Hot Housekeeping How-Tos
How To: Undo grass, mustard, and/or ketchup stains on clothes
One of the most common things about summer isn't only the sun, heat, and need to get into a pool, but stains. Grass stains, ketchup stains, and mustard stains can all ruin a perfectly good day. Sometimes they are difficult to wash out, but with this tutorial they won't be anymore. Check out the video from Good Housekeeping magazine to find out what you'll need to eliminate these stains. Enjoy!
How To: Make your own eco-friendly laundry detergent
You may not realize it, but most of the laundry detergents that are being sold in supermarkets contain chemicals that can be bad for peopel, but more importantly bad for the water supply. People have begun to realize this and are starting to make their own household items from scratch using harmless items.
How To: Make your own natural window cleaner
If you use Windex or any other window cleaning product, you may be exposing yourself, or others, to harmful chemicals. Many cleaning products that are sold in supermarkets, contain harmful chemicals that are not good and certainly not good for the environment.
How To: Make your own, eco-friendly liquid dish soap
You may or may not know, but much of the cleaning products that are used today can be harmful to you, kids, or even pets. They contain a great assortment of chemicals that can cause serious illness or death. So why risk buying thse products when you can make them yourself?
How To: Make a natural, homemade shower cleaner
Many of today's cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets, children, and even adults. Sure it can get the job done, but what's more important the health of others or your stuff?
How To: Use dryer sheets in 5 different ways
Don't toss those dryer sheets! They have many more uses around the house. Did you know that they can deodorize your shoes? Or that they can help you remove gunk stuck on your dishes? Watch this video, and you'll learn five great tips about repurposing your dryer sheets!
How To: Use clear nail polish in 5 different ways
In this video, you'll learn about some great and alternative uses for clear nail polish. Did you know that you can use clear nail polish to stop tarnish or seal an envelope? It's true. You can also use clear nail polish to secure a screen or smooth a wooden hanger. Try these out yourself!
How To: Use toothpicks in unconventional ways
In this video, Woman's Day will show you how to use toothpicks in 5 different useful and unique ways you may not have thought of. You can use a toothpick as a screw, or you could use it to decorate a cake. Once you learn these tips, the possibilities are endless!
How To: Get rid of spiders without resorting to chemicals
In this how-to video, you'll learn how to get rid of spiders without resorting to harmful chemicals or pesticides. It's easy enough. Just vacuum them up, remove the cobwebs when you see them, and use eucalyptus and hedge apples. This will force them out.
How To: Kill bed bugs with a dry ice trap
In order to kill bed bugs with a dry ice trap, you will need the following: a dog bowl, a towel, a cooler, a cotton ball, painter's tape, and talc powder.
How To: Fold a t-shirt using cardboard
In this tutorial, we learn how to fold a t-shirt using cardboard. First, cut out a piece of cardboard so the it's 72 cm x 25 cm, and make sure it's completely flat. Next, place two flaps on the side of the cardboard and one underneath. Now, place your shirt inside of it and fold the top down, then the sides. After this, fold up the bottom and you will have a nicely pressed and folded shirt! This will save you time over folding the shirt by yourself and it will also come out more nicely than f...
How To: Take sticky labels off easily
In this tutorial, we learn how to take sticky labels off easily. All you need to do this is a blow dryer. First, set your dryer to the highest heat setting possible, then blow the air onto your label for 2-3 minutes. Keep the heat in constant contact with the label, then after a few minutes, you will be able to pull the label off right away. You can use this on anything from lotion bottles and aspirin bottles to water bottles and plastic containers! This is a great way to remove the labels wi...
How To: Fix a sticky cast iron pan
If your cast iron pan is sticky, you will need to place the pan on top of the stove. Turn the heat on high for 30 seconds to less than one minute. Then, turn it down to medium heat. This will loosen up the oil. Then, you'll need to buff out the creases and the spots. Place a little oil in the pan, approximately 1 tablespoon. Spread the oil around with a paper towel. Continue smoothing the pan. You may need to get a new paper towel, if it gets to hot.
How To: Make your own laundry soap
In this tutorial, we learn how to make laundry soap. First, grate soap up into a large bowl. After this, pour the soap into a large pot. Add in 6 c water, then heat this up on medium heat for 40 minutes, not letting the soap boil. Next, add in washing soda and borax into the pot and mix together until well combined and dissolved. By now, the heat should be off so the mixture doesn't come to a boil. Now, dump your mixture into a large bucket and then add in 1.5 gallons of water. Over time, thi...
HowTo: Clean Your Designer Jeans (Hint: No Detergent or Dry Cleaning Necessary)
Nowadays designer jeans cost anywhere between 100 and 200 bucks (or even more). Consumers have been converted to the concept that the fit and quality is just plain better. This is old news- everybody and their mother has joined the madness. However, what surprises me, is apparently you are not supposed to wash them.
How To: Use natural products to clean your home without toxins
We all want to spic and span our kitchen countertops, our tile floors, and our bathrooms. But for the most part we can bet you've been unwittingly using storebought detergent cleaners or bleach. While these cleaners are in fact excellent at removing grime and buffing your dirty floors to a Midas touch perfection, they also come filled to the brim with known cancer-causing agents, synthetic chemicals, and other gnarly, hard to pronounce crap.
How To: Fold a towel the correct way
Folding a towel might not seem that hard, but there are those out there hay have never done. Those are the type of people that throw their clean clothes directly on the ground, right next to their dirty clothes. They've never heard of "folding". But eventually, they'll need to acquire the skill. And the perfect start… towels. This video shows you the precise steps to folding a towel the correct way. Watch and learn. And put your clothes away!
How To: Clean and repair gutters with Lowe's
In this tutorial, we learn how to clean and repair gutters with Mike Kraft. Damaged gutters can mean leaking roofs with water dripping everywhere. To fix this, you will need: buckets, a shovel, gutter sealant, a trowel, wire hooks, garden hose, nozzle, and gloves. First, place your ladder up to your house so you can easily reach the gutters, being careful not to touch any electrical wires. Next, clean the debris out of the gutter with the trowel and place into a plastic bucket. When finished,...
How To: Deal with bed bugs in college
In this tutorial, we learn how to deal with bed bugs in college. There is no treatment for bed bugs, you just have to get rid of where they are living. If you suspect they are in sheets, blankets or clothes, you must wash these in extremely hot water or freeze them for 24 hours. Don't share grooming products or headphones, because these can transfer head lice from person to person. You can also get body lice that spread from clothing and feed on your skin. Pubic lice comes from sexual contact...
How To: Use old tennis balls
Tennis balls aren't just for playing tennis, so when you are getting ready to trash those tennis balls… DON'T. There are many different uses you can find for them, from donating them to fluffing up laundry. Recycle them using these 7 helpful tips.
How To: Polish aluminum
Aluminum isn't one of the prettiest of metals, but it's actually one of the easiest to keep clean, if you know what to do. If your aluminum is looking tarnished, try this quick solution to revitalizing the glare. Mix equal parts water and cream of tartar and apply with a rag. Shiny!
How To: Extend the life of a steel wool pad
Steel wool can be used from a ton of things, like creating fire, but the main use of steel wool pads is cleaning. They're great for getting things spotless that can handle the rough abrasiveness of the material. But what if your steel wool has gone rusty? Instead of instantly buying new ones, next time, wrap it in foil and stick it in the freezer after using it, and it won't corrode. Nice!
How To: Pack pots and pans for storage or movement
Moving is such a hassle! Packing is a big job but this video shows and easy way to pack out pots and pans. You will need 4-5 cubit foot cartons. You can get these from your mover or you can purchase them from a moving company. You will also want to get clean newsprint, packing tape, a moving blanket, and a permanent ink marker. Prepare your 4-5 foot carton by putting crushed paper on the bottom. This will act as a cushion for the pots and pans. Put the moving blanket or a protected pad on the...
How To: Remove blood stains from fabric
Johnathan E. Stewart shows us how to remove blood stains from fabric in this tutorial. Your first step right after blood gets on your clothes is to rinse it with warm water and pat a wash cloth with soap and water on it. If the stain is more set in, grab hydrogen peroxide, soap, and water, then mix together and pat onto the stain. If all else fails, you can use ammonia with water on the stain. When you're finished cleaning the stain, throw it into the washer immediately, with stain remover mi...
How To: Pack glass for storage or moving
In this video, we learn how to properly pack glass for moving. Make sure you have a table or work area that has a furniture pad on it. Now, place packing paper onto the bottom of a box carton for glasses and china. Glass should be on the top of the box while plates should be placed at the bottom. Put the glasses into a rolled piece of paper until secured, then place upside down into the box. When finished, add crushed paper to the top of the first layer to avoid any glass from breaking. Make ...
How To: Keep dust to a minimum in your home
In this video, we learn how to keep dust to a minimum in your home. First, keep an eye on your furnace and make sure that when you are doing home repairs, it doesn't get onto your furnace. Also, make sure your filters throughout the home are clean or replaced very often, especially while you are doing home projects. Also, keep windows closed, especially while it's windy outside, because this can let dust enter your home easily. You should also avoid extra aggressive sweeping, because this can...
How To: Remove unsightly moss from your roof
If you live in an area where moss or algae is a common theme on most people's roofs, it's important that you get this removed soon. Over time, the moss can grow larger and potentially damage certain parts of your home.
How To: Pack lamp shades for storage or moving
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to pack lampshades. Most lampshades are packed into 4 cu ft cartons. Begin by placing crushed paper into the bottom of the box. Then place clean sheets of packing paper over each side of the box, making sure that the flaps and inside wall of the box is covered. Now carefully place the lampshade top-down into the box. Then spread clean packing paper over the shade. Now gently place the smaller shade into the larger shade and pack in the remaining packi...
How To: Wash bras and panties
The most used and most washed articles of clothing are undergarments. Underwear, specifically bras and panties, are in desperate need of attention after each and every use. They're not like a pair of jeans, wearing them twice in a row is not a good idea, nor clean. Shabby’s not chic when it comes to lingerie. Use a little extra care to keep your lace and silk bras and panties looking good.
How To: Polish gold
Are your gold necklaces looking dull? Are your gold earrings looking slightly faded? Restore your beautiful gold items with a little trick, with no special cleaner to buy! If you want your gold to glitter, polish it with toothpaste, rinse it off, then use a dry rag to buff it to a shine! Ta-ta tarnish!
How To: Make an safe edible household cleaner with Jenny Jones
In this tutorial, talk show host Jenny Jones shows you how to make a totally edible cleaning solution that is great around the house. The best part is that this is totally safe for kids and pets and can be used for so many different things. Jenny will also show you how to make a dispenser so that it is easier to keep this cleaner around the house and use it. Check it out!
How To: Eliminate refrigerator smells
Is your roommate's food always in the fridge longer than it should be? Is their meat rotting, forcing you to take care of it? Living with other people can be a pain, especially when it comes to the one place that you all share— the refrigerator. Keep your sanity and senses by transforming your funky smelling fridge into a pleasant aroma of charcoal...
How To: Organize a refrigerator
Is your fridge getting out of control? Can't identify that raunchy smell that has invaded your ice box? Can't find your ketchup? The best way to alleviate these problems is by organization. Organizing and keeping your fridge tidy is the best way to go, but it could be hard in a roommate situation where one said roommate will never give a damn. Nonetheless… chill out! Use these helpful tips to get your refrigerator organized.
How To: Deep-clean your carpet
When you clean the carpet in your home or apartment, it seems like that dirt just comes right back the next day. It's never really clean. Well, that could be changed with a deeper clean. Deep-cleaning your carpet can offer benefits including getting rid of dust mites and allergens. Not to mention dirt.
How To: Clean 3-D glasses in the movie theater
With more and more movies being released in 3-D, it's important to remember a little thing called bacteria. If you want to be free of another person's germs, then you need to think about those 3-D glasses. They're prime targets for bacteria and need to be cleaned properly.
HowTo: Trick of the Trade. Hang 10 Shirts in 10 Seconds
Another Home Hack for you, courtesy of Apartment Therapy. Get this: we know you dig the speed-folding, so how about speed-hanging? It goes a little something like this:
How To: Get more storage in your garage
If you're having a problem with storage and are looking for a quick and easy solution, this tutorial may be what you're looking for. In this video, instead of taking a long time to go out and build your own storage from nails and wood, you can easily take a few minutes to put something together that is sure to help. So check out the video on how to get more storage in your garage. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Prepare your home for the winter months
If you live in an area where the winter months can leave a toll on your home, it's important to prepare before the first drop of snow hits. This is important because not only will you have a home that is safe for you and others to live in, but it will also make sure that you don't have to worry about paying for damages to your home afterwards.
How To: Organize your house under a busy schedule with lists
Is your house so messy that you can't recall the last time you could see the carpet? Vacuum up the tornado's mess and store things where they belong for once by learning a few organization tips from this episode of "The Martha Stewart Show."
How To: Organize your closet with Kevin Sharkey
Organizing your closet can be tough work: What do you take out, what do you toss, and what do you keep and where? It's easy to just stuff all of life's little odds and ends in your closet, but you'll achieve a much more peaceful state of mind when things are in order.