9 Ultimate Grandma Hacks to Simplify Your Life

Helpful tips to do more with less.

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DIY
Grandmother teaching her granddaughter how to bake.

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Some of the best wisdom is handed down from  grandmothers to grandchildren. From how to bake an apple pie to the best way to get stains out of laundry, grandmothers are a wealth of information.

Even without the  many labor-saving devices that are around today, grandmothers know how to make things sparkle without investing a small fortune, according to Southern Living. But, with so many people living far away from their grandparents this wisdom could be lost unless you seek it out. That’s why TikTok influencers like Brunch with Babs that give practical grandma advice on just about anything are so popular.

Here are nine ultimate grandma hacks that can simplify your life:

Clean From the Top Down

Whether you are cleaning windows or walls or even dusting furniture, always clean from the top down, according to Southern Living. That’s because gravity allows all the dirt, grime and dust to go down. If you wash walls and windows from the bottom up or sweep before dusting, you will end up having to do it all over again.

Woman cleaning windows.

(Simol1407 / Shutterstock.com)

Do Seasonal Deep Cleans

Stay in sync with the seasons, suggested Country Living. Do a thorough spring cleaning to get rid of the winter grime on windows, and carpets. In the fall do a pre-winter clean up. That’s the time to change furnace filters, clean leaves out of gutters, and winter-proof your home. Clean your closets with each change of the season to get rid of clothing you will never wear again.

Heavy duty spring cleaning.

(LightField Studios / Shutterstock.com)

Do More With Less

Today there are millions of specialty cleaners; from grease cleaners to products designed for counter tops to specialty cleaners for showers, sinks and toilets. That’s a lot of unnecessary cleans when one all-purpose cleaner can do most of these tasks. One of these is Borax which is extremely versatile or you can DIY your own cleaners.

Natural cleaners.

(HalynaRom / Shutterstock.com)

DIY Vinegar Fabric Softener

Instead of buying dryer sheets or fabric softeners, you can save money by using white vinegar instead, according to the DevotedGrandma blog. It will soften your clothing, reduce static, and it can be used by people with sensitive skin. Just add half a cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine

Folding soft laundry.

 (LightField Studios / Shutterstock.com)

Clean Jewelry With Toothpaste

Did you know that you can use toothpaste to clean sterling silver jewelry? Your grandmother does. Just put a small amount of toothpaste on a soft cloth and gently rub it into your jewelry.  Thoroughly rinse and you will have sparkling silver.

Cleaning jewelry with toothpaste,

(Kwangmoozaa / Shutterstop.com)

Naturally Freshen Air

Don’t buy commercial air fresheners. There are natural ways to keep your home smelling great without chemicals. You can use a simmer pot to counteract strong kitchen smells or use an essential oil diffuser. You can also use scented candles with soothing scents like vanilla to make your home smell inviting.

Diffuse essential oils to make your home smell fresh.

(Josep Suria  / shutterstock.com)

Clean With Grapefruit

Keep your bathroom sparkling without commercial products. DevotedGrandma suggests cutting a grapefruit in half and sprinkle it with salt. Then use the grapefruit to scrub your tub, shower, and sink. It really works because the citric acid in the grapefruit works together to break down grime. You will have a clean and fresh citrus smelling bathroom.

Organize With Bread Clips

Bread clips can do much more than keep your bread fresh. You can use them to help you organize your cords. Just label with a permanent marker and use the clips to help identify your chargers and electrical cords.

Bread clips can be repurposed.

(Francois Lariviere / Shutterstock.com)

Wax Your Air Vents

Dusting is not fun even when you can reach what you are cleaning like a table, but it becomes a real chore if it is really high up like air vents. According to the one good thing blog, you can rub a little bit of car wax on the air vents or AC vents in your home. The wax helps prevent dust from building up.

Dusting air vents.

(JulieK2 / Shutterstock.com)