Housekeeping Cleaning Tips

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?

Coffee lovers often have a particular fondness for their coffee makers. That is no less true for those who use Keurig as their coffee maker of choice. Like every good coffee connoisseur or anyone who just likes good coffee, that often means  taking care of those coffee machines. That also leads to questions about things such as water filters and other coffee maker considerations.

Kitchen cabinets can take quite a beating throughout their lifespan. They are constantly exposed to temperature fluctuations, dirt, dust, and grease. Not only is it difficult to keep them clean, but it’s hard to prepare them before you repaint or stain them. What is the best degreaser for kitchen cabinets?

You cannot establish rules with your roommates until you have a conversation. This is everyone’s chance to voice their opinions, concerns, and expectations. Make a mental list of talking points before the conversation to make sure you cover everything.

Wrinkles can turn a chic garment into a frumpy disaster. A wrinkle-free and well-pressed garment, on the other hand, can look like a million bucks even if you only paid a few dollars. This is why irons are so handy and helpful. But in life, there are many times when an iron isn’t available. If you don’t have access to an iron, or simply can’t stand the act of ironing, you probably want to know how you can keep your clothes wrinkle-free without having to pick up an iron.

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.

Mopping floors isn’t exactly fun, but homeowners and businesses must maintain clean floors. When you are done mopping floors, you are left with a bucket of dirty, murky water that must be disposed of. What is the correct way to handle dirty mop water?

While ironing might not be everyone’s favorite chore, it’s sometimes part of the laundry process. Maintaining your ironing board and washing your ironing board cover are essential to keep your clothes from getting dirty all over again.

Let’s face facts: a toilet is generally a pretty gross thing. Even when they are clean, they serve one purpose and it isn’t a pretty one. With a little bit of care and attention, your toilet at least will not gross you out.

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.

If you’re anything like me, your coffee pot is one of the most important and utilized appliances in your home. With such busy schedules, we rely on the coffee that they brew to wake us up in the morning and keep us motivated throughout the day. Though, like all other kitchen appliances, they too need to be cleaned on a regular basis.

I love the look of a microfiber couch, and really, who doesn’t? Microfiber is the modern alternative to suede and is regularly ranked as one of the easiest to clean materials for sofas. It’s even pet-friendly! Cleaning it, though, can be a bit of a hassle. Is it possible to wash microfiber couch cushions, and if so, how?

America’s top-selling cookware brand, Copper Chef is known for their Cerami-Tech nonstick coating that makes sautéing and pan-frying fast and simple. Believe it or not, nothing will stick to the surface of a Copper Chef pan, which eliminates the need for cooking with added fats and oils. Since nothing sticks, Copper Chef pans are incredibly easy to clean. Oftentimes, all you’ll need is one pass with a soapy sponge and cleanup is done in a matter of minutes.

Hoover is one of the most well-known manufacturers of vacuum and carpet cleaners out there. They have been behind some of the most innovative solutions and have since become a trusted name in the cleaning industry.

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.

Indoor plants are a fantastic way to bring color, life, and even oxygen into an indoor space. They help cleanse the air and give a natural feel to an otherwise man-made space. Often, indoor plants require very little maintenance and need water once a week or even less. But from time to time, just like with any item in your home, indoor plants get dusty. This can give your otherwise green and vibrant indoor plant a dull and dirty look. But what do you do when your indoor plants start to collect dust?

One reason people get maggots is because they empty their trash infrequently. Sure, fewer trips to the dumpster means using fewer plastic bags. This is often smart logic. If, however, you live in a warm climate, and have an open-air kitchen, then this may also mean you have a breeding ground for maggots.

If you do a lot of cooking, then you’ve probably come across Pampered Chef cookware before. This cookware is ideal for those who take cooking seriously, as this cookware is built to last, versatile, easy to clean, stain-resistant, and usually offered for an affordable price.

Outdoor living spaces are a fabulous way to expand your home and provide a restful retreat or extra entertaining area. Laying a rug on your grass or patio helps define zones and transform spaces into more of a room. Of course, it’s still outside, which means it’s prone to more dirt and grime, so how do you clean an outdoor rug?

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?

Do you always wonder why your friend’s house smells so good? After all, they have pets, kids, dirty laundry, and other odor challenges, just like you. But you don’t crinkle your nose when you’re at your friend’s house. There are a few reasons why your friend’s house smells great, and you can use them to make your home smell better, too.

Wondering how you should clean your baby’s bottles? You’re not alone! Like anything regarding your baby, you want to ensure that you are upholding the highest standards for hygiene. So, this brings us to the question at hand: can you wash baby bottles with dawn dish soap?

There is no better time to clean your vacation time than when you close it for the season. This is your chance to declutter, vacuum, mop, dust, and clean your counters. That way, you won’t have to worry about coming back to a dirty home on your next vacation. 

Persian rugs are considered to be the gold standard when it comes to luxury carpeting, especially if they’re hand woven. Unfortunately, they’re not exactly easy to clean. Unlike commercially-made rugs, Persian rugs do not come with instructions neatly printed on tags. However, they still need to be cleaned, and most of the time, it has to be done by hand. But…how?

Water quality is always a topic of great interest for homeowners who want to be certain that the water flowing into their homes is safe for consumption. Those who err on the side of caution will purchase products like Brita pitchers to ensure they’re drinking clean water. But to work their best, they need to be clean, leading to the question, are Brita pitchers dishwasher safe?

Windbreaker season is here. It’s fall. It’s time to see leaves change and that means that you’re going to see apple cider spill on windbreakers from time to time. Windbreakers season is great, but trying to launder it is a pain. Drying, in particular, is a pain. Can you even put a windbreaker in a dryer?

Having children in the home means that there are bound to be some accidents; in fact, accidents become a part of your daily life. Chalk and markers have been loved by children throughout the decades and are still highly used by children today! This means that you will find yourself trying to get ink or chalk out of your carpet at some time or another. You may already know the remedies for ink, so what about chalk?

We rely on them every day, and many of us return to these magic dispensers of one cup of java goodness many times a day. These are our beloved Keurig coffee machines, a staple of our  kitchen decor, but what happens when they stop working, malfunction, or simply stop feeding us that dark liquid gold? We freak out! No, (okay, maybe for a brief moment of panic) we calmly assess the situation and take action.

We all have heard about how great baking soda is for cleaning all sorts of things from dishes to teeth. In fact, many of us have been using it to clean stains out of the carpet, so why would we think that baking soda would leave a stain on the carpet? Well, it happens.

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.

Self-cleaning litter boxes feature rakes that sweep dirty litter into a compartment. Many of these self-cleaning litter box rakes are held in place by at least one screw. They are typically reliable and work well if the screw is tight enough. 

If you’ve had your dog for a while who is prone to accidents, you likely know the warning signs when one is about to happen. For example, they may walk away from you and find a discreet, comfortable spot. Placing potty pads in such places can encourage your dog to use pads instead of having an accident on the floor.

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.

You cannot legally leave your old furniture on the curb. It’s considered a hazard to put furniture on the street, and you can receive fines in some states and municipalities. There are exceptions to the rule if you call your trash collection service and request a large item pickup.

Washing dishes is part of everyday life as an adult. While the task of washing by hand can be a bit tedious, there are all sorts of devices and accessories that make washing dishes less annoying. The dishwasher is the best example of a device that makes doing dishes less time- and energy-consuming. But if you are worried about your energy costs, you might wonder if it costs more to do dishes by hand,  or in a dishwasher.

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.

Ingesting non-potable water shouldn’t seem like a major problem in well-developed countries like the United States. But in 2017, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported close to 500,000 hospitalizations and 7,000 deaths from waterborne diseases.

A relaxing backyard space is a desire of many homeowners, providing extra space to entertain, hang out, and eat al fresco. Outdoor furniture plays a large role in creating your oasis. However, it can look worn down if you don’t know how to clean patio cushions.

When you buy a Coach purse, it’s an exciting purchase. It’s hard not to feel fancy sporting their signature Cs at an event or even for everyday wear. When owning a designer item like a Coach purse, you’ll want to keep it looking fresh and brand new. However, it is important to be careful when cleaning these bags to avoid unintended damage.  This raises the question, is it possible to wash a Coach purse in your washing machine? 

It is okay for a washing machine to shake a little bit during the spin cycle. This happens when clothes move around and slap the sides of the drum. The combination of the impact of the clothes and the washing machine spinning makes it shake.

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?

When your dishwasher gets clogged, it won’t be able to function properly. You can do a variety of things to unclog a dishwasher, and one common method is using calcium lime and rust remover (CLR).

It really is incredible to think how far something as simple as laundry has come. Thanks to washing machines, we can now handle a week’s worth of dirty clothes in just a few hours. Moreover, modern washing machines have made it easier than ever to simply start a load and go back to our day.

You can throw a party in an apartment unless your lease specifies otherwise. Sometimes, leases have specifications about how many guests you can have over. Granted, that is rare, but you must follow the rules if your lease specifies this.

Cast iron stove grates are found in many homes and businesses these days. Often, when you’re cooking something—like boiling pasta—water will run over a pot and onto the stove grates, and when this happens repeatedly the grates can become dirty. Also, there are some things—like bacon for example—that will splatter no matter how hard you try to avoid this.

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?

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.

Most snow is tracked into the home from your shoes. Therefore, the best way to prevent it from reaching far into your home is to stop it where it enters. Most homes have doormats outside. In the winter, it’s wise to have mats on the inside of your home as well.

Sitting around a fireplace during the chilly weather is cozy but it is not so cozy when some of that charcoal gets onto your carpet. Or during the summer when you are barbequing, you may have tracked some charcoal in from the deck. Don’t panic! You can fix it.

Showerhead clogs can be caused by deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals in hard water, especially well water. This mineral deposit may block the canal, which will prohibit your showerhead from operating at full force. This is especially true in bathrooms and kitchens, hard water can leave off-white or brown stains on ceramic or glass surfaces.

Stainless steel fixtures, appliances, and cutlery are welcome inside most homes because of how easy they are to clean. They even resist certain kinds of stains better than other materials.

The UGG brand has expanded significantly over the years. What began as a company renowned for their distinct, comfortable and trendy sheepskin boots has exploded into an internationally recognized clothing, accessories and lifestyle brand.

Granite is one of the most popular home building materials. It’s especially popular inside the kitchen where it is often the material of choice for creating gorgeous countertops.

Home is where the heart is, but it can be detrimental to your health if you don’t pay attention to your surroundings. Indoor air quality affects everything from your mental health to your lungs, skin, and eyes. Many homeowners understand this but ask the question: Why is my home air quality bad?

There are a variety of materials out there that present different advantages. We tend to like leather not only for its stylish look but for the fact that it is also quite durable. There is a substance known as Nubuck that is quite similar in nature to not only leather but suede as well.

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. 

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.

Mildew smells damp, unpleasant, and pungent. When carpet smells of mildew, finding a solution is often high on most people’s priority list. If there is mildew on your carpet, you have a problem to solve. Luckily, you can get rid of it using a few household products.

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.

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.