Housekeeping Features

How To: Properly load a dishwasher

Dishwashers are amazing at cutting down kitchen clean-up time and providing dishes, cookware, and cutlery that are spotless and free of germs. Although the machine does do most of the work for you, using it properly will ensure that you get the best results. This video is going to show you how to properly load a dishwasher.

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: Maximize suitcase space when packing

Traveling can be a fun and eventful experience for you and family members. But something that can be a bit of a pain is the idea of packing and unpacking. Many people tend to throw things in there because it's easy to do. But this can result in wrinkled clothing as well as a suitcase that isn't being used properly. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to maximize your suitcase space when packing. This will not only result in more space, but nicer looking clothes. So good luck and enjoy!

How To: Make easy Indian food recipes

In this series of cooking videos you'll learn how to make a quick Indian meal from expert Mona Sishodia. She demonstrates how to make vegetable curry, batter-dipped and fried vegetables called Pakora, and a stuffed potato tortilla, which is a variation on a staple of the Indian diet. Mona takes you through the recipe step-by-step, explaining the ingredients and spices you'll be using and some of the health benefits of spices commonly used in Indian cooking. She shows you how to make dough for...

How To: Shrink a cereal box before you throw it away

The top flaps on the cereal box should already be open. Then you must open the flaps on the bottom of the cereal box (the side parallel to the opening) and flatten it. Now use the creases made by the corners of the box and fold them inward; it should be flat again. Fold it length wise thus leaving a little rectangle of the flattened box that is not overlapped by the other half of the flattened box. Tax this tab and insert it into the opening in the adjacent half of the cereal box. Your cereal...

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 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: Organize your paperback books

Have paperback books on your bookshelf in your home and office that looks anything but attractive? Used books that have had better days? Have a romance novel you don't want anyone to know you love? This how to video gives the solution to organizing your books in a very attractive and clever way.

How To: Make homemade bathroom cleaners

Are you worried about how your bathroom cleaning supplies are damaging the environment and your own air? Use these recipes to create non-toxic, homemade bathroom cleaners instead. Never mix homemade cleaners with commercial cleaners, because when mixed, they can produce toxic gases. Use the same safety precautions as you would with store bought cleaners- keep them out of reach of children and pets, and out of your eyes and mouth. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Store your cleaning ingr...

How To: Organize your messy closet

A disorganized closet can slow down your mornings. Clean out your dirty storage space with the help of this instructional video. Follow along with such tips as tossing out unused clothing, and establishing a systematic wardrobe catalog.

How To: Use trained dogs to get rid of bed bugs

Trained dogs may be used to help eradicate bed bugs. A sign that your home is infested with bed bugs is the presence of bites. If bites appear in a straight line, on the skin, then that's a classic sign of bed bug bites. Trained dogs are able to pinpoint the bed bug infestation. They are 98% accurate, when other methods are only effective 30% of the time.

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: Remove labels

Recycling old jars into vases or containers is a good way to reuse them, but sometimes it seems like an impossible task to get the sticky labels and goo off of the glass. Check out these all-natural, easy tips, and you'll be label-free in no time.

How To: Iron clothes

In this video series, watch as professional homemaker Vickie Pavone teaches how to iron clothes and other household items. Learn how to iron fitted sheets, how to iron flat sheets and pillow cases, how to iron a blouse, how to iron a skirt, how to iron pleats, how to iron a men's button down shirt, how to iron a men's polo shirt, how to iron slacks, how to iron denim, how to iron a law enforcement uniform, how to iron clothes using starch, how to iron, delicate silk fabrics, how to iron synth...

How To: Make homemade cleaning wipes

Learn how to make your own homemade cleaning wipes and save money with this video tutorial. You will need a roll of paper, 2-3 cups of you favorite cleaner, and a storage container with a lid, a cutting board, and a knife. Cut the paper towel role in half using only one half now. Put the half paper towel roll in the container and soak with the cleaner. Remove the cardboard from the center of the roll and the cleaning wipes will be pulled out from the center of the roll.

How To: Clean up a cracked egg

Those smooth oval shells just seem to jump right out of your hands. When an egg hits the floor it is a gooey mess but not need to use an entire roll of paper towels trying to pick up the pieces. Cover with salt and the mess and be swept up after only a few minutes.

How To: Make defrosting your freezer easier

For those of you that still have to defrost your freezer, either because you have an older one or because the frost-free mechanism does not work as well as advertised, there is something you can do to make the whole thing a little easier in the future. Unfortunately, before you can use this trick, you have to make sure that your freezer is already defrosted. Just remember that, as you are doing this, that it will not be as bad next time you have to do it.

How To: Pressure or power wash home siding with Lowe's

Back again with another in their great informational series for do it yourselves at home, Lowe's presents this video hosted by Mike Kraft demonstrating how to pressure wash your home's exterior siding. Mike describes in detail the tools, supplies, and steps you will need to take to remove dirt, mildew and mold from your home's exterior. Experienced do it yourselves and beginners alike will appreciate the detail and tips provided in this video, as well as some useful safety tips on using your ...

How To: Fold trousers without creases

Clive Gilkes of London tailors Richard Anderson Ltd, demonstrates how to fold trousers without creasing them. To do this, just fold the pants right after ironing them, lay them flat, smooth them out, fold them over, and fold them in thirds. Fold trousers without creases.

How To: Organize your closet yourself

Do it yourself closet organization can be quite a journey, even with the best advice. Meghan Carter discovered first-hand the trials and tribulations of closet organization as she put herself under the scrutiny of professional organizer Cynthia Ivie. But in the end, Meghan not only organized her closet, but found a great excuse to go shopping.