5 Life-Changing Cleaning Hacks We Learned on TikTok

5 TikTok Cleaning Hacks That Will Change Your Life

These are cleaning tips you have to see to believe.

Updated on February 15, 2023

Ever wonder whether TikTok cleaning hacks are the real deal? Us too! So we put down our phones and started experimenting. Plenty were duds (shocker!), but some will truly make your home nicer and your life easier.

01 of 05

Fix Scuff Marks with a Tennis Ball

Those streaks on your floor have finally met their match. Just use a tennis ball like an eraser to scrub away the scuff. No chemicals here, so this is safe for any kind of floor (hardwood, tile, etc.).

WE TRIED IT: “I erased more than a dozen smudges left from my apartment’s previous tenant in five minutes flat.” —Teddy Willson, assistant editor

02 of 05

Fix Stinky Drains with Mouthwash

Dinner may have smelled amazing. But that doesn’t mean you want to get a whiff of it when you’re standing at the sink…a week later. Banish odors by pouring three capfuls of mouthwash down the drain. The same antibacterial properties that fight bad breath will kill off germs in your plumbing, which will smell minty-fresh.

WE TRIED IT: “My bathroom sink doesn’t drain quickly and can give off a bad smell. I was very surprised to find that this works there too!” —Flavia Nunez, fashion editor

03 of 05

Fix Fabric Stains with Shaving Cream

Don’t cry over spilled wine. Instead, grab a can of shaving cream and spray it over the stain ASAP. (Sooner is always better when it comes to treating stains.) Let the foam sit for 30 minutes, then rinse and rub the stain. It should vanish before your eyes!

WE TRIED IT “In the name of science, I stained a T-shirt with coffee, wine, and ketchup. The shaving cream lifted all three right up.” —Lisa Freedman, executive editor

04 of 05

Fix Discolored Coffee Mugs with Baking Soda

Most people have a few coffee mugs that just will not get clean, no matter how much they scour them with dish soap. Baking soda to the rescue! Mix a quarter cup with a few teaspoons of water to create a thick paste. Then scrub your favorite mugs with a sponge for a few minutes until the stains are g-o-n-e!

WE TRIED IT “I have a mug that holds sentimental value. I was scared to put any heavy-duty cleaners in it, so I tried this and was stunned! Years’ worth of coffee stains came out!” —Leslie Corona, senior home editor

05 of 05

Fix Dull Flatware with Aluminum Foil

Utensils looking a little, well, not shiny? Ball up some aluminum foil (it’s fine if it has already been used), toss it into the flatware caddy, and run your usual cycle. A chemical reaction occurs between the foil and the dishwasher detergent, helping to burnish the flatware.

WE TRIED IT “This couldn’t have been easier. One cycle later, my cloudy forks and spoons were sparkling again.” —T.W.

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