10 simple hacks that will change the way you clean forever

Elbow grease? Never heard of it.

We get it. Between kids, jobs or both, trying to keep the place spick and span is hard. That's why hacks are your best friend. Some of these cleaning tricks are truly ingenious – who knew the incredible cleaning properties of salt mixed with grapefruit or what a hero a piece of bread could be in the battle against glass splinters? Prepare to be amazed as we embark on the list of a lifetime (or maybe I'm the only person whose life is this sad).

1. Run rings around bathtub rings

Got a ring of scum around your bathtub? Cut a grapefruit in half and sprinkle with salt. Spray the bath and sprinkle additional salt on the bottom. Then use the fruit as a scrubber, making sure to get the juice on every surface. Rinse clean and enjoy. Via Apartment Therapy

2. No effort pot scrubbing

Fill the bottom of the dirty pan with water and add a cup of white vinegar. Simmer for a few minutes. Take the pan off the stove and add two tablespoons baking soda. Empty the pan and scrub lightly to remove burn marks.

3. Coffee grinder refresher

I use my coffee grinder to finely chop fresh herbs, which is why this cleaning hack is boss. How does one clean a grinder without sustaining an injury? Grind a piece of bread or uncooked white rice to remove old odors, then grind one tablespoon of baking soda to clean and wipe thoroughly. Via Martha Stewart

4. Eradicate greasy stains on clothes

Apply a generous glob of dishwashing liquid to the stain, work in gently and then pop into a regular wash. Got greasy fingerprints on the walls? Ehh, who doesn't with our adorable children out to touch every available surface with their sticky mitts? Cover the stains with white chalk, wait a few minutes and then wipe the chalk away with a damp cloth. Via One Little Project

5. How to clean a mattress while fixing a drink

Nightmares about filthy, unwashable mattresses haunt your nights? Of course they do. We spend roughly one-third of our lives on a mattress that can't be cleaned. Or can it? Pour vodka and a few drops of your favourite essential oil (lavender is said to aid sleep) into a spray bottle, spritz lightly across your mattress and leave it to air-dry. The alcohol kills odor-causing bacteria and disinfects the mattress while the oil will freshen up the whole room. Via the Lone Home Ranger

6. Hoover up the hurl

If you're a parent, you most likely have the frequent joy of cleaning up a loved one's sick. This hands-off approach will make the task marginally more bearable. Make a paste of baking soda and water, and spread it over the affected area (making sure to hold your breath). Let it dry overnight. The following day simply hoover up the paste, et voila – vom be gone. Also works for urine and carpets. Via Veronica's Creative Spot

7. Broken glass remover

Who knew that the humble sliced pan is a hero in the fight against glass shards? Carefully press a piece of white bread all over the area where the glass was broken. This will remove even the tiniest pieces. Via Real Simple

8. Steam clean the microwave

Halve a couple lemons and put in a glass dish with water. Zap until the water starts to boil. Allow to sit and steam for a minute before opening. Now wipe clean with an ease greater than anything you could've possibly anticipated. Via Stacking the Cool

9. Watermark time-machine

"No, NOOOOO. Don't put that there." Got a watermark? Act fast. Soak up excess moisture with a towel, then blast it with a hair dryer while it is still damp. Via Homemade Mamas

10. Buy this totally awesome, not at all cruel, baby-grow

Sure they're down there anyway, they might as well make themselves useful. Via Better Than Pants