Hot Housekeeping Posts
How To: Clean a microwave using only cheap, green products
The instructor shows us how to clean a microwave using green products in this video. First, take a microwave safe dish and pour some white vinegar into it. You will want to cover about 1 inch of the dish. Once in the microwave, turn on for around 2 minutes and remove the dish. Now, you take a wet wash clothe and rub ivory soap all over it. You can now clean the inside of your dirty microwave with the soapy clothe. Make sure once you're done scrubbing, you take a clean wash clothe and wipe all...
How To: Get candle wax out of your carpet
Want to remove dried wax from a carpet? You'll need four items: a white towel, a regular electric iron, a carpet cleaning solution and a hot-water extraction machine. For a complete, step-by-step demonstration of how to remove pesky paraffin wax stains from your own carpet, watch this free housekeeping video tutorial.
How To: Make homemade liquid laundry detergent
In order to make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent, you will need the following materials: A dutch oven or a large pot, a grater, a spoon, ¬O cup of Borax, ¬O cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, a bowl, a measuring cup, 3-5 gallon cleaning bucket, empty plastic detergent bottles, and Fels-Naptha soap or Ivory bar soap (grated).
How To: Iron a dress or sport shirt
Need to iron a shirt for an important occasion? Smooth out your ironing technique with this housekeeper's how-to, which demonstrates the proper technique for pressing a men's dress or sport shirt using an electric iron and ironing board. For more information, including a step-by-step breakdown of the process, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Wash exterior windows
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to wash exterior windows. Get your window bucket with Dawn dish soap and water. Use your house brooms to remove cobwebs and dust from the windows. You will also need the utility belt with window applicator and squeegee. Couple of cloth pieces, plastic scrapper, steel wool and razor blades will also be needed for removing paint and other hard, sticky stuff. Dust off with the broom. Apply the solution with the applicator. Wipe off near the...
How To: Sterilize a Toothbrush to Remove Germs
Did you know germs can travel pretty far? If you store your toothbrush in the bathroom like almost everyone does, you may need to give it a good wash now and again. In this tutorial, learn how to remove germs from your toothbrush, and stay healthier. This video will show you how to use common, natural household items to clean your brush instead of harmful chemicals.
How To: Quickly fix a skipping DVD with toothpaste
How annoying is a skipping DVD? Picture it: you're in the middle of your favorite flick, and suddenly the characters freeze and seemingly melt away right before your eyes. Sure, you can skip ahead and start watching again at another point in the film, but that's no fun. And it always seems like the disc skips at the best part, doesn't it? Well, this tutorial will show you how to do a quick fix with a tube of toothpaste. It's not just for your pearly whites anymore!
How To: Repair scratched CDs and DVDs
In this tutorial, learn how to repair your scratched discs easily at home. You no longer have to kiss that favorite album goodbye! Save some money and some time and try and fix your discs at home next time. Good luck!
How To: Fix skipping discs
The Easy Pro home use disc fixing machine is a new way to fix old scratched discs. Everyone has a messed up old CD, DVD or game disc that is in need of some serious repair. Watch this tutorial and find out how to fix that disc you thought was a lost cause.
How To: Do a heavy duty fix of a scratched CD or DVD
Sick of throwing out old CD's? Annoyed with using up all your toothpaste and fruit to temporarily fix your albums?
How To: Get rid of mold in your home and stay healthy
Mold is not good for your home or your health. It creeps across damp ceilings and shower curtains, leaving a musty smell behind. In this tutorial, handyman Jay Baker shows you how to rid your home of mold before it gets a chance to make you sick.
How To: Remove permanent marker easily with orange peels
This video shows viewers how to use orange peels to remove permanent marker from surfaces. Use a small piece of an orange peel for this. To begin, massage the skin (outer layer) of the orange peel. This will cause the oils in the skin to rise to the surface. Once you have massaged it enough, rub the orange peel over the marker stain. Keep rubbing until the marker is entirely gone, or only faint stains are left. It may take a couple of tries, but the stain will usually be entirely removed. In ...
How To: Easily clean silver and coins
Redneck Productions teaches viewers how to clean silver and coins. This shows you how to clean coins with electricity! This process is good because you do not have to rub or scratch your coins and silver in the process. First you will need to get a battery (AA) and wire. Connect the battery and wire with the wire connected to each side of the battery. Next, you will need to get a plastic Tupperware dish. In this dish mix the solution of equal parts baking soda and Iodized salt and mix this in...
How To: Wash your windows with a mop and squeegee like a pro
This video shows how to wash your windows with a mop and squeegee like a pro.This process includes the following steps,Step 1Take a bucket and a mop.Step 2Fill water in the bucket and put the mop in the bucket to wet it.Step 3Take some liquid soap and apply it on the mop and then clean the windows with this mop.Step 4Now rinse the mop in the bucket and squeeze it well so that the soap is drained out of it.Step 5Now clean the windows with this mop, rinse the mop in water again and squeeze it.S...
How To: Install gutter guards for less mess
In this tutorial, we learn how to install a gutter guard. First, clean out your gutters of any rocks or leaves that may be inside of them. Next, gran the gutter guard and place it between your roof and the gutter. Gutter guard is a mesh type of metal that is flexible and easy to use. Now, take your gutter guard and place it on a long and thin piece of wood so it gets to be the same shape as the wood. Now, take the gutter guard and place it into your gutter. This is a great way to keep your gu...
How To: Remove permanent marker stains from a whiteboard
In this how-to video, you will learn how to remove permanent marker sharpie marks off a whiteboard. This is useful if someone accidentally used one on the dry erase board. To erase the marks, you will need a regular dry erase marker. Color over the top of the permanent marker thoroughly with the dry erase marker. Next, take a rag and wipe the marks off the board. Both markers will come off easily. The color of the markers do not matter at all. This video shows you a simple way to deal with th...
How To: Remove permanent marker stains with toothpaste
This shows viewers how to remove permanent marker stains using toothpaste. First, you will want to do this in a bathroom or kitchen. Fill up a cup just barely with water. This should only be about 1 cm deep or full in the cup. Next, you will need to different kinds of toothpaste, preferably one a gel and another the average paste. Now, put the toothpaste into the cup, about quarter size, and use your finger or any tool to mix this with the water. Next, you'll want to put this mixture onto the...
How To: Thoroughly clean tile grout
In this video Rich explains how to maintain a grout and tile floor. He uses a chemical cleaner which he describes as a "grout-smart type product." For regular maintenance of the floor Rich recommends using only 1oz of the product per gallon of warm water but for really badly stained floors using up to 12oz per gallon of warm water. Rich mixes the chemical into his water then applies the mixture to the tile using an ordinary deck scrubber, he then uses an angled scrubber which has bristles tha...
How To: Clean your own inside windows
In this video, David teaches us how to clean the inside of windows easily and quickly. You don't need fancy tools, all you need is a terry cloth towel, a squeegee and dish washing detergent. First, put a little bit of the soap into a bucket and wash down the windows. Next, take a squeegee and wipe horizontally making clean lines. The excess water should drip down and you will catch it with your next squeegee wipe. If you have extra wetness on the edges, grab an old t-shirt and wipe the sides ...
How To: Clean beach coins
According to Outer Banks, cleaning coins found on the beach is an easy job. First of all he doesn't clean pennies as he doesn't think its worth the time. First use a rock tumbler. They're not expensive and cost under $100.00. Toss the coins in a tumbler with small rocks or gravel as this helps clean and separate the coins. Use a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid and water about 3/4 full. Let it tumble about three to four hours. Using a colander rinse your coins once tumbling is complete...
How To: Erase permanent marker from a dry erase board
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to erase permanent marker from a dry erase board. Well, there are various methods of erasing permanent marker from a dry erase board. One of the methods is to use some clear spirit. Soak a small piece of cloth in the spirit and rub off the dry marker and it will vanish in no time. But, what if you don’t have spirit? This short video clip shows you how to do this very easily and quickly. All you have to do is to apply more of permanent in...
How To: Clean and shine coins with an eraser, vinegar and salt
In this how-to video, you will learn how to clean your coins to make them look shiny and new. This is useful if you collect coins. First, you will need coins, vinegar, salt, paper towels, a pencil, and a jar for the mixture. Take the coin and place it in the jar. Next, add a small amount of salt to the jar. Now, pour three caps full of vinegar into the jar. Mix it with the pencil and let it rest for ten seconds. Now, take the coin and place it on the paper towel. Use the eraser on the pencil ...
How To: Remove permanent marker from Legos
Lego owners sometimes decide to personalize their Lego pieces by drawing on them with permanent marker. If you've ever needed to remove permanent marker from your Lego pieces, here's a surprisingly easy way: You'll need a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a small bowl of water (only about an inch of water will be needed), and of course your marker-covered Lego piece. First apply toothpaste to the toothbrush. Next dunk the Lego piece in the water. Then place the Lego piece in your hand and lightly s...
How To: Clean clad coins with a tumbler
Ever wondered how to clean those dust clad coin? It is hard to clean the coins all at a time. This how-to-do video gives an easy way to clean those stubborn clad on the coins. An old tumbler would accommodate this task. An old tumbler can be bought from eBay. The tumbler consists of two tumbling barrels connected to a small motor. The tumbling barrels are connected to a motor through a rubber belt. Fill the tumbling barrels with water and tumbling medium. Add Gravel or Pebbles from aquarium, ...
How To: Remove a stain from a carpet
How to remove a stain from a carpet
How To: Remove permanent marker from plastic surfaces
This video is a demonstration set to music about how to remove permanent marker from a plastic surface. It is not narrated. To follow along with this video, all you need is a can of Axe body spray, some clean, dry tissues, and a plastic surface that has permanent marker on it. The video shows a clean video game case, then the person draws and writes all over it with a black sharpie. The person proceeds to spray some Axe body spray all over the permanent marker writing. He or she grabs a clean...
How To: Easily clean your coins with clr
How to easily clean your coins with CLR
How To: Get permanent marker stains out of your carpet
To follow along with this video, you will need a few supplies: a spray bottle filled with lukewarm water, a couple of clean white blotting towels, and a product called Legacy of Clean. To remove the stain you begin by applying a few drops of Legacy of Clean onto the stain. Use the blotting cloth to agitate the product into the carpet fibers by rubbing it a bit. Then find a new clean spot on the towel, place it over the stain and apply pressure from your fist to blot the stain. You will see th...
How To: Clear up office clutter
It's easy to find yourself drowning in a pile of papers and nick-nacks if you're not armed with a good organization system. By taking the time to set up a system where everything is condensed and has a place you'll find it much easier to keep it that way.
How To: Organize & unclutter your closet
In this how-to video, you will learn how to organize your closet. You will need motivation first and foremost in order to fully go through with this project. The closet of course is the best way to motivate yourself to clean your entire house. First start by getting rid of the items you do not wear or do not like anymore. You can easily get rid of things you do not love by doing this. Next, purchase matching hangars. You can even just rework what hangars you are currently hanging. Items such ...
How To: Fold a fitted sheet for perfect storage
Folding fitted sheets is always trickier than folding a conventional rectangular sheet. First, throw the sheet onto the bed. Then use your hands to tuck all the corners in on themselves. Then lay the sheet back down and straighten it. It makes a horseshoe shape with its elastic. Then fold one corner over the top so that all your elastic hangs over one hand. With the other hand grab the other corner so you can lay it down flat in a half moon shape with all the elastic together in one place. Th...
How To: Organize your home closet
This video shows us how to organize our closet without breaking the bank. As summer comes around and winter is finishing up, it’s time to do some spring-cleaning. Some tips to help get additional space in your closet: Tip 1. Use your luggage to store winter items not used during the summer. Tip 2. Use those old boxes that have just been piling up to store items. Tip 3. Invest in a hanging shoe bag to preserve the shoes you love. Tip 4. Invest in a clear storage rack where your accessories can...
How To: Remove candle wax from carpets easily
The video shows you how to remove candle wax from carpets with ease. All you need are paper towels, an iron, and a butter knife. First, you have to turn the iron on to a medium or high temperature. Next, use the dull side of the knife to dig up the excess wax from the carpet. Afterwards, you have to place the paper towel over the area of wax. Next, you simply iron the carpet very lightly. You have to be careful so that you don't burn the carpet. When you iron the carpet, the wax should absorb...
How To: Clean laminate floors safely
The basic idea of cleaning laminate floors is to use a dry or damp mop or cleaner for cleaning spills and as little moisture as possible. Laminate floors are resistant products and are made to last, but they also are sensible to moisture and thus it can produce damage. Also very important for defending against stains like tomato sauce and red wine is to be vigilant and clean them immediately. The longer a stain like that sits, the longer it is the probability of being permanent, so the best a...
How To: Unclutter your bedroom
In showing how to unclutter the bedroom, the information provided focused on jewelry rather than other areas of the room. Tarsa Mar, the host of the video had a huge jewelry collection and showed the various ways to store those items. One of the boxes she shows is a wall case. One of the features of this item is the fact that necklaces hang. This prevents them from becoming tangled with other necklaces. There was space for rings and bracelets but the main objective was keeping necklaces separ...
How To: Iron a shirt quickly and easily
Ironing a shirt is simple and easy when you follow the suggestions outlined by Matt McGuire in this tutorial. You will need an iron, wrinkled shirt, and ironing board. Lay one end of the shirt on the board. Take the iron rubbing it from side to side, pressing out the wrinkles. It is a good idea to fill your iron with water prior to heating it up. This allows you to steam your clothes making it even easier to get a clean press. When done ironing this section, lay the other portion of the shirt...
How To: Build a fire when the electricity goes out
This video shows the viewer how to start a fire without sing matches or electricity. This is done by first selecting a fairly large dry log. The aim is to ‘chip’ or peel smaller pieces of wood off from this log. These pieces will burn more easily and as such will make it easier to start the fire – a small hatchet is a useful tool to use when breaking down the larger log. Once you have the kindling place it on an alcohol wipe. Then use a flint or a fire steel to ignite the alcohol wipe. Once t...
How To: Organize a closet with a shelves and compartments
You can organize your closet with simple drawers and shelves or racks that you purchase at a discount store such as Target. Outside of your closet you can have drawer space (use transparent drawers) by labeling your own drawers with large labels that you have written the contents of the drawer on and placed this at the front where it will be visible. The drawers can be divided into short sleeved sweater tops, long sleeved sweater tops, tanks, vests, short sleeved tees, long sleeved regular to...
How To: Iron a men's button up shirt
This Home and Garden video tutorial shows how to iron a men's button up shirt. This video will show you how to iron a cotton shirt. Switch on your iron and set it to the hottest setting or cotton setting. Place the shirt on an ironing board and start with the collar. Iron both sides of the collar. Now get on to the sleeves; first iron both sides of the calf and then the whole sleeve. Repeat the other sleeve. Then iron the front of the shirt; pull the fabric slightly to even out the creases, i...
How To: Organize and renovate your closet
Frank, with Home Depot's Trend and Design Department, and Chatelaine demonstrate how to organize and renovate your closet. If you want to make your closet as functional as possible without a lot of wasted space, introduce a fun wallpaper as an accent and install a basic Rubbermaid closet organizer system. Use a centralized bar for support and put in rails two feet apart from each other to allow for flexibility in shelving. Additional accessory pieces include sliding baskets for shoes and an a...