Discarding Unneeded ItemsOnce a month go through all of your drawers and closets for discards. Put discards in a box for donation or to sell at a garage sale. If for a garage sale, make sure you price things as you pack them. It will make your sale much easier.
Cleaning Your Sink But Allergic to Cleaning ProductsIf you are allergic to cleaning products, use baking soda to clean your sinks with. It works great!
Interesting Old Cleaning TipsHere are some age old cleaning tips about wallpapering, fixing gouges and scratches in wood furniture, door mats and repairing rugs.
Healthier Cleaning Cleaning Can Be Hazardous To Your Health. Please don't use bleach to clean with. It is being linked to Cancer, Asthma and other illnesses. Vinegar, Baking Soda and Tea Tree Oil are super natural cleaners which can't hurt you or your family or your pets.
Cleaning an Old Kilim?I have an old kilim that I bought at the flea market. I wonder how to clean it. I'm afraid of the colors running or that it may shrink.
Any ideas?
Sweat Odor in Room?Can anyone help? My 9 year old son sweats really bad a night while asleep. It leaves an oder in his room. I wash his bedding twice a week and vacum daily with carpet freshener. Does anyone have any advice for me. Thank you
Channon From N,Y
Softening Suede?I have a suede shirt I got at a thrift store. It's a beautiful blue color but stiff as a board. Any ideas about how to soften the suede? Flora from Boston
Cleaning PoemA poem by Doggy about cleaning.
Fur on Winter Coat No Longer Fluffy?My son has a eskimo coat with fur trim around the hood. He got it wet and the fur is not fluffy anymore and he will not wear it. It is a new coat perfectly good condition but I can't get the fur fluffy. How can I fluff the fur out again. kate
Call 800 Numbers For Stain AdviceWhen in doubt on how to remove a stain from a product like a marker, call the manufacturer. Most have an 800 number right on them. It is easier to prevent a stain than remove - put all the pens and markers up and allow use only under supervision!
By Linda
Refilling Scented Oil Warmers?We inherited several of the plug-in scented oil warmers (ours are Airwick) when we bought our house. I would like to use them, but the refills are so expensive and they only come in a few scents. Does anybody have any ideas on how to refill the little bottles, or even if you can?
Camilla
Getting Glass Out Of Clothing?Has anybody had any experience getting smashed glass out of clothing. Or do you reckon the clothes are a gonner. It was a picture frame with glass that was smashed over some clothes, a woolen jersey and scarves.
Shelley
Use What You Have!It may seem obvious, but here's a frugal tip that I sometimes forget: use what you have before you buy more! This goes for food, cleaning supplies, clothes, and just about any other consumable you can think of.
Mothball Smell On a Rabbit Coat?i have a rabbit coat. it was stored in mothballs in error, not by me someones else. How can I get the smell out.
Cleaning Up a Beauty Shop?I have been hired to clean a beauty shop. How can I remove all the hairspray build up off the walls, blinds, and floors. It hasn't been cleaned this good for years! Help, I don't want to have to spend a week on it.
Removing Labels from New Vanity Top?We have a new cultured marble "onyx" vanity top in one of our bathrooms. How do I get the labels off?
Jan from South Carolina
Cleaning The Insides Of Leather Coats?I need an inexpensive way to clean the insides of some second-hand leather coats.
Cleaning Textiles After A FireOne research study on the effectiveness of home-cleaning solutions suggests that home laundering of washable items with commercially available products may eliminate the need for more costly methods of removing smoke damage.
How Long Should Dishwashing Gloves Last?I use rubber household gloves when I wash dishes. How long should I wait before I buy a new pair? Any help would be appreciated.
Cleaning as You GoWhen you start cooking a meal, fill the sink with soapy water. Toss in dishes and utensils after you use them. While the food cooks, you can easily rinse those dishes and the kitchen will be clean by the time you sit down to eat!
Juice Stain on Mattress?Does anyone know how to remove red juice stain from the mattress. My daughter spilled red juice on the mattress and I cant seem to get it out.
Removing Goof Off Stains on Vinyl Windows?I used goof off on a vinyl window to remove paint which it did.
I cannot get the stain goof off left on the vinyl windows. What do you suggest I use? Thanks for any help you can give
Vinegar and Paper TowelsTo keep cleaning time to a minimal, I keep a bottle of vinegar and roll of paper towels in the Kitchen and both bathrooms. I squirt the surfaces, sinks, toilets, floors, windows, mirrors with it and wipe with a paper towel.
Cleaning a Polyurethane Rain Jacket?I have a rain jacket that looks like fabric but is mostly polyurethane and it can't be laundered or dry cleaned. Any ideas on what I could use to sponge clean it with that wouldn't require rinsing and would make it smell nice?
Negotiating With Yourself About ChoresOn the days when I just don't feel like bailing into the "to-do" list, I negotiate with myself to accomplish at least the rudimentary stuff I have to get done. For example, if I am reading a good book or watching television, I "work" at the end of a chapter or work on the commercials.
Removing Carpet Adhesive from Concrete?Help! Does anyone know how to remove yellow carpet adhesive from concrete? Is there a way without using harsh chemicals?
Hiring a HousekeeperDon't you wish you had a housekeeper? It's not financially impossible. I used to be in the business before I retired. My most frugal client hired me to come in once a week to simply vacuum the carpets and clean the bathrooms, that's it.
Rotten Egg Smell in Dishwasher?We have a rotten egg smell in our dishwasher when it is turned on. We have rust in our water that I think turns the dishwasher black in the bottom. Please help me with this.
Stain from Nail Polish Remover on Black Plastic?I spilled nail polish remover on a black plastic surface. Is it possible to remove the dullgrayish stain that now appears?
Egg Stains On Painted Door?How do I remove egg stains from my painted front door? The neighborhood children were playing a game of let's torture the neighbors. School won't start again until September.
Alternative to Bleach?I want to know a cleaning product that cleans just as well as bleach?
Cleaning "Hard To Reach" PlacesTips for cleaning nooks and crannies that are difficult to reach. Post your ideas.
Freezer Disaster?My family and I went away for a 5-day trip and the freezer was left
open. We HAD 300 pounds of shrimp! The water ran through the carpet and through the new wall and on the concrete under my new kitchen cabinets. The smell is unbearable.
Getting Mechanical Grease Off a Suitcase?On a recent flight from NY to Denver, my brand new suitcase got stuck "behind" the luggage carousel and is now covered with grease. It is your typical mechanical grease and the suitcase is your typical poly canvas blend. How can I get the grease out of my new suitcase so it looks new again?
Restoring the Enamel Inside a Crockpot?I have a crockpot with a removable crock and I kept it plugged in with water in it on low to warm baby bottles in a hurry and now it looks as if the enamel, or whatever the inside is made of, has come off in spots.
Sweat Smell on Leather Belt?I have a strange problem. The other day, I was returning from the mall. I closed the front door and all of a sudden smelled something. I checked all over the room for the source of the smell. I sniffed everything in the room, and finally resorted to smelling my clothes.
Cleaning Kids' Pools?Last year I read a post about keeping kids pools cleaner by using regular bleach. I have lost the post and now need to know. Anyone remember or have any information?
Home With Iron In The Water?I am moving into a home that has a lot of iron in the water. Does anyone have suggestions for cleaning commodes, washer, swimming pool, etc.?
Wax on Dryer With Clothes on It?I spilled hot wax on my dryer and my clothes what can I do?
Cleaning a Burberry Purse? have a Burberry purse. Anyone who knows what that is knows what kind of material it is. It is a vinyl material. I got some dirt on it. I don't know what it was from but its black and faded.
Removing Sharpie Marker from Cement?Okay, this may sound lame but does anybody know how to get sharpie off cement? We had a few vandilizers and need help!
Protecting Sheets and MattressesTo stop incontinence from staining your sheets and mattresses, place a rather large rubber-backed bathroom rug with a soft top under the butt area, and nothing will get through to the sheets or below.
Spray Bottle For Cleaning Products Stop Spraying Before It's Empty?I love your Clorox Cleanup and don't use anything else for all my cleaning needs, however, I am getting a little tired of the nozzle not working when there is still at least a half an inch of the product still left in the bottle, I feel like I am being cheated of some of the product, any comments will be appreciated.
Leaf Stains on Vinyl Seats?I need help removing leaf stain from the vinyl seats on my boat. I need something strong that will not harm the white vinyl.
How do I remove paint stains from cement?I was painting my kitchen chairs outside and put newspapers around so the paint wouldn't stain the cement but there are a few drops here and there. Is there something that can take it out?
Uses for Car Compound?Can I use a mild car compound on formica counter tops?
Excuses for Not CleaningDisplay a few get well cards prominently in your home. Anyone coming in will think you've been too ill to clean!
Cleaning My Son's Comfort Blanket?My 2 year old son has a blanket that he takes everywhere with him. He uses it as a comfort blanket and often has it him in his mouth, chewing and sucking on it. I try to clean it on a regular basis, but it still smells. I was just hoping for some advice on how to wash it to get the smell and stains out.
Removing a Design from a Shirt?How do I get print (the design) off of a cotton shirt?
Cleaning Shortcuts?I'm disabled and can be on my legs for only short periods at a time. There's got to be some "short cuts" when it comes to cleaning, dusting, etc.?
Removing Algae from the Side of a House?I will be putting my home up for sale. There's an oak tree that has grown and doesn't let the light filter through on one corner of the house and there has become a green like as algae on the house. I need a thrifty hint on how to get rid of the algae-like stuff.
Things I've Learned Recently on ThriftyFunThanks to everyone! Two things I have learned here recently: Rubbing alcohol cleans and baking soda is good for everything. . .
Rejuvenate and Sanitize Pillows and RugsSpray disinfectant can be used to rejuvenate/sanitize foam pillows, carpeting and other objects that are hard to clean. Spray with the disinfectant and put in the sun to dry. You may have to do this several times to get rid of deep-seeded mold.
A Target in the ToiletDo you have guys (big or little) with bad aim when it comes to the toilet? Well take advantage of their natural instinct to hit at a target of any kind. . .
Disinfecting Used Shoes?How do you clean shoes that have been previously worn? Is there some kind of home remedy or disinfectant spray?
Removing Paint from a Christmas Stocking?How can I remove Puffy paint from a Christmas Stocking?
Cleaning a Foam Mattress?We bought a used travel trailer this spring. When we took the cushion covers off to wash them, one of the foam mattresses was very moldy and mildewy. We want to try to clean it ourselves before we spend money on a new one.
Cleaning a Spackled Ceiling?I have a Spackled dry wall ceiling and it is stained yellow. How do I clean off the ceiling without damaging the Spackle?
Removing a Logo From a Motorcycle Seat?What can be used to remove, say "Honda" emblem from motorcycle seats. The seats are either leather or vinyl with the logo evidently painted on the back of the seat in white letters. I want to remove the letters.
Cleaning a Straw Handbag?How can I clean a straw handbag?
Housekeeping and Shopping in a Wheelchair?I use a wheelchair to get around in my home and out in the public. I need ideas for housekeeping and shopping in department stores.
Permanent Marker on Formica?How do I remove sharpie permanent marker off of a formica table top?
Removing Slug Slime from Your Skin?Removing Slug Slime from Your Skin. How do you remove slug slime from your skin, fingers and hands?
Spray Paint On Acrylic Nails?I was wondering how you clean spray paint off of acrylic nails and hands! I have the solar acrylic nails and it just doesn't seem to come off!
Cleaning a Mamasan Cushion?Cleaning a Mamasan Cushion. How do you clean a very large cushion, specifically a Mamasan cushion? No stains, just want to freshen it up. I would love to wash it, but not sure it will dry.
My White Barrel Handbag is Turning Yellow?I have a white barrel handbag and it is turning yellow. Any suggestions on cleaning it?
Cleaning a Hand Blown Vase?I have a vase - hand blown - which was dusty when I opened the box it was shipped in. After I wiped it with a wet cloth (clean) it left the inside of the vase gray - when it is wet it looks perfect - when it dries it is gray.
Musty Smell on Papers and Letters?Does anyone know how to get rid of the musty smell that gets in old papers and letters?
Buying a Wick for Plug-in Air Fresheners?Does anyone know where I can buy the wick that comes in the plug in oil air fresheners.
Does vinegar harm wood?Does vinegar harm wood?
Cleaning Up Ant Poison?What is something good to clean a counter that has ant poison on it? I want to make sure the ant poison is gone and the counter is safe to use again.
Getting Rid of Green Algae?How do you get rid of green algae? Is there a cleaner that will dissolve it or do I have to manually clean it? Any help would be appreciated!
Shining Hardware on a Coach Bag?How do I shine up the hardware on my vintage Coach bag?
Auto Grease on My Dooney Burke PurseMy dooney burke is made of fabric. It's a creme color. There's a black dirty mark on the corner of my purse. The mark could be black grease from an Auto factory.
Life Without a Garbage Disposal?Life Without a Garbage Disposal. My new home does not have a garbage disposal in it. I thought all homes came with garbage disposals. I am used to putting everything down the garbage disposal. . .
What is Octagon Soap Made Of?What is octagon soap made of?
Cigarette Stains on a Paper Light Shade?How do I remove cigarette stains from a paper light shade? It's an expensive shade and I don't want to throw it out.
Water Stain on a Poster?How do you get water stain out of a poster?
Removing a Label from a Fabric Placemat?How do you get a stuck on label off of a brushed fabric placemat?
Sticky Residue on CD Cases?When moving, I secured my CD's into their wooden holder using packing tape. I have now taken off the tape and it has left a sticky residue on both the CD cases and the wooden holder. How do I remove it?
Cleaning a White Canvas Golf Bag?My son has a white canvas school golf bag with cardinal lettering, I am trying to find out a way to clean it safely without the lettering bleeding on to the bag and turning it pink.
Wood Stain on a Fiberglass Boat?I have wood stain splatters/spray on a fiberglass boat, how do I remove the stain? I was spraying wood stain on my fence and the spray carried over to the neighbors boat.
Removing Paint From Slate?How can I remove paint from slate?
Removing Egg From Stucco?How can I remove egg from stucco?
Removing Fingernail Glue?How do you get fingernail glue off of an eye glass lenes? Does anyone know?
OCD Cleaning Advice?I have OCD and my main worry is transfering disgusting things like urine from one place to another. My daughter's diaper leaked on the couch and we washed it with soap and water and used a household upholstry cleaner.
Cleaning Steel on a Yacht?Cleaning Steel on a Yacht. wondering how to clean stainless steel on a yacht?
Use De-icer on Your Boot CleanerIf you use a brush-type boot/shoe cleaner for snow removal, sprinkle it with your snow and ice melter as you do your walks, etc. The snow won't build up to the point that it can't be used to clean the bottom of your boots.
Glue for Cuts in Hair?My son recently had a cut glued together at the hospital. They got a little glue happy and glued his hair to his scalp. How can I safely remove the excess glue?
Cleaning Clay Flower Pots?How do I clean my clay flower pots? they are stained white on the outside, looks like lime.
Emptying a Bagless Vacuum Cleaner?I have a bagless upright vacuum cleaner and I hate it. Whenever I try to empty the dirt canister I get filthy dirty. Is there a trick to doing this so dust doesn't fly everywhere and get all over everything, including me?
Oil Based Pencil Stain?Does anyone have any idea how to get an oil based pencil stain out of a paper product, such as a hat box?
Designer Canvas and Leather Bag?I purchased a designer bag at an auction and didn't realize how badly it needed to be cleaned until I had it in my hands... but I still loved the style of it and got it anyway thinking I could clean it and it would be fine.
Removing Chewing Gum from Concrete?Any advice for removing chewing gum from a concrete path? It's awfully hot outside now and the gum is gooey. I don't have a clue as to how to remove it.
Cleaning Spray Paint Off Trees?Any advice for cleaning spray paint off trees?
The Beauty of the Dryer SheetDryer sheets are relatively cheap items (think bargain stores and generic boxes) which can be used in a variety of ways. Stock up when you find a great bargain on these scented, or unscented, boxes of versatile sheets.
Refilling Swiffer Mop Containers?Has anybody had any luck in filling the Swiffer mop containers, if so how did you do it.
What Is Washing Soda?Does anyone know what 'washing soda' is?
Cleaning a House with a Long Haired Cat?I have a question about housecleaning. I have a small housecleaning business and I have a question about a particular house. This house is a large, two-story home owned by a retired lady in her late 70's. She and her long haired white calico cat are the only ones living there.
Cleaning a Moses Basket?I am expecting my second baby in 6 weeks and need to clean up a palm moses basket which has been stored in the loft. It needs disinfecting thoroughly before I place a newborn in it - is there a way to do this without soaking it in chemicals?!
Removing Graffiti Without Repainting Wall?How can I clean graffiti off rough walls that cannot be painted?
White Purse Has Yellowed?I have a Dooney and Bourke bag with multicolored hearts all over it and it is made out of vinyl I think. It has turned a yellowish color since I got it a couple years ago. Does anyone have this problem and does anyone know how to clean it so it looks white again?
