Housekeeping Cleaning Tips

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.

We all heard Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” but what about your blue suede couch? Suede is one of the hottest options for couches as well as couch covers. It’s satiny, leather, and absolutely gorgeous. It’s a good choice for matte looks. But, how do you wash suede couch covers, or at the very least, keep it clean?

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.

Dishwashers can rack up quite a few foul odors, many of which would raise an eyebrow with most of us. If you recently had a mishap that involved melting plastic in the wash, you probably have a machine that has the acrid smell of burnt plastic inside its chambers. Sometimes, the smell is strong enough to cling to dishes! You don’t have to live with that aroma. There are ways to remove that smell for good.

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.

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.

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?

Toilet bowl cleaner is a powerful disinfectant that leaves your entire bathroom smelling fresh. With such great results in your loo, it’s impossible not to wonder if using toilet bowl cleaner in the shower is appropriate, too (my apologies for the cheesy rhyme!)

While it’s normal to put effort towards keeping clothes clean, when you have a busy schedule, it can be quite challenging. It is highly likely that you’re going to spend a fair amount of time trying to remove various unidentifiable stains from your family’s clothing, such as highlighter ink. Tackling stains isn’t always easy, but how do you get highlighter out of clothes?

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?

Getting blood stains on your carpet can be a very problematic experience. Whether you get a small or large amount of blood on the carpet, it can have a staining effect which can seem quite irremovable at first. Fortunately, however, there are a few surefire ways to clear up the mess.

Today, we live in an era that is celebrated for being the age of lifehacks. Want to wash a wall? There are tricks for that. Want to wash a floor? Just go on Google and you’ll find a ton of information on how to do it quickly and effectively. These days, we’re even talking about power washing rugs. Is this actually okay, though?

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.

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.

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?

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.

Aquaphor and other health aid ointments help heal the skin and reduce pain or irritation. Unfortunately, they can quickly leave oily stains on clothes and household linens, such as sheets and towels. Although oil-based stains are among the hardest to deal with, they can be eliminated. So, how exactly do you get Aquaphor out of your clothing?

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?”

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?

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.

If you have taken the time to examine the toothcare aisle at your local pharmacy, you will likely notice that charcoal or baking soda is infused into more toothpaste than ever before. These two common ingredients are now in dozens of popular toothpaste brands, and with both stating they are great at removing stains and bacteria. But in a world with so many toothpaste options, you are probably wondering if either of these common ingredients are effective, and if so, which one is superior?

No matter how much you love your dog, you may not always love the way it smells. Dogs are messy, and they sweat and drool as much as or more than the average person. Eventually, your house will smell like wet dog, and not all new dog owners expect it.

Getting dents in your carpet may seem unavoidable if you have heavy furniture. However, your carpet isn’t doomed to have dents forever, especially if you take preventative steps. Luckily, we have several easy tips for how to protect your carpet from heavy furniture.

Pet allergies tend to become amplified in the winter months. This is due to breathing in recycled air and the fact that people and pets spend more time inside in the winter. Therefore, it is entirely possible to have a pet allergy that you never notice in warmer months, only to struggle with it throughout the winter.

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.

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?

I don’t know about you, but I despise vacuuming. Thankfully, in the effort to live like the Jetsons, someone invented the Roomba. Now we can have a hands-off approach to cleaning our house!

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? 

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you have a lot of floor space in your home, then you might have a great way to burn calories without even knowing it. Mopping the floors can burn anywhere from 100 to 300 calories in an hour. Mopping is an activity you do standing up, and uses many of your muscle groups, from your lower body to your core, and especially your upper body.

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.

If you only have one type of vinegar in your home, then it should probably be distilled white vinegar. While this isn’t necessarily the most flavorful vinegar, it is certainly the most versatile. White vinegar is inoffensive in flavor, which allows for its versatility in cooking. It’s perfect for poaching eggs and adding to baked recipes, as it doesn’t have an overwhelming flavor. This vinegar is also ideal for cleaning, as it has no color, and is great at removing bacteria.

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.

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.

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.

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?

It’s something we all have dreamed about; perfectly painted walls. Maybe even a gorgeous mural to really make the dining room stand out. But what do you do when it comes to washing them? Don’t worry! We will tell you how to clean them without removing any of the paint.

Mold is ugly, inconvenient and dangerous. It can spread quickly, and is linked to several serious health issues. That’s why every renter and homeowner should familiarize themselves with how to prevent mold and basic removal practises.

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.

Moving blankets protect your furniture from scratches, dents, and any other damage during the moving process. Whether you recently rented a moving blanket or invested in one, it’s useful to know how to care for it.

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!

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.

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? 

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.

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?

Carpet on stairs presents a few extra challenges when it comes to cleaning. It’s not like you can quickly run your vacuum across the steps. However, knowing how to clean carpet on stairs doesn’t take a lot of specialized knowledge or tools.

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?

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.

By now, most people know about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke. However, not as many people know about third-hand smoke or even realize how dangerous it is. So, what is third-hand smoke, and how does it affect your house?

Treating mold isn’t fun, but it can at least provide some much-needed peace of mind. That is, of course, until you notice the mold has returned. You’re not alone if you’re unsure of what to do when mold keeps coming back.

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.

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?

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 number one reason why clothes contain detergent residue when you take them out of the wash is that you used too much detergent. If you use double the amount of detergent you should, it can be hard or impossible to remove all the soap from the water before the cycle completes.

For many people, the thought of straightening up their house sends shivers down their spine. They try everything they can to put it off, from diverting to Netflix binges to watching TikTok cat videos. But then, things pile up, making the idea of tidying up even more unbearable.

Think about this. The phone rings, and your in-laws, friends, or (insert random relatives here) say they're coming over for a visit. Your whole body tenses, and your heart starts beating a mile a minute. You look around and realize your house is not ready for last-minute guests.

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.