Winter may be the time for snow and ice (or just “cooler” temps, depending on where you live), but you don’t have to wait for spring to roll around to get some cleaning done! Did you know you can even use the snow piled up outside to help you clean? Yes, really! We will share with you some amazing winter cleaning hacks...that you don’t know!
1. DIY De-Icer Spray
This easy to make spray is not only cheap, but it can also de-ice multiple things! It can melt the ice off of your windshield in literally seconds, along with taking the ice off of locks and even the door frame. Mix 1 cup water and 1 cup isopropyl alcohol in a clean spray bottle, give it a little shake before each use, spray where the ice is, and watch with amazement as the ice melts away in mere seconds! Feel free to keep a bottle in your car - it won’t freeze!
2. The Magic of Snow
Now, hear me out on this one. You can use the million feet of white stuff outside, along with those freezing temps, to clean area rugs and mats! It’s super simple and fast: Lay the rug or mat face down in the snow and beat it with a broom. Flip it and beat it again. Then simply sweep the snow from the rug and hang it to dry! You could also add a little baking soda to the rug when you bring it inside and vacuum it up before replacing it. The theory is, the snow and cold temps are deodorizing, they kill bacteria, and also remove dust, dirt, and grime. Also, it’s free and there’s a TON of it!
3. Upgrade That Salt on the Sidewalk
During winter, it’s pretty popular and well-known that you need to put salt over your outside walkways. This way, they won’t get icy. However, after a while, the salt tends to eat away the cement. And no one wants to keep replacing that! Lucky for you, there’s a simple but effective alternative: just mix 1 tsp of Dawn dish soap, 1tbsp of rubbing alcohol, and a half-gallon of hot or warm water and pour over your walkways. They won’t refreeze and it won’t damage your walkways like salt!
4. Prevent Sticky Snow
So you’re already outside shoveling or snow-blowing your walkways clean, and now the snow keeps sticking to your shovel and snowblower. UGH! There is a quick fix for this: car wax! Simply apply 2 thick coats to your shovel or the inside of your snow blower’s chute. That snow won’t stick anymore!
5. Ditch the De-Icer
We gave you a great DIY de-icing spray above (and we recommend keeping a bottle in your car for when you’re out and about), but what if you just skipped the de-icing process altogether? It’s possible and super easy! Get a tarp, cover the windshield/front of your vehicle, and simply remove the tarp when you’re ready to go! It’s fast and effective - no scraping or spraying required!
Wintertime can be gloomy, but you can make your life a little easier with the tips above. Do you have any winter cleaning hacks that you use? Let us know below!
XOXO,
Your Squeaky Green Team