Housekeeping Features

How To: Kill bugs in wall holes with Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth may be useful for killing bugs in walls. Light sockets and phone jacks provide a highway for bugs to travel from one infested room to another or one infested apartment or another. They also function as a hide-out for them during daytime hours, when they might be more visible.

How to Kill bed bugs: Bed bugs in cars

Having a bed bug infection in your car is extremely rare. However, if you suspect bed bugs in your automobile, check all of the cracks and crevices for any bed bug evidence. However, even if you don't find anything that doesn't rule out that they are there. What you can do is take your car to get fumigated. Other than that, the only thing that will absolutely kill the bugs is to let your car get very hot on a sunny, summer day.

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: 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: Fold sweatpants

In this how to video, the Beverly Hills Organizer, Linda Koopersmith demonstrates how to fold a pair of sweatpants for neat and compact storage. The way you store your clothes makes a huge difference in the appearance and longevity of your garments. Watch this organizing tutorial and you will be properly folding and storing your sweats in no time.

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: Remove ink stains

Ink stains are a very common stain that people get from an accidental pen mark on the clothing or when an ink pen bursts in a pocket or a purse. Start by putting a little cloth in between the ink stain and another part of the clothing. Get some glycerin and dab some of it on the stain using a cotton swab. Gently rub the glycerin on the stain. Rub it around a little bit and then let it set. Next take some gentle laundry detergent and pour a little bit into a bowl with some water in it. Stir th...

How To: Start a cozy fire with lava rocks soaked in oil

In this tutorial, we learn how to start a cozy fire with lava rocks soaked in oil. First, grab your lava rocks and place them in a tin can, then fill it up with oil. Now, throw some wood into your fireplace while these are soaking. Use an old pair of metal tongs to take the rocks out of the can, then place them in the fireplace as well. After this, throw a match in with the rocks and wood and then close the fireplace. Let the rocks burn for about 5 minutes the you can take them out and you wi...

How To: Use Diatomaceous Earth to stop bed bugs

In this video, we learn how to use Diatomaceous Earth the stop bed bugs. First, place this in a tray and then use a brush to brush the powder around the base of the bed. This will last for 6 months and will need to be reapplied whenever you vacuum the floor. When the bug touches it, it will kill the bug within twenty four hours. This is a great way to create an oasis in your bed, just make sure you don't have any sheets touching the ground, or the bugs will be able to crawl up them and go in ...

How To: Hold a knife with a prosthetic hook for amputees

A below elbow arm amputee demonstrates how to hold and use a knife with his prosthetic hook. This is an adaptive living video that helps handicapped, disabled or individuals that have lost a limb due to amputation. Using a prosthetic hand or hook can be challenging in the kitchen. Using a hook to hold and use a knife is an important skill to learn when using prosthetic limb adaptive equipment.

How To: Use solar heat to kill bed bugs

Learn to use solar heat to kill bedbugs with this video! 1. Take a dark plastic bag or a vacuum bag. 2. Make sure it is intact. Don't use bags with holes! 3. Place a piece of clothing or bedding in it. Don't over fill the bag! 4. Close the bag. 5. Make sure that it is firmly closed and has no openings. 6. Place the bag on a hot surface under the direct summer sun, preferably on a concrete surface which was already heated by the sun (terrace or a balcony), but you can also put it in a car. 7. ...

How To: Build a fire with a Duraflame firestarter

Build a fire with a Duraflame firestarter. This video is going to show you how to do this. Crystal Whole from Duraflame is demonstrating the process in this video. First get your chimney cleaned and inspected. Keep all inflammable material at least 3 feet away from the hearth. Use dry wood that has been seasoned for at least six months. Or you can use stax logs in lieu of wood. Three stax logs are sufficient to keep the fire burning all evening. Open the flue of the chimney, put two stax logs...

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: Remove marker from of a compact disc safely

This video shows viewers how to remove permanent marker from the top of a compact disc without damaging it. In order to do this, you will need some hand sanitizing gel and some facial tissues. Apply some gel onto the marks you want to remove by squeezing the gel out from the bottle. Rub the gel in a bit with your fingers. Take a facial tissue and wipe it gently around the CD, using it to remove the gel and the marker from the top of the CD. The marker will now be entirely removed from the top...

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: Fold a slip or a night gown

In this how to video, the Beverly Hills Organizer, Linda Koopersmith demonstrates how to fold a slip or a night gown. The storage of your clothes or lingerie makes a huge difference in the appearance and longevity of your garments. Watch this organizing tutorial and you will be properly folding and storing your slips or night gowns in no time.

How To: Fold tank tops

In this how to video, the Beverly Hills Organizer, Linda Koopersmith demonstrates how to fold tank tops for neat and compact storage. The way you store your clothes makes a huge difference in the appearance and longevity of your garments. Watch this organizing tutorial and you will be properly folding and storing your tank tops in no time.

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: Use Car Wax on Your Refrigerator

One of the most prominent appliances in any kitchen is the refrigerator. Unfortunately, over time, any refrigerator will begin to build up dirt and grime on the exterior. Watch this informative video to learn the best ways to clean the exterior of your refrigerator.

How To: Stop Bed Bugs from Entering Your Suitcase

To prevent bed bugs from entering your suitcase, you will need to pre-treat it, with diatomaceous earth. Bed bugs often hitchhike home with you when you stay overnight in hotels or on long trips. They will normally stow away in your suitcase. To prevent that from happening, dust your suitcase with a diatomaceous earth (DE) compound. For this, you will need a paintbrush, diatomaceous earth, and a large plastic bag. Sprinkle a little onto your suitcase, and use a dry paintbrush to spread the di...