10 TikTok Home Cleaning Hacks That Are Surprisingly Effective

Let’s be honest: most of the “hacks” for cleaning that you find online are either too messy, too expensive, or just plain wrong. If you’ve ever gotten lost in the TikTok rabbit hole of #CleanTok, though, you’ve definitely seen some really creative ideas that make you wonder, “Wait, does that really work?”

I’ve tried and looked into a lot of these popular tips. And no, I’m not going to say the same thing about baking soda and lemon that everyone else is saying. This list is not the same.

These aren’t just popular for the sake of views; they’re useful, work, and have scientific backing (or at least a few million views and some pros’ approval). You can find anything here that really works, whether you’re cleaning your kitchen thoroughly or attempting to get rid of the scent of a locker room in your bathroom.

The best part? Most of these are quick, cheap, and use things you probably already have. No fancy things. No tricks from influencers. Just true answers that clever people like you want to know.

Are you ready to clean smarter, not harder? Let’s get started.

What is the strangest way you’ve ever cleaned? Please let me know in the comments if you think it should be here next time.

1. Drop a Dishwasher Tablet in Your Sink — It Cuts Grease Like Magic

This one has become popular for a reason. People on TikTok are putting a single dishwasher tablet into a blocked kitchen sink full of hot water instead of scouring it with traditional dish soap over and over again. The grease on pans, utensils, and even the walls of the sink comes off like butter after you let it dissolve and sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

It sounds a little crazy, but this really works. Why? Dishwasher pills have degreasing ingredients and enzymes that break down the hardest food dirt, which is something that conventional soaps typically have trouble with.

When it really shines: cleaning up after cooking, especially after frying or baking. You can put greasy trays, oven racks, or stove grates in the water and skip the back-breaking scrub.

If you are going to use the tablet on something that touches food, be sure it doesn’t smell or have bleach in it. Most people appear to swear by Finish or Cascade Platinum.

Why this works: Which.co.uk says that the enzymes in good dishwasher tablets are engineered to break down proteins and lipids, even in brief wash cycles. So they work much better when you let them soak.

2. Use Shaving Foam to Defog Mirrors and Clean Grime

Doesn’t it sound silly? But shaving foam (the kind you use in the bathroom) is one of the strangest but most effective ways to clean mirrors. Put on a tiny coating, wait a minute, and then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. It not only gets rid of smudges and toothpaste splatter, but it also leaves a protective film that keeps the mirror from fogging up for days.

This approach is great for people who take quick showers and despise using a towel to wipe down a foggy mirror that just makes everything worse.

It also works on chrome taps and glass shower doors, which is a nice bonus. Some cleaners even use it in the winter on car windscreens to keep them from fogging up.

Why this works: One Good Thing by Jillee says that shaving foam has surfactants that cut through oils and a little glycerin that keeps the fog away.

Avoid using shaving products that are gel-like or have strong colours or scents. Stay with the original white foam.

What people who really utilise it say: Many people have said in Reddit’s r/CleaningTips thread that this works especially well in bathrooms with a lot of humidity. One person stated, “I do this once a week and the mirror never fogs up again.”

3. Clean Glass Stovetops with Just Baking Soda and a Hot Towel

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on glass-top cleaners. TikTok developers have come up with a surprisingly easy way to clean your glass hob: sprinkle baking soda on it, soak a towel in hot water, wring it out a little and lay it flat over the top. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then wipe everything down. Grime comes right off.

You don’t have to scrub, which is what makes this hack so great. The towel’s heat loosens the crud that has burned on, and the baking soda breaks it down without harming the glass.

When you cook a lot, your cooker can have those foggy burnt rings or greasy buildup. This is where it truly helps.

Why this works: Baking soda is slightly abrasive and alkaline, which helps get food off of surfaces without hurting them. The steam from the towel makes the residue softer, so they work together.

Treehugger, a reliable source, talks about this procedure in their guide to eco-friendly kitchen cleaning. They say it’s safe for most smooth cooktops, but you shouldn’t use metal scrubbers.

The hashtag #stovetopcleaninghack has been seen over 10 million times on TikTok. Videos made this way always get thousands of shares since the before and after outcomes are so different.

4. Use Vinegar-Soaked Toilet Paper to Melt Hard Water Stains

This one is for the mineral rings that no brush can get rid of. Instead of cleaning all the time, you can soak some paper towels or toilet paper in white vinegar and put them around the rim of the toilet bowl or over the soiled sections of your sink or taps. Leave it alone for a few hours (or overnight), then take it off and rinse it.

You don’t need harsh chemicals to get rid of limescale buildup; vinegar does it. And toilet paper helps keep it in place better than a liquid spray would.

When to use it: This is especially helpful for getting rid of yellowish or chalky buildup inside your toilet, around faucets, or on showerheads if you reside in an area with hard water.

Why it works: The Washington Post’s cleaning mythbusters say that vinegar’s 5% acetic acid level is strong enough to break down calcium carbonate, which is what hard water muck is, but it won’t hurt porcelain or chrome.

Important: Don’t ever use vinegar and bleach-based cleansers together. That mix lets forth poisonous gas.

This one balances well with earlier kitchen-focused hacks and taps into eco-conscious readers who want to avoid chemical-heavy toilet cleaners.

5. Use Fabric Softener to Dust Baseboards and Prevent Static Buildup

Most people think of fabric softener as something to use on clothes, not to clean. But here’s the twist: mix it with water in a 1:4 ratio, dip a microfiber cloth in the mix, and use it to clean your baseboards, TV stands, or any other surface that draws dust like a magnet.

It leaves behind a thin, invisible layer that keeps static away, which means that less dust sticks to your surfaces in the first place.

Great for homes with dogs or rooms that always appear like they need to be dusted again.

Why this works: Conditioning ingredients in fabric softeners are meant to make garments less static. That similar action works on hard surfaces, like wood or plastic, to keep dust from clinging to them.

Be careful not to overuse it; a gentle wipe is all you need. And don’t use this trick on wood or electronics that haven’t been treated.

Bonus tip: If you’re redesigning or renovating your laundry area, installing a laundry chute can seriously cut down the mess and effort of carrying loads back and forth — it’s a game-changer for multi-level homes.

6. Drop a Scented Dryer Sheet Into Your Toilet Paper Roll

This one is not only smart, it’s almost hard to see. Fold a scented dryer sheet in half and put it within the cardboard core of your toilet paper roll. The roll distributes a light, clean scent into the bathroom as it spins, without any sprays, plugs or chemicals.

Even if you haven’t deep cleaned that week, this little touch makes the space feel instantly fresher.

The best part is that it’s private. Guests won’t see anything, but they’ll smell the difference.

Why this works: Dryer sheets have a lot of aroma and anti-static chemicals that progressively let off scent over time. The gentle movement helps the aroma spread naturally because toilet rolls are used a lot.

Tip: Use scents that are soft, like linen, lavender, or citrus, so they don’t overrun small areas. And change the sheet every few weeks to keep the same effect.

Where it fits: This is great for guest bathrooms or small apartments where the air doesn’t move much and scents stay.

7. Use Boiling Water + Lemon Slices to Degrease Sticky Kitchen Floors

It’s not just your imagination if your kitchen floor still seems sticky after mopping. Cooking vapours cause grease to build up slowly, especially around the stove. A popular TikTok trick has folks boiling water, adding fresh lemon slices (or a few teaspoons of lemon juice), and utilising that as a mop rinse. It cuts through oil a lot better than cold or lukewarm water.

Why it works: Boiling water helps loosen and remove oily residue from tile or laminate, while lemon’s natural citric acid breaks down fats while leaving a clean, fresh smell.

When to use this: Once a week in busy parts of the kitchen. Works best if you often cook with oil or have pets that walk through.

Important: Before cleaning, let the water cool down a bit so that the mop heads and sensitive floor finishes don’t get damaged. And don’t use this on hardwood that hasn’t been treated or waxed.

According to AllRecipes, lemon is a natural degreaser that works on more than just countertops. It also works on glass stovetops and tiled floors. Thousands of comments on CleanTok videos under #floorcleaningtips back up this approach, saying it cuts mop time in half.

To make it work better, add a squirt of natural dish soap to give it an extra degreasing boost. Just don’t let it become too sudsy, or your floor will be slippery.

8. Use a Damp Kitchen Sponge to Pull Pet Hair from Furniture and Rugs

Don’t use lint rollers. This TikTok hack can save you time and money if you have dogs and fabric furnishings. Get a clean kitchen sponge wet and then drag it around your sofa, carpeting, or automobile seat. Hair bunches up quickly—like, really quickly—and it’s easy to pick up and throw away.

This procedure works best on cushions, carpeted stairs, or the inside of a car where pet hair gets stuck deep in the fibres.

Why this works: The friction and moisture produce static electricity, which helps the sponge grip onto loose hair and pull it to the surface. It’s easier on your back than vacuuming and more cheaper than buying a lot of sticky sheets.

Tip: Use a sponge that isn’t fully smooth and wring it out well so you don’t get your furniture wet. To assist get rid of static, put a drop of fabric softener in the water.

9. Sprinkle Baking Soda + Essential Oil on Your Mattress to Neutralize Odors

You wash your linens, but when was the last time you cleaned your mattress? Over time, dust mites, sweat, and invisible dirt can build up, which can make things smell musty and even irritate your skin.

Here’s a way to clean without scrubbing: combine a cup of baking soda with 10 to 15 drops of your favourite essential oil (like lavender or tea tree) and sprinkle it all over your mattress. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you can. Then, using your upholstery attachment, slowly hoover it off.

Why this works: Baking soda soaks up moisture and gets rid of smells, while essential oils give things a fresh, relaxing smell and may help fight bacteria. It’s safe, easy, and natural.

From TikTok: There are plenty of videos under #mattresscleaning that show this procedure. Some people do it every month as part of their habit to reboot.

Tip: Do this just before you change your sheets. Let the mattress sit for a few hours with a window open. When you lie down, it will feel much fresher.

10. Microwave a Bowl of Vinegar Water to Clean and Deodorize Fast

This one went viral on TikTok because it looks so awful and oddly satisfying: put some water and a couple teaspoons of white vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it on high for 3 to 5 minutes. After that, keep the door closed for another 2–3 minutes so that the steam can loosen up all the dirt.

When you open the door, you’ll see that the built-up spatter, dried sauces, and bad smells have mostly melted away. You don’t need to clean it; just wipe it down with a sponge.

Why this works: The steam makes dried food supple, and the vinegar cuts through fat and gets rid of smells. And it’s safe for you.

Add some lemon slices or a touch of cinnamon to the dish for a cleaner, nicer smell.

If you’re using a small microwave, put a toothpick in the bowl to keep the water from bubbling over.

Tried One of These? Tell Me What Worked (and What Didn’t)

Cleaning tips come and go, especially on TikTok. Some are only to get views. But what about the 10 tricks above? They really do deliver. I’ve tried most of them myself or read enough reviews to know they’re not simply made up.

It’s your time now.

If you attempt any of these at home or already swear by one, let us know how it went in the comments. Do you have a strange but useful trick? I want to hear that too.

Build Smarter. Clean Faster.

At Build Like New, we share only the hacks that actually work — no fluff, no fake trends.

• Tried one of these tips? Let us know what worked.
• Bookmark us for more real-life home solutions.
• New hacks drop weekly — don’t miss out.

Because you deserve better than just viral noise.

If you’re working on improving your home both inside and out, you might also want to check out our guide on how to build safer deck stairs — practical, durable, and smartly designed for long-term use.

Disclaimer

The cleaning tips shared in this article are for informational purposes only and based on publicly available advice, personal testing, and social media trends. Results may vary depending on materials, surfaces, and individual circumstances.

Always test any product or method on a small, hidden area first. Build Like News is not responsible for any damage caused by improper use of these tips. For deep cleaning or specialized needs, consult a certified cleaning professional.

We do not endorse or have any affiliation with the TikTok creators mentioned, and all trademarks or brands are property of their respective owners.