Household chores are a never-ending reality of life. In fact, on average women spend more than two hours a day on household activities, which include housework and cooking, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Time Use Survey. Tackle your home’s dirtiest rooms with these quick tips to make chores easier and more effective.

Getting started

House cleaning is not a pleasant task, so pump yourself up by creating a cleaning playlist. If you lack motivation, a rockin’ soundtrack will get you off the couch.

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Dishwasher duty

Once a week, shake baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe around the machine’s edges to remove stuck-on food or stains. To clean the inside, run an empty cycle with Dishwasher Magic — to kill bacteria like E-coli. During cold and flu season, add a quarter-cup of bleach to the regular dish cycle to kill bacteria.

Zap the sponge

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We all know that sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing excess water out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it’s shredded and smelly, replace it.

Disinfect the kitchen sink

Moen makes cleaning the sink easier with its new Walden pullout kitchen faucet, available exclusively at The Home Depot, featuring the innovative Reflex system. Its self-retracting wand helps fill large pots, reduces splashing and improves rinsing in and around the sink.

Refrigerator refresh

One trick to get rid of refrigerator smells is to open a canister of oatmeal and place it in the fridge for a few days to absorb odors.

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Tackle the toilet

For a thorough wipe down, spray a disinfecting bathroom cleaner or chlorine bleach into the bowl and allow it to sit for 10 minutes to fully annihilate germs. To maintain cleanliness, pour one cup of baking soda into the bowl each week to keep it fresh.

Scour the shower

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Make shower doors shine by rubbing a teaspoon of lemon oil on them twice a month, causing water to bead up and roll off. Or, try Rain-X Original Glass Treatment, a car-care product made to keep rainwater off your wind-shield. Use it twice a year.

Spotless sinks

After your family finishes brushing their teeth or shaving, use a dry terrycloth hand towel on the mirror and bathroom faucets to wipe away spots of lather so they won’t build up. For a spotless fixture around the clock, consider the new Moen Ashville bathroom faucet featuring Microban antimicrobial protection. The faucet is available at The Home Depot.

Take care of toys

Gather stuffed toys and wash them in hot water and dry before using again. Place stuffed toys that can’t be washed in the freezer for 24 hours, then rinse in cold water to remove dead mites, and dry completely.

Eliminating pet hair

If you’re having a difficult time removing pet hair from furniture put on a wet rubber dishwashing glove and wipe your hand over surfaces.

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Stop clutter at the front door

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Mount a plastic or cloth shoe rack inside your front entry closet door and use it to stash all kinds of living and family room items. You can even designate one of the pockets for mail you’re not sure whether to save or toss.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.