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The unlikely household items that are 'low-key legends' for cleaning

Rachael Gavin
Rachael Gavin

Sometimes the most effective cleaning tools are already in your house for another purpose.

A discussion on Reddit about the "random household items turn out to be low-key cleaning legends" has revealed some surprising hacks.

Here are some of the best and weirdest from the suggestions that might help you get your own home sparkling.

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Woman in rubber gloves with basket of cleaning supplies ready to clean up her apartment. Housewife has many household chores, domestic work and professional cleaning service. Low depth of field

You'll find cleaning tools all around the house not just in your cleaning caddy. Getty

Exfoliating gloves

Designed to be used in the shower or bath to exfoliate the skin easily, exfoliating gloves sound like an ideal addition to your cutlery drawer and cleaning caddy.

One person commented that they use exfoliating gloves to scrub potatoes, prompting another to share a handy shower cleaning trick.

"Cheap exfoliating gloves to clean the bathroom sink and shower have been a revelation for me. You can get into awkward corners with your fingers, scrub with your hands, and then toss into the washing machine. Perf!" they said.

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Cropped photo of a young woman in a waffle bathrobe doing dry brushing in bed

Forget your skin, these gloves are great for cleaning and food preparation. Getty

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Coffee filters

A discussion about using newspapers to clean windows prompted one person to share that they use coffee filters for this task.

They also work on appliances.

"Coffee filters for shining stainless steel! They clean glass too but I find the shape awkward," they said.

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Try using them for gardening too.

"Not quite a cleaning tip, but it may save you some cleaning: put one of the dollar store coffee filters in the bottom of your flower pot before you fill it with soil so that the soil doesn't come out the bottom when you water," one wrote.

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Make Pour-over Coffee,Pour Hot Water Into Coffee Powder

Keep these in your home even if you don't drink coffee - they're that handy! Getty

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Socks

There are no cloths needed when you have a spare sock handy, according to one Redditor.

"A sock, pop it over your hand for dusting, especially good for slatted blinds," they said.

But perhaps the most surprising sock hack is for the kitchen cupboard.

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"I keep an odd sock - foot cut off - over my bottle of oil. No drips in the cupboard," a Redditor commented.

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Nappies

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This might not be the most environmentally-friendly way to dust but apparently it works like a charm.

"The inside of a plain old disposable diaper for wiping down around/behind toilets, if you get the fuzz and dog hairs and people hairs that want to stick to the damp porcelain. I almost might go buy the smallest quantity possible just for cleaning, cause whatever that liner is made of just grabs that fuzzy dust, I forgot all about this until just now," one wrote.

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Mayonnaise

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Not just for sandwiches, mayonnaise can solve all sorts of household problems.

"Mayonnaise to remove sticker glue," a Redditor said.

In response another added, "and polish furniture and remove drink rings on tables."

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Dryer sheets

There are so many ways to use dryer sheets they might be worth it even if you don't have a dryer.

"A used dryer sheet for buffing water spots off glass shower doors. I was skeptical, but it actually worked way better than the vinegar spray I normally use," the original poster said.

"Dryer sheets are great at cleaning lint traps," one commented.

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"Dryer sheets to remove bugs off of cars, wet the car down, put the dryer sheet in your soapy water, then gently scrub off the bugs," another said.

A hand dropping dryer aromatic sheets in a washing machine

Forget the dryer! These sheets work wonders on shower glass, some say. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Newspaper

The old retro window and mirror cleaning trick appears to still be popular.

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"Yup - newspaper and vinegar/water was what my parents used to clean windows," a Redditor wrote.

"And if you have a wood burning fireplace this is definitely the way to clean the glass," one commented.

"Yes! I love using it. When I don't have a newspaper handy I usually have the light tan packing paper that you wrap fragile holiday decor in and I'll use that. I probably need to buy some more now that I think of it," another said.

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Use old newspaper to clean the glass.

The old ways are often the best ways. Getty

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