Refresh Your Trash Can
Got a smelly trash can? Start by removing the bag of garbage and giving the can a good scrub. Crumble half a dishwasher tablet into the bottom and add hot water. Dissolve and scrub. Rinse and set outside to dry and naturally disinfect in the sunshine. Deter future odors and pesky flies by crumbling the other half tablet into the bottom, particularly during summer. (This works similarly to baking soda.)
Remove Mug Stains
If your coffee mugs or tea cups are looking a bit worse for wear, crumble a dishwasher tablet and put one chunk in each mug. Top with hot water and let sit for an hour before scrubbing each by hand with a clean scouring pad. They will be gleaming before long.
Clean Your Microwave
Pop a tablet into a microwave-safe bowl and cover with hot water. Let it dissolve. In the meantime, remove the rack and any crumbs from the microwave. Then use a cloth to apply the cleaning solution all around the interior. Scrub until all food residue has been removed. You will be surprised at how much grease this pulls out.
Whiten Bed Sheets and Towels
This might be the most surprising tip on the list. Because dishwasher tablets contain bleach, they are effective at cleaning and brightening white bedding, towels, and other linens. Drop a tablet in your washing machine and see the difference. Just stick with whites, so you do not accidentally bleach something that is not supposed to be.
Scour Patio Furniture
Patio furniture gets dirty after sitting outside all season (not to mention dusty when stored all winter). Add a dishwasher tablet to a bucket of hot water and tackle that furniture with a cleaning cloth. A good scrub will transform it at the start and end of patio season.
Clean Walls
Walls need regular washing too! Especially if you have pets or children in the house, they can get grimy and gross. Giving them a good scrub will brighten up a space and almost make it look like you have repainted. Use a dishwasher tablet dissolved in hot water to do this effectively.
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