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Keeping the Shower and Tub CleanI keep a Magic Eraser in my shower and go over the the tub and shower every time I take a shower.

 

Cleaning a Computer Keyboard

Cleaning a Computer KeyboardTurn your keyboard upside down and shake it to get residual loose crumbs, dirt, etc. out. Do this several times. Then get a paper towel or soft cloth and spray the cloth with something like 409. Then start cleaning those keys. It'll get all the grime, makeup, etc. off the keys.

 

duster on a string

Homemade Duster for CollectionsI have so many collections that need to be dusted and I am constantly misplacing my cloth. I came up with the idea to remove the long strap from a cell phone holder.

 

A kid with paint all over his face and clothes.

Stain Removal Guide - Out Spot Out!How many times have you found a stain, whether it be on your favorite shirt or on your brand new carpet or on your favorite easy chair, and wondered "How am I going to get this out?" Well, I have put together a chart that you will be able to print out and laminate and put next to your washer for the next time you need instructions.

 

Laundry in basket

Saving Money on Dryer SheetsDip a washcloth in liquid fabric softener, then hang it on a towel rack until dry. When you dry clothes, pop this washcloth in with the load. It can be reused a couple dozen times, then repeat the procedure. A bottle of liquid softener will last almost forever!

 

Photo of spring cleaning supplies.

Spring Cleaning at its FinestThe mood to clean up and refresh seems to be an annual idea. Perhaps it's the freshness of the outdoors, the signs of new life, or just the need to make changes after months of being cooped indoors.

 

Saving Money on Laundry Soap

Saving Money on Laundry SoapIt got really expensive buying good laundry soap for my clothes and the dogs' blankets. I now use my favorite laundry detergent for my linens and clothes.

 

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.

 

A man washing windows.

Saving Money on Window CleanerTips for saving money on window cleaner as posted from the ThriftyFun community. Don't pay extra for Windex. Wait until your auto parts store has car windshield cleaner on sale and stock up. Save dollars by refilling your spray bottles at home.

 

Spring Cleaning Inside

Step By Step Spring Cleaning"Spring Cleaning" conjures up a mental picture of a warm, sunny day spent airing out bedrooms, washing windows, and thoroughly vacuuming carpets. It signals the passing of winter gray outside and the freshness of a spring transformation inside your heart and home.

 

Dealing with DustHere are some dusting tips as recommended by our ThriftyFun community. When you dust, start at the top and work down. A clean paint brush is useful for dusting hard to reach places.

 

Photo of a messy closet.

Time for Spring CleaningSpring is here and it's time for spring cleaning. Nature does it with spring storms that clear dead branches, and her animals clear their winter bedding from their dens as the days get longer.

 

cleaning floor

Black Scuff EraserCut an "X" in the tennis ball and slide on the end of the broomstick. To use: Rub the tennis ball over the black scuff marks and watch them disappear.

 

Cleaning Products

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.

 

Organizing Housework for the New Year

Organizing Housework for the New YearLooking back on last year and housework. Don't you wish you could make a new plan to keep things organized and the washing caught up? Trust me, it is possible! I'd like to suggest a few tips to frustrated and overwhelmed homemakers that I've used for many years.

 

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cleaning bin

My Cleaning Made SimpleInstead of keeping specific cleaning things for specific jobs, I have learned to "generalize" my supplies. So now, I keep on hand the following things for cleaning any room in the house.

 

Silverware

Polishing Metal: Trash To TreasureAfter scouring flea markets and yard sales, I've found some fabulous treasures. Metals are often unrealized treasures. Tarnished silver and brass look drab and worthless, but there's treasure to be found under there. Avoid the expensive store-bought polishes and create your own.

 

Keep Your Home Clean and Green: Reducing Dust

Keep Your Home Clean and GreenAlthough house dust is comprised of harmless particles of natural materials, it can also be contaminated by a wide variety of pollutants. Here are some tips for keeping your home as dust-free and healthy as possible.

 

Woman with Cleaning Supplies

My Frugal Life: Cleaning for LessI have always been one of those people that cannot manage money, I would get it and spend it as fast as I could. Being a single mom with five kids and running a licensed day care at home, I learned a lot of things!

 

A dishwasher running with wine glasses in the top.

Homemade Dishwasher DetergentThis is like Cascade and Sun Light. This homemade natural formula will safely cut through grease and sanitize your dishes as well.

 

Cleaning Mirrors

Cleaning MirrorsThis is a page about cleaning mirrors. There is nothing worse than cleaning a mirror and leaving unsightly streaks. There are a lot of different products and many techniques for cleaning mirrors.

 

Cleaning mini blinds square

Cleaning Mini BlindsThis is a page about cleaning mini blinds. Mini blinds are dust magnets. Cleaning between each and every blind can be time consuming and difficult.

 

Red on a shirt transferred to the white.

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 "Dry Clean Only" Clothing at Home, Row of Dry Cleaned Shirts

Cleaning "Dry Clean Only" Clothing at HomeMany of our nice clothes are dry clean only. Taking your suits, dresses, etc. to the dry cleaner can be very expensive. Are you looking for a way to clean them at home? This is a page about cleaning dry clean only clothing at home.

 

Hand holding a squeegee swiping soap off a window.

Cleaning Windows (Inside and Outside)Cleaning windows can be daunting taks but there are ways to make the job easier. This is a page about cleaning windows inside and out.

 

Woman's hand holding blue cloth cleaning the tub spout.

Cleaning My BathtubFrom difficult rings from soap and hard water to rust around the drain, cleaning the bathtub is one of the more difficult household chores. Sometimes more specialized cleaning solutions may be needed to get the desired result. This guide features tips and solutions for cleaning your bathtub.

 

Christmas tree on top of an SUV.

Removing Tree Sap from a CarWhen tree sap gets on your car it can be tricky to remove. You'll want to remove the sap without doing damage to the wax below it. This is a page about removing tree sap from your car.

 

Grey Cat Sitting on Blue Chair

Removing Pet Urine Smell from FurnitureIf you have a pet urinate on your furniture you know how difficult it is to clean up. Even if you get to it right away the smell can still linger for a longtime afterward. This is a page about removing pet urine smell from furniture.

 

Skunk on deck.

Removing Skunk Smell from HouseSkunk smell can be very unpleasant for everyone nearby. If a skunk sprays on or near your home it can be almost impossible to be in the house. This is a page about removing skunk smell from house.

 

A scoop inside an open box of laundry soap.

Laundry Soap OverloadIt's laundry day, and the clothes are separated, the newest energy efficient washer is on, and the water temperature is set to cold. It's a financially efficient laundry load, right?

 

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A bottle of white vinegar.

Cleaning With VinegarA frugal and effective natural cleaner is vinegar. It can be used to disinfect surfaces, soften and brighten laundry, deodorize and much more. This is a page about cleaning with vinegar.

 

Furniture polish being sprayed on wood furniture.

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.

 

Generic Blue Spray Bottle

Homemade Febreze Recipes (Fabric Freshener)Febreze does a good job of reducing unpleasant odors. However, if you use it often it can be expensive. Save money by making your own. This page contains homemade Febreze recipes (fabric freshener).

 

Someone loading dishes into a dishwasher.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent RecipesDishwasher detergent is a necessary but expensive household item. Making your own detergent is a simple way to save money. This page contains homemade dishwasher detergent recipes.

 

Generic Fabric Softener Bottles

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.

 

A brass candlestick being polished.

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.

 

Someone cleaning a kitchen counter with cleaner.

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner RecipesIt is easy to make your own all purpose cleaners, and they can be just as effective as the store bought cleaners. This page contains homemade all-purpose cleaner recipes.

 

A dry erase board and markers.

Cleaning a Dry Erase BoardThis is a page about cleaning a dry erase board. Cleaning a white board can be difficult, especially if the ink has been on it a long time. Properly cleaning the surface will keep your dry erase board looking new and easy to read.

 

Dishwasher full of dishes.

Cleaning a DishwasherPeriodic cleaning of your dishwasher can help prevent odors. It will also ensure that you get many years of use out of it. This is a page about cleaning a dishwasher.

 

Dirty artist brushes.

How to Clean Artists' BrushesQuality artists' paint brushes are an investment. It is important to wash them thoroughly at the end of every studio session or they can become permanently damaged. A proper cleaning will help maintain the shape of the tip, and extend the life of the ferrule and hairs as long as possible.

 

Cleaning a leather purse with ink on it.

How to Remove Ink from LeatherWhether its a jacket, purse, or other item, ink stains on leather can ruin an items appearance. It is important to not further damage the leather when trying to remove the ink. This is a page about removing ink from leather.

 

Removing Melted Crayon from Dried Clothes, Man removing clothes from the dryer.

Cleaning Melted Crayon from Dried ClothesReaching into the dryer to remove your laundry only to discover the violet crayon is now decorating your clean clothing is frustrating. This is a page about cleaning melted crayon from dried clothes.

 

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes

All-Purpose Cleaner RecipesWhen you make your own cleaning products, you avoid exposing yourself and your family to hundreds of harsh chemicals. You also protect the environment, and save money, too!

 

Spraying Mold on Window frame

Quick and Easy Mold Removal from WallsAccording to the CDC mold spores can come into your house from the outside through open doorways, open windows or heating and cooling systems with outdoor intakes. Once inside, mold thrives and grows in moisture rich places

 

pictures of shower walls

Keeping Your Shower CleanNo one enjoys cleaning their shower. You can make this task less overwhelming by following a few tips for keeping your shower clean. This will help make that periodic cleaning easier. This is a page about keeping your shower clean.

 

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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.

 

Keeping Your House Clean

Keeping Your House CleanThis is a page about keeping your house clean. Once you have your house nice and clean there are strategies for keeping it that way.

 

Black Scuffs on vinyl floor

Removing Scuff Marks with WD-40This is a quick and easy way to remove both scuff marks and tape residue from linoleum or vinyl floors.

 

A pair of tan suede boots.

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.

 

Primary Colored Shirts on Clothesline

Line Drying Clothing Tips and TricksOne way to save money is to line dry your clothing rather than using a dryer. This page contains line drying clothing tips and tricks.

 

Man Holding Burger with Mustard Stain on his Tie

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.

 

stainless steel sink

Cleaning a Stainless Steel SinkThis is a page about cleaning a stainless steel sink. Stainless steel sinks present their own unique cleaning concerns.

 

Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar With Spray Bottles

Sanitize With Vinegar and Hydrogen PeroxideThis non-toxic method was developed by Susan Sumner, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, as a way of sanitizing food. Not only does it work great for that but I have found it useful elsewhere around the home.

 

Classico spaghette sauce jar.

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!

 

Pine sap on microfiber couch

Removing Pine Pitch From MicrofiberI recently discovered a small spot on our couch that appeared to be pine sap from our kids playing outside. Using a cotton ball, I dabbed and gently rubbed rubbing alcohol onto the spot. It very quickly started to disappear.

 

Spaghetti Sauce Jar with Torn Label

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.

 

Woman removing a Grease stain.

Removing Grease Stains from ClothingGrease or oil stains can be difficult to remove from clothing. This is a page about removing grease (oil) stains from clothing.

 

Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Cleaning Stainless Steel AppliancesKeeping your stainless steel sparkling and streak free can be a challenge. This page is about cleaning stainless steel appliances.

 

Lemon and Baking Soda for Cleaning Microwave - A measuring cup with cut up lemons, water and baking soda.

Cleaning a MicrowaveYour microwave probably gets a lot of use and needs to be cleaned regularly. This is a page about cleaning a microwave.

 

Polishing stainless steel with vegetable oil.

Polish Stainless Steel Appliances With...An easy way to clean and polish stainless steel appliances is with vegetable oil and a rag. Dampen the rag with some vegetable oil, wipe down the appliance and it will shine like new.

 

Spray bottle.

Cleaning With AlcoholAlcohol is an inexpensive alternative to commercial cleaners for many household cleaning jobs. This is a page about cleaning with alcohol.

 

Basement brick wall and window edge.

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.

 

Removing Ink Stains from Clothing

Removing Ink Stains from ClothingIt can be difficult to remove ink from clothing. This page is about removing ink stains from clothing.

 

Views of the weight at work in bottle.

Making a Multidirectional Spray...It's really annoying trying to get your cleaning done when you are forced to hold your spray bottle upright in order for anything to spray out. Here is an easy fix to use your spray bottle in any position.

 

Removing Sunscreen Stains from Clothing

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.

 

Tree Sap

Cleaning Tree Sap Off HandsA stubborn substance to remove from your skin. This page is about cleaning tree sap off hands.

 

A box of baking soda and borax.

Dry Laundry Soap for Twenty Dollars a YearBuy these ingredients at the dollar store. You will only need 2 tablespoons per load of laundry. First grate your soap, then mix all ingredients together. I used two garbage bags doubled up.

 

Before photo.

Cleaning Hazy HeadlightsRecently I noticed the headlights on both my car and especially my son's car were quite hazy, thus reducing visibility at night. I purchased a cleaning kit at the automotive store, (not cheap,) which involved several steps...

 

Cleaning a Burnt Microwave

Cleaning a Burnt MicrowaveThis is a page about cleaning a burnt microwave. Using too high a power setting or starting to heat your food and walking away, sometimes results in a burn marks in your microwave.

 

Shampooing a sofa.

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.

 

Person wearing pink rubber gloves cleaning a toilet with a sponge and a brush.

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.

 

Correction fluid.

Removing White Out Stains on ClothingUsing paper correction fluid can mistakenly end up where you don't want it. This page is about removing white out stains on clothing.

 

Lipstick stain on a white shirt.

Removing Lipstick Stains on ClothingLipstick leaves an oily waxy stain on clothing that can be difficult to remove. This is a page about removing lipstick stains on clothing.

 

Flowers

Make Your Own Cleaning ProductsCleaning products are easy to make at home, and manufacturers charge exorbitant prices for basic ingredients. On cleaning day whip up a batch of homemade cleaners and enjoy a healthy, clean home and a fat wallet.

 

A dog laying on a hardwood floor.

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 Toilet With Ammonia

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.

 

Removing Sticker Residue

Removing Sticker ResidueIt is so frustrating trying to remove sticker residue from your purchases or elsewhere around your home. This is a page about removing sticker residue.

 

View of clean and burnt sides of pan.Cleaning a Very Burnt Saucepan

Cleaning a Very Burnt SaucepanI took a telephone call and completely forgot my saucepan boiling my Udon noodles. I didn't think anything would shift the burnt-on food. How wrong I was.

 

Dirty jeans hanging out of a washing machine.

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.

 

Two Wet Jet mops.

Unclogging Swiffer Wet JetsThanks Thriftyfun! I have mastered the art of unclogging Swiffer Wet Jets. First, rise off the jets with hot water and stick a pin up into each jet.

 

Photos showing how to hang.

How To Hang A JumperHanging your jerseys and jumpers on a coat hanger can cause them to stretch or put 'dents' in the shoulders.

 

Mold on Walls

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.

 

Dryer sheet in sneaker.

Fragrant Dryer Sheets for ShoesDryer sheets are a great way to deodorize stinky shoes. Here is this tip in action.

 

Artificial Flowers

Cleaning Artificial PlantsThey may not need light and water, but artificial plants do require regular cleaning to look their best. This is a page about cleaning artificial plants.

 

Washing Clothes

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.

 

Marker lines on coffee table.

White Gum Eraser for Permanent MarkerWhen my new coffee table arrived, it had these permanent marker lines (they could have been there for months, who knew where or when it was manufactured). I was afraid to try alcohol, so before buying the Mr. Clean sponges, I tried a regular white rubber eraser.

 

Cigarette Smoke Odors

Removing Cigarette Smoke Odors From a...The smell of cigarette smoke is strong, pervasive, and often lingers in a home. This page is about removing cigarette smoke odors from a house.

 

cat on carpet

Removing Cat Pee and Odor from CarpetThis is a page about removing cat pee and odor from carpet. When you kitty has an accident on the carpet it can be difficult to remove the pee and the odor.

 

Mouth Guard

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.

 

Homemade OxiClean

Homemade OxiClean RecipesBuying multiple cleaning products can be expensive. Sometimes you can make a homemade version of a popular cleaning agent from products you may already have around your house. This is a page about homemade OxiClean recipes.

 

A woman putting on lip gloss.

How to Clean Lip Gloss Stains on Clothing?This is a page about cleaning lip gloss stains on clothing. Lip gloss leaves a greasy stain if it gets on your clothing.

 

HE Washer

Homemade Laundry Soap for an HE WasherThis is a page about homemade laundry soap for an HE washer. You can easily and inexpensively make your own laundry soap to use in all types of washers, including HE.

 

Two cars in a minor fender bender accident.

Removing Paint Transfer from a Car's FinishThis is a page about removing paint transfer from a car's finish. When you are involved in a minor fender bender or collision with your garage, paint often transfers to your car's finish.

 

Non Toxic Mold Cleaner

Non-Toxic Mold Cleaners?There are some natural, non-toxic products that are effective in removing mold. This is a page about non-toxic mold cleaners.

 

Must Leather Couch

Removing Musty Smell From Leather Furniture?This is a page about removing musty smell from leather furniture. Mold and mildew can leave your leather furniture smelling musty.

 

A car seat in a car.

Cleaning Sour Milk Smell in a CarWhen milk is accidentally spilt in the car, it can make for a persistent odor. This page is about cleaning sour milk smell in a car.

 

A stainless steel pan with burnt oil.

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.

 

burnt oil

Removing Burnt Oil From a Frying PanI forgot to remove my pan from the burner after frying taco shells, causing the oil to burn onto the pan.

 

Dawn to Clean Burnt Pans

Dawn to Clean Burnt PansIt worked! I used the tip for using Dawn on my burnt pan and it worked! But I had to improve on the tip a little since my pan was really burnt.

 

How to Get Grease Out of Fabrics - Woman eating a greasy hamburger

How to Get Grease Out of FabricsGrease stains can be caused by a number of things. For light stains on washable fabrics, a simple laundry pre-treat is usually all that is needed to remove many stains.

 

Drain strainer sittling next to drain in clean sink.

Brillo Type Pad for Cleaning Stainless SinksAfter several years of using harsh agents to clean my sinks and destroying my hands in the process I have started using Brillo type (store brand, of course) soap pads to clean my stainless steel sinks. They look lovely and shiny and my hands are getting better all the time.

 

Baking Soda and Citrus Foaming Cleaner - baking soda and lime

Baking Soda and Citrus Foaming CleanerThis is my favorite foaming super cleaner! You can use lemons or limes, especially ones past their prime that you are not going to eat. This time I used a lime and simple baking soda. Squeeze the lime directly on impossible to clean places like the burned scum on a glass cooking stove top.

 

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