After a long day, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as crawling under the covers for a night of restful z’s. That is, as long as your sheets are as soft as a cloud — scratchy bedding will have you tossing and turning. If your sheets feel more like sandpaper than silk, there’s good news: An easy, inexpensive solution to softening them is only one wash away.

Forget fabric softeners, which are full of chemicals and leave behind a waxy coating. No need to throw down a paycheck on pricey bedding either. Instead, reach for two items that are likely already in your pantry: baking soda and distilled white vinegar.

These kitchen staples are a powerful cleaning combo, helping to deodorize your garbage disposal, deep clean your washing machine, or lift stains from wooden cutting boards. Turns out they’re just as effective as a natural fabric softener.

Why use baking soda and vinegar? Baking soda helps break down detergent buildup, while vinegar dissolves residues and relaxes fabric fibers. Together they’re a dynamic sheet-softening duo, all without chemicals or artificial fragrances. Don’t worry about your freshly laundered bedding smelling like vinegar either — the scent disappears once the sheets are dry.

How To Soften Sheets Naturally

1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drum of your washing machine. Then add your sheets, and wash them on a hot water cycle without additional detergent. 

2. When the rinse cycle begins, pour ½ cup of distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment. For best results, switch to cold water during the rinse cycle.

3. Line dry the sheets, or dry them on low heat using wool dryer balls.

4. Repeat this process every few weeks to maintain softness.

Note: If your sheets are dirty, you’ll want to wash them with detergent first, then proceed to softening.

A Bonus Trick To Try

Salt is another kitchen staple that can double as a natural fabric softener. Since it’s mildly abrasive, salt helps break down stiffening agents (such as starch), relaxing the fibers, and making them feel softer over time. Add 1 cup of salt to a tub of cool water, then soak your sheets overnight. The next day, wash your bedding as usual.

Cleaning the microwave is a task that often falls by the wayside. If you get food splatter all over the walls while you’re cooking, wiping them down is probably the last thing you want to do before tucking into your meal. Then again, leave it for another day and you’ll be met with baked-on sauces or hardened bits of food that are tough to remove, especially in those tight corners.

Thankfully, a few inexpensive household items are all it takes to loosen microwave grime. Try this steam cleaning hack that will leave you with a spotless microwave in a matter of seconds.

Farewell, Microwave Mess

To remove stubborn stains, take advantage of the microwave’s heating function to soften them. Start by combining 1 cup of tap water, 1 to 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, and two or three lemon slices in a microwave-safe bowl. (For maximum cleaning power, squeeze some of the juice from the lemon slices into the water.) Leave the bowl uncovered and set your microwave to high. Run it for two to three minutes, or until the liquid mixture is steaming hot.

The next step is very important: When the microwave beeps, leave the door closed for five minutes. This allows all of that vinegar-rich steam to soften up the food particles, requiring no effort on your part. When everything has cooled, open the door and carefully remove the bowl. Dip a microfiber cloth in your cleaning solution, wring it out, and use it to wipe down the interior of the microwave.

Cleaning With Vinegar and Lemon

Steam makes quick work of wiping away all that grime and grit. Once you’re finished with this chore, don’t toss the remaining cleaning mix — put it to good use elsewhere. You can use the ingredients to gently and effectively clean other areas of your home. 

Both vinegar and lemons are acidic, making them great options for breaking down dirt and grime. Use the cleaning solution to wipe down the outside of your microwave, the inside and outside of your refrigerator, your cooktop, nonmarble countertops, or soap scum buildup in the bathroom.

If you’ve got specific spots you just can’t seem to clean with a crevice tool — perhaps sliding glass door tracks or under the refrigerator — give this simple hack a try. You likely already have what you need in your recycling bin right now.

An Unexpected Vacuum Attachment

The smaller the opening, the more suction you’re going to get out of your vacuum cleaner attachment. Hard-to-reach areas in your home or car may require narrow precision to remove all the dirt. In these instances, simply reach for a toilet paper or paper towel roll.

The little cardboard tube you typically toss in the bin can be repurposed to deep clean tight spaces, such as window tracks, car consoles, baseboards, crown molding, and even between grooves or notches in hardwood flooring.

To use this cleaning hack, first remove any attachments from your vacuum hose. (If you need a bit more reach, however, keep the crevice tool on.) Then, slide one end of the toilet paper or paper towel roll right over the hose. If it doesn’t fit securely, add a couple of rubber bands or tape. Fold or bend the other end of the roll to fit the shape of the space you need to clean. All that’s left is to power on your vacuum and use your new DIY custom attachment to pick up stubborn dirt, hair, and debris.

This hack is also a great way to vacuum delicate surfaces, such as painted areas; the cardboard is much softer and less abrasive than plastic attachments. So, start saving those toilet paper and paper towel rolls — they’re your secret weapon for keeping those hard-to-reach areas spotless.

In addition to being gentle on the rug (or carpet, for that matter), a squeegee is a veritable magnet for pet hair. Use it the same way you would on anything else: Run the rubber blade along the rug’s surface in a sweeping motion, allowing you to easily lift and gather the pet hair. From there, use the vacuum as you normally would — only now, it’ll get rid of all the fur, not just surface-level debris.

Below the Surface

You may need to squeegee every other day or once a week, depending on how many pets you have, how much they shed, and your rug or carpet type. The good news is that a squeegee is just as effective on upholstery, car interiors, bedding, and even hardwood. They’re sold online and at most big-box stores, usually for around $10.

You can also prevent buildup by regularly brushing your furry friend. A good brush will also set you back $10 or so, and many pets love it. Regular brushing is proven to have many benefits beyond ensuring your rugs and carpets stay clean: keeping your pet’s skin healthy, their coat shiny, and even strengthening your bond with them.