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1. Vacuum in both directions. If you don't, you're likely to miss small pieces of dirt and dust that get trapped under the fibers of your carpet.
Looking for more vacuuming tips? Read about the seven most common vacuuming mistakes here.
2. Vodka can clean mildew and mold. Spray onto mold or mildew, wait ten minutes, and rinse clean to eliminate the problem.
Have an excess of vodka after the holidays? Here are 12 unexpected uses to clean your whole house.
3. Newspaper is not actually the best cleaner for glass. It can leave streaks and ink marks, so use rags or paper towels instead.
We busted six more cleaning myths — read them here.
4. Replace your loofah! The fluffy cleaners are breeding grounds for all sorts of gross bacteria. Make sure to replace yours every few weeks.
Read more about the dirtiest places in your bathroom.
5. You can make your own all-purpose cleaner. Combine baking soda and water, and you'll never need to buy brand again.
Want your cleaners to go completely homemade? Find more recipes here!
6. Reusable grocery bags are gross. (But only if you use them to carry meat!) Half of the bags tested carried disease-causing bacteria like E.coli. Ew!
What other secret spots in your kitchen are dirty? Find out here!
7. Clean... your house plants? Yes, really. Shine and dust their leaves to make sure they're living to their fullest potential.
What else are you forgetting to clean? We've rounded up the most frequently forgotten spots.
8. Wearing shoes in the house really does track in a lot of dirt. It's probably easiest to make "shoes off" your household rule.
Everyone tells themselves these cleaning lies — and we've figured out the fixes.
9. Don't mix stainless steel and silver in your dishwasher's flatware bucket! If they touch, it can cause a reaction and pitting.
What other dishwasher mistakes are you making? We've found the most common ones — read them here.
10. Keep your bed clutter-free. Yes, that means you've got to cut down on the throw pillows. It will help your whole house look cleaner.
Tired of constantly cleaning your house? We've got tips to cut your cleaning time in half here.
11. Furniture polish could cause skin cancer. Wait, what??? It's true: Certain brands contain the chemicals phenol and nitrobenzene, which can be absorbed by your skin and can cause skin cancer.
Learn more about 13 dangerous household items here.
12. Deep-cleaning your carpets? Have it done professionally. It's the best way to make sure the messy job is done right.
What are some other chores you shouldn't do yourself? Read them here.
13. You can clean plastic toys in the dishwasher. Obviously, make sure they don't have any electronic parts first.
Read more surprising uses for your dishwasher!
14. Buff your floors with a cloth diaper. Since they're so soft, they make the perfect material to buff out small imperfections.
Read more here.
15. Don't skimp on the trash can. A good one will be sturdy and large and make keeping your house clean so much easier.
Find more cleaning tips from the pros here.
What are the best cleaning tips YOU learned in 2014? Tell us below!
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