Six spring‑cleaning hacks to freshen your home without spending more

South Africans can give their homes a deep spring clean without spending much money by using common household items and simple tricks that replace specialised products and equipment.

Turn old clothes into cleaning cloths

Before discarding old T‑shirts, vests or towels, cut them into smaller pieces to reuse as cleaning cloths for windows, floors, walls, baths and other surfaces. Clean cotton T‑shirts can also be used to dry hair and help reduce frizz.

Make a streak‑free window cleaner

Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and add a drop of dishwashing liquid. Spray the mixture onto windows and wipe with newspaper to leave the glass looking clean and streak‑free.

Remove cobwebs with a towel and broom

To reach cobwebs in ceiling corners and around light fittings, wrap an old towel around the end of a broom and secure it with a hair tie or rubber band. Run the covered broom along corners and ceilings to collect cobwebs without special equipment.

Clean blinds using braai tongs

Attach two microfibre cloths to a pair of braai tongs with rubber bands or hair ties. Run the tongs along each blind slat to remove dust, then wash the cloths when finished.

Use steam to loosen oven grease

Place water and white vinegar in an oven‑safe dish and heat the oven to 180°C. Let the mixture heat for about 30 minutes, then switch off the oven and let it cool before wiping away the loosened grease.

Freshen the microwave with lemon

Pour a cup of water into a microwave‑safe bowl and squeeze the juice from half a lemon into it. Heat the mixture for five minutes, let it cool, then wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp cloth; the steam helps loosen dried‑on food while the lemon leaves a fresher smell.