How to use these hacks (and why they work)

Professional cleaners rely on simple systems, not complicated gadgets. Before you start, set up a lean cleaning caddy with microfibres, a squeegee, dish soap, vinegar, bicarb, gloves, a brush, an old toothbrush and a lint roller. Use a zone based routine so you clean one contained area at a time instead of jumping between rooms.

Universal pro rules that make cleaning work even better:

• Declutter first
• Clean top-to-bottom, left-to-right
• Finish with floors last
• Use dwell time (spray → leave → clean another space)
• Apply the Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, such as wiping a spill or putting away a charger, do it immediately. It prevents clutter from building up.

Below, you’ll find 11 expert cleaning hacks designed for Aussie homes. And for renters, each hack includes an optional “end-of-tenancy boost” so you can pass inspections with confidence.

1. The 10-minute room blitz (with a basket)

Set a 10-minute timer and use a laundry basket to gather loose items such as clothes, toys, paperwork and chargers. Clear visible surfaces, then wipe high touch points like door handles, switches and remotes. This stops cleaning creep and creates immediate momentum.

End-of-tenancy boost: After decluttering, add skirting boards, window sills and wardrobe shelves. These tiny extras often mean the difference between “clean” and “inspection-ready”.

2. Cheap shower screen magic: vinegar steam + squeegee

Turn hot water on briefly to steam the bathroom, spray a 50/50 vinegar-water mix on glass and tiles, let it sit 5–10 minutes, then wipe and finish with a squeegee. Excellent for soap scum, streaks and mineral deposits.

Cheap Cleaning hacks: Cleaning hacks that use low cost ingredients often start with vinegar. It is one of the cheapest and most effective cleaning staples you can buy.

Extra tip: Extra tip: For grout smells or old tile odours, apply shaving foam, leave it for ten minutes and rinse. It is a popular Australian cleaning hack.

End-of-tenancy boost: Clean edges, seals and metal frames; agents check them closely.

3. Oven reset without the harsh fumes

Place a heat safe bowl of hot water with lemon slices in a warm, switched off oven for 15-20 minutes to loosen grease. Apply a bicarb-water paste to stubborn spots, scrub lightly, then wipe with a damp microfibre.

Upgrade for baked-on trays: Scrub with a ball of foil instead of scourers. It’s cheap, fast and highly effective.

End-of-tenancy boost: Clean oven racks, side rails, the rubber door seal and both sides of the oven glass.

4. Laundry room rescue: washer drawer & seal refresh

Pull out the detergent drawer, soak and scrub with dish soap + an old toothbrush. Wipe the rubber door seal, then run a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar or bicarb.

Cheap cleaning hack: This refresh uses low cost items you already have in your kitchen.

Extra hack: Old cotton T-shirts make fantastic lint-free washing machine rags - free and reusable.

End-of-tenancy boost: Dust behind and under the machine.

5. Pillowcase trick for dusty ceiling fans (no snowstorm)

Slip a pillowcase over each blade and pull it back to trap dust inside. Wipe the housing with a damp microfibre. No snowstorm of dust on your bed or sofa.

Cheap cleaning hacks: Reuse an old pillowcase; it works better than most branded fan tools.

6. Microfibre + method = faster whole-home wins

Use microfibres for most surfaces because they trap more dirt and reduce the need for chemical cleaners. Dust high areas first (cornices, cupboards), then mid-level furniture, then skirting. Vacuum last, mop after.

Extra detailing hack: Use an old toothbrush for grout, taps, vents, window tracks and tricky corners.

End-of-tenancy boost: Clean blind slats, internal window tracks and wardrobe runners, common inspection hotspots.

7. Budget-friendly degreasing: hot water, dish soap, dwell time

For greasy cabinets, splashbacks or rangehood filters: soak in hot water with a few drops of dish soap and let it sit 5–10 minutes. Dwell time does the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Cleaning hacks cheap: Dish soap is one of the best low cost cleaners in your home. A small amount goes a long way.

Extra hack: Use used dryer sheets to dust baseboards and appliance fronts - they attract dust and leave surfaces smoother for longer.

8. “Two birds” multitask: soak & switch

Spray bathroom surfaces (soap scum, limescale, mirrors). While they dwell, move to another room to dust or vacuum. Rotate back. This method keeps you moving from one task to another without downtime.

This method appears in professional cleaning schedules worldwide because it reduces total cleaning time dramatically.

9. Pantry power trio: bicarb, vinegar, lemon

This classic trio appears across nearly all “cleaning hacks cheap” lists for good reason.

• Bicarb: deodorises bins, lifts grime in ovens, scrubs sinks and grout.
• Vinegar: cuts mineral deposits and leaves glass streak-free (avoid on stone).
• Lemon: brightens stainless steel, removes fridge smells, deodorises microwaves.

Extra tip: Make a DIY all-purpose spray

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• A squeeze of dish soap
• Optional lemon or eucalyptus oil - cheap, effective and safe for most surfaces.

10) Textiles & dust magnets: lint roller + vacuum brush

Lamp shades, headboards, sofas and cushions trap dust. A lint roller grabs surface debris quickly; follow with a vacuum brush for a deeper lift.

Extra tricks:

• Use a coffee filter to clean mirrors without streaks.
• For blinds, slide an old sock over your hand and wipe slats with a 50/50 vinegar-water mix.

11. Flyscreens & tracks: quick clean that changes the whole look

Where safe, pop out flyscreens, vacuum them and wash them with soapy water. Let them dry fully before reinstalling. Clean window tracks with a vacuum nozzle, then use cotton buds or a narrow brush for corners.

Extra hack:

• Use a toothbrush dipped in bicarb + vinegar foam for stubborn track grime.
• Dryer sheets also work well for dust on screens.

End-of-tenancy boost: Clean behind curtains and blinds; property managers often check.

Bonus: “Clean as you go” micro-habits that stick

Buy (small but mighty kit):

• Microfibres (general + glass)
• Squeegee
• Dish soap
• Vinegar
• Bicarb
• Rubber gloves
• Extendable duster
• Lint roller
• A decent vacuum
• Old T-shirts → rags (free!)

Skip:

• Single-use gimmicks
• Expensive niche cleaners
• Over-scented wipes (wasteful and pricey)

A minimalist kit is what real professionals use. Method matters more than products.

End-of-tenancy call-outs (when “clean” must be “inspection-ready”)

Prioritise:

• Oven + rangehood filters
• Shower screens, grout, tile edges
• Windows (inside), tracks, flyscreens
• Inside cupboards + drawers
• Skirting boards + door frames
• High-touch points (switches, handles)

These are the items most often missed in professional re-cleans.

Prefer to outsource? Get quotes from trusted cleaners on Bark. Compare prices, availability and reviews instantly!

The Bark advantage: Data, insights & pro-verified shortcuts

Because Bark connects thousands of Australians with trusted professional cleaners every year, we’re able to spot patterns, time-savers and missed areas that matter most during real cleans and real inspections. 

Here are two Bark-exclusive angles that turn everyday cleaning hacks into smarter, evidence-based wins.

1. The Bark “hackonomics” index

Not all hacks work the same way. Some save time, others save money and the best do both. Our cleaner community helped us calculate the median minutes saved and estimated product cost for each hack, turning cleaning hacks cheap into real numbers.

Why it matters:

It helps you choose the cleaning shortcuts that give the biggest payoff for your time and budget. For example, a vinegar-and-steam shower clean costs under a dollar and routinely shaves 12–15 minutes off a standard bathroom job compared with scrubbing alone.

How we measure it:

• Anonymous timing feedback from Bark cleaning professionals
• A supermarket price basket of common cleaning staples
• Average time saved across regular home cleans and pre-inspection cleans

This is cleaning, but smarter.

2. The missed-spots leaderboard

Our cleaners track the areas most likely to fail rental inspections or require re-cleans. Across thousands of jobs, the same trouble spots keep appearing:

Top 10 most-missed areas:

1. Window tracks
2. Oven glass
3. Shower grout
4. Rangehood filters
5. Skirting boards
6. Blind slats
7. Inside kitchen cupboards
8. Behind taps and fixtures
9. Internal window sills
10. Door frames and light switches

Why it helps:

Knowing these hotspots means you can focus your effort where it actually counts, especially during end-of-tenancy cleaning, where the tiniest detail can cause a re-inspection.

Want help with a deep clean or inspection-level finish?

Get quotes from trusted local cleaners on Bark where you can compare prices, read reviews and book with confidence.