Housekeeping Features

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: Fold a pair of shorts

In this how to video, the Beverly Hills Organizer, Linda Koopersmith demonstrates how to fold a pair of shorts 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 shorts in no time.

How To: Clean a pan of hardened caramel

Love cooking desserts with caramel but dread cleaning up the hardened caramel left on the pot? Then watch this Cooking Light magazine how-to to learn the quick and easy way to clean your pan. All you'll need to do is add water to the pan and bring it to a boil. For step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Reuse Old Coffee Grounds

Many people start their day with a fresh, hot cup of coffee. They purchase their coffee with care and enjoy it greatly. But what do you do with those grounds once you’ve drunk your coffee? Here are some uses for those used coffee grounds! Note: It's always easiest to handle coffee grounds when they're cool, so wait a couple of hours after you've switched off the coffee pot to try any of these!

How To: Unshrink clothing

This instructional housekeeping video shows you how to take those old shrunken clothes you have and make them wearable again. You will need white vinegar, a sponge and a zip lock bag. Coat the entire t-shirt in the vinegar and load the shrunken shirt and wash it in a hot wash, after a few minutes, add detergent to wash out the smell of vinegar. After throwing the t-shirt in the dryer for about thirty minutes, the shirt should have expanded several inches in every direction. Don't throw away c...

How To: Remove Stains from Silk

Ok, let's pretend that you just got back from the store with a $200.00, maybe $300.00 silk blouse. You put it on, it looks perfect. You go out on the town, everyone else loves it, you're the center of attention. Then you come home, you go to hang it up, and there is a huge stain on the back. This how to video tells you how can save that $200.00 blouse for only $1.50.

How To: Clean your roof of black algae streaks

The most common culprit causing the black streaks on roofs is a blue-green algae called Gloeocapsa magma. Over the past 25 years this strain of algae has become more hardy and has migrated to less humid environments. It has now become a common sight on asphalt roofs across 80% of the United States. This Home & Garden how to video series shows how to clean your roof and get rid of the black streaks caused by algae. Learn how to inspect and use a cleaning system to get your roof looking brighter.

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: Clean chrome

If you like things shiny and bright, you're probably a fan of chromium, a metal used to plate other metals, commonly known as chrome. Watch this Howcast cleaning guide to learn how to clean chrome. Keep your chrome nice and shiney.

How To: Unclog Your Toilet the Right Way

Stephanie and Julie teach us how to unclog a toilet the correct way in this video. First, remember to turn the valve off on your water that goes to your toilet. This will help prevent unwanted floods in your bathroom. You will also need a plunger, making sure to take the lip out for better suction. After you stick the plunger into the toilet, plunge rapidly around twelve times. If this doesn't work, try adding more water and plunging again for around twelve times. If it still doesn't work, yo...

How To: Fold boxer shorts

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

How To: Remove rust

Rust can form anywhere and happens on all types of metal objects, no matter how old they are. You can get rust quickly if something metallic gets into contact with water. If some of your beloved tools have gotten rusty, check out this tutorial and learn how to remove some of that dredded reddish layer. This video will show you how to remove the rust naturally, without caustic chemicals and keep your home healthy and earth-friendly while remaining rust-free!

How To: Do your laundry while at college

In this video, you will learn how to properly do laundry at college using a washer machine, dryer, laundry detergent, and laundry card in an hour and a half. Learn how to choose the correct wash/dry cycles that coordinate with your type of laundry. (colors/whites/delicates)

How To: Kill bed bugs with Diatomaceous Earth

Have a sneaking suspicion that bed bugs are sneaking around house? Unfortunately, bed bugs is a common problem amongst households and it's even more common to have trouble getting them to leave! In this video presented by Bed Bug Central, learn how to kill bed bugs by using Diatomaceous Earth - a naturally occurring, soft sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white powder.

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: Use Diatomaceous Earth to kill bed bugs in your home

There's a new way to kill bed bugs and it's with Diatomaceous Earth - a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. Get those bed bugs out of your home with help from this video presented by Canada Bedbugs on how to get rid of those trespassing pests!

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: Fold a rectangular tablecloth

Whether it's a free-for-all picnic buffet or a formal 12-course dinner, your table should be notable for its abundance, not for the tablecloth's abundance of wrinkles. This step by step tutorial teaches you how to fold your tablecloth so it will not wrinkle.