Housekeeping Cleaning Tips

If you live in a house, the odds are good you prefer it to be clean. So, you likely have a regular cleaning routine and maybe even do a mega spring cleaning every year. Perhaps you devote time each day to tidying and cleaning specific areas.

If you are someone who gets bitten by mosquitos in the summer months, then you will be happy to know Epsom salts can help. Not only will an Epsom salt bath help your skin feel better, but dissolved salts can also help relieve itching associated with mosquito bites.

For some people, too much dust in their house makes them self-conscious about their cleaning habits. But for others, excessive dust leads to constant sneezing, itchy eyes, and other health problems, as it triggers significant allergic reactions. Whether for your health, your home’s appearance, or both, there are easy ways to reduce dust in your home.

No matter how hard you try, it always seems like something gets spilled or tracked on your carpet. As clean as you try to be, sometimes things just get tracked into the house on someone’s shoes or your dog’s feet. Motor oil is one of those stains that make you want to panic. But you don’t have to.

Most individuals save food these days, and Rubbermaid products make storing food easy. These products will ensure leftovers stay fresh for many days, and they’re also ideal for individuals who like to prepare meals and/or measure out portions.

It happens. That cherished baseball glove gets forgotten in the excitement of the day. Left outside, a rainstorm or the lawn sprinklers it the baseball glove a soggy mass. Many parents and players wonder if you can put a baseball glove in the dryer?

Ferrets are cute little animals, but they produce a musky odor that some people find unpleasant. If you keep a ferret in your house as a pet, the entire space could have a strong odor, especially if you fail to keep its cage clean. Failure to wash the animal and its litter box and bedding could also contribute to the musky smell in your house.

Oops! You didn’t notice that red crayon in your kid’s pant pocket when you tossed the laundry into the dryer. Now, you have melted crayon stuck to the inside of your dryer (not to mention on your clothes). Learn how to get crayon out of a dryer before you assume your dryer is doomed.

If your home has a guest room, then there is a good chance your houseguest will spend the majority of time in this room. Therefore, the bulk of your energy should be focused on making this a pet-hair and dander-free area.

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?”

If you’re into a more rustic design aesthetic or love an eclectic vibe, a cowhide rug is an excellent addition to your space. But are you supposed to clean a cowhide rug like a regular one? When you stop to think about it, you might even wonder if you can vacuum a cowhide rug.

There is nothing pretty about going to the bathroom. Regardless of that, the simple fact of the matter is that we all use the toilet on a daily basis. With frequent use, there will no doubt be a mess in the bowl sooner or later.

Sleeping without a comfortable pillow can mean a rough night's sleep. In a perfect world, pillows would last forever and never lose their comfort. Sadly, that’s not the case. So, how often should you replace your pillows?

Dish soap is one of the best household remedies for many problems, and that includes dirty hardwood floors. It’s the best way to clean hardwood floors without damaging them, especially if you use natural or mild dish soap. First, sweep or vacuum your hardwood floors to remove dust and debris before you mop them.

Do you let your pets sleep or spend time on your bed? If so, then your bedding is likely full of loose hair and oil that your pets excrete through their skin. There is nothing wrong with that, that is, unless you wait too long to wash your bedding. 

Keeping your stovetop clean and free of food residue is an important step in kitchen maintenance. A dirty stovetop not only looks unsightly, but it can cause mold, damage the stove and even attract unwanted pests. If you have a coil electric stove or any stove with drip trays, you will notice that they look worse over time, But how do you know when it is time to replace your drip trays, and how often should you plan to switch them out with new ones?

Stainless steel sinks are a lovely addition to your  kitchen area or washroom. They are usually very clean and sharp-looking. Stainless steel sinks provide an industrial look that is still polished enough for any decor.

Curtains can be one of those “set it and forget it” home décor items. To be honest, I’m not sure that I’ve ever washed a curtain. But that doesn’t mean you can’t! You have to consider the material, of course, as well as a few other things.

What looks like a skunk, smells like a skunk, and makes your house smell like a skunk? The answer seems pretty simple…or does it?

Less is often more when it comes to filling a litter box. Of course, you should use enough litter to adequately absorb waste, but going overboard can be messy. You only typically need to pour litter 2” deep in most cases.

Having a sauna at home is like having a nice escape without having to go on vacation. That said, taking care of a sauna takes some trial and error if you’re new to it. Luckily, we put together a simple sauna maintenance checklist that anyone can follow.

Everyone has to clean to maintain a desirable and sanitized home. Daily, weekly, and seasonal cleaning tasks are all essential to keep a home tidy. In addition to regular cleaning, one must remember there are correct and incorrect ways to clean different surfaces in your home. If you clean incorrectly, your home may appear even dirtier than it did before you started.

Ah, new joys of parenthood. Lots of bottle filling, lots of new stains to get rid of, and tons of new things you never knew about keeping a good house. One of the first new stains you’ll run into as a parent is the awkward spill that happens if you drop diaper cream on a carpet. So, how do you get this stuff out of your pre-baby carpet?

There are many reasons why a garment can only be washed by hand. It might be the fabric, the colors, or even how the garment was made. Washing duffel bags and backpacks often needs to be done by hand as well. Whatever the reason, if the tag says 'hand wash only,' make sure you wash the garment by hand, and use the tips below.

Pancakes are delicious with maple syrup on them but not so much for carpets. The sticky gooey mess in your rug is unsightly and you need to get rid of it as soon as possible before it soaks in all the way. Whether it is real maple syrup or corn syrup, we have some solutions for you.

If there is one thing that seems to dry out my hands, it’s washing dishes in piping hot water. And sometimes, I forget my gloves. That’s why, on occasion, I get the urge to turn down the temperature so that I can avoid slathering my hands in super thick lotion. I still often wonder if it’s really safe, or if it’s effective.

With the dawn of spring comes so many activities we know and love. There is the start of a new gardening season, time spent in nature, and all sorts of backyard enjoyment. One of the most iconic backyard activities is barbecuing. But after a long winter spent outside, the odds are your grill needs some attention. In fact, it is important that you take steps to clean and prepare your grill thoroughly once winter ends.

If you own a couch or a comfy living room chair, then there’s a strong possibility you keep a collection of throw blankets nearby. These blankets are a fantastic way to make a living room feel more cozy, especially when you want to cuddle up with a good book or binge-watch a new TV series. But just like every other blanket you own, these communal blankets need to be cleaned. The question is, exactly how often should you wash a throw blanket? 

Many of us instantly recognize the beautiful blue and white coloration and patterns on a piece of Corningware cookware. Not only are these dishes practical and easy to use, but they are beautiful too. Whether you have recently purchased your own Corningware or inherited some vintage Corningware from your family, you may be curious about the best way to clean your Corningware pieces after use.

You should tell your landlord that your apartment is dirty if you just moved in. It’s a great idea to take pictures and even videos of the mess before you talk to your landlord. This will come in handy if they try to dispute your claim. 

Why does my house smell like a permanent marker? This is the first question that will cross your mind when you notice the smell. However, before you start finding the reasons behind the smell, it’s best to remember that the odor is never a good sign, since it points to a problem somewhere in your house.

Most people don’t get excited about cleaning their home, but it’s a necessity. However, it doesn’t have to take all day and feel like a punishment if you’re careful about your cleaning routine. You’re not alone if you’ve ever struggled with how to save time cleaning the house.

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.

Sometimes the pots and pans you use to cook Thanksgiving food get crusted over and burnt. There is a lot of dairy and sugar cooked on this holiday, so don't be surprised if all your pans have a bit of crust that is hard to remove. 

It’s hard to feel comfortable at home when you see mold and know that more could be lingering right around the corner. Your first thought may be to scrub the mold away to fix the issue, but your gut instinct may say otherwise. Is scrubbing mold dangerous, and should you do it?

You can’t safely clean a self-cleaning litter box if it’s connected to power. First, locate the control panel and press the “power” button. The location varies between units, so check the instructions if you can’t find the control panel.

Filtered water is not only healthier for you, pulling out dangerous contaminants from tap water, but it is a convenient and easy way always to have water at your fingertips. Brita is a popular brand that makes several water filtration devices to help bring you safe and delicious tap water. While having filtered water is a modern convenience, it does require a little upkeep to ensure that your Brita water filter is regularly changed to allow the filter to work to its intended ability.

The average homeowner keeps bleach around to clean the house or even do laundry. There is no denying that bleach is an effective cleaner, but it is hard to get past the strong smell. So, what can you do if your house smells like bleach after cleaning?

Whether it's the drain in your kitchen sink or the one in your bathroom or shower, you’ve probably dealt with some annoying clogs. Clogs always appear at inconvenient times, especially if you don’t work hard to prevent them. You can avoid stubborn clogs if you keep up with a monthly drain maintenance routine.

Keeping up with household chores gets a bit harder when you have a cat. Luckily, the pros outweigh the cons in the eyes of many cat owners. We assembled an easy home maintenance checklist for cat owners to make things easier.

Take advantage of longer days to welcome more sunshine into your home. Wash the windows, inside and outside, so grime and dust aren’t blocking the sun’s invigorating rays. Start with the frames so you don’t end up with dirt migrating to your clean windows.

Selling a house is stressful in itself, but things can become more complicated when you’re living in the house you’re selling. Naturally, you must be extremely cautious to ensure you don’t do anything to make your home seem undesirable. You’re not alone if you’re wondering how to live in a house that’s for sale.

A good ol’ cup of coffee is just the thing to start your day, but coffee is only good to drink if it comes from a clean coffee pot. Sometimes, neglect can get so bad, you actually may need a hardcore cleaning agent in order to fully sanitize your coffee maker. Thankfully, doing this is fairly easy and won’t take too long. 

Clothes, clothes, everywhere, and not a thing to wear? Maybe that’s because you have so many clothes, you get overwhelmed whenever it’s time to get dressed. If your closet is ready to burst, it’s time to learn how to declutter your closet and take back control of your wardrobe.

Cleats are used to play a variety of sports. When these are brand new, they’re pretty nice to look at and they even smell good too. But cleats don’t stay in good condition forever, as soon after they’re out of the box they’re hitting the mud or dirt and absorbing all the sweat from your feet.

If you were recently placed under a boil water advisory, this means that there’s a concern that your local water supply may be contaminated with pathogens. When this happens, you can no longer trust the water that comes out of your tap, including any appliances that are connected to your water supply. This includes your refrigerator and ice maker, but what about your dishwasher? Can you use the dishwasher during a boil water advisory?

Pillow top mattresses are increasingly popular these days, and not just because of how cozy the name sounds. They are fairly affordable and can be found in virtually every mattress size available. Surprisingly, they are one of the oldest types of mattresses around. They’re making a comeback, and that means it pays off to know how to clean them.

Maintaining a clean and beautiful home starts with good habits. You can buy all the right appliances, plant the best flowers, and sleep in the softest sheets, but it’s cleaning and maintenance that keep your home in its original splendid condition. You can create good habits with routines. One of the best routines you can have is to perform certain cleaning tasks every day.

Create a schedule for tidying up and review it with your family members. Post it where everyone can see it.

Bringing a dog into your life ensures you’ll always have a playful companion by your side. Dogs bring joy and endless entertainment to any household they inhabit. Unfortunately, they also bring hair, slobber, smells, and messes that weren’t present before your furry friend moved in. Thankfully, there are many simple things you can do to keep your home clean and organized if you have a dog.

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. 

When one season transitions into another, there are many changes happening in the air. This is why there are unique allergies you must think about every time the seasons change. While the spring is the most synonymous with pollen and seasonal allergies, autumn has its own irritants hiding in the air. There may even be some fall allergies you didn’t know existed.

Kids these days have some very odd toys that they play with. Flarp is one of the weirdest. Actually, adults seem to like it too. It is just putty-like Silly Putty, but it makes a farting noise when you play with it. But Flarp is not so much fun when it is stuck in your carpet.

Unfortunately, urine can leave stains and smells on clothes even after they have been laundered. It can seem that the odor is an unpleasant permanent feature of the affected garments. However, various natural and chemical products can return the item to its original fresh-smelling state. 

Vaseline is considered to be one of the most useful household products on the market. It can moisturize your body. It can help lubricate items that squeak. It can also be turned into DIY lip gloss and more. Unfortunately, petroleum jelly is not one of those things that works well with carpeting. Ask anyone who’s spilled it on their carpet, and they’ll agree. How do you even lift this type of stain?

Cluttered floors make it hard for professional cleaners to vacuum and mop surfaces. This can add to how long it takes, make their jobs harder, and even mess up their schedule. The last thing you should do is leave clothes, shoes, and toys on the ground before cleaners come.

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?

Have you ever walked into your house and noticed there’s a distinct, sugary, and almost overwhelming stink?

If you bake often, your KitchenAid mixer likely sees a lot of use. Although a KitchenAid mixer is a major investment, with the proper maintenance and cleaning, it can last pretty much forever. Since you can’t simply soak your mixer in your kitchen sink, it requires more specialized care.

Nobody wants to leave work, head back to their apartment, and enter a musty, smelly environment. However, that is the reality for many people who can’t figure out why their apartment smells bad. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how to keep your small apartment smelling fresh.