let it sit for five minutes, then rinse. This trick is especially helpful after chopping onions or garlic — your board will smell fresh again without using harsh chemicals.
4. Refresh the Fridge
Mix warm vinegar with a little baking soda to create a gentle cleaner. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and door seals to get rid of stains and food smells. I usually do this right before a big grocery run so I’m not putting fresh food into a messy fridge.
5. Streak-Free Windows
Forget expensive glass cleaners — equal parts hot water and vinegar work just as well. Wipe with a lint-free cloth or even newspaper for a streak-free shine. I do this on a sunny day so I can instantly see if I missed a spot.
6. Sanitize Dish Sponges
Sponges can be one of the germiest things in your kitchen. Soak them in hot water mixed with vinegar for about 10 minutes to kill bacteria and freshen them up. I like doing this at night so they’re clean and ready for the next morning.
7. Clean Coffee Makers
If your coffee is tasting bitter, it might be time to clean your machine. Fill the reservoir with equal parts water and vinegar, run a full brew cycle, then run two more cycles with just water to rinse. The next cup always tastes so much better.
8. Remove Bathroom Mold
Mold loves damp corners, but warm vinegar can tackle it naturally. Spray directly on the affected spots, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub with a brush. I keep a spray bottle ready under the sink so I can hit trouble areas right away.
9. Degrease Kitchen Filters
Those greasy stove hood filters can get nasty fast. Boil water, add vinegar, and soak the metal filters for 30 minutes. After rinsing, they’ll look and smell so much cleaner — and your kitchen air will stay fresher too.
10. Remove Tea or Coffee Stains from Cups
Fill your stained mugs with hot water and vinegar, let them soak, then scrub gently. The stains usually slide right off. I use this trick for my favorite white mug that somehow always shows every coffee ring.
11. Freshen the Kitchen Sink
Kitchen sinks can start smelling funky after a while. Pour half a cup of warm vinegar down the drain, let it sit for 10 minutes, then flush with boiling water. It’s my go-to trick after washing a lot of dishes with strong-smelling food like fish.
12. Shine Faucets
Dull faucets can make the whole kitchen or bathroom look tired. Soak a cloth in hot vinegar, wrap it around the faucet, and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping clean. The shine always surprises me — it’s like a mini renovation.
13. Clean the Blender
No need to scrub those sharp blender blades. Just fill the blender halfway with hot water, add a spoon of vinegar, blend for a few seconds, then rinse. I do this right after making smoothies to avoid dried-on fruit pulp.
14. Deodorize Trash Cans
Trash cans can hold onto smells even after you take out the bag. Wipe the inside with hot vinegar water and let it dry completely before putting in a new liner. I like to do this weekly so the kitchen always smells fresh.
15. Clean Oven Glass Doors
Grease splatters can make oven doors look cloudy. Spray with hot vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it clean. It’s one of those satisfying chores where you instantly see the difference.
16. Polish Stainless Steel Pots
Stainless steel pots can lose their shine over time. Wipe them down with a mix of hot water and vinegar for a natural, streak-free finish. I like to do this after a big cooking day so everything looks sparkling clean again.
17. Scrub Kitchen or Bathroom Tiles
Grout can get grimy fast, especially in humid areas. Mix hot water with vinegar, scrub the grout lines, and watch the dirt lift away. I usually put on some music and do one section at a time — it makes the job feel less boring.
18. Freshen Washing Machines
Even washing machines need a good clean now and then. Run an empty hot cycle with one cup of vinegar to remove buildup and bad smells. I do this once a month, and my laundry always comes out smelling fresher.
19. Clean Vacuum Filters
A dirty vacuum filter can make cleaning less effective. Wash washable filters in hot vinegar water, rinse well, and let them dry completely before reinstalling. I notice my vacuum works better right after doing this.
20. Remove Pet Odors from Floors
If you have pets, you know the smells can linger. Mop your floors with a hot water and vinegar solution to disinfect and freshen up the space. I love how it leaves the house smelling clean without using harsh chemicals.
Hot water and vinegar might be the ultimate cleaning duo. They’re inexpensive, safe, and surprisingly effective for almost every part of the house. With these 20 hacks, you can keep things fresh, shiny, and odor-free — all without filling your cabinets with chemical cleaners.
