Home maintenance: DIY cleaning hacks for pipes and windows

Various household cleaning and maintenance techniques offer economical and ecological alternatives to professional services.

To clear clogged pipes, a combination of half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar can be used. The chemical reaction creates carbon dioxide and foam that loosens grease and accumulated dirt. After letting the mixture sit for 15 minutes, pouring boiling water through the drain can help flush out remaining debris.

For cleaning window tracks, particularly in sliding windows, placing long strips of toilet paper in the lower rails and applying a liquid cleaning product can be effective. By closing and then reopening the window, the moving mechanism compresses the moistened paper against the rails, allowing it to absorb dust, hair, and small residues from hard-to-reach corners.