Housekeeping Cleaning Tips

The last thing you want is to come back from vacation and find a refrigerator full of expired food. It’s a great idea to look through your refrigerator and check the expiration dates on your perishable food. Eat your food that’s about to expire or simply throw it away.

For those of us who like to change things up every so often, Pottery Barn offers a variety of couch slipcovers. They have a wide range of materials, colors, and textures to suit any style. And here’s some great news: Pottery Barn couch covers are so easy to wash and maintain!

I have a confession to make: I love cooking up a greasy breakfast. It’s a vice of mine, big time. And when I cook with a lot of oil and bacon, the grease crackles and flies all over the cabinets. After my cooking sessions, my cabinets are a royal mess. The good news is, there are a couple of handy ways that you can clean greasy cabinets without losing your mind. Wanna know the secrets?

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.

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?

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.

There are few items that are as notoriously unsafe for the dishwasher as a plastic tumbler. Even when you have a tumbler from Tervis, there’s a good chance that you might have concerns about using dishwashers to clean it off. But, Tervis is so durable! It should be able to be washed by a machine, right? Well, we decided to do a little research to find out the truth behind this issue.

If you’re a fan of Moscow mules, you definitely want to have a set of those majestic copper mugs in your drinkware collection. Not only do metal cups add a rustic flair to your bar, they are excellent thermal conductors. This means that they’ll keep your drinks chilled during the summer and warm in the fall.

What’s not to love about springtime? The sunshine, flowers, cute baby animals, picnics in the park, spring cleaning — oh, wait. You might not love to clean (who does?), but spring is the perfect time to refresh your home and enjoy a sense of renewal. 

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? 

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?

Double-sided tape is a tool used around the home for both repair and modification. It’s incredibly versatile and can prove helpful in a wide variety of situations.

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.

Before a roommate can move in, you must take a practical look at your home. This can help you divide space, designate a room for them, and set a rental price. Think realistically about how much space you have at home and how much you frequently use.

Those dry erase markers are excellent tools for giving presentations at work or school. But they are not so great when they leave spots on your carpet. Even though they erase like magic from a whiteboard, it does not disappear from the carpet that way. There are many solutions to getting dry erase marker out of your carpet.

Coffee machines are super convenient to have in your home, especially cause so many of them come with timers now, so you don’t have to remember to turn the coffee pot on in time before heading to work or starting your day. However, one thing that gets super annoying is the need to descale it. But, it needs to be done! But what if you have a Breville Coffee Maker? How do you descale that?

Electric skillets are handy gadgets in the kitchen. Versatility is the name of the game with modern electric skillets. No longer just for frying, many new electric skillets allow you to pan fry, sauté, deep fry, or steam foods easily and quickly. However, many cooks wonder if they can put their electric skillet in the dishwasher.

One of the more common reasons your sheets can make you itchy has to do with your laundry detergent. The main goal of washing detergent is to clean clothes. Many brands add fragrances to leave your clothes and sheets smelling nice. This all sounds great in theory, but in practice, it can cause issues.

One of the main reasons trash leaks is due to what’s inside the trash bag. Trash is meant for solids, not liquids. If you are dumping too many liquids in your trash, don’t be surprised if it leaks. All it takes is one tiny hole near the bottom of a trash bag to cause the contents to leak.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

If you have young children, you likely know all about the challenges of keeping a home clean. Young kids are bundles of boundless energy and they tend to make a mess when they’re having fun. Give them crayons to play around with and things can get messy pretty quickly.

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.

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?

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.

Modern problems require modern solutions. And for those who use silicone ice cube trays, there’s no exception. You have to keep your ice molds clean, or else someone could get sick. But can you put silicone ice cube trays in the dishwasher or not? Let’s see.

Wool is a natural material you should never put in the dryer. The heat and constant agitation inside a dryer can ruin wool products. A dryer can shrink, distort, and clump all wool items.

One of the main contributors to all sorts of mold in the home is humidity. When your home has a lot of moisture, it makes it easier for mold to form. This is also true for mold on leather. You must remember that leather is a natural material. 

We’ve come a long way from the first mechanical dishwashers, way back in the late 1800s. Since early dishwashers were wooden and had to be hand-cranked, they were inefficient and impractical. Fast forward to the current day, and a dishwasher is only one of the many domestic conveniences we take for granted.

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?

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.

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. 

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?

It is quite rewarding to look at your fish tank, especially when the fish are healthy. The only downside of having a fish tank is that it requires lots of maintenance. Changing the water isn't fun, but it's necessary. So, how often should you change the water in a fish tank?

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.

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.

Ceramic mugs are great for a lot of reasons. One can customize a ceramic mug to make it unique, and often ceramic mugs hold sentimental value. And of course, ceramic mugs make it easy to drink hot liquids like tea and coffee.

Undeniably, if you cook using pots and pans, you also have to clean your pots and pans. Though, if you cook often, you may start to notice that your daily washing routine isn’t enough to prevent grease and food residue from forming stubborn stains. With this in mind, and for the sake of convenience, you might find yourself wondering: “Is Farberware dishwasher safe?”

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. 

Dirty burner caps don’t just make your stove look bad, but they can throw off the vibe in your kitchen. It’s hard to keep burner caps clean when you cook several days a week. However, it’s best to clean them as much as possible before stains form and it becomes harder to remove them. Many homeowners struggle with how to clean gas stove burner caps.

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.

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?

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.

Selling a house is a stressful process, so it helps to do everything you can do to ensure it goes smoothly. It’s no secret that pets are messy and can even be destructive, and that’s a concern for many homeowners when they sell their houses. Does having a pet decrease house value?

Some people may think that getting laundry detergent in your carpet is a good thing. But it can be a real pain to get it out of the carpet. Especially if you spilled the liquid kind. The granulated detergent can come up with a vacuum, but that liquid spill is going to take a bit more work.

Mildew is a unique type of mold, whereas mold is a broad term encompassing specific types of fungus. Mold can appear in many colors, but household mold typically appears green, black, or gray. Conversely, mildew is white or gray and varies in its darkness.

Cats, like many animals, have a strong sense of smell, which you can use to your advantage. Many smells deter cats, such as thyme. Many people love the smell, but cats dislike it enough to avoid your counters altogether. 

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.

Duffel bags are versatile and convenient, and they can be made of leather, fabric, or synthetic material. Duffle bags serve well as gym, travel, and sports bags, and they’re also used by non-commissioned personnel in the military.

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.

Pinesol has been around since the late 1920s and has made its way into every household in America at one time or another. People use it as an all-purpose cleaner to clean their showers, toilets, floors, and countertops. But, are you able to use this on your carpet? That’s the real question.

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?

Dusting your home is a chore that never goes away. Some parts of your home likely get dustier than others, and it can be quite difficult to keep up. Many homeowners have asked themselves the question: why is my bedroom so dusty?

Gatorade has a long-standing tradition of being every athlete’s favorite sports drink. It comes in all sorts of fun colors (erm, flavors) that make them seemingly taste better. It’s a wonderful thing until you actually have it end up on your floor…or worse, your carpeting. So, how do you get those neon colors out of your carpet, anyway?

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.

It’s hard to get comfortable at home when your house smells musty. This is even harder when you struggle to track down the cause of the problem. So, what should you do when you can’t get rid of the musty smell in your house?