Hot Housekeeping How-Tos — Page 12 of 22 « Housekeeping

How To: Clean with baking soda

When it comes to household versatility, baking soda is king. Here are just some of the many cleaning uses for baking soda. Cleaning tips:

How To: Clean window blinds

Wash your window blinds with a minimum of mess. Howcast presents you with tips on how to effectively clean your window blinds. Blinds can be tricky to clean, so pay attention.

How To: Remove a red wine stain from a dry clean only item

Did you spill red wine on a dry clean only item? Spilling red wine on a dry-clean-only item of clothing doesn't have to mean the end of your favorite dress or jacket. Here's how to get a head start on dissolving the stain, before dropping the item at the dry cleaner. Learn how to remove a red wine stain with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE.

How To: Iron pants with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

Pay attention to these ironing tips to iron your pants perfectly. Crisply ironed pants help create a pulled-together look. Follow these simple steps for a quick, flawless press?with creases or without. Learn how to iron pants with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE.

How To: Remove red wine stains with Martha Stewart REAL SIMPLE

Nothing worse than the dreaded red wine stain. No need to panic if someone spills red wine on your crisp white shirt, tablecloth, or other washable fabric. In a few easy steps, the fabric can look as good as new. Learn how to remove a red wine stain with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Removing stains has never been this easy.

How To: Fix a sweater snag with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

A snag in your favorite sweater doesn't have to mean a trip to the tailor?or the donation pile. In just two quick steps you can fix any knit. Learn how to fix sweater snags with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. This video offers an easy solution to that snag in your sweater.

How To: Remove a grass stain with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

Learn how to remove grass stains with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Summer means light-colored clothing?and light-colored clothing often means grass stains. This quick approach should get the green out. Don't let those pesky grass stains ruin your summer clothes. Watch this video for a quick stain fix.

How To: Clean an iron with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

What's the best way to clean an iron? It is inevitable that it will eventually need a good cleaning. Your dress shirts look crisp, but over time your iron might look the worse for wear. This simple technique gets rid of mineral spots on the iron's plate and cleans out caked steam vents. Learn how to clean an iron with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE.

How To: Clean a diamond ring with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

A diamond ring is probably one of your most prized possessions. Like most possessions, it requires care to keep it as good as new. Learn how to clean a diamond ring with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Diamonds are made to shine! But daily wearing can result in a less-than-sparkling stone. There's no need for a professional cleaning: Polish your gem at home using common household products.

How To: Fold a fitted sheet with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

Nothing better than crisp, clean, smooth sheets. Yes, folding a fitted sheet may seem like one of life's great mysteries, but this quick method will have you creating a neat and hassle-free fold in no time. Say good-bye to those crinkly, balled-up messes. Soon you will be folding sheets as expertly as a hotel, crisp and clean. Learn how to fold a sheet perfectly with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE.

How To: Fold a dress shirt with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

Sure, we all know how to fold t-shirts by now with all of those t-shirt folding videos on the internet. But do you know how to fold a dress shirt? If you want your closet to be as neat as a store display, watch this video to learn how to fold a dress shirt with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Folding your dress shirts instead of hanging them won't just free up precious inches of closet space, it'll help cut down on wrinkles (and dreaded ironing time). Follow these simple steps fo...

How To: Organize cord clutter with Martha Stewart REAL SIMPLE

Learn how to eliminate cord clutter with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Nothing is more annoying than a pile of messy cords. Those dozens of wires around your home?in your kitchen, by your computer, behind your TV?can be a tangled nuisance. Control cord clutter with these quick tricks and clever organizing products. Let REAL SIMPLE guide you on the best solution to eliminate cord clutter.

How To: Polish your silver with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

Learn how to polish silver with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Beautiful silver pieces shouldn't languish at the back of a shelf. Removing tarnish might seem like a time-consuming task, but some simple household products make for an easy clean? no backbreaking scrubbing required. Watch this how to video for tips on polishing your silver. Take care of your silver, so you can pass it down for generations to come.

How To: Iron your clothes properly

Here's a helpful house and apartment video tip to help you succeed in your home. Watch this tutorial to learn how to iron your clothes properly.

How To: Change your household lightbulbs

Here's a helpful house and apartment video tip to help you succeed in your home. Watch this tutorial to learn how to change your household lightbulbs.

How To: Do laundry in a washing machine

Here's a helpful house and apartment video tip to help you succeed in your home. Watch this tutorial to learn how to wash you clothes in a washing machine.

How To: Defrost your freezer

If you’re still living in the Ice Age—that is, with a non-defrosting freezer—you’ll need these ancient skills. Learn how to defrost your freezer.

How To: Clean a microwave oven

Microwaves are quick and easy to use, but unfortunately they don't yet clean themselves. Learn how to clean a microwave oven properly.

How To: Remove mildew stains in your bathroom

Remove mildew as soon as you see it: not only is it gross, the longer the mold is allowed to grow, the more damage it can do to surfaces and even your health.

How To: Use a banana in seven unexpected ways

Don’t throw out that banana peel—or that overly ripe banana. Put them to good use around your house instead.

How To: Pack clothing for a move

Moving is one of the top ten most stressful life experiences. Here’s how to pack it up without wanting to pack it in.

How To: Clean a wooden cutting board

A cutting board is essential — even if you only ever cut drink garnishes, slicing limes on a dormroom desk is pretty gross.

How To: Keep more than the laundry scented with dryer sheets

Having trouble staying organized? Need some tips on cleaning our your garage? How about getting rid of evidence? The DIY's Guys are here to help. In this episode see what you can do with dryer sheets besides get rid of static cling. Keep shoes smelling fresh, the garbage smell under control and the couch scented with laundry dryer sheets.

How To: Clean stains with sawdust

Use sawdust to draw the stains out of carpet, floormats, etc. It saves energy since you don't have to wash towels and will be thrown away anyway. This is a quick housekeeping trick that leaves your floors clean and does not hurt the environment. Make sure you properly dispose of chemical and oil waste.

How To: Hang hooks in your closet

Hanging closet hooks is one of the simplest ways to expand your storage space. You will need hooks, drill and bits, a steady hand, a stud finder (optional), a hammer (optional), & wall anchors (optional).

How To: Fold a t-shirt

The T-shirt may be the king of casual wear, but take care of it like your finest dress shirt and you'll be able to stay casual a good long time.

How To: Pack boxes for a move

There’s an art to packing boxes without breaking your good china—or breaking your back. You Will Need

How To: Fold a dress shirt or button down shirt

Dress shirts are best kept on a hanger in a closet, but if you're pressed for closet space, here's the next best way to store them. You will need a dress shirt in need of folding and a clean, flat surface. Fact: In the state of Indiana, you can make up to $17,000 a year operating a shirt folding machine, a handy device patented in the U.S. in 1989.

How To: Polish church appointments, like a chalice and candle

Watch this video tutorial from the Polish Guy to see how to polish church appointments, like a chalice and candle. In this demonstration we use a Church Polish & Cleaning Kit that includes Simichrome and Flitz to polish a brass chalice and candle stick. The tutorial includes detailed work instructions and best practices.

How To: Remove gum from the bottom of your shoe

After you finish cursing out the bleepity-bleep who tossed his gum on the ground, try this. Learn how to remove gum from the bottom of your shoe.

How To: Label boxes when moving

Make moving a tad less stressful with these tricks to labeling boxes. Learn how to label boxes with this how to video. You will need moving boxes, permanent markers in different colors, duct tape in different colors, and "Fragile" stickers (optional).

How To: Clean your bathroom sink

Washing your hands in a dirty sink won't make them any cleaner. Watch this video to learn how to clean your bathroom sink.

How To: Save money by making your own laundry detergent

Brew laundry detergent that cleans your clothes for just three cents a load -- a fraction of what it costs with store-bought detergent.

How To: Unclog a drain without toxic chemicals

Don't call a pricey plumber! Anyone with a few tools can unclog a drain -- without even resorting to those strong, toxic chemicals. Most of the time, anyway. You will need baking soda, vinegar, rubber gloves, cleaning rags or duct tape, a rubber plunger, a plumber's snake, petroleum jelly, a bucket or pan, and a length of hose. WARNING: Do not try this if you have already used a commercial drain opener, as it can create harmful fumes.

How To: Polish a shoe with a banana skin

How to use a banana skin to buffer up and clean your shoes!! Use the oils from the fruit to buff your loafers. This is a quick, easy and economical solution or replacement for shoe polish. Plus you get a great snack to eat in the meantime.

How To: Make gelatin air fresheners for the Trailer Park

Make your own air fresheners! With gelatin on Trailer Park crafts with Jolene! Save your money and budget too! These super simple Air Fresheners are so easy to make, and it keeps you from having to pay eight dollars or more for oil refills! By using old baby food jars, you're also recycling too! What is your favorite scent?