11 Cleaning Hacks For Singaporean Married Couples That Will Make Cohabiting A Breeze

Cleaning hacks at home

It’s been a while since you’ve figured that he/she was a keeper, and you’ve long since moved into your first flat with them. And while you’re finally the proud owner of a stylish new pad, you may find that staying together isn’t as rosy as it seems.

Perhaps your partner splashed his drink over the couch the last time y’all Netflixed a horror movie together, or your S/O has been mistakenly rinsing down pieces of food into the sink instead of taking them out. 

To make sure you guys are on the same page with housekeeping, here are 12 cleaning hacks to help start you off on the right foot, and to right the wrongs in the easiest ways possible.

1. Use a pillowcase to get the dust off your ceiling fan

Image credit: Pinterest

You think you’re adulting pretty well by remembering to sweep the floor, but dust bunnies have been accumulating on your ceiling fan for weeks now. Every time you turn it on, the dust on the blades are thrown into the air, which is bad news for people with dust allergies.

A simple trick to getting the dust off is to use a pillowcase. Encase a fan blade like you would a pillow, kiap down with your hands at the end and pull it back along the blade. The dust will get trapped and fall into the pillowcase. Turn the fan, and repeat with the other blades, then use a rag or vacuum with a flexi hose attachment to get rid of the remaining dust!

2. Use mayonnaise to get rid of stubborn water stains on wood

Image credit: Pinterest

You’ve got the dream house you wanted – all decked out in that minimalist-chic Muji aesthetic. But forget your coaster one time, and now there’s an ugly water ring on the pretty light wood table that totally ruins the aesthetics.

But there’s an easy way to get rid of the stain – simply spoon some full-fat mayonnaise onto the stain, leaving it on for at least an hour. The oil from the mayo will seep into the wood, pushing the water out. The result – a gleaming, unmarred tabletop.

3. Banish dust mites from your mattress by using baking soda and a vacuum cleaner

You: Bae is the only one I’d let sleep beside me.
Me, an intellectual: Millions of dust mites live in our mattresses, and you’re snoozing with all of them.

Whether or not you’ve sensitive skin, snuggling up with millions of tiny bugs shouldn’t be acceptable for anyone. Luckily, it’s easy getting the pesky dust mites out of your mattress.

If your mattress has a fabric surface, mix one cup of baking soda with a few drops of an essential oil of your choice. Sprinkle the mixture on the mattress and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, vacuum it off – your mattress will be mite-free and will smell like lavender/citrus/rosemary.

4. Unclog the drain at your sink with baking soda and vinegar

It’s sweet to pamper your boo with delicious home cooked meals when he/she comes home from work, but months of washing random bits of food down the sink can cause it to become clogged up with grime.

But don’t start panicking when the sink gets choked – instead, pour in one cup of baking soda, followed by a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water. Cover the drain and wait for 5-10 minutes, then flush it with boiling water. If the water doesn’t go down easily, repeat.

5. Get rid of germs on your sponges by putting them in the microwave

Image credit: Pinterest

You might not realise it, but your kitchen sponges are packed with microscopic bacteria.

Don’t bother cleaning your dishes with an equally dirty sponge. Simply wet your sponges, place them on a microwave-safe surface, and then pop them into your microwave oven. Turn the microwave on high for 2 minutes. This helps kill off 99% of the germs that’s made your sponge their home.

Fun fact: Studies have shown that our kitchen sponge contains even more bacteria than a toilet seat! Dishwashers can also be a more hygienic and water-efficient option if you hate manually scrubbing off grime after dinner.

6. Clean windows and mirrors with black tea and newspaper

Your bathroom mirror is covered with flecks of toothpaste, while your windows are full of grubby fingerprints and perhaps some dog nose smudges too. The usual cleaning products tend to be too harsh, creating streaks on the mirror and resulting in a blotchy surface.

Image credit: Pinterest

As a solution, brew strong black tea – about 2-3 bags – and mist over the stains – you can even enjoy a cuppa while you get to work wiping. Instead of a cloth, use newspapers since its rigid fibres won’t create lint.

Make sure the ink is not petroleum-based so that it doesn’t stain your clean windows. Press down on a page with your thumb and index finger for a minute to check for any ink stains.

7. Remove burned food from pots and pans with baking soda and white vinegar

Image credit: Pinterest

Okay, maybe your first attempt at preparing a big meal for boo didn’t go so well, and now there’s burnt food at the bottom of your pan. Don’t worry, though – if your pan is only mildly charred, simply soak overnight, then use a scouring pad to remove the food the next day.

If your rice is really chao ta, fetch the miracle duo – baking soda and white vinegar. Mix them with water, and heat the mixture in the pan on medium until it starts boiling. Don’t forget to keep the lid on! After another 3-4 minutes, lower the heat – the gunk should come off easily.

8. Remove rust with Coca-Cola and tinfoil

Image credit: Pinterest

Every time your mom-in-law comes around, she’d complain about the general lack of cleanliness in the house or nag about your diet. Well, kill two birds with one stone by proving coke isn’t just for destroying teeth enamel – it can defeat rust too.

Simply dip a rag in Coca-Cola, then wipe back and forth a few times. Next, scrunch up a ball of tinfoil and scrub away the rust – your wardrobe rods, chair legs and bed frames will be left shining. You’ve just scored extra points for being a great in-law!

9. Soak up a spill on your carpet with salt

Drinks, a furball’s tail and a clean carpet – a recipe for disaster. Image credit: Pinterest

Maybe your doggo’s over-excited tail’s gotten the better of the glass of red wine you’ve set on the coffee table, spilling it all over your carpet and causing the stain of your nightmares.

Don’t resort to searching up carpet cleaning services just yet though. Pour a lump of salt onto the spill. Wait for 15 minutes until the salt soaks up the liquid, then vacuum it away with a gentle hose attachment that won’t rub the spill into the carpet.

But seriously – next time, just hold the glass in your hand while you watch Netflix.

10. Clean up oil splatters on countertops and kitchen walls with vegetable oil

Image credit: Bosch

You might have left the oil splatters for too long after that exhausting homemade fry, and they’ve hardened into unsightly brown splotches. To get rid of them, simply place a couple of drops of vegetable oil onto a cloth or paper towel, and wipe away the oil stains. The idea sounds absurd – fighting oil with more oil – but it works. #Science

Next, take a clean cloth or paper towel and buff the surface lightly so a very thin layer of the vegetable oil remains. This will leave the kitchen looking shiny and bright, while also making future messes easier to clean up.

Tip: Install a hood to keep airborne grease and odours away too, so you can keep your kitchen smelling clean and fresh! And if you’re in need of space, consider a downdraft hood.

11. Clean your sofa with a handheld vacuum and homemade sprays

Image credit: Pinterest

Your sofa’s probably covered in all sorts of dirt and debris, from the times you snacked in front of the TV, or when your pet decided to make the couch her permanent home.

For a quick clean, suck up any crumbs, dirt and pet hair with the brush attachment on your vacuum. Try the cordless Bosch Unlimited’s special upholstery brush, for instance.

Stain removal is slightly trickier since it varies with the fabric your couch is made of. For:

  • Leather upholstery: Mix ½ cup olive oil with ¼ cup of vinegar.
  • Fabric upholstery: Mix ¼ cup of vinegar, ¾ warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle.
  • Synthetic upholstery: Mix ½ cup vinegar, 1 cup of warm water and ½ tablespoon of dish soap.

Pour each mixture into a spray bottle and mist over the stains of the couch, and remove the cleaning solutions with a clean towel that’s moistened with water.

Make sure your home stays spotless with the Bosch Unlimited

These cleaning hacks help to save time, and so does a good vacuum like the Bosch Unlimited, which comes with add-ons that’ll help you clean every nook and cranny.

 Besides the normal brush attachment to clean up all the big spaces, the Bosch Unlimited is detachable, with a handheld vacuum that’s handy with table tops and shelves. It also comes with a long rubber hose attachment and special upholstery brush to reach hard-to-get areas or pesky hair/fur respectively.

It works easily, too – it’s a cordless vacuum you can operate nimbly, plus it has unlimited run-time. You won’t need to stop midway into your cleaning spree and wait for it to charge up again – just replace the battery with the spare. 

When you’re done, simply mount the vacuum against a wall – given how compact it is, it wouldn’t take up much space. With this valuable addition, you’ll be well equipped to handle any cleaning crisis in your house.

Find out more about the Bosch Unlimited here!


This post was brought to you by Bosch.

Si Qi Yang

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