Drew and Jonathan’s Cleaning Hacks for Your Most Common Questions
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You asked, Drew and Jonathan answered! We recently polled out @DrewandJonathan followers to see what your biggest cleaning paint points are. Now, the Bros are exclusively sharing their answers to your most frequently asked questions, offering the best cleaning hacks and advice to make it all less of a chore.
Whether it’s protecting your flooring, getting the house to smell fresh, or handling the constant shedding from your pets, Drew and Jonathan know how to clean up a mess. Plus, they give you a few pro parenting tips and product recommendations along the way. So keep reading to find out how they handle your headaches so you can spend less time scrubbing and more time doing things you love. (Like catching up on our shows!)
What’s the best way to clean grout?
JONATHAN: Grout can get gross fast. My first suggestion is regular maintenance—once a year isn’t enough. Otherwise the buildup will be that much worse and take you that much longer. Overall, though, the answer is tried-and-true: A good grout cleaner (we have a whole list here), some elbow grease, and a little time should get your bathroom sparkling again. Make sure to let the solution sit for 5-10 minutes before you go in to scrub, and I like to use a Magic Eraser or a specific grout scrub tool. That’s really what works best.
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What’s the best way to clean windows with no streaks?
DREW: Here’s my pro tip: Clean your windows on a cloudy day. If it’s hot or sunny out, it may dry your cleaning solution faster than you wanted, leaving you with those annoying streaks. Also, dust the window with a microfiber cloth before you spray. Then, go in with your preferred window cleaner and cloth and restore your windows to their former glory!
How do I keep pet hair from taking over?
JONATHAN: As a new owner of three cats, I’m still figuring this out. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s a magical solution, but here are a few basic rules: I try to vacuum or use a pet hair remover on our couches and chairs every other day. If I wait too long, it takes fur-ever (see what I did there?) to get them back to normal. I go over my floors with a dry mop like a Swiffer every 1-2 days, and vacuum the whole place twice a week. Is it a lot of work? Yes. But their cute faces make it worth it. Oh, and don’t forget to toss a travel-sized lint roller in your bag or car…trust me on that one.
There are also a few cool products out there to consider trying:
- Sofa covers are famously unattractive, but there are newer options out there now. This one almost looks like a throw blanket, and it’s machine washable so you can just toss it in once a week instead of vacuuming your couch every day.
- Wool dryer balls are great for a lot of reasons, but one you might not have realized is that they can trap pet hair from clothes.
- Robot vacuums might be your pets’ worst enemy, but they’ll be your best friend. They’re perfect for everyday maintenance, especially since you don’t have to do the legwork. Just make sure they don’t suck up the cat!
- Check out this clever self-grooming tool. You can attach it to a corner, table leg, or anywhere your cat likes to rub up against and it’ll capture their hair. There’s also this cat play mat that has a similar built-in brush.
- An air purifier that’s made specifically for households with pets? I’m sold. It can help with odors, plus capture pet hair, dust, lint, dander, and other unmentionables.
Stop Shedding for Good!
How do I keep carpeted stairs clean? I hate them!
DREW: The first thing is to invest in high-quality, stain-resistant carpeting. That’s going to save you a lot of headaches overall. But when it comes to keeping them clean from everyday issues like shoe stains, a handheld carpet cleaner is going to be your secret weapon. A cordless, lightweight option will lift dirt and tough spots easily, plus it won’t hurt your back lugging it around. And don’t forget to treat stains right away! The longer you wait, the tougher the battle will be.
What’s the best way to clean hardwood floors without damaging them?
JONATHAN: Hardwood floors are beautiful, but they’ll only stay that way if you treat them right. Here are a few tips: Run a dry mop over them as many days as possible to prevent buildup and make it easier to vacuum. Then, make sure your vacuum has a feature for hardwood floors to prevent scratches and scuffs. Lastly, if you’re mopping your floors, make sure the mop is damp, not wet. Too much water and wood are not a good combo.
And some pro advice for scratches and dents: If you have a dent in your wood floors, you can wet it slightly; cover it with a damp towel; and run an iron set to the steam function or a steamer over it. The wood will oftentimes rise back to its original level. But a quick note that many wood floors have finishes on them, so always test in a hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t stain or warp the floor. You can also fill in a lot of scratches with a restoring product, which you can easily apply with a mop. And again, make sure to try it on an inconspicuous spot first.
How can I make my house smell fresh?
DREW: No one likes a musty house! To truly get your spaces smelling fresh, don’t just cover things up—eliminate odors at the source. Bad smells can really cling to soft surfaces, so attack stains right away and regularly clean your fabric-based items, like curtains, couches, bedding, pet beds, and throw pillow covers. Change your HVAC filters to improve air quality, which will prevent your home from smelling stale. And then it’s the little stuff, like replacing your sponges regularly, taking out the trash, and cleaning out the fridge. You’d be surprised how quickly that contributes to “what is that smell?” moments. Oh, and open the windows! A little fresh air goes a long way.
If you like to like to layer in extra scents, it’s easy to opt for a candle. But that’s not always the safest if you have little kids running around. I’m obviously a big fan of smart home products, and now they even make smart diffusers. Some let you set timers and routines, so you don’t even having to think about it. You can also refresh fabrics in-between cleans with a product like Febreze.
Keep the House Smelling Fresh
You are both parents of young kids—how do you avoid getting stains on everything?
JONATHAN: Kids need to be kids, so spills will happen. But there are a few things you can do to protect your decor (and your sanity). Choose upholstery fabrics and rugs that are stain-resistant and can be washed, like this rug from our collection. You can also cover your rooms with paint or wallpaper that wipes clean, though you’ll want to make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. And avoid keeping any permanent paints or markers around—everything should be washable. When all else fails, have the right products handy for immediate damage control. Here are a few of my go-tos:
- This spray for carpets
- This spray for clothes
- This for targeting specific stains
- This for carpets and upholstery (though always test on an inconspicuous spot first!)
- I also have these mats set up wall-to-wall in the playroom. They look great, plus are water-resistant and wipe clean. We absolutely love them.
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So, how do I do less of it?
DREW: When you find out, let us know!
