Think your kitchen or bathroom is only stocked with food and toiletries? Think again. Turns out, some of the most powerful cleaning tools might be hiding in plain sight. We’re talking about clothes, skincare items, or even your toothbrush.
One Redditor on r/CleaningTips kicked off a viral thread by asking people what’s the most unexpectedly brilliant household item they’ve used for cleaning. The responses were as weird as they were wonderful. From baby powder to Coke, people shared the oddball tools that somehow outperform traditional cleaners. We’ve gathered some of the top tips below.
- Exfoliating Gloves: Turns out these aren’t just for spa days. Redditors swear by exfoliating gloves for scrubbing everything from grimy sinks to bathroom tiles. Because you can use your fingers directly, they’re perfect for getting into tight corners and crevices, and then you can just toss them in the wash.
- Nylon Tights: Have old, run-down tights? Don’t toss them. Use them to dust off candles or rub away wax residue from glass. Their texture makes them oddly perfect for delicate surfaces that still need a good polish.
- Baby Powder: Oil stains don’t stand a chance against a little sprinkle of baby powder. Dust it onto the spot, brush it gently with a dry toothbrush, and add a dab of liquid detergent before the wash. It’s surprisingly effective at lifting greasy messes from clothes.
- Disposable Diapers: It sounds wild, but diapers are a secret weapon for dusting around toilets. Their lining grabs onto fuzzy gunk like dog hair and lint that clings to damp porcelain. One Redditor even said they buy a small pack just for this job.
- Electric Toothbrush: An old or extra electric toothbrush might be your new favorite cleaning buddy. It's great for scrubbing tricky spots like faucet bases, grout lines, and juicer screens. The oscillating bristles reach into all those nooks your sponge avoids.
- Denture Cleaning Tablets: These fizzy tablets aren't just for dentures anymore. People use them to clean water bottles, vases, and even to de-scale shower heads. Just drop one in with hot water and let the bubbling magic happen.
Source: Martha Stewart