Housekeeping

Desitin is one of those creams that are amazing for a wide variety of problems, especially in children and babies. However, due to its ointment-based state, it easily leaks onto clothing. You may have noticed that simply throwing the clothing in the washer doesn’t help. So, how do you remove Desitin that’s stuck on your clothing or someone else’s clothing?

One of the great luxuries of the modern home is having a water dispenser in your refrigerator door. It’s wonderful to have filtered water and ice available at the ready, but it’s not-so-wonderful when your dispenser suddenly stops shutting off. A leaky dispenser can drive you crazy and cause a slippery mess in your kitchen!

When you are washing your clothes, the last thing you’re expecting is the basement drain to back up. That is unless your basement drain continually backs up often when you do the laundry. This problem is more common than you might think. Luckily, there are a few things you can do that will stop your basement drain from backing up when washing clothes.

Whether you live in a mobile home or you’re an RV enthusiast, you must take good care of your sewage and plumbing. Remember, it is not just a truck or a vehicle; it is your home after all.

Ideally, you should replace your sheets every 2-6 years or sooner as needed. Sheets with a low thread count must be replaced within 2-3 years in many cases. They wear out much faster and easily become thin and stained.

As much as we all love our pets, we know that they can take a toll on any house or apartment they live in. Between biting, scratching, and shedding hair, they always make their presence known. That’s why you must learn how to clean pet damage before moving to avoid problems later.

Rainy weather can be relaxing if you’re at home, that is until your house smells like rotten eggs afterward. It can come as a shock when you notice sewer odors in your home, especially right after a peaceful rain. So, why is it that your house smells like rotten eggs when it rains?

Pet owners often view their dogs and cats as their furry children and would do anything to protect them. That’s why finding fleas, ticks, roundworms, and other pests on your pet can make your home a stressful environment. So, can you stay in a house with fleas?

Generally, you should start shoveling your walkways and driveway after there is more than an inch or two of snow on the ground. Shoveling an inch of snow is much easier (and faster) than shoveling five to 10 inches. 

Kittens are loving, adorable, and tiny, but they can make big messes. While they quickly adapt to litter boxes, you may have to clean a few messes before then. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to litter train a kitten.

Are you having trouble with your Heat & Glo fireplace turning on and off? This can be a bit of a mystery, however, we’ve got a few answers, that might solve your problems.

Masterforce features a variety of tools, tool storage options, and accessories, and their tools come with an unconditional lifelong warranty. Having good tools by your side when you embark on any DIY project is essential, so it’s understandable that you want to know a bit more about the tools you use. One question that often pops up is who makes Masterforce tools? The answer isn’t as simple as you would suspect.

If you are holding a barbeque and have a small propane bottle, it is essential to understand how long they stay lit. You want to make sure that poor planning won’t ruin a good barbeque. Below, we will find out how long a small propane bottle will last.

When it comes to comfort, no other mattress beats memory foam mattresses. This is due to the ability to adapt to your body size and shape. However, memory foam mattresses can also get dirty, and if you’re looking to clean them, one question will cross your mind; can a memory foam mattress be steam-cleaned?

Hoverflies are pesky little insects that love your garden as much as you. While they’re necessary for the ecosystem, they can still be a nuisance. This is especially true if they occupy your home.

People commonly use backfeeding in areas with sudden power outages due to problems at utility power grid plants or natural calamities, like hurricanes. However, although it might appear to be a good solution in some situations, is backfeeding a generator illegal?

By the nature of their design, tarps keep the elements away, but they get grimy in the process. No one wants a mud-encrusted tarp sitting on their garage shelf. But how easy are they to clean? Can you put them in the washing machine?

If you’re looking for the ideal drinkware for daily use, acrylic glasses are an excellent choice. Not only are they inexpensive, they are also incredibly durable and versatile. This makes them perfect for home, commercial, and even industrial situations. But, how do you clean acrylic glasses? Or, more specifically, “Is acrylic dishwasher safe?”

Keurig’s have become a common household appliance. They are a great way to make a cup of coffee or other hot beverage with minimal time and effort involved. And like any other household appliance, it needs to be cleaned thoroughly from time to time.

Doing any type of home improvement project is going to be a pricey matter, and if you have to hire a contractor, then things get even pricier. Of course, hiring any contractor comes with a risk. What if work is bad? Or worse, what if they don’t do the work? One of the most common issues people have is dealing with a contractor that charges far higher than what their initial estimate shows. So, what can you do?

Appliances such as washers and dryers are a modern necessity, but that doesn’t mean that they’re always easy to use. Dryers are prone to operational errors or unexplainable behavior just like any other appliance. So, why is your dryer blowing cold air, and should you be worried about it?

Hank Hill might be the world’s most popular propane salesman, and from watching King of the Hill, you’d never guess that propane is such an expensive fuel. But it is. People who are on a budget and regularly use this fuel often seek out ways to trim costs. One of the more popular rumors about propane prices is that you can get a discount if you own your tank. But is this true?

The armadillo is a cunning creature. Though fascinating in body and build, the armadillo can become a backyard pest. If your yard is becoming the new armadillo vacation hub, you may be wondering: what makes my yard so inviting and what can I do to keep them away?

Is there anything worse than going through the trouble of washing your towels, but they stink like a sweaty locker room? (Okay, there are probably lots worse things, but after you spend time doing laundry, nothing else comes to mind at that moment.) You should have fresh, clean linens, so why do your towels smell after washing?

Interestingly, the first ceiling fans were made from palm leaves hung on the ceiling. Electric ceiling fans have been around since 1882. Philip Diehl used a sewing machine motor to power a fan he attached to the ceiling.

It always seems like something is getting spilled on your carpet. It may seem like an easy-clean, but milk can leave a nasty smell even after it looks like it is gone. The person who said not to cry over spilled milk must not have noticed the lingering stench. We are going to help you get rid of that.

Shag rugs have a look and feel to them that is different from any other style of rug. They are thick, luxurious, and may never go out of style. We’ve put together this guide, on the best methods to clean a shag rug.

Preparing for the winter is an important part of life for those living in colder climates. If you own a home in a cold region, you probably have one or more fireplaces that get lots of use in the winter months.

If you’re up-to-date with the latest and greatest hairstyles, you might find yourself using hair glue quite frequently. While it’s a fantastic styling aid, it’s not so amazing when some happens to get into your carpet. Depending on the type of hair glue, it will either dry and flake throughout your carpet or dry and stick your carpet fibers together. Regardless of what it does, you need to get it out.

Do you know that feeling when, on opening the door of your dryer, you see the unmistakable signs of oily residue smeared all over your clothing? (We hope you said no!) Not only do you have to clean your dryer, but you’re also stuck trying to figure out exactly how to get the melted Chapstick out of your clothing. However, don’t worry, we have the answer for you!

Many homes across the US have basements for extra storage or finished basements can add substantial square footage to your living space. When it comes to indoor air quality, basements present their own unique set of issues, specifically, moisture control. To tackle these environmental difficulties, homeowners often install a basement dehumidifier, but will a dehumidifier in the basement help the whole house?

You must protect yourself before you can protect your home from mold after a flood. Floods can stir up harmful bacteria and materials that are dangerous to inhale. Ideally, you should protect your lungs with an N-95 mask to avoid breathing in dangerous materials. 

Homeowners are constantly searching for new ways to bring unique features into their homes. One option you may be considering is a tree branch railing. These are charming, rustic, and easier to install than you’d think.

A leaking shower is never good news. More often than not, a leaking shower is a dead giveaway that you are about to have to spend a lot of money on your home. That is, if fixing your leaking shower entails removing tiles.

While they may be cute to some, rats can be a real pesky problem. When they’ve gained access to your home or have settled in your backyard, it can be challenging to get rid of them. Whether you’ve got one rat or a whole infestation, it is vital to quickly and carefully deal with the issue.

Brita has been one of the most popular go-to’s for people who want to enjoy the taste of crisp, clean filtered water. The most common Brita device to get that delicious crispness is the Brita pitcher, a pitcher that comes with a built-in filter that you can replace. Of course, getting clean water isn’t going to happen if you don’t clean your pitcher.

Salsa is the most popular condiment in America, beating out ketchup and mustard. Did you know that? Well, it’s true. And knowing that, it’s fairly easy to see why salsa stains have become commonplace in dining rooms. What many people don’t know is that there’s a chance that you can remove the stain before it actually sets. But…how?

Pergo floors are the same as laminate flooring, but Pergo is simply the brand name. Actually, Pergo has a patented way of producing their laminate that makes it more durable and shinier than all the rest. In fact, they are the ones who invented laminate flooring way back in 1977 so they know what they are doing.

A portable generator can come in handy in countless ways. However, connecting a portable generator to your house without a transfer switch can present its challenges. A transfer switch can divide an electrical load between sources and is often used for backup generators in the event of power outages.

Mesh laundry bags are a must-have for washing your most delicate pieces of clothing. However, can you throw the same mesh laundry bag in the dryer afterward?

There’s no way around it: cat litter will always smell bad. However, you don’t have to let that smell permeate your home, especially when there are several easy ways to help get rid of the litter box smell in your house.

Imagine the following scenario. You and your neighbor have been living next to each other for years, and you never really had any issues. Yet, one day, you notice a construction crew near your yard. They’re putting up a fence! You’re confused because you’re not really sure whether or not they are allowed to do this. Is this even legal?

Countless homeowners choose Honeywell thermostats because of their convenience, and accuracy. Because you can program a Honeywell thermostat yourself, you can effectively custom tailor your preferences within your home. However, it is within the programming of Honeywell thermostats that many homeowners find themselves confused.

Tea is a beverage that has shaped societies, sparked revolutions, and is a drink that millions of people enjoy every day. Even with its widespread consumption and popularity, a significant amount of tea goes stale in the pantry in many households. To prevent good tea from spoiling in your home, you’ll need to find ways to keep it from going bad.

Fences provide a boundary for the home and are especially great for homeowners that have pets. But fences are also quite expensive. For that reason, more and more homeowners with pets are turning to invisible fences to create that boundary.

Selling your home is a monumental task, full of things to do and boxes to check (and pack). Getting your house into tip-top shape increases your odds of a more successful sale. A solid checklist to prep your home before you list it keeps things from falling through the cracks.

Strengthened safety glass is a critical safety material for use in homes, commercial buildings, cars, and more. Tempered glass is about three to four times stronger than traditional “annealed” glass. The panel’s strength is increased by undergoing extreme thermal or chemical processes.

Most people who buy trampolines do so because they have children. That doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy trampolines, but you must at least consider your children. Their age, size, experience, and physical ability are all important safety factors. 

That old retaining wall may have been beautiful when they first made it. In fact, it was probably necessary to protect your yard from erosion or dangerous slopes. However, if you need more room in your yard and you have this big retaining wall in the way, what can you do?

Many people install barn doors in their houses to save space. No matter the door’s width, these flush against the wall taking up zero space in a room. You can install them anywhere in the house without worrying about opening and closing them. However, barn doors do have a problem. They usually end up with gaps between the door and the baseboard, as these doors need to slide over the board.

A condemned house is one that the government has decided is unfit for any occupants. The government will seize any condemned property and all occupants must then vacate the property.

According to the Department of Energy, single family water heaters use around 17% of all household energy. This makes water heaters a huge factor in your household energy efficiency levels and corresponding energy bill ( Source).

The garbage disposal is a component of your kitchen that deserves a whole lot of praise; it helps keep the kitchen neat and tidy. On top of that, you’re also reducing the amount of waste that you have to take outside, which is a plus. The only real downside to garbage disposals is that they tend to have issues from time to time. When they do, they spew out all kinds of nastiness that can leave your kitchen smelling truly awful.

Trying to unlock a locked bathroom can be stressful and even frightening. No matter if you’re locked in a room or outside of it, getting to where you want to be is key. Thankfully, bathroom doors usually have privacy locks, instead of security locks. 

Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent way to get the look of hardwood floors at an affordable price. They’re also durable, many types of vinyl floors are waterproof, and they’re easy to maintain. But if you don’t take care of them, they can get dull over time. Luckily, it’s easy to make vinyl plank floors shine like new.

Anyone who has ever done laundry knows the frustration of opening the dryer door to still-wet clothes. Maybe you run it again, or maybe you don’t mind putting them out to air dry for a little while. Either way, unless you plan on doing this forever, that dryer needs to be fixed. So what gives?

Cleaning a wax warmer or a wax pot is difficult since traditional cleaning methods and tools don’t really help here. But what if we tell you it’s easy to do it?

There are many different standards when it comes to how tall a bathroom vanity should be. Modern designs seem to prefer higher vanities while retro homes go the opposite way. At the end of the day, it comes down to what height makes you the most comfortable.

Vornado fans are perfect for those with busy lifestyles, they’re safe to use and require less upkeep than many other conventional electric fans.

There are all sorts of wood you can chop, season, and burn in your fireplace. The exact varieties all depend on where you live.