If you're anything like us, then you're probably always on the lookout for new and improved ways to get your cleaning done – quickly, effectively and (preferably) cheaply.

After all, there's nothing worse than spending hours scrubbing away at something without making any real progress… or even making things worse in the process!

Thankfully, there are ways to make cleaning a lot less painful (and time-consuming) than it has to be. We're talking about those so-called 'life hacks' that make things easier – usually by using items you already have around the house in new and innovative ways.

And trust us, once you've tried a few of them out for yourself, you'll wish you'd known about them sooner! But which ones are worth trying? And which ones are just a waste of time?

Keeping your home clean doesn't have to be an overwhelming chore. Credit: Getty Images.

Luckily for us, Wilko has gone ahead and done all the hard work by conducting extensive research into some of the best (and most popular) life hacks out there.

Based on their findings, they compiled a list of what they believe are the top 10 best tips that everyone should know about… and we think they might just have hit the nail on the head with this one!

Coming in at number one is a little hack that involves using dishwasher tablets instead of harsh chemicals or elbow grease to clean your oven - especially helpful if your oven is looking a bit worse for wear after months (or even years) of use.

All you need to do is dampen one tablet with water and use it as if it were a regular oven cleaner; give everything a good scrub until all those stubborn stains come off with ease. It really is that simple!

And once you're done, make sure to rinse away any residual cleaner with plain water, so your food doesn't end up tasting funny later on.

If you're tired of using the same old methods to clean your oven, try using a dishwashing tablet instead. Credit: Getty Images.

If you love that cleaning hack, you might also want to consider trying out some of the other hacks on the list…

• If you want to keep your rubbish bin smelling nice, try placing a paper towel soaked in a disinfectant spray under the rubbish bag.
• If you have young grandchildren at home, it is recommended that you invest in washable paint, as this will make removing any scuffs or scratches left behind by their rough play a breeze.
• Keep your refrigerator spotless with ease by using the dishwasher to clean the salad drawers and a cotton swab to remove dust and grime from the rubber seal.
• To avoid having to waste time picking up disgusting vegetable scraps from the salad drawers, line them with a paper towel.
• Wearing a rubber glove and rubbing it on the carpet after vacuuming is an easy way to remove any stray hairs that may have been missed.
• Moisture absorbers can be used instead of costly dehumidifiers in smaller, damp areas. Applying a wet seal before wallpapering or painting can also help to cover up any blemishes effectively.
• Cold water reacts with starch and dairy to better loosen greasy residue from pots and pans; thus, it's ideal for washing dishes that contain them.
• If you wash your clothes at a lower temperature or on a cold wash, add a drop of laundry disinfectant. This will help you save money on your energy bill because the liquid will kill germs without having to switch to a setting of 30 degrees or more.

We hope that these 'life hacks' will be helpful, folks! And if you have any others that you think should be included, please share them with the rest of us in the comments; we value your input and would love to see what you have to say!

 

[Thecheesequeen]

The dishwasher tablet to clean the oven definitely does NOT work! It was a total waste of time and effort.