Ashley Poskin's Recent Articles

It’s inevitable. If you have a pet and a nice wool rug, you will, at some point, have to clean your pet’s mess off said wool rug. You’ll get angry, you’ll assign a time out, then you’ll use this cleaning method to remove the funk, and all will be well. This is our go-to method for cleaning up pet messes on our rugs around the house. If caught quickly, it’s really the best possible, non-toxic way to clean pet stains from a rug.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 28, 2022

How To Clean an Old Porcelain Enamel Bathtub or Sink

Years of use or neglect can make for one discolored and dingy tub or sink. Here are a few tips to keep the porcelain on your antique fixture looking next-to-new.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 27, 2022

How To Clean Electric Stove Burners

Does your pot frequently runneth over? If you’re part of the regularly-sets-off-the-smoke-alarm-while-cooking-dinner club, chances are your stove burners are in desperate need of attention. To get a really good, deep-down, clean-clean, you’ll need to actually remove the burners from the stove and use some good old-fashioned elbow grease. While technically you can turn your burners all the way up and have the food burn off, this method is much more effective.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 22, 2022

My $3 Secret Potion for Getting Faded Dark Jeans Back to Black in 30 Minutes

Even if your jeans don’t look all that faded, a black dye bath helps fill in worn areas around the seams and pockets, making them look new again in just 30 minutes.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 21, 2022

This 3-Step, 2-Ingredient Technique Will Eliminate Any Musty Laundry Odors

You might think a simple wash cycle would lift that all-too-familiar musty smell, but you’d be very, very wrong.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 21, 2022

3 Unsanitary Ways to Store a Toothbrush

They're not really deserving of a prime display on the vanity. But where your toothbrush ends up when you're done brushing does kinda matter.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 21, 2022

5 Tried and True Methods For Removing Rust From Metal Objects

Baking soda to potatoes, we've got you covered (but not in rust).

Ashley Poskin

Sep 19, 2022

How To Patch a Hole in Drywall or Plaster Walls

Repairing medium to larger-sized holes in plaster and drywall isn’t quite as difficult as one might think. Wall and ceiling repair patches made from fiberglass and perforated aluminum are excellent solutions that help to get the job done in just a few simple steps. Did I forget to mention how easy they are to use? So easy. Upon moving into our new (very old) home, we noticed that almost every wall had a dent or large hole in it from constant contact with a door knob.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 15, 2022

DIY Project Test Lab Results: We Tried 3 Vinyl Upholstery Spray Paints and Here’s What Happened

So what’s the deal with vinyl spray paint: does it work, or is it a waste of time? I put three different paints to the test on three of the exact same chairs and was pretty surprised with the results. Hint: as it turns out, vinyl and fabric spray paint can actually work! There are some pretty impressive Before & Afters floating around of old, ugly vinyl furniture having been given new life with paint.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 13, 2022

How to Plump Up an Old, Saggy Sofa for Around $40

Get more mileage out of your well-loved basics.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 9, 2022

Learn How To Spray Paint Plastic the Right Way

How to paint plastic without it chipping, cracking or flaking.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 8, 2022

How To Sew by Hand: 6 Helpful Stitches for Home Sewing Projects

We've rounded up six common stitches that can be used on a myriad of projects for home decor, complete with step-by-step photo tutorials.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 7, 2022

How To Clean Silver With Aluminum Foil & Baking Soda

Looking for an all-natural solution to keep silver flatware tarnish-free? This simple recipe which includes just a few ingredients may be the holy grail of all-natural silver polish. Like a magic cleaning wand for the laziest chore keepers, this concoction makes tarnish disappear quickly, right before your eyes. Baking soda is key to this simple and quick method for cleaning silverware.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 7, 2022

How To Get Rid of Moths (and Prevent Them, too)

Nothing threatens a closet full of clothes more than moths. And they can invade even the most well-organized closet. These pesky creatures are responsible for holes in your favorite clothing, and oftentimes, the problem occurs completely unbeknownst to you. Like pantry moths and other pests, these silent clothing killers multiply quickly, too, so it’s a problem you’ll want to solve quickly with a good moth repellent.

Ashley Poskin

May 11, 2022

I Used Car Wax to Prevent Messes on My Stovetop — Here’s How It Went

I'm just mad I didn't know about this sooner!

Ashley Poskin

Jul 4, 2021

This $7 Cleaning Goop Is for Everyone Who’s Been Eating Over a Laptop

Crumbs galore! But not anymore.

Ashley Poskin

Jun 22, 2021

I Added a Power Drill to My Kitchen Cleaning Caddy

And I haven't looked back!

Ashley Poskin

May 23, 2021

B&A: I Turned My Mom's Office into a Cozy Hangout for Mother's Day

I wanted to give her a space that made her happy — and I think I nailed it.

Ashley Poskin

May 9, 2021

Here Is Every Single Project I Tackled at Home Over the Pandemic

Making small upgrades helped give me some distraction, and made me feel more in control.

Ashley Poskin

Mar 30, 2021

Before & After: I Redid My Cabinets Using Marie Kondo Organizers

In true Marie Kondo style, the products are simple, beautiful, and serene.

Ashley Poskin

Mar 3, 2021

Can You Clean Your Vacuum in the Dishwasher? I Tried It to Find Out

Warning: Satisfyingly gross images within.

Ashley Poskin

Mar 2, 2021

This $30 IKEA Find Helped Me Pack a Whole Home Gym into 2 Square Feet

It's portable, affordable, and oh so cheery.

Ashley Poskin

Feb 17, 2021

I Tried the $0 Hack to DIY the Internet's Favorite Candle—and You Should, Too

This DIY took less than an hour, and you can probably do it with materials you already own.

Ashley Poskin

Feb 3, 2021

28 Tiny Home Makeovers for the Shortest Month of the Year

These little projects will give you big happy vibes.

Ashley Poskin

Feb 1, 2021

How to Give Gifts in Cardboard Shipping Boxes (and Actually Make Them Cute)

Skip wrapping this year, and repurpose your shipping boxes instead.

Ashley Poskin

Dec 21, 2020

How to Wrap Oddly Shaped Gifts—Without Buying Any More Gift Bags

These easy wrapping techniques look like works of art.

Ashley Poskin

Dec 20, 2020

How to Hang Holiday Greenery in 6 Quick, Foolproof Steps

Yes, you can make your home look like it's straight out of a catalog. Here's how to do it.

Ashley Poskin

Dec 1, 2020

I Let My 4-Year-Old Rearrange Our Living Room—and It Was Surprisingly Fun

This totally free activity was fun for our entire family.

Ashley Poskin

Nov 23, 2020

5 Easy DIY Holiday Door Decorations None of Your Neighbors Will Have

These DIYs will take you an hour or less—and are guaranteed to get plenty of second looks from passers by.

Ashley Poskin

Nov 13, 2020

47 DIY Christmas Gifts to Make, Not Buy, This Year

DIYing your own gifts might sound intimidating, but here’s the truth: You don’t have to be an expert-level maker to craft something stylish and useful.

Ashley Poskin

Nov 9, 2020

I Gave My Rental's Plain Doors Expensive-Looking Architectural Charm for Just $5

Looks: $$$$$. Cost: $

Ashley Poskin

Nov 3, 2020

I Re-Created the Look of a $900 Lamp for Just $4—Here's How

It involves at least one material you certainly have on hand.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 25, 2020

Try This Laundry Recipe for the Softest Pajamas You'll Ever Sleep (or Live) In

It just requires a few small tweaks to your normal laundry routine.

Ashley Poskin

Sep 2, 2020

16 Home Skills You Should Know by the Time You're 30

How many can you confidently check off this list?

Ashley Poskin

Aug 8, 2020

How to Hang a Hammock for Ultimate Summer Vibes

This easy four-step project is one that you can knock out in 15 minutes.

Ashley Poskin

Jul 25, 2020

This Method is the Secret to Cheap, Easy, No-Mess Tie-Dye Projects

If mess has scared you away from DIYing your own tie-dye, we have just the fix.

Ashley Poskin

Jul 21, 2020

Why You Should Put Baking Soda in a Salt Shaker

The spillage is real.

Ashley Poskin

Jul 16, 2020

Host with the Most (House Guests, That Is): How To Find Space For Them All

It can be a challenge to host more people than your guest room can handle. Instead of turning on your No Vacancy light, consider some creative options to offer your friends and family when your guest room is full to capacity. During our first month in Denver, my husband and I hosted 13 people (singles and families) in our 700 square-foot 1 bedroom shotgun. We were always happy to take in our friends but made sure to let them know about the size of our accommodations ahead of time.

Ashley Poskin

Jul 16, 2020

Best Upholstery Fabric Options for Cat & Dog Owners

When that luxurious velvet sofa catches your gaze for the first time, it’s easy to think, “I can totally do this, Fido will learn that he is not allowed up. Simple as that.” We’ve all been there, but let’s get real. Even if you become the dog whisperer and are indeed successful in keeping him off the sofa, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will stay clean.

Ashley Poskin

Jul 15, 2020

How to Make a Modern DIY Bird Feeder for Only $10

And it only takes about an hour.

Ashley Poskin

Jul 13, 2020

The Efficient Toilet-Cleaning Method Everyone Should be Using

If you learn how to clean the toilet properly—and how to keep it that way—you'll be able to enjoy that fresh commode feeling around the clock.

Ashley Poskin

Jul 10, 2020

Before and After: I Made My Plain Rental Dining Room Look Seriously High-End

I got tired of my boring "blank slate" dining room—so I made it a colorful haven.