Use Dawn and Baking Soda to Clean a Smooth Top RangeA simple mix of Dawn dish soap and some baking soda can make an effective cleaner for many surfaces, even your smooth glass top range. This is a page about use dawn and baking soda to clean a smooth top range.
Removing Urine Odors from a CouchRemoving urine odors from upholstered furniture can be difficult. This is a page about removing urine odors from a couch.
Cleaning Greasy Fast Food Employee's Clothes?The fast food work environment can easily result in grease stained clothing than can be tough to clean. This is a page about cleaning greasy fast food employee's clothes.
White Vinegar for Removing Sticker Residue from ClothingWhite vinegar can be used for a multitude of cleaning purposes around the house, even removing sticker residue on clothing. This is a page about white vinegar for removing sticker residue from clothing.
Cleaning Yellow Stains on an Old Porcelain Tub?If your porcelain tub has yellow stains in it, a strong cleaner and some elbow grease may be what is needed to get it cleaned up. Cleaning yellow stains on an old porcelain tub can be a tough job, but it is worth it to have a nice clean tub to use.
Cleaning Burnt Sugar on a Smooth Top StoveThis is a page about cleaning burnt sugar on a smooth top stove. Boiled over sugary foods can be difficult to clean off your smooth top stove.
Removing Dye Transfers from ClothingOne of the more frustrating and difficult clothing stains you can encounter is dye transfer. This is a page about removing dye transfer stains from clothing.
Cleaning Burnt Oil From Stainless Steel PansA stubborn substance that can adhere to your pan is cooking oil. This page is about cleaning burnt oil from stainless steel pans.
Cleaning a Smelly Mouth Guard?It answers the question about how to keep your mouth guard smelling nice and clean with daily maintenance. This page is about cleaning a smelly mouth guard.
Removing Labels from Glass JarsGlass jars can be reused in a wide variety of ways from storage to crafts, but first, you will want to remove the label. This is a page about how to remove labels and sticky residue from glass jars.
Cornstarch and Vinegar Window Cleaner RecipeThis is a page about cornstarch and vinegar window cleaner recipe. Clean your windows using common kitchen products for sparkling glass and money savings.
Washing Clothes in Well WaterThis is a page about washing clothes in well water. Homeowners who use well water, often experience various difficulties when doing laundry, due to the iron and other minerals sometimes found in the water.
How to Clean Mold on Painted Walls and CeilingBathrooms and other humid areas can begin to grow mold on the walls and ceilings. This is a page about removing mold from painted walls and ceiling.
Removing Furniture Polish Build Up from Wood...Those wonderful furniture polishes can often leave a dull buildup. There are methods and products you can use to remove the buildup and restore the shine to your furnishings. This is a page about removing furniture polish buildup from wood furniture.
Removing Sap from ConcreteTrees overhanging your driveway, sidewalk, or patio can drip sap on to the concrete surface leaving you with a sticky mess to clean up. This is a page about removing sap from concrete.
Removing Pet Urine Stains from Hardwood FloorsWhen you have pets accidents happen, even on your beautiful hardwood flooring. stains from hardwood floors. This is a page about removing pet urine
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.
What Can I Use on Laminate Floors That Won't Streak?Laminate flooring is notorious for showing streaks after cleaning. This page offers some solutions for, "What can I use on laminate floors that won't streak?".
Getting Rid of a Musty Smell in the BasementBasements are notorious for developing musty smells. This is a page about getting rid of a musty smell in the basement.
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.
Cleaning Mineral Deposits from a Tea KettleVinegar can be a helpful natural cleaner to remove build up inside your water kettle. This page is about cleaning mineral deposits from a tea kettle.
Using Shampoo to Wash WoolCare for your wool items at home instead of paying for expensive dry cleaning. This is a page about using shampoo to wash wool.
Removing Toilet Bowl StainsWhatever kind of stains you may have in your porcelain toilet bowl, they can be difficult to remove. This page is about removing toilet bowl stains.
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.
Removing Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Odors From ClothingIf you have ever spilled fuel on your clothing, you know that the odor is sometimes difficult to remove. This is a page about cleaning fuel odors from clothing.
How to Remove Salt Stains From Suede BootsWhen the sidewalks are icy and salt gets put down, it's easy to get salt stains on suede boots. This is a page about cleaning salt stains from suede boots.
How to Remove Deodorant Build-upDeodorant can leave an unsightly residue on clothing that can be difficult to remove. This is a page about how to remove deodorant build-up.
Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors from a CarCigarette smoke permeates many materials of a car's interior, making it a challenge to remove the smell. This page is about removing cigarette smoke odor from a car.
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.
Why Is Dawn Detergent Recommended So Often?Original blue Dawn dish detergent has a wide variety of uses other than its intended one for cleaning dishes. They range from removing fleas from pets, ridding your plants of insect pests, to its inclusion in homemade cleaning solutions. This is a page about, "Why is Dawn detergent recommended so often?".
Cleaning a Burnt Stainless Steel PanRemoving burned on food or burn marks from your stainless steel cookware can be difficult. There are products and techniques that will help and not damage the finish in the process. This is a page about cleaning a burnt stainless steel pan.
Unclogging a Drain with Vinegar and Baking SodaA natural solution for clearing a drain is using vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. While effective on moderate drain clogs, you must make sure all of the baking soda is flushed from your drain or it can create an even worse clog when it dries and becomes hard.
Removing Stains Above Toilet Water Line?To remove stains above the water line in a toilet there are a couple of good methods to try. Using a pumice stone may work. Also, shut off the water and fill the bowl to just below the rim and add a cleaner or vinegar, soak, and then scrub. This is a page about removing stains above the toilet water line.
Duggar's Homemade Laundry Detergent RecipeMany ThriftyFun members have asked for or shared the recipe that the Duggar Family uses to wash the laundry for their famously large family. This page features homemade homemade laundry detergent recipes like the one that the Duggar's use.
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.
Cleaning With AmmoniaAmmonia is a common cleaning agent found in many cleaners you buy at the store. It can also be purchased as a stand-alone cleaner. Caution should be used when mixing ammonia with other chemicals as dangerous fumes can be created. This page talks about the benefits and dangers of cleaning with ammonia.
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!
Washing Greasy Work Clothes?Ammonia is a great grease cutter, but never mix with bleach. Dishwashing detergent can also work well to remove grease. This is a page about washing greasy work clothes.
Removing Stains on ClothingOur clothes seem to be stain magnets; some are very difficult to remove. This is a page about removing stains on clothing.
Removing Soot From Candle JarsSometimes candles can burn quite sooty. The black soot sticks to the inside of the candle jar, looking unattractive. This page contains ideas for removing soot from candle jars.
Washing Microfiber Cushion CoversThis is a page about washing microfiber cushion covers. One way to keep your microfiber cushion covers clean is to wash them.
Homemade Fabric Softener RecipesFabric softener is great for keeping your clothes soft and fresh when the come out of the laundry. However, it can get expensive to purchase on a regular basis. Making it at home is a great way to save some money. This page contains homemade fabric softener recipes.
Homemade Metal Polish RecipesThis page contains homemade metal polish recipes. Over time metal items can become tarnished or dirty. Using a homemade metal polish can make them look new again.
Removing Sunscreen Stains from ClothingWhen using sunscreen you are bound to get some on your clothing and the stains can be difficult to remove, especially from white clothing. This page has advice about removing sunscreen stains from whites as well as darker clothing.
Make Your Own Box Fan Air FilterWith all the wildfires right now air quality has gone down throughout the west coast. Here's an easy way to make a room air filter out of a box fan and a furnace filter.
Make Your Own Box Fan Air FilterWith all the wildfires right now air quality has gone down throughout the west coast. Here's an easy way to make a room air filter out of a box fan and a furnace filter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DIY Counter CleanerAt one point I started making my own kitchen/all purpose cleaner becuase I wanted to save money and use simpler ingredients.
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.
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.
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.
Cleaning a Bedroom By YourselfSometimes, I like tackling a job by myself and the other day, I decided to clean the master bedroom. This is the dustiest room in the house. I guess it's from fanning the covers and the bed is where I fold clothes.
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.
Restoring a Tarnished Gold BraceletI had a lovely Alex and Ani bracelet that tarnished. It was easy and quick to make it look like new.
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.
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?
Use a Powder Puff to Clean Your Cell Phone ScreenI have found a use for the extra powder-puff I have been keeping. It is the type that goes in powder compacts that you would keep in a purse. They work really well at gently moving dust off of a phone screen ;)
Use a White Board Eraser for Window StreaksAfter washing windows or mirrors take a white board eraser and go over it with that. You'll be thrilled and amazed! We have all had fun trying to rid ourselves of streaking windows and mirrors. Sure newspaper works, but gets ink all over you. And coffee filters are small and it's tricky to keep it gliding smoothly over the surface of things. Just erase those pesky streaks away!
Using a Swiffer to Clean WallsDo you have high ceilings or hard to reach areas in your home to clean? I found that using a Swiffer with the dry cloths works well! When I run out of refills, I plan on using microfiber cloths, washing them and reusing.
Clearing a Clogged Sink DrainMy bathroom sink had been draining slowing for a while and it was finally time to figure it out. I found a recipe on ThriftyFun for homemade Drano, using salt, baking soda, vinegar and water. It didn't go quite as planned but we were successful in the end.
Adjusting a Dust Pan ClampI purchased this little dust pan at the grocery store. I have seen them at Walmart as well. It is made to clamp onto the broom handle, I would guess tight enough to stay in place which makes the dust pan very convenient. When you use a broom, you usually need a dust pan.
Add Vinegar to Dish SoapA doctor on a Japanese TV show mentioned adding a tiny splash of white vinegar to dish soap when washing up. It gives glass items an extra spotless sheen, and apparently it will help completely remove any soap residue on the dishes when you think you've got it all rinsed off, aiding in what you digest in the future.
Make Your Own Gutter Guard SweeperI have been looking for a curved brush attachment to go on my 12 ft. extension pole to use to sweep the leaves off our gutter guards. I can't find one so I made one myself.
Using Bread to Pick Up Broken GlassI recently dropped a dainty black light bulb on the kitchen floor. There were tiny bits everywhere! I swept up what I could see, but I was scared there were minuscule shards everywhere. I carefully pressed a slice of bread over the glass. The sponginess and little nooks sucked up all of the debris.
Cleaning Your Hair DryerDust can clog the motor, and shorten its life. I used a combination of a vacuum cleaner and an old toothbrush to clean mine.
Clean Fridge And Freezer Interior With PeroxideFor years I've used baking soda to clean inside my refrigerator and freezer. I've found something I think I like better. Peroxide.
Kitchen Scrap Trash CanCut the base out of a gallon water bottle and you can line it with small baggies you get from the grocery store (the ones for putting your produce or vegetables in). This light weight trash can that can easy move around your counter top.
Tips for Waxing CarsMy friend and I came up with this list after waxing his car and learning through trial and error (and success).
Removing Musty Smell from a Wedding Dress?Stored clothing can develop a musty odor over time. Hanging it near an open window can help air it out and potentially cause the odor to dissipate. This is a page about removing musty smell from a wedding dress.
Removing Candle Wax from HolderTo remove the candle wax, left over after burning a candle, I put the container in the freezer. When the wax is frozen, it's easy to pop loose leaving the container practically clean. All that's needed is a good washing.
Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Really Get Clothes Clean?This is a page about whether homemade laundry detergent really gets clothes clean. Many people are skeptical about whether homemade laundry detergents work as well as store bought ones. Here is some feedback and recipes from people that use homemade detergents.
How to Use Fresh Mint as an Air FreshenerIf you grow your own mint, you can gather the sprigs, crush them, and place in a bag or bowl to freshener the air in your home. This is a page about using fresh mint for an air freshener.
Use Recycled Oven Racks for a Drying RackIf you have extra toaster/oven racks, you can make yourself a drying rack. The oven rack is elevated and underneath you can put a towel to absorb the water.
How to Clean Fireplace Bricks?Soot and dirt can stain the bricks on a fireplace, but there are ways to get them surprisingly clean. This is a page about cleaning fireplace bricks.
Cleaning Dull Laminate FloorsLaminate floors can become dull from wear or the use of certain cleaning products. Many homeowners have had success cleaning them using steam or vinegar and water. They typically need to be dried to prevent water spots and streaks. This is a page about cleaning dull laminate floors.
Removing Mildew from LeatherLeather clothing, shoes, handbags, etc. can develop mildew while being stored. One method that can be successful is wiping down the item with white vinegar. No matter what you use, be sure to check colorfastness before cleaning the entire surface. This is a page about removing mildew from leather.
How to Clean Water Spots on MarbleMarble polish is one possible solution for removing water spots on a marble surface. This is a page about how to clean water spots on marble.
Drying Shoes Without the BangingI thought of this because I hate that banging sound of athletic shoes slamming around in the dryer. It's pretty simple as the pictures show. You need a long mesh laundry bag. This one is 2-3 feet long.
DIY Natural Wood Cabinet CleanerMake your own wood cabinet cleaner with a few simple ingredients, including olive oil, water, and vinegar. This is a page about DIY natural wood cabinet cleaner.
Pumice Stone for Removing Calcium BuildupOur cast iron bathtub is 50 years old and I have no plans of parting with it. When the water drains out of the tub, there is a spot near the drain where a little water settles and over the years, a brown circle developed in that area and I could not scrub it off. It was hard calcium buildup.
Using Liquid Fabric Softener Instead of Dryer SheetsOne alternative to buying fabric softener sheets is using diluted liquid softener sprayed on a cloth or piece of interfacing that is added to the clothing in your dryer. This is a page about using liquid fabric softener instead of dryer sheets.
DIY Comb-top DustpanAttach a wide-toothed comb with hot glue to your dustpan in order to brush out all the debris and dust bunnies from your broom. This dollar hack is a copycat of a $25 dustpan I saw at the Home Goods store.
Coffee Container for Collecting Dryer LintI keep a Folger's coffee container on the clothes dryer to put lint in. When it gets full, I empty the lint into the trash.
Clean Your Earbuds with AlcoholUse rubbing alcohol to clean your earbuds frequently. They can get dirty just by handling and can accumulate earwax.
Dusting Ceiling FansThe blades and housing on ceiling fans collect a lot of dust when in use and even when not being used. Such high dusting jobs can be messy and difficult to reach. This is a page about dusting ceiling fans.
All Purpose Cleaning Solution With Sudsy AmmoniaAmmonia has been used to clean a variety of items for many years. This page contains instructions for making an all purpose cleaning solution with sudsy ammonia.
Cleaning Silver with Aluminum FoilIt's easy to clean silver using aluminum foil and cleaning agents you have in the house.
How to Keep Blinds CleanBlinds can be an easy place for dust and dirt to build up. Here are some ideas on how to keep blinds clean in your home.
How to Keep a Kitchen Sponge from Getting StinkyAllowing your sponge to dry out between uses will help keep it from developing smells. This is a page about how to keep a kitchen sponge from getting stinky.
Removing Stains from LeatherLeather is often quite resilient and relatively easy to clean. However, if you have a bad stain on some leather, it may be a chore to get it out. Removing stains from leather can sometimes require contacting a professional cleaner.
Cleaning Dog Pee Off a Cement FloorCleaning the stains and odor of pet urine off of concrete requires the right product and often some serious scrubbing. This is a page about cleaning dog pee off a cement floor.
Make Your Own Cleaning ProductsUsing simple household products you can make your own cleaners with fewer ingredients and often at a lower cost than buying commercial products. This is a page about making your own cleaning products.
Removing Burnt Smell From a MicrowaveWhen food gets burnt in a microwave it can leave behind a strong burnt odor that can be challenging to remove. This page shares advice about removing burnt smell from a microwave.
Cleaning a Canvas Patio UmbrellaAn outdoor canvas umbrella can get dirty over time from exposure. This is a page about cleaning a canvas patio umbrella.
Cleaning a Cast Iron SkilletA nylon brush and quick drying will keep your cast iron in great shape, but sometimes your pans may need some refurbishing. This is a page about cleaning a cast iron skillet.
Cleaning Yellow Stains on a Tablecloth?Yellow stains on your tablecloth could be the result of age and storage or from spills. Depending on the cause of the stains there are ways to try and remove them. This is a page about yellow stains on a tablecloth.
