20+ Hard-Working People Who Found Real Treasure Under a Thick Layer of Dirt

Very few people can say that cleaning is their favorite activity. However, sooner or later, you’ll have to muster up all your willpower, pick up a rag and a sponge, and start cleaning. Sometimes the results of such work are so amazing that it’s hard to believe that such beauty was hidden under all those layers of dust, grease, and dirt.

At Bright Side, we love to look at drastic transformations. That’s why we found photos from Internet users who achieved a high level of mastery while cleaning things. In the end, you’ll find a bonus feature that proves that you should never go overboard, even while cleaning.

“I cleaned and organized the kitchen at my mother-in-law’s house! It looks so much better! In total, it took about 30 hours from start to finish.”

“It’s amazing what toothpaste and an old toothbrush can do for your shoes!”

“I’ve worn these earrings for years and never cleaned them before. Here’s the before and after.”

“I found it in my recycling bin. It’s a shared bin with my neighbors who must’ve not seen its potential! I picked it up and cleaned it.”

“Initially, I used some white vinegar to get the rust off, then lots of scrubbing with steel wool. Then I did 2 coats of seasoning in the oven!”

“This is my grandmother’s lace nightgown from the 1920s. It was so dirty, I was disgusted to touch it. But I washed it clean, and now it’s so beautiful!”

“I cleaned the cruddy 90-year-old pan.”

“Here’s what I did with my very first pressure washer!”

“The hob hasn’t been cleaned for 2 years. It took me 2 hours and a lot of scrubbing to remove the dried-on layers.”

“We had professional carpet cleaning done in the cafe where I work.”

“I received this secondhand kettle, cleaned it up, and descaled it with vinegar. Good as new!”

“Someone threw away this kid’s playhouse, and we picked it up and cleaned it.”

“These shoes are more than 10 years old. Recently, I got caught in the rain with them. My girlfriend said we couldn’t save them and just had to throw them away. But I was sure I could handle the challenge.”

“I restored this lodge star mold.”

“This is what happens to an old bench when you clean it with a pressure washer.”

“I cleaned this Wagner 1891 frying pan.”

“My favorite pillows had those annoying fluff bits on them. I went over them with a cheap razor and loved the outcome!”

“I bought this Le Creuset tea kettle for $3.70 and cleaned it up with a little baking soda.”

“The back patio of our new house — it hasn’t been cleaned in around 40 years.”

“This pot endured years of abuse before I learned of this miracle cleaner.”

“I’m a little speechless. I genuinely thought our patios and paths were made with brown slabs.”

“When I saw these on Facebook marketplace for $23, I had to give it a go. They were muddy all over the inside and outside, but I cleaned them up and wore them all winter.”

“I spent 7 glorious hours today shampooing my carpets.”

“My first restoration project included a stainless steel wire scrub and lots of elbow grease.”

“A 1951 National New Yorker lap steel! The seller dismissed it as a dirty, broken guitar and I got it for $5! Now it’s all cleaned up.”

“It’s my first time using a power washer, and I’m in love.”

“My sister gave me this funny cast iron baking pan. I cleaned it up and baked with it. My kids devoured the biscuits in minutes.”

Bonus: The main thing to remember while cleaning is not to go overboard.

“In the mid-’90s, my mother came to visit me. On the very first day, I found my Teflon frying pan cleaned off to the silvery color. I almost had a heart attack. I asked her why she did it. She said, ’It was so black inside. How could you neglect your pans like that?!’ I was so happy she found only one pan and not the entire set! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry! The funny thing is that this Teflon pan worked well, even without its cover.” © Gabriela Rybchenko / Facebook

Did you ever manage to clean off something really dirty? Share your life hacks in the comments below.