Hands-on how-tos for your home, your hobbies and the road.
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If you're trying to reduce chemical exposure in your household, you have many nontoxic substitutes for traditional dryer sheets, including wool and plastic dryer balls, sachets, reusable sheets, white vinegar, baking soda, aluminum foil, linen sprays, safety pins, and simply air-drying your clothes.
Suede, which typically comes from pig, cow or doe hide, marks and scuffs without much effort, so professional dry cleaning is often the recommended route. For smaller blemishes, though, household items can sometimes do the job. Care labels should always be consulted, and any technique ought to be tried on an inconspicuous spot first to check for discoloration or new stains.
Discover practical methods for cleaning blenders, unclogging drains, washing stove hood filters, and maintaining toasters using common household items.
Plastic wading pools offer a simple way for children, and occasionally pets, to stay cool during summer when no larger pool is available. They can also cut down on water use, since a single daily fill takes less water than hours of sprinkler operation. Once children have outgrown the pool, recycling is an alternative to throwing it away.
Bissell offers various vacuum types, some of which can handle upholstery with the right attachments. Before using any cleaning solution, check the upholstery's care label to ensure it's safe for wet cleaning.
Rust can build up on a kitchen faucet when water containing iron passes through it and leaves deposits over time. Another cause is leaving wet cast-iron cookware or utensils sitting on the base plate. Certain faucet designs include decorative iron components that deteriorate with moisture exposure and spread rust. Depending on the situation, you can address the problem with a mild acid, oil, or a store-bought rust remover.
Brown discoloration on a stainless steel cooktop may appear when improper cleaners are used or when rust starts to form. Mild solutions can eliminate these marks, while harsh chemicals like bleach should be avoided because they may harm or discolor the steel.
Goo Gone is meant to tackle messes like gum or half-eaten candy, but when it leaves an oily film on your carpet—whether from normal use or an accidental spill—you’ll need some effort to get it out completely.
When time is short, targeting the spots people notice most can refresh your home without a marathon cleaning session. These ten small tasks tackle visible dirt, grime and clutter in minutes.
When a septic issue on your property leads to overflow or strong smells spreading through the house, your carpeting can soak up that sewer odor. Getting rid of it is often a drawn-out process, and in severe situations where sewage from a backup or overflow has saturated both the carpet and the pad beneath it, replacement of those materials might be the only way to fully remove the smell.
When red food coloring ends up on a hardwood floor—whether from baking projects or Easter egg decorating—it can act as a dye and leave a stain if not addressed right away. Prompt attention with everyday household items can help lift the color without scratching the wood.
A urine-soaked mattress should be dealt with right away to prevent lingering stains and smells. Common household items are often enough to get the job done, though you might need to sleep elsewhere for a night while the mattress dries.
Melamine dinnerware offers a reusable, break-resistant option for casual meals and outdoor gatherings. Because it withstands heat better than some plastics, it can go in the lower rack, provided items are arranged to stay put and avoid the heating element.
While concrete is best known for outdoor applications such as driveways, patios, and garages, it can also serve as interior flooring when treated with stains, stamps, or sealers. Because textured concrete can be laid rough, it requires regular cleaning tailored to its surface.
