Clean Hair from Vacuum Brush RollHave you ever looked underneath your vacuum brush? Or notice your vacuum isn't functioning at full capacity/strength. Or perhaps the roller is stuck and not suctioning well. If so, see if there is hair stuck like mine. Easy to fix.
Easy Homemade Stain RemoverIf you mix 1 part Dawn dish washing liquid with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide you have the best spot remover! This is probably the only cleaner you will ever need. Either spray or pour on the spot and watch it disappear.
Clean Blinds With Magic EraserI admit I am a bit of a clean freak. I hate dust, streaky glass, spotted stainless steel and appliances. Therefore, I was in quite a state with dirty/dusty blinds (36 windows worth) and an ivory leather couch (what were we thinking) that was dirty and dingy.
Clean Your Coach Handbag at HomeAfter reading the tip about throwing your Coach bag in the washer I thought I'd give it a try. I had found the purse as I was cleaning up after the last tenant moved out of the rental property I own.
Refrigerate Jar Overnight to Remove LabelsI made an alarming discovery today quite by accident. I am a compulsive recycler so I save all my spaghetti sauce jars. I use the same brand all the time so they match.
Rain-X For The ShowerOne of the best things to use in the shower to help keep away the soap scum build up and mold, is Rain X. Yes, you would normally use it on your windshield, but if you use it in your shower, it has the same effect.
Shake Bottle With Dish Soap Or DetergentRinse obvious debris out of the bottle. Then put two tablespoons of powdered, automatic dishwashing detergent in the bottle. Or place one tablespoon salt, and one teaspoon dish soap in bottle. Add very hot water until 1/3 full.
Cleaning a StovetopThis morning, the weather was cool and I thought it would be a good time to clean the top of the kitchen stove. The large eye gets used a lot and over a period of time the stove top looks awful with baked on grease around the stove eye. To remove it, I use Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner.
Thrifty Tips on CleaningYou can save on cleaning products by using white vinegar and newspaper to clean your windows, windows come out sparkling clean. You can also use white vinegar for washing your floors, add 1/2 cup white vinegar to last rinse cycle of your wash to control static cling.
Using Vinegar for CleaningHere are a few suggestions for when cleaning or deodorizing with vinegar. Make sure you're using white vinegar not apple cider. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle of your washing machine because many detergents leave a residue that we don't realize.
Use Microwave to Help Remove RX LabelsAfter many times of trying to remove labels from empty pill bottles to remove my identity from them before discarding them, I hit on a new way tonight. I was standing at my kitchen sink, next to the microwave. I filled my empty pill bottle with water, sat it in the microwave, heated the water in the micro for a few seconds or minutes.
Ammonia To Whiten ClothesI found a way to whiten and brighten my clothes without bleach or Oxyclean, which I am allergic to. I take a bucket of approximately 1/2 gallon of very warm to hot water and 1 cup of lemon ammonia.
Use Pantyhose to Catch Washing Machine LintA washing machine repairman told me to put a pantyhose leg on the pipe that drains into our slop sink. I was surprised to see how much lint it caught. All that lint would eventually clog our drain, and plumbers are expensive!
Cleaning Swiffer DustersTo clean Swiffer dusters, which I really like, simply swish the dirty duster in a sinkful of sudsy, warm water, rinse, and roll in a paper towel to blot out excess moisture. Reattach to handle, fluff, and allow to air dry.
White Vinegar to Remove Calcium...I saw this tip in a video on the internet and had a chance to try it out on an old faucet that had years of calcium buildup on it.
White Vinegar for Masking Tape ResidueUse white vinegar to remove residue left by masking tape on window glass where the tape has been left on for too long or has dried out quickly due to strong sunshine.
Removing Ink Stains from Your Coach PurseI had ink stains on the inside of my Coach bag. I had never tried to get them out, until the other day. I had an alcohol swab and began to rub and rub. Eventually all of the ink marks came out. I couldn't believe it.
Removing Adhesive Labels from Glass JarsI paint glass jars and find at times the labels are nearly impossible to remove without using chemicals. I found a much easier way and it's far less frustrating.
Orange Oil For Cleaning FurnitureI have a cleaning service and if I am dusting particularly dusty furniture, I like to spray orange oil on my rag, run hot water over it and wring it out.
Extending a Short Broom HandleI can't afford a nice big broom, nor would I want one. They hurt my thumbs and are too coarse. So, I love the Dollar Tree ones, but man are they short! I am only 5 feet 1 inch tall and I find myself stooping just to use it.
Mineral Spirits For Laminate FloorsI've searched for years for the right solution for the footprints and smudges that show up immediately after cleaning the floor. So, finally here it is!
Cleaning Popcorn Ceilings the Easy WayMy popcorn ceilings may be old, but I still want them to be clean. They tend to collect dust and spiderwebs over time, and I've finally found a way to get them clean without much effort! Just use a new, thick-knapped paint roller, on an extension pole if possible.
Oven Cleaner for Soap ScumWe have used Easy Off Fume Free over cleaner (for cold ovens, no heat required) to clean years of soap scum and hard water build up off showers and tubs, both fiberglass and tile.
Removing the Cloudy Film from Old WindowsTo clean old windows that have a cloudy film, use Easy Off oven cleaner or any other that has LYE in it. Wet the window pane with wet cloth and spray oven cleaner over area. Leave set a minute or so and wipe off. If the
Soak Off Jar LabelsIn my quest to reclaim a Mason jar (specifically Classico pasta sauce jars) I needed to soak off the labels. I submerged the jars in hot water and let them sit until the paper was easy to pull off. The best part with the Classico jars is that the glue they use is also water soluble!
Stop the Drip of Laundry DetergentI store my large laundry detergent dispenser and my fabric softener dispenser in a cabinet over my washing machine. No matter how careful I am, the spout drips inside my cabinet and makes an awful mess. The blue fabric softener is even worse.
Use Sanitizing Bleach SprayThe one tip I can't live without on a daily basis is I keep a 48 ounce bottle of a mixture of 1/4 chlorine bleach and the rest water. I find myself using this bottle several times/day.
Cleaning Wax Off CountertopsAnyone who's ever said "just wait for it to dry and chip it off" has never actually tried to clean wax off a nice shiny countertop. I spilled candle wax and it wasn't the kind of wax that gets hard.
Clean Your Area Rugs at The Car WashTake your area rugs to the car wash to get them super clean! I have done this numerous times with a helper and a truck, and know others who do the same. It's amazing to see the dirt run out off the rug!
Cleaning an Electric PercolatorCall me old fashioned, if you like, but after many tries I still go back to my electric percolator as I feel it not only makes great coffee but keeps it hot compared to many of the mister coffee type appliances.
Warning: Old Aerosols Can LeakMy husband and I were having a perfectly good evening, when we heard a strange pop. We couldn't figure it out, looked around, everything seemed okay.
Polishing SilverwareHere's a recipe for cleaning silverware.
Removing Jar And Bottle Label GlueSaving that jar or bottle for that special use you've found can be nice until you try getting all the label glue off it. Then it can be a pain. Not any more!
How To Clean 18K Gold ChainCleaning your 18K Chain gold is easy and can be done at home. Here are some steps you can follow:
Make Steel Wool Soap Pads Last LongerI cut mine in half. Then, after I use them, I store in a plastic sandwich bag with all the air squeezed out. Some people store the bag in the freezer.
Use a Reacher for DustingReachers are useful after surgery and for the elderly. However, they are fantastic for dusting behind and under heavy furniture.
An Easy Way to Clean a Burnt SaucepanPlease note that I haven't tried this on a pan with a non stick coating. However, if your pan is so burnt that you'll have to throw it out, then you may decide it's worth a try.
Fanny Pack for Clothespin BagI have an old fanny pack and have discovered it has multiple uses. I have been wanting an apron clothespin bag but just haven't gotten around to making one. After using my fanny pack for dropping seed, when planting the garden, I thought about using it for a clothespin bag. Hooked around my waist, it's so easy to get the clothespins out when hanging clothes on the line. This little bag will hold well over 60 clothespins.
Hanging Fitted Sheets On the ClotheslineI love being able to hang my sheets on the clothesline. To keep from stretching the elastic on my fitted sheets, I hang them with the elastic on the inside.
Left Hand Glove Turned Into A Right Hand GloveI use rubber gloves when I wash dishes and I wear the right hand glove out before I do the left hand glove. I save the left hand glove and when the next right hand glove gets a hole in it and I have two left hand gloves, I turn one inside out and immediately have another right hand glove.
Keep Refrigerator Coils CleanIn 2021, we used more electric (kWh) than we did the year before, causing our electric bill to be over $200.00 more for the year. I have been trying to figure out why. Recently, I noticed that our 1994 refrigerator was not cooling like it should and when the milk soured way before the expiration date, I knew something was wrong. I started searching the internet to see how much it was going to cost to get a new refrigerator.
Extending Dish Detergent with PeroxideA lot of us find the better dish detergents so thick and concentrated, we choose to dilute them a bit (or a lot). We save money and the product is easier to use.
Sink Strainer Catch-AllI'm trying to get away from so much processed food. I still indulge occasionally. Single servings of Stouffer's Lasagna is a favorite, and for me, comes with a little kitchen aid bonus.
Baking Soda Will Clean SilverThe earrings I got were completely black with tarnish. I made a thick paste of baking soda and water, covered the earrings, and let them sit for an hour or so. I then rinsed them well, dried them completely, and enjoyed the sparkle.
Deep Clean Your Microwave/Oven When Changing ClocksWhen I went to set my clocks ahead in the kitchen, I took the time to thoroughly clean the microwave. It gets wiped down pretty regularly but there was a surprising amount of greasy dust on the top and bottom. It's over our stove so I removed the vent fan filters and gave them a rinse too. I plan to do my oven this weekend so it is clean and ready for Thanksgiving and holiday baking.
Prevent Hair Clogs in the SinkHair can cause nasty clogs in the sink. I have curly hair and wet it down every morning to freshen up the curls. I used to wet it in the sink. I decided to fill a spray bottle with water, step away from the sink and do it that way. This has helped so much.
Fog Free Bathroom MirrorWhat I do to keep my bathroom mirror from being fogged up after my shower is this. When I shave, there's usually some shaving cream left in my hand or lather cup, so I smear it on the mirror. With a bit of moist tissue, clean the mirror, which I believe is a very nice clean. When I get out of the shower, the mirror is fog free. No grabbing a towel and stricking it up or waiting for it to clear. So I can finish up and start my day.
Fix for Sticky RubberWith time, some plastic and rubber can get a sticky, gummy feel. I had an umbrella like this. I made a paste of baking soda and water, rubbed it over the affected area with my hands, rinsed and dried. It worked so well and now I don't need to replace the umbrella.
Stop Smudges Before They StartA newlywed asked the question, "How do I keep my house clean with as little maintenance as possible?" on one of the Facebook groups I belong to.
Cleaning Windows and Mirrors Without StreaksI've been in the housecleaning business for a little over 8 years now. Always hated cleaning windows and sliding glass doors. I had tried every cleaning product you could think of. One day I ran out of products and ideas and just used water and a squeegee. WORKED! No streaks, no foggy residue. It was a miracle!
Spray Starch Time SaverI bought a can of spray starch at Walmart. It works well, but a hassle. I spray an arm, then iron. I spray a yoke, then iron, I spray a cuff, then iron. I was picking up and putting down that can of starch as much as I was ironing. I came up with an idea I wanted to try.
Easy Old Sticker RemovalHere is a fast and easy way to remove old, peeling, or faded stickers. Simply use a heat gun. I used a small craft gun. I wanted to clean up this baby doll changing table. Go over the corner of the sticker for a few seconds and peel away. Be careful not to burn your fingers.The results are fast without using a messy remedy. :)
Removing Labels from PlasticWhen I need to get labels off of plastic bottles, I put them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. The labels come right off.
How to Thoroughly Clean a Coffee CarafeI make coffee and put it in a carafe. It keeps it hot then warm, but I nuke it when I want a fresh cup. But coffee has a tendency to stain plastic, so before I donated it, I wanted to clean it good. For a long time, I didn't know how to clean all the pieces parts. When I realized you take the bottom off, then you can take out the silver inner parts and clean it all.
Drag Your Clothes BasketWhen you are not suppose to bend over and have to walk with a walker or a cane or just have back problems, you may need some help to get the basket of clothes from the dryer to the bed or folding table. I needed a way to get the job done so I tied some old shoe strings to the clothes basket handle and pulled it to the bed. It works great for me.
Removing Blood from GarmentI was in the hospital this week with a hip replacement. I had gotten all dressed to come home and the student nurse removed the IV from my arm. Next thing we knew, the gauze was soaked with blood and blood was running down my arm. A big drop fell on my shirt. The Physical Therapy lady told me to spit on it. The enzymes in my spit would help to take it out.
Quick Fix for Rubber GlovesWhen your rubber gloves don't slip on easily, try putting a dab of corn starch in them. Blow air into the glove like you would a balloon and give it a shake. The corn starch makes putting them on much easier.
How to Remove a Jar LabelI removed this jar label by holding it over the spout of my kettle of hot steaming water. Within a couple of seconds, it loosened the glue and I was able to peel the label a little at the time. It took only a few seconds to remove the whole label. Easy as pie.
Removing Oil Pastel, Crayon and Pencil Writing on WallWhen there's kids at home, always expect a mess. Children, especially toddlers love to draw anywhere and mostly on walls. The worst thing is, they draw with different coloring materials such as wax crayons. I was pretty worried seeing my apartment walls full of crayon and oil pastel drawings. Good thing I discovered this very effective way of cleaning this kind of mess.
Cleaning Your K-Cup Coffee MakerThose of us who have a K-cup coffee maker know how important it is to keep it running smoothly. Cleaning it regularly is a must. One year on Christmas morning, I learned the hard way, with several guests wanting coffee, and a machine that was on strike because it needed to be cleaned. I now make a point of cleaning it on the 1st day of each month.
Cleaning Your Toilet BowlI have been using the new Dawn spray cleaner in the kitchen for about 9 months. It is very helpful. It is so helpful I wondered if I could use it somewhere else.
Improvised Cobweb Duster for LessNeed to get rid of those high cobwebs? Here's an inexpensive way that's worked for us.
Save Your Back with a Reach ExtenderI have a reach extender hanging in my wash room. It makes getting the clothes out of the dryer much easier.
Disposable Sport Water Bottle to Hold Dish SoapIf you purchase dish soap in bulk, you'll know that the container is huge! It is heavy to pour out on a daily basis and it's not very convenient.
Naval Jelly for Removing RustThis tip is from many years ago, use Naval jelly. Hardware stores have it. Read the bottle well, know what you are using, and if it's appropriate. This requires ventilation, use it weather permitting. Turn on the exhaust fan, open windows and close the door while it does the job. Follow the directions.
Bleach Water for Rinsing DishesMy complex shares a very large waterheater between 4 units. So sometimes, getting grease off my dishes isn't easy, as the water is actually hotter in the bathroom than in the kitchen.
Extra Dish DrainerMost of the time, when I cook, I use a lot of pots and pans. Washing them can be a chore.
Washing a Sunbeam Heated BlanketI received a heated throw for Christmas and recently my kids spilled some food on it. I assumed that all I could do was wipe it with a damp cloth, but it turns out you can wash them! You do need to be careful when washing and drying and you can not wash as you would a regular blanket.
How To Reuse Ziploc BagsI don't know about you but we go through Ziplocs like crazy! So what with how much we use them and how expensive they are, we've been rewashing ours. Now granted, after about 3 washes I would say it's about time to throw them away depending on what brand you use. But a few more uses for just one Ziploc gets you a long way!
Cleaning In Tough Kitchen AreasI always have difficulty cleaning in those small spaces between the stove and the refrigerator and the stove and the counter top. You all know what falls between those areas.
Homemade Sanitizing WipesI used old cloths materials for these to avoid wasting paper towels in this trying time. After use of cloths, wash and reuse cloths. I use them at home and at work and they work out wonderful!
Protecting Clothespin Bag Left on ClotheslineSoon begins the hanging laundry on the line season. I have a very nice cloth monogrammed bag that I like to keep hanging on the clothesline right where I need it. To protect it from the rain and sun I found a simple solution. After I emptied a large birdseed bag I cleaned it out and cut a hole in the top, slipped it over the bag and it is well protected with ease.
Cleaning Plastic Containers Used For Powdered DrinksI made a little discovery this morning and wanted to share it with you. It's quick, simple, easy, and cheap.
Removing Sticky Adhesive Residue from PlasticFill a container with pretty warm water (as hot as you can without it distorting the plastic container of course) and let it sit 5 minutes. This heats up the adhesive on the outside of the container. Don't get the outside (where the glue is) wet though. Dump out the water (still keeping the outside dry) and generously wipe the gluey spot with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil.
Getting Pizza Sauce Off Your Upholstered Car SeatIt just happened! Bringing home two pizzas and a container of extra sauce, that ended up opening and dumping onto my new, light gray upholstered car seat! AUGH!! I had even used an over the counter upholstery protection spray previously on the seats, but it didn't seem to help at all!
DIY Counter CleanerAt one point I started making my own kitchen/all purpose cleaner becuase I wanted to save money and use simpler ingredients.
Window Cleaning Tip For an RVIf you travel in a motorhome, camper, or travel trailers (or maybe even at your regular home as well), this might help. At night, condensation builds up on our windows. My easy clean fix is to use a squeegee to run the water down the window onto a reusable towel. Takes a few seconds to do each window.
Sort Laundry As You GoSo as to run full loads only in my washing machine, which is most efficient, I keep 2 popup hampers in my bathroom closet. One has a little hanging tag marked "Lights", and the other "Darks". As I take off my clothes, they are put into the appropriate hamper. When one is full, I do a load of laundry.
Prevent Mold and Mildew on Shower Curtain LinersIf you have a shower curtain or liner that comes in contact with the side of your shower stall or tub while it dries, you have probably noticed that where it makes contact is where you see mold and mildew. That's because it's not drying fast enough to keep those nasty critters at bay.
Cleaning with a DisabilitySo, I've already mentioned I broke my spine. Well, I also broke my spinal hardware bilaterally which runs from T-10 to my ilium. My stubborn self refused to be put down no matter what life threw my way, so I continued to do my chores, not wishing to become too much of a burden on anyone.
Uses for a Wet VacuumI received a wet vacuum for Christmas because I wanted one. I use it for cleaning everything especially the fridge and stove. It is great for cleaning up spills and eggs. It's very easy to wash out the vacuum when you pick up something really messy. It is great for cleaning the bottom of your purse. I have a small one so it is easy to carry.
Removing Sticky LabelsYou'll never guess which of your kids favorite foods is a pro at removing sticky paper labels from glass, plastic, and other surfaces. You no longer need toxic chemicals. It takes only a few minutes, works like a wiz, and there are no worries if your little one sneaks a taste.
Cleaning Under the Stovetop HoodI am going to be perfectly honest here! I clean like crazy, even have a cleaning lady twice a week. I can say honestly that I don't think to go under that hood over the stovetop and do a real cleaning. I thought, what happens when you have something boiling and steam drips? It falls into your pot! Yuck.'Yes, it does!
Hydrogen Peroxide for Removing StainsPeroxide is cheap, environmentally friendly and removes most organic stains. I find it funny that most people don't know that two of the active ingredients of Oxiclean are washing soda (like Arm & Hammer) and peroxide. Save some money, buy a box and bottle and make your own, over and over again.
Hydrogen Peroxide as Easy Stain RemoverAll you need is peroxide and a Q-tip. Pour a little peroxide into the cap and dip the Q-tip in it so it's saturated then dab it onto the stain you are trying to get out! This works on anything, even dried up blood. It will not take the color out of the fabric that you are using it on!
Salt for Removing Blood from ClothingRemove blood from clothing is by using salt. Where the stain is, get it wet and then cover the stain with salt and let it sit for about 10-20 minutes. Then when you are ready to wash it in the washer, add your regular amount of detergent you normally use, but add about 3-4 tablespoons of salt to your wash as well. Wash as usual, and you will get great results!
Cleaning Out a Deceased Person's HomeCheck pockets, linings of coats, insides of pocketbooks, inside pill bottles, radiators, inside books and picture frames for money and valuables. Check all collections of junk jewelry for the possibility of a gold or silver piece.
Clean with Clean ToolsI never put away a dust mop, broom, wet mop, or other such instrument unless I clean it first. Whether I have swept up a dry or wet mess, it makes little sense to put away the tool without eliminating the remainder of the dirt and rinsing the tool so it is ready for the next go-round.
Making a Custom Bottle WasherI freeze my half and half, plus I make flavored water. When the bottles need washing, it's hard to get them clean.
Borax to Boost Laundry DetergentIf you add 1 cup of borax to your laundry water at the beginning of the cycle, you can decrease the amount of detergent you use by half! Not only does this save you money and detergent, it also boosts the cleaning power of your laundry detergent.
Sock As Swiffer PadWorn out socks? Don't toss them. Place them over your Swiffer. It saves purchasing cloths and is great for dusting high places and washing floors.
Shaving Cream to Remove Carpet StainsSpray shave cream directly on the stain and let sit about 30 minutes. Blot with a clean washcloth. Repeat until completely gone. For deep down stains, try scrubbing with scrub brush after spraying shave cream. Reapply shave cream and let set a little longer before blotting.
Cleaning Toilet Brush with Denture TabletsLate for work? Surprise company? Want to trim down cleaning time? Clean your toilet brush quick and easy with cheap denture tablets in a cleaned toilet! Let the brush soak at least an hour to thoroughly clean. Dollar Store quality is just fine.
Save Money On Toilet Bowl CleanerIn a recent post, I gave Dollar Tree's brand of household bleach a thumbs down. I'm back with a thumbs up for another of their products, toilet bowl cleaner.
Use WD40 for Removing Hard Water Line in Toilet BowlFor years, I and other women have been tackling 'the hard water ring' build up in the bowl of our toilets using Comet or a pumice stone to clear away the build up from the bowl itself.
Salt and Vinegar Ineffective for Removing Rust StainsI scoured the internet in search of the best way of removing rust stains from clothes. The method I ran into the most was rubbing salt into the stain with vinegar and letting it dry in the sun. Sadly, it didn't work. I feel like there wasn't even a slight lift of the stain with this method.
How to Care for Your SwimwearSwimwear goes through a lot more than your typical article of clothing. It gets in contact with chlorine, salt, sun lotions, and sprays. They're also way more elastic than your usual garment, so throwing them in the washer and dryer will only shorten its lifespan and kill its colour. Here is how I wash my swimwear to elongate its life and keep the quality pristine.
Cleaning Glass Shower DoorsPut peroxide in a spray bottle and spray on your shower doors and wipe with a dry cloth. The soap scum wipes right off. You can also do the same for shower walls. It works wonders.
Creative ClotheslinesI like to take advantage of warm weather to dry clothing outdoors. Even though I have a couple of drying racks, sometimes it was not enough. I did not want to invest in an outdoor clothesline that would have to be removed every time the lawn was mowed and when the winter came. I solved my problem in several ways.
Spray Silicone To Move Heavy Appliances EasierI just read Jackie H's post for using washcloths to make moving heavy furniture easier. I think this is a great idea, and I have plenty of microfiber washcloths I got from the Dollar Tree @ 3 for a dollar.
The Chem Caddy - Cleaning Supply KitNot only will this keep all materials used to clean any area together, but it's easy to spot what needs replacing at quick glance; fluid levels, bristles on brushes, number of clean rags yet unused plus extra bags for wastebaskets. Sneak a look at that Magic eraser. Dilapidated enough yet to replace?
Keeping Pillows Looking Nice on a BedI have two pillows on my bed that I don't use at night. They are simply there for decoration. I used two Command picture hanging strips (one for each pillow) to hold those pillows up and keep them always looking perky!
