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As a young professional who just moved out, cleaning my room is the most annoying task when I get home. Especially the microwave - it's truly my nightmare! Last night I heated up a bowl of spicy hot pot, and the soup splattered everywhere, leaving the whole microwave interior covered in red oil. When I tried to clean it this morning, all the grease had solidified and wouldn't wipe off, which really stressed me out. However, I've recently figured out quite a few cleaning tips, which I'll share with everyone today. Let's bid farewell to mess and disorder together!

Lemon Degreasing

Microwave grease is really a pain point for every young person. It's incredibly annoying, especially for us young people who love ordering takeout and frequently use the microwave to heat food. After a while, the inside becomes unbearable to look at. But recently, I discovered an incredibly simple cleaning method - you can easily handle it with just a lemon!

I remember once seeing a cleaning blogger share this lemon degreasing method on Xiaohongshu, and I thought it seemed too simple. But I bought a few lemons to try it out anyway. The results were amazing! I found a large glass bowl, filled it about two-thirds with water, and threw in two lemon slices. Then I put the bowl in the microwave and set it for two minutes on high.

After two minutes, the whole microwave was filled with a fresh lemon scent. When I opened the microwave door, you could see steam everywhere, and all the stubborn grease had softened. I took a cloth and wiped gently, and those previously impossible-to-remove oil stains actually came off easily! The best part was that it left a subtle lemon fragrance, making the whole kitchen much fresher.

Later, I tried it several more times and found that fresh lemons work best. Maybe it's because fresh lemons have a higher citric acid content. Plus, fresh lemons have a stronger fragrance, which not only removes grease but also eliminates odors from the microwave. I now use this method to clean my microwave weekly, and it's super convenient.

If you don't have lemons on hand, don't worry - white vinegar is a good alternative. Once when I needed to clean the microwave urgently and didn't have any lemons, I tried using white vinegar. The process is similar - just mix white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio, then heat it in the microwave. The results are actually quite good, though the smell is stronger than lemons. I recommend ventilating well after cleaning with white vinegar.

Air Fryer Maintenance

Speaking of kitchen cleaning, we must mention young people's new favorite - the air fryer. I bought one during last year's "Double 11" sale and absolutely love it. Chicken wings, french fries, shrimp - everything turns out super delicious. But after using it for a while, I discovered a problem: the basket is extremely difficult to clean and gets increasingly yellow, looking quite unhygienic.

At first, I foolishly tried scrubbing it with dish soap, but that just made it worse. Later, I saw a cleaning expert share a method using dishwasher cleaning tablets. I was skeptical at first, since dishwasher tablets are normally used for cleaning dishwashers. But I tried it anyway as a last resort, and surprisingly, the results were amazing!

Here's how to do it: First, remove the basket from the air fryer and find a container large enough to completely submerge it. Then add one dishwasher tablet and fill with warm water to soak. I usually soak it for about 15 minutes, which is just right to fully soften the grime. After that, use a soft brush to gently scrub, and you'll find those stubborn oil stains come off easily.

Finally, just rinse thoroughly with clean water. I was absolutely amazed the first time I used this method - the yellowed basket actually regained its shine! However, I should remind everyone that different brands of air fryers may have different materials, so it's best to check the manual first to confirm if this method is suitable.

I now deep clean my air fryer using this method once a week. After each use, I just wash it simply with dish soap. This not only keeps the air fryer clean but also extends its lifespan. Plus, the food cooked in it is healthier and doesn't have any strange odors.

Oh, here's another tip. If you think it's too troublesome to use a dishwasher tablet each time, you can actually buy several at once and cut each tablet in half, so one tablet lasts for two cleanings. That's what I do - it's both economical and convenient.

Oven Corners

Ovens are truly the most difficult kitchen appliance to clean, bar none! Especially those hard-to-reach corners - they can drive you crazy. My oven is built-in, and there's always a narrow gap between it and the counter. When baking, oil and food residue fall in there and harden over time, making cleaning absolutely miserable.

Initially, I wanted to buy specialized cleaning tools, but couldn't find anything suitable after visiting several stores. Then I had a sudden idea - why not try a butter knife? This attempt actually led me to discover the trick!

Here's my method: First, prepare a butter knife and some kitchen paper. Wrap the kitchen paper around the butter knife - this both protects the knife from scratches and absorbs the dirt you clean out. Then carefully insert the knife into the gap and slowly scrape. You'll find that the dried oil and food residue come right out.

However, I must remind everyone to be gentle when scraping - don't use too much force to avoid scratching the oven or counter. I usually clean in several sessions, doing a small section at a time. After scraping, wipe with a damp cloth to keep the gap clean.

I've been using this method for several years now with great results. The butter knife's shape is perfect for cleaning these gaps, won't hurt your hands, and won't scratch the furniture. Now after using the oven, I do a quick clean using this method, which prevents too much dirt from accumulating.

Another tip is to put aluminum foil underneath when using the oven, which catches most of the oil and food residue, making cleaning much easier. Just make sure not to completely seal the oven bottom - leave some gaps for air circulation.

Carpet Care

When it comes to the hardest items to maintain at home, carpets definitely rank high. Especially for us young renters, many landlords install carpets. While they look cozy, they're a huge headache once they get dirty. The most devastating scenario is accidentally spilling red wine on the carpet - that sight is simply unbearable!

I remember once having a party at home when a friend accidentally spilled red wine on the carpet. I almost cried, thinking I'd never get my deposit back. Fortunately, I quickly searched online for treatment methods, which helped avoid a disaster.

First, don't panic in these situations, and absolutely don't rub vigorously. My initial reaction was to scrub with paper towels, but thankfully I stopped myself in time. Rubbing only makes the wine seep deeper, causing the stain to spread. The correct approach is to first use a clean white towel to gently blot and absorb the surface wine. It must be a white towel because colored towels might bleed dye.

Then comes what I consider the most magical step: making a cleaning solution with white vinegar and water. The specific ratio is 1:1 - I measured with a measuring cup, and 50 milliliters of each was enough. Pour this solution on the stain and gently wipe with a clean towel. You'll notice the wine stain gradually fading. Finally, you need patience - let the carpet dry naturally. Never use a hair dryer, as heat will set the stain into the carpet fibers.

If the stain is particularly stubborn, I recommend seeking professional cleaning services. After all, carpet cleaning is a technical skill, and they have professional equipment and cleaning agents. Though it costs money, getting your carpet looking like new makes it worthwhile.

Besides wine stains, everyday beverage stains are also common. Things like coffee and cola are handled similarly. The key is to treat them immediately, don't let the stains dry. I now keep baking soda and white vinegar at home - these two items are cleaning miracles that can handle various stains.

Regular carpet maintenance is also important. I vacuum the carpet regularly, about every two to three days. This not only keeps the carpet clean but prevents dust and dirt from accumulating. When vacuuming, it's better to go slowly to give the vacuum enough time to extract deep-seated dust.

Storage Tips

As a young renter, storage is always a challenge. Especially with bedding - it's always a puzzle during seasonal changes. I used to just roll everything up and stuff it in the closet, resulting in wrinkled bedding that needed rewashing when I wanted to use it.

Later, I saw a super practical storage method online: storing bedding inside pillowcases. This method is genius! Here's how: fold duvets and sheets neatly and pack them into pillowcases. One pillowcase can perfectly fit one set of bedding. This not only keeps bedding neat but saves a lot of storage space.

This is how I store my bedding now, and changing sheets is super convenient. Since everything's in pillowcases, you don't have to worry about dust. I also label the pillowcases to indicate which season's bedding is inside, making seasonal changes straightforward.

Speaking of storage, here's another super useful tip: using nail polish to mark keys. Renters probably all face this issue - too many keys: house key, building key, mailbox key... You have to try several times to find the right one. Then I thought of using nail polish as markers. Paint different colored nail polish on different key heads, and you can instantly tell them apart.

Plus, nail polish comes in so many colors, you can choose according to your preference. For example, I painted my house key pink and the building key blue, making them very easy to find. The key point is that nail polish is durable, doesn't fade easily, and is inexpensive. I think this is definitely an essential tip for renters.

Odor Removal Tips

Speaking of home deodorizing, I recently discovered a particularly eco-friendly method. Using coffee grounds to remove odors - the effect really exceeds expectations! I used to buy activated charcoal, but having to throw it away after use felt both wasteful and expensive.

Since discovering the coffee grounds deodorizing trick, I haven't bought activated charcoal again. The method is simple: dry used coffee grounds, put them in a breathable cloth bag, then place it in the refrigerator or shoe cabinet. Coffee grounds effectively absorb odors while releasing a subtle coffee fragrance.

Now I collect and dry coffee grounds every day after drinking coffee. It usually takes a day or two to completely dry. Dried coffee grounds can be used for about a month, and when they become less effective, just replace them with new ones. The old coffee grounds can even be used as fertilizer for potted plants, so nothing goes to waste.

This method is more eco-friendly than activated charcoal and allows for recycling coffee grounds. For us young coffee lovers, it's truly killing two birds with one stone. No more worrying about refrigerator odors - opening the fridge now brings a subtle coffee aroma, instantly elevating the quality of life.

Final Words

Actually, home cleaning isn't so scary - the key is mastering the right methods. Through these tips, I believe you too can easily create a clean and tidy home. These are experiences I've summarized from daily practice, and I hope they help everyone. If you have any unique cleaning tricks, welcome to tell me in the comments section. Let's share and improve together!