Housekeeping Features

How To: Remove microwave odor

Many foods that you cook in the microwave create a very strong odor. That odor can last for a period of several hours or days. To remove the odor take a bowl and wet a paper towel and fold it in half and then in half again and put the towel in the bowl. Put the bowl in the microwave and heat the bowl and paper towel for one minute. Heating it will create steam and the paper towel will absorb the odor.

How To: Dry shoes in the dryer without the noise

There is more than one reason you would need to dry your shoes. Whether you're an athelete who frequently runs in the mud or goes kayaking or you live in New York where the winters literally freeze your face off, tossing your shoes in the dryer gets them clean and warm. We've definitely stuck our (clean) shoes in the dryer during cold weather to make them nice and toasty again.

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: Fold a thong

In this how to video, the Beverly Hills Organizer, Linda Koopersmith demonstrates how to fold a thong for compact storage. The storage of your clothes and underwear 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 clothes in no time.

How To: Fold a bra for compact storage

In this how to video, the Beverly Hills Organizer, Linda Koopersmith demonstrates how to fold a bra for compact storage. The storage of your clothes and underwear 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 bras in no time.

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: Freshen up any room with dryer sheets

Tires of buying those air fresheners that don't work? Then try something you already have at home. In this home and garden how to video our host shows you how to use dryer sheets and a fat to give any room a fresh clean sent. If you don't have a fan its ok, use any vent and two dryer sheets to get rid of stale smells.

How To: Repair Nasty Carpet Burns for a New Carpet Look

In this tutorial, we learn how to repair carpet burns. First, take some tongues and ruff up the surface to break up the burnt pieces that are inside the carpet. Next, take some Resolve and spray it onto the spot, then brush it with a handheld brush. After this, blot the area with a towel until it's nice and dry. Next, cut out a small piece of spare carpeting and then open up the area that was burnt. Cut it out with scissors, then replace this with the new carpet.

How To: Remove permanent marker from plastic surfaces

This video is a demonstration set to music about how to remove permanent marker from a plastic surface. It is not narrated. To follow along with this video, all you need is a can of Axe body spray, some clean, dry tissues, and a plastic surface that has permanent marker on it. The video shows a clean video game case, then the person draws and writes all over it with a black sharpie. The person proceeds to spray some Axe body spray all over the permanent marker writing. He or she grabs a clean...

How To: Iron sheets

In this series of home laundry videos, you will find out the best way to iron your sheets from an ironing expert. Joyce Danielson shares her insider tips on when to leave out the starch and how to tame fitted sheets as well as those heavily creased new sheets fresh out of the package. She also discusses folding tips, how to iron and fold pillowcases, and shares her insights on how to pass the time while ironing.

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: Clean a Flag

We hang flags to proclaim our patriotic spirit. This is especially true for retired veterans or those who have loved ones serving in the military. Others hang flags representing the seasons, important events, favorite teams or just a cute and whimsical design as decoration. An American flag can be particularly tricky to wash. Red, white and blue all lying together in one inseparable panel can cause the blue or red dye to bleed onto the white. This is not just a problem with an American flag; ...

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: Make a hospital bed while it is occupied

In this video, we learn how to make a hospital bed while it's occupied. First, take the top blanket off then take the linens off and make sure the patient is lying on their side. After this, roll the linens towards the patient, then replace new ones where the old linens were originally at. After this, put down a moisture sheet and place it under the clean sheet. Now, put the side table up and roll the patient over and let them know there will be a bump in the middle. Now, move to the other si...

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...