Housekeeping Features

How To: Clear a choked basin

Suffering from a clogged drainpipe? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to clear a choked basin the smart way. Keep in mind, however, that this method requires that you confront the things clogging your sink. As such you should be prepared to dirty your hands and smell and see terrible things! To learn how to clear a choked basin, watch this simple plumbing how-to.

How To: Fix scratched CDs DVDs and plastic

The prescription for a sick CD? Toothpaste, MSG and wood polish, of course. About to chuck that busted CD? Not so fast, young grasshopper. Web editor Megan Miller demonstrates three ways to resurrect those scratched discs using stuff you probably already have sitting on your shelf. Fix scratched CDs DVDs and plastic.

How To: Clean a stain in your washing machine

This video shows how to clean a stained washing machine. Stains are typically caused by brown dirty water in the washing machine. Water is usually brown because it contains high levels of iron. The narrator demonstrates a product called CLR, which can be purchased at Home Depot. It is a product designed to remove iron and lime. He shows how to apply a small amount of the product with a sponge to the inside tub of the machine. He advises to let it soak for about 5 minutes. He then wipes the in...

How to Kill bed bugs: Bed bugs vs. bat bugs

There are a few differences between bed bugs and bat bugs. The first thing you want to do if you have a infestation is to have the bugs professionally identified because bed bugs and bat bugs look a lot a like. However, there are a few more things that can tell you which type of bug you have. For example, bat bugs like to infest your upper walls, ceiling junctions, and ceilings. Also, these bugs don't bite as much as a bed bug. The treatment for bed and bat bugs can be similar except for one ...

How To: Keep socks paired and never lose a sock ever again

It happens to the best of us—missing socks. No matter how hard you try, no matter how careful you are when doing laundry, you always end up with that one sock who's lost its soulmate. And what do you usually do with that buddy-less sock? Throw it away? DON'T! This video will gives you some tips on how to keep your socks from disappearing, like A). don't throw away your sock because you might find its missing mate later, and B). roll your socks to keep you from losing one when not in the laund...

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: Make a homemade fly trap

Do you have a problem with flies and you're not sure how to get rid of them? In this video, learn how to make a homemade fly trap to get rid of those pesky insects with wings! If you have too many flies buzzing around your house, here's a quick way to make an inexpensive fly trap.

How To: Prevent fruit flies from entering a compost pail

Using simple materials in most any home, this video provides a novel solution to fruit flies in your compost pail. Composting is a great idea, but if you are not careful, the fruit flies will start to take over and you'll wish you had never started. But this simple idea will keep you composting without the bugs! Starting with a large container from something like a peanut butter jar, you can cut out a large hole and secure a scouring pad to the underside of the lid. Then, place the lid on the...

How To: Treat bed bugs & get rid of them

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to find bed bugs and how to get rid of them. When users are aware that their home is infested with bed bugs, it is critical for users to locate all of the bugs. There are many areas where bed bugs inhabit. Bed bugs can be found on the bed, headboard, electrical sockets and telephone jacks. Bed bugs may also be found in cracks. The best treatment to remove bed bugs is to use Delta Dust, bed bug spray or any other bed bug products. This video will benef...

How To: Build a plastic bag dispenser

Tired of plastic shopping bags everywhere? This instructional video shows a simple, practical, project you can do at home. All you need is a pastic bottle. Tidy up your kitchen from the clutter of plastic bags by making this handy plastic bag dispenser.

How To: Clean an oven spill quickly using salt

Like all appliances, the oven has a tendency to get dirty inside. Unfortunately, unlike most appliances, the oven is extremely difficult to clean out. Many ovens have a clean selection that will burn off all the excess items in there, but even those left over ashes can sometimes be difficult to wipe away. If your oven does not have the clean function, the method most people use is to clean it out with an oven cleaner. It will most likely consist of spraying the cleaner on all dirty parts of t...

How To: Remove cooking oil stains from clothes

A friendly woman guides us through ways to remove cooking oil stains from clothes. Equipment needed includes washing liquid, a bowl, a toothbrush and laundry detergent. Quick and easy video will help to get rid of those annoying cooking stains. Remove cooking oil stains from clothes.

How To: Sharpen kitchen shears

It’s frustrating trying to cut with a pair of dull scissors. Make sure you have a good time in the kitchen by sharpening your shears. Just stack several pieces of aluminum foil and cut through them with your scissors to get those blades sharp.

How To: Remove permanent marker stains from a whiteboard

In this how-to video, you will learn how to remove permanent marker sharpie marks off a whiteboard. This is useful if someone accidentally used one on the dry erase board. To erase the marks, you will need a regular dry erase marker. Color over the top of the permanent marker thoroughly with the dry erase marker. Next, take a rag and wipe the marks off the board. Both markers will come off easily. The color of the markers do not matter at all. This video shows you a simple way to deal with th...

How To: Hand wash clothes

In order to hand-wash your clothes, you will need the following: a sink with a stopper, a laundry detergent designed for hand-washing (e.g. Woolite), a stain remover, fabric softener, and a drying rack.

How To: Clean a sink drain

A clogged drain is not only an unpleasant but seems to happen at the most inconvenient time. Good thing there is a simple way to unclog most minor stoppages with a few household products. Be your own plumber and keep those drains free and flowing.

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: Remove nasty odors out of leather

If you've been having trouble keeping your leather jacket or other leather items from smelling, it's not your fault. Once an odor gets in there it's tough to get out, especially mold and other odors. In this video you will get some tips on how to remove the odors with general cleaning products and more.

How To: Organize cord clutter with Martha Stewart REAL SIMPLE

Learn how to eliminate cord clutter with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Nothing is more annoying than a pile of messy cords. Those dozens of wires around your home?in your kitchen, by your computer, behind your TV?can be a tangled nuisance. Control cord clutter with these quick tricks and clever organizing products. Let REAL SIMPLE guide you on the best solution to eliminate cord clutter.

How To: Make a humane mouse trap from a paper towel tube

How to Make Anything demonstrates how to make a humane mouse trap from a paper towel tube. If you have a pesky mouse that you would like to catch alive, make a tube mouse trap in a few easy steps. First, put something delicious in the end of the tube. Then, balance the tube on the edge of the counter top. Below the tube, place a mouse catching receptacle like a trash can. The mouse will crawl into the tube to get the treat, tip the tube off the counter and be caught in the trash can. You can ...

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 ...