It’s a Trap!

One of the best ways to get rid of fruit flies is by making a simple DIY trap.  The key ingredient is apple cider vinegar, as the fruit flies are naturally drawn to its powerful, fruity scent. Pour about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into a short, clear glass container, such as a wide-mouth Mason jar or a lowball tumbler. Cover the opening with clear plastic wrap (avoid anything opaque), and seal it shut with a rubber band.

Using a toothpick, poke three or four small holes into the plastic film, creating openings for the fruit flies to enter. The clear plastic wrap makes it difficult for the fruit flies to later find the exit, and its smooth texture provides very little grip. Once you’ve successfully trapped the flies, dispose of the glass’s contents outside. (This should be done every week or two, regardless of how many pests you’ve caught, as it’s important to keep the scent potent.)

There’s another method that skips the plastic wrap and rubber band entirely: Pour 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into a short glass, add a few drops of liquid dish soap, and leave the mixture uncovered. The soap breaks the vinegar’s surface tension, causing the flies to sink and drown.

If you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, you can buy a premade trap instead. For instance, this flying insect trap from Zevo plugs into any outlet and attracts bugs using a combination of blue and UV light. Inside, a powerful adhesive catches the flies, making them easy to dispose of.

Bonus Hack

To quote the great Homer Simpson, alcohol is “the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.” In this case, the solution to your fruit fly conundrum requires a bottle of 91% isopropyl alcohol. Pour some isopropyl alcohol into an empty spray bottle and use it to mist any fly-infested areas or common culprits, such as drains and banana stems. Remember, alcohol is flammable, so avoid spraying it on anything that may come into contact with an open flame. It’s also toxic if ingested, so don’t spray it on food you intend to eat.

Add Salt to the “Wound”

In this case, adding salt to the proverbial wound is actually a good thing. Salt is naturally hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the surrounding air — the very moisture that bacteria would otherwise thrive in. While this method won’t kill all bacteria, it does wonders for inhibiting certain strains, including some commonly associated with food contamination, such as salmonella and E. coli.

You can use any traditional salt for this hack, including table salt, sea salt, or kosher salt. Here’s how it works: Combine ¼ cup of your preferred salt with a quart of warm water, stirring vigorously until it fully dissolves. Then, fully submerge the sponge in the salt water and let it sit overnight. During this time, the salt will draw moisture out of the sponge, making it a less desirable environment for bacteria to thrive. The salt will also help draw oils out of the sponge, breaking down obvious stains and enhancing its performance.

When you wake up, remove the sponge from the salt water and rinse it under cold water to remove any salty remnants. With the salt having worked its magic, you’ll have a much cleaner sponge on your hands, meaning you can get a few more uses out of it.

Word to the Wise

As we mentioned before, this hack only kills certain bacterial strains; others, such as staphylococcus, have a high tolerance to salt and may survive. This is why you should always clean your sponge using additional methods, or replace it every two to four weeks.

According to the USDA, one of the most effective methods for killing germs is zapping a sponge in a microwave on full power for one minute, which also draws out moisture. This actually proved more successful than other popular methods (e.g., submerging the sponge in bleach or running it through the dishwasher).

Safety Warning

For safety reasons, this hack should be used only for tower fans where the blades are deeply concealed within the unit. Do not use it on fans with easily accessible or exposed blades, as these are more susceptible to breaking down and falling apart. Always wear safety goggles, stand a safe distance away from the fan, and above all, make sure the machine is unplugged.

Blast Dust Out of Your Tower Fan

To quote Bob Dylan, “the answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind” — the wind produced by a leafblower, that is. TikTok user @mandyflys737 demonstrated just how easy it is to clean your average tower fan with one. Of course, this hack isn’t for everyone. You’ll need a leafblower and a wide open space, such as a driveway or patio — two prerequisites not everyone has access to. We understand this may be limiting, but attempting this hack indoors will only send dust flying everywhere.

Begin by placing the tower fan in the middle of your driveway or patio. We recommend putting a couple of heavy objects, such as sandbags or weight plates, around the fan’s base to prevent it from tipping. Turn the leafblower on and let ’er rip, targeting the backside of the fan. The force generated by the leafblower should dislodge any hard-to-reach dust, sending it flying in the opposite direction, away from you. Even so, it’s a good idea to wear goggles to avoid getting dust in your eyes. Make sure to blow air into every last crevice of the tower fan until it looks nice and dust-free. Once complete, the fan should start blowing clean air — a welcome relief for allergy sufferers.

A Tip for People in Smaller Spaces

If you live in a small apartment without outdoor access (which likely means you also don’t own a leafblower), there are still ways to keep tower fans clean. A small canister of compressed air is a good alternative, as it’s powerful enough to dislodge dust, even if the chore takes more time. Try using the canister in an easy-to-clean area, such as the tub or shower, where you can simply wash away any leftover dust afterward.

Coffee Filters — Not Just for Coffee

While we often associate coffee with staining — whether it’s our teeth or a white button-up — coffee filters have quite the opposite effect. They’re a great cleaning tool that won’t break the bank, as they’re usually made from lint-free material. This makes them the perfect solution for stubborn streaks. You can use them to clean light fixtures, windows, kitchenware, or any other glass item.

Grab an empty spray bottle and fill it with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Despite its basic ingredients, this mixture works wonders for a streak-free shine. It’s nontoxic, and the acidity helps dissolve dirt, grime, and mineral buildup.

Note: You can use whatever commercial glass cleaner you have on hand if you don’t want to whip up one yourself; just avoid using it on any surfaces that come into contact with food.

Next, pick the right filter. Any standard bleached white coffee filter will do — they’re cheap and plentiful, and they get the job done. Steer clear of unbleached filters, which are usually brown in color and may leave behind a papery residue.

Spray the vinegar-water mixture onto the filter until it’s lightly damp. Be careful to avoid soaking the filter, as too much moisture will just create more of a mess. Wipe the damp filter along any glass surfaces in need of a clean, working your way from top to bottom in a zigzag motion. If the filter gets too moist or dirty, swap it out for another and continue until the glass is sparkling and streak-free.