Hot Housekeeping How-Tos
How To: Remove stickers from any surface using olive oil or peanut butter
We all know how it goes: We purchase a bundle of new binders for our classes, get entranced by some cute kawaii stickers, and plaster these little babies all over our binders. And then, approximately two months later, we question why we ever did such a thing and want them off.
How To: Blue a broken mug handle together using Elmer's glue
Did you accidentally drop your favorite Star Wars mug on the kitchen floor? Don't lament your cruel fate and sweep the mug pieces up to toss in the trash can; instead, just glue it back together.
How To: Organize the clothing in your home closet
In this video from DiscountTrendsetter we learn how to organize your closet! First take inventory of what you have an eliminate items you don't need. Place items such as oversized t-shirts in a drawer or in a bag. Keep your closet for your trendy stuff. Items that are ripped, torn, bleached, etc, get rid of them. Items that are still trendy, but you know you won't wear again, get rid of as well! If you haven't worn something in 2 years, give that item away! Now what you have left are the item...
How To: Preserve and clean your antique silver
This is a video tutorial in the Home & Garden category where you are going to learn how to preserve and clean your antique silver. Tony Duke shows a fast and effective way to clean heavily soiled silver ware. Put the silverware in to the "silver dip" fluid and leave it for about 35 to 45 seconds. You will see that it is cleaning. Because it is a liquid, it gets in to the nooks and corners of the silverware and cleans them. Take it out of the liquid and wash it. You then got to polish it with ...
How To: Remove gum from the carpet or clothing with various methods
There is no one way to remove gum. Depending on the type of gum and where it's stuck - the carpet versus your shirt, for instance - you may need to enlist a different method for each to remove the gum.
How To: Clean and optimize your garage and basement storage areas
Is your garage a little more cluttered than it should be? Well, it's time to get organized! And Lowe's is here to help! In this video, Mike Kraft gives some great tips for shaping up your garage or basement, in a neat and organized room that you can finally walk through.
How To: Use shortcuts to save time and energy when cleaning your house
Like having a clean home but wish there were a faster way to tidy it up? This clip from Good Housekeeping will teach you a number of useful, time-saving shortcuts certain to help. For all of the details, and to get started incorporating these tips into your own cleaning routines, take a look.
How To: Get rid of a cockroach problem as a homeowner
Need some help figuring out how to deal with a cockroach problem? Let this video be your guide. Getting rid of cockroaches is easier than you'd think! It's so easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview in about two minutes' time. For all of the details, and to get started dealing with your own roach problem, watch this video guide.
How To: Get rid of an ant problem as a homeowner
Need some help figuring out how to deal with an ant problem? Let this video be your guide. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview in about two minutes' time. For all of the details, and to get started dealing with your own ant problem, watch this video guide.
How To: Get rid of a wasp problem as a homeowner
Having a wasp problem? Take action and get rid of them. This video guide from Mahalo will help you to determine how serious the problem is, whether you should take action at all, and what sort of action you should take if you do elect to do something.
How To: Organize your closet by establishing a wardrobe system
In this tutorial, we learn how to organize your closet by establishing a wardrobe system. If you have tops that you wear during the day, put these on a different colored hanger than your nighttime tops. Color code these in your closet and then hang up your nighttime tops with a light wood or your choice hanger. If you have other random tops, you can hang them according to how you would wear them the most. Dresses can be hung on another color hanger and then pants can be worn on another color ...
How To: Prevent mice from living in your house
In this tutorial, we learn how to prevent mice from living in your house. To start, you will need to inspect around your home and see if there are any holes that mice can get in and out of. Also, look for signs of their waste laying around. Get on the roof and make sure it's secure, with no holes in it where mice can get into your attic. If there are small holes, cover them up using small pieces of wire that they cannot push their way through. After you do this, your home will be safe from mi...
How To: Do laundry at home
In this tutorial, we learn how to do laundry at home. To start, you will need to set your washer to the right settings. Go with the one that works the best for you and the size/color of laundry you're going to do. Turn off the extra rinse you're doing and turn on the cold rinse because it will save you hot water. From here, pour in your soap and place your clothes in. Then, turn it on by pulling the button. Once your clothes are finished washing, put them in the dryer. Then, clean the lint tr...
How To: Clean silver with baking soda and aluminum foil
If you've been wondering how to clean your silver, this video will show you a simple way to do it using products you have laying around. To do this, you will need baking soda, aluminum foil, hot water, and your dirty silver of course. First heat up water so it's close to boiling, not just hot water from the sink. Pour this into a large bowl to fit your silver, then grab sheets of heavy duty foil. Place the foil into the large bowl along with a few cups of baking soda. After this, place your s...
How To: Make homemade laundry detergent
In this tutorial, we learn how to make homemade laundry detergent. To make this, you will need: 6 c water, 1/3 bar grated laundry soap, 1/2 c washing soda, and 1/2 c borax. To start, you will heat up the water and the soap in a large pan until it's all dissolved. Then, you will stir in the rest of the ingredients and mix until it's all dissolved as well. From here, boil the mixture for 15 minutes and then remove from the heat. Then, you will add this to cold water so you have 2 gallons of soa...
How To: Get glue stains out of clothes
Glue is one of the worst things that you can get on your clothes. It sticks to most things and fabric is no exception. Watch this video to learn how to get glue stains out of any type of clothing.
How To: Make your house fake clean for company if you don't have time to clean
If you don't spend the time cleaning your house regularly to keep it within reach of clean all the time and you need it to be clean fast, watch this video. It will teach you how to quickly and effectively fake clean a house if your parents, significant other, or other figure your want to impress is coming over.
How To: Kill a cockroach kindly
In this tutorial, we learn how to kill a cockroach kindly. If you currently use insecticides to kill bugs and insects in your home, rethink it! These fumes can be toxic to your health and the health of your family. To help avoid getting cockroaches, make sure you dust and sweep often, throw away food around the house, and keep it clean! If you do have these bugs, you can first pour some beer in a glass, then put bread in the glass along with some petroleum jelly. Next, you will set this on yo...
How To: Make and use nontoxic products for cleaning your house
Household cleaning products are some of the most toxic things in your house. If you want to get them out and replace them with all-natural alternatives, watch this video to learn how to make alternative cleaning products yourself out of common household ingredients.
How To: Get the skunk smell off yourself after being sprayed
Skunks are cute little animals with a nasty surprise waiting in the gland under their tail for anything that threatens them. If you've been sprayed by a skunk, you're never going to be at peace until your get rid of that smell, and this video will teach you how to do just that.
How To: Get the tarnish off silver by using toothpaste
Is your silverware or silver jewelry showing too much tarnish? You can remove the tarnish easily by using a baking soda toothpaste. This tutorial demonstrates how you can use just a dab of toothpaste, a soft cloth and some rinse water.
How To: Clean your microwave with just a few lemons and water
Is your microwave full of food and sauce spatter? You can easily remove all sorts of food detritus without using harsh or potentially toxic chemicals - all you need is to microwave a lemon in some water for a few minutes. Cleans easily, and your microwave smells fantastic!
How To: Get tough oil-based paint off your skin
Oil-based paint is vibrant and durable, but all that means that getting it on your skin is a major pain. Watch this video to learn about some easy ways, including rubbing yourself with turpentine, of getting oil-based paints off of your skin.
How To: Get vegetable oil stains out of clothing
If you use vegetable oil a lot in your cooking, you probably know the frustration of having it leap out of the frying pan and onto your shirt, staining it. Watch this video to learn how to get any vegetable oil stain out of clothes.
How To: Get the wrinkles out of silk or satin
Silk and satin are notoriously hard to take care of, and when they get wrinkled you may think your life is over. It's not. Watch this video to learn what you have to do to get wrinkles out of silk or satin at home.
How To: Remove wrinkles from polyester
One of the great things about polyester is that it doesn't wrinkle as easily as cotton and other natural fibers. It still can though, and you can't iron it, so watch this video to learn how to get the wrinkles out of any polyester item.
How To: Get the mildew smell out of towels with vinegar
Towels get wet more regularly than any other type of cotton clothing, and mildew can easily get all over them and make them stink. Watch this video to learn how some vinegar and your washing machine can get that smell out of your towels.
How To: Get oil out of carpet and clothing
Oil gets on everything and is nearly impossible to get out again. Cooking, motor, it doesn't really matter. If you've got oil on your clothes, your carpet, or some other fabric, watch this video to learn how you can get it out with vinegar and other household products.
How To: Get wax stains out of clothes
Wax is one of those material that you use all of the time that is also nearly impossible to get out of clothes without the right chemicals. Watch this video to learn the steps your need to get wax stains out of clothes.
How To: Make an occupied bed
In this tutorial, we learn how to make an occupied bed. First, gather the supplies from the linen closet. After you have all the sheets and blankets, put gloves on and walk into the room. Now, cover the patient with a bath blanket. After this, remove the top sheets, then roll the patient to the side of the bed. Next, tuck dirty linens close to the patient and then roll clean linens under the dirty ones. Then, fix the clean sheets up and roll the patient towards you and repeat the same as you ...
How To: Get rid of fruit flies cruelty-free
In this tutorial, we learn how to get rid of fruit flies cruelty-free. First, you will need to put a sweet mixture of things that the flies like to eat inside of a cup. After this, place a cylinder piece of paper into the cup. The flies will be able to fly into the bottom of the paper to get what's inside, but most likely won't figure out how to get back out of it. After this, you can let the flies go free and you will have let them survive without killing a ton of them! This is also free of ...
How To: Get rid of mice using a mouse trap
In this tutorial, we learn how to get rid of mice using a mouse trap with Rick. You will first need to know where to place the traps. Mice like to use the sides of walls to run around and will turn when they reach dead end corners. These are great places to place the traps so you will most likely trap them. If the mice are familiar with an area, they know where to avoid, so using two traps will help you catch them. Next, place the trap perpendicular to the wall instead of parallel so they wil...
How To: Improve the air quality in your home with Lowe's
In this video, we learn how to improve the air quality in your home with Lowe's. First you need to go through your house and search to see how clean the furnace filter is. Make sure this is clean and replace it if it's dirty. Upgrade it to a high performance model if you are able to. You also need to change the filter in your vacuum and make sure it has a HEPA filter installed in it. Also, make sure you check the vents around your home and clean them out or replace them if they are dirty. Doi...
How To: Remove fruit flies from a home
In this tutorial, we learn how to remove fruit flies from a home. If you have a heavy infestation of these flies, you will need to use PT 565 aerosols. Spray the aerosol for around 15 seconds in the spot that the flies are harboring. Open up cabinets so the product can get inside through the air. Then, move to other rooms and fog these with the spray to make sure you get all areas. Leave the area for a few hours to let the spray set in, then use drain gel which will clear out the flies from t...
How To: Get latex paint stains out of carpet
Latex paint is bright and durable, which makes it great on most surfaces but terrible to get on your carpet. Watch this video to learn an involved but not too hard process your can use to get latex paint out of any rug or carpet.
How To: Clean and prevent lime scale in your shower
Lime scale is one of the three most common types of dirt to afflict your shower. It is hard to get rid of and prevent, but not impossible, and this video will teach you chow chemicals and hard work can keep your shower beautiful.
How To: Clean old antique and regular mirrors
If you've got a large antique mirror or maybe just a regular mirror that needs some cleaning, if you just clean it with whatever you feel like you run the risk of smudging or scratching the mirror. In this video you will learn how to properly clean the mirror without scratching or smudging it.
How To: Get fleas out of your house
Fleas carry disease and are a massive nuisance to human and animal alike. If your pet has fleas or your house has gotten infested in some other way, watch this video to learn how to get the fleas out of your house for good.
How To: Remove nasty odors out of leather
If you've been having trouble keeping your leather jacket or other leather items from smelling, it's not your fault. Once an odor gets in there it's tough to get out, especially mold and other odors. In this video you will get some tips on how to remove the odors with general cleaning products and more.
How To: Get gum and melted crayons out of a dryer
Leaving things in your pocket and sending them through the wash is annoying, but gum and crayons can actually become melted into your dryer and damage future loads. This video will show you how to clean up this mess and keep your laundry looking great.