Home Cleaning

If you’re looking to take your vacuum game to the next level—and save a little time—you can certainly employ some strategy.

Those of us who survive and thrive in this world of letting strangers tell the internet how tidy we are have learned some mad skills when it comes to cleaning and laundry.

If it feels like your home is literally covered in hair — whether it's yours or your pet's — you're not alone.

It doesn't matter how you divide the labor in your house—if you want a cleaner kitchen, put somebody on each of these 13 tasks.

I decided to try a week-long cleaning experiment, to see if I could unlock Grandma’s secret to a clean home and how it would fit into my modern lifestyle.

Whether you’ve resolved to lay off the libations in January (Anyone out there giving Drynuary a try this year?), have just a few drops left in a bottle, or are stuck with bottom-shelf booze after a big bash, we’ve got some great alternatives to pouring the party down the drain—clean with it!

Its delicious on french fries, but can you clean with ketchup, too? We gathered a few pieces of tarnished silver to see if this diner staple could pull double duty and make the job of polishing silver just a bit easier. Word on the street is that the acid in the tomatoes reacts with the oxidizing of the tarnished silver in just three simple steps. We tried this with our old souvenir spoons and the results were… well, lets just say this is not our preferred method of polishing silver!

Light fixtures tend to be the final resting place for bugs. And if it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned yours, you’ve more than likely got a bug graveyard hanging over your dining room table. Cleaning up can be quick and easy, and is a great project to add to your seasonal cleaning duties. So gather your supplies, round up some help and evict those exoskeletons. Depending on what type of fixture you are working with, you might need an extra set of hands to help out.

No matter how clean a room may be, a dirty fireplace can make it look messy and unkempt. Tidying up can take time and effort, but the end results are rewarding, and will help keep your fireplace in great working order. More than likely you’re only dealing with some soot here and ther—and if that’s the case, your cleaning adventure won’t take all that long. But if you’ve inherited a neglected fireplace like mine, prepare to put in some time and serious elbow grease!

White or natural color wools can yellow for a number of reasons, ranging from age to the environment it’s stored in. If your wool has yellowed naturally or because of a bleach stain, don’t fear! You can bring it back. I recently took in a stray rug that had a pretty significant bleach stain. The stain was intimidating but the rug was really nice, so I was determined. I figured it couldn’t get any worse than it already was!

Washing your walls is a fantastic deep cleaning chore that is best tackled in late spring and early fall when you can crack a window or open a door to assist in the drying process. However time consuming, it is a necessary task to keep your home looking (and smelling!) great and can extend the life of your paint job. Washing your walls is a fantastic deep cleaning chore that is best tackled in late spring and early fall when you can crack a window or open a door to assist in the drying process.

Over the years I’ve been guilty of occasionally buying whatever bath cleaner is on sale at the store -could be all-natural, could not. The moment I try to settle into a nice, relaxing bath I immediately start thinking about what chemicals I’m being subjected to and majorly regret my decision.

Wool blankets are one of the most coveted finds at flea markets these days. They are practical, durable, and fashionable. And we’ve found a great way to clean them that costs only your time —and maybe your comfort if you don’t have a big warm winter coat. People have been cleaning with snow for ages.

We recently stripped the old paper from our parlor walls. Though precautions were taken to keep our chandelier safe while we were working, wallpaper particles and plaster dust found its way to the fixture, leaving the prisms dusty and in need of a good clean. Knowing all too well it would probably be months before we decided on a paint color to finish the room, I figured I’d add some sparkle by showing the chandelier a little love.

It’s a task that’s too-often overlooked, but cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is so, so important: it’s an easy way to promote healthy skin by keeping bacteria and dead skin cells at bay. It takes just two minutes, and can even prolong the life of your makeup brushes. How often should you clean your makeup brushes? At least once a week for concealer and foundation brushes that get caked with build-up.

I recently moved into a very old home and inherited a gorgeous claw foot tub. It’s pink, gigantic, and nearly perfect in every way, except for one issue: the porcelain around the drain has been worn away, leaving a very unsightly, uninviting rusty ring in my otherwise dreamy tub. While I have plans to keep this tub around, its not currently in the budget to have it refinished.

Here’s a cleaning tip even Marilyn would appreciate: Make those diamonds sparkle and shine with a non-traditional jewelry cleanser that will also clean your toilet and flower vases! Denture cleaner tablets Warm water Small glass jar Toothbrush 1. Drop one cleansing tablet into a small dish filled 3/4 full with warm water. Add the jewelry and let sit for 20-30 minutes. Once the tablet starts to effervesce, the water will turn blue and start to foam. 2.

Fresh flowers are a treat for yourself and your home. The clean up afterwards, especially on narrow-necked vases, not so much. Our solution? Denture cleaner! The tiny tablets pack a punch and go to work on a myriad of household chores —and can be stored away with ease. Denture tablets Warm water Add very warm water to your bottle, stop an inch or two from the top to allow for possible fizzy overflow. Break apart one tablet and drop it inside.

It kind of makes sense — if toothpaste can remove plaque on your teeth then it should come as no surprise that it will also do a number on that pesky tarnish that has built up on your silver! Toothpaste (not gel!)An old scrubbing toothbrush Apply a dollop of toothpaste to your piece of silver. I used about as much as I would on my teeth, however, if you are working on a larger piece you might need to use more. Add just a bit of water to your brush and go to town!

Of all the responsibilities that come with taking care of your home, paying special attention to your wood furniture is sometimes overlooked. I recently inherited a beautiful wood rocking chair that had been stored away for a few years and was in need of some TLC. If it’s time to restore the surface of your wood furniture, this step by step guide shows you everything you need to know and how to lengthen the time before your next polish as much as possible.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the most cliché nerd predicament: a leaking or exploding ink pen (where was your pocket protector when you needed it!?). But you can put away your inhaler, because removing an ink blob is easier than you think. Just grab some milk and vinegar and get to the stain ASAP! 2 parts whole milk1 part white distilled vinegarLarge bowl 1. Place your garment in a bowl at the most shallow part, allowing it to be covered completely with the mixture. 2.

Bananas are legit. They are a proper on the go snack, packed full of nutrients and vitamins, and come in a convenient peel-and-toss wrapper to boot! But before tossing the wrapper, consider attempting this super simple method for cleaning your silver. BananasWaterBlenderRag to polish silver There are a few all natural recipes for cleaning silver but this is my preferred method for jewelry.

If you’re tight on space and don’t want a bottle of rarely-used wood polish hogging the shelf, don’t buy it! Wood polish is easy to make in small, single use batches, so you don’t have to worry about trying to jam yet another bottle away under the cupboard. Depending on the size lemon you use, the polish ends up being around about 1/2 cup of liquid.

Lemons and vinegar are the great dynamic duo of green cleaning, but there’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh grapefruit. It’s fresh and sweet, and can give your bathroom that extra boost of freshness that is usually only obtained with heavily scented candles and other cleaning products that aren’t so earth-friendly. I recently moved into a home that had sat empty for a year and while it was in great condition, the old cast iron tub looked pretty rough.

Antique and handwoven rugs are breathtaking but can be tricky to clean. Stay away from chemical detergents by using nature’s cleanser, snow! Snowvember is upon us here in the midwest and I’m trying to make the most of it. After hearing about the magical cleaning powers of snow, I laced up boots, grabbed a recently purchased hand-woven rug and headed outside.

In anticipation of spending the warmer months with our oscillating fans on to keep us cool, now is a good time to pause and take a few minutes to give them a quick clean. They’ve got a lot of work ahead of them and could use a little bit of attention. (Plus it will keep your fan—and your lungs—in better shape!) Small toiletry items like cotton swabs, makeup brushes, foam craft brushes, or toothpicks are great for jobs like this.

A clogged or slow-draining bathroom sink is a common problem in most homes. It shouldn’t happen too often, but when it does, be sure to use this natural formula to remove all the gunk–believe me, you don’t want a list of what that “gunk” actually is–and get that drain in tip top shape. 1/2 cup Baking soda 1/2 cup Vinegar Lemon juice (optional) Measuring cups Step 1. Remove the drain cover.

There's nothing I dread more than seeing a hand-wash tag on my new favorite shirt. Until now.

It’s the start of the first three day weekend of the summer, so in keeping with (and expanding upon!) recent Apartment Therapy tradition, we put together a big list of DIY projects to consider for the days ahead. From crafting to cleaning, renovating to relaxing, there is an idea here for everyone – 100 to be exact! Join Us on Pinterest:Apartment Therapy Learn to make your pics prettier: How To Instantly Improve Your Photos Give your dining chairs a new (tufted!

Given the environmental impact and the fact that switching to cold water also saves you money, why are we still stuck on the heat cycle? Here's the science behind turning up the heat.

It's true: Dusting seems futile. But that's no reason to let it go. Here are two ways you might be dusting wrong.

With this fun hack, we’ve all got one more excuse to accessorize our living rooms and bedrooms.

The process of making your very own, super-powered lint roller is simple.

The facts were undeniable: my task chair’s wheels had the ride of a Jeep traversing off-road terrain with a flat tire and roadkill stuck to the bottom. After weeks of home improvement projects, our apartment’s floors had become dirty with an assortment of debris, half of which seemed to have found itself stuck onto the caster wheels.

Here’s an oldy but a goody that’s even more relevant now as MORE people are doing it… I recently bought my first pair of “serious” jeans. The reason I know this is because as I was standing at the register about to pay A LOT of money for them, a cool dude who was standing next to me at the register said, “Oh, you’re going to like those.” “Do you have a pair?” I asked him.

This is slightly embarrassing but my power outlets are…grodie. Doesn’t it look like it’s crying out? It would be one thing if it was hidden behind the sofa but this is in plain view above the stove. However with a little elbow grease (about the amount of a Smurf) it’s clean, clean, clean.ToolsQ-tips Formula 409ScrewdriverRazor Blade (if you have excess caulking to remove) 1. Shut your power off.2. Remove the power plate cover.

Pantry moth infestations are most frustrating. At the same time, I am committed to using natural, non-toxic, and mostly no-kill methods to deal with pantry moths. Here are the methods we recommend to get rid of them and effectively prevent further infestation. If you suspect you have pantry moths, first inspect everything in your pantry. Although moths tend to infest flours and grains, you should also check dried fruit, candy, pet food, etc.

You're letting them know that you trust them, you're counting on them, and that they're an indispensable part of their family unit.

Since my husband has asthma, we’re always looking for ways to reduce allergens and dust in our home (although it’s impossible to create a completely dust-free environment). We came across a good resource the other day. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has a step-by-step plan for reducing dust in the bedroom. Some of the tips on the site were for extreme cases. To read the entire article, click here.

Rub wax paper on your shower’s curtain rod to make rings run smoothly (and quietly) over the metal. The same concept works with metal hangers and closet rod. A single sheet of wax paper is usually enough, but if your curtain is especially screechy, it might take two. The paper will get gritty as it picks up the fine metallic dust.

Bleach stains…sounds contradictory, doesn’t it? Well, a few days ago, in an effort to unclog our drain, we followed the advice of one of our friends and poured bleach down the drain. And man, we learned our lesson: Don’t. Do. That. EVER! Even after we rinsed the tub, the next morning we found nasty bleach stains around the tub. After two hours of scrubbing to no avail, we went online to hunt for some kind of remedy… After some research, we tested out a few solutions: 1.

Occasionally our cat scarfs down his kibbles so fast he doesn’t properly digest his meal, undoubtedly resulting in a small pile of partially digested dinner ontop of our rug. Cleaning it fully requires some careful handling, since you don’t want to press in the mess into the fabric and leave a stain…First, use a butter knife or a spoon to pick up the bulk of the mess from ontop the carpet.

It appears that my recent house guest was an elderly member of a rodent community underneath our building. Our friend and neighbor found another rodent brought in by her cat in her adjoining unit, and was notified that some workmen discovered a nest of mice living beneath the building in the foundation. She’s been looking to get rid of it, but humanely, but isn’t too keen on traditional traps.

Upholstery should be marked with a code that allows the buyer to know in advance, what type of cleaning is suggested. This is an important thing to keep in mind when purchasing new pieces for your home, or dragging something old back from an auction or estate sale. Click through the jump to see what these letters mean and share your tried and true methods for stain removal.

Our new friends before the wine mishap.A recent lovely evening of food, conversation and wine came to a halt when we noticed a few drops of red wine had stained the embroidered tablecloth we were dining upon. Emily immediately turned to the ole fashioned pile of salt routine, but this didn’t seem to work as well as we had hoped.

Although cleaning your driveways seems like something painful, it’s like most things and needs routine maintenance. It’s easy to forget about, but will be quickly remembered when you have to fork over the cashola to have a new one poured. Click through the jump to learn 8 essential driveway cleaning tips that can save you great hassle down the road. Cleaning your driveways is something best done with regularity.

AT DC, I moved into an apartment with old bathtub stains that really gross me out. The former resident’s bathmat left dark stains on the bottom of the tub. I love taking baths but wouldn’t be able to relax with those icky stains. I’ve tried various bathroom cleaners and none have gotten rid of the stains. Any ideas? I really miss my bath time!

In our apartment building there are 15 units with roughly 40 people in them. On the main floor there are 2 washers and 1 dryer for everyone to share. Needless to say, laundry is always running around our place (even at 6am, which we have found to be the best time to do ours!) and because of it, there are a few tricks and tips we have picked up to insure our laundry turns out clean and timely. Before heading downstairs to run a load of laundry we always fill our Downy Ball with a bit of vinegar.

We were going on day six (no, that’s not a typo!) of living with the horrific lingering smell of burnt popcorn. The usual drills of opening the windows, spraying air freshener, and lighting candles seemed to have little lasting effect, so it came time to do some research. Here’s a roundup of the helpful tried and true advice that restored our home’s air quality to breezy good health… 1. Vinegar.

Last year we purchased a sectional sofa with clean lines and best of all, removable and washable upholstery. Even though the tag said it was ok to do so, we were still shy about using our washer to get things clean. Curiosity won in the end, so we tossed them in — said a silent prayer — and hit start! We originally purchased our ridiculously large sofa (over 15 feet total!) from a dealer in KC, just before the holiday season last year.

We reuse jars and bottles everywhere in the home – to store bulk grains, dish soap, buttons, nails, you name it. Removing the sticky labels and any odors (most often from foods like tomatoes, pickles, and garlic) from the jars is a mundane yet satisfying task. Here’s how we do it.MaterialsHot waterDish soapSponge or steel woolVegetable oil or peanut butter (optional)Sunshine (optional)Vinegar (optional)Baking soda (optional) ToolsHair dryer (optional) To remove labels1.

Did you know your bathroom sponges, loofahs and poufs can be a serious breeding ground for some nasty bacteria and germs? It seems silly since we soap them up and rinse them clean, but we recently learned they should be tossed out far before you see any wear and tear. We were shocked at how short their lifespan really is!

Often times once we’ve gone to the trouble of buying flowers and arranging them in a beautiful vase, we’ll let them die there, becoming a different kind of bouquet. The only issue is that this can often mean that our vase has a residue left inside that can be hard to clean.The same goes for vintage glass containers we find in thrift stores that have residue or mineral deposits left behind. Here are our go-to ways for making them sparkle.1. Salt and Vinegar.

Q: As a student in interior design I was taught to use naphtha for cleaning antiques. Now I am more concerned about being green. What is best?Sent by BrendaEditor: Here’s what our friends at Green Home Guide say.Answered by Jennifer Davidson, J. Davidson Design & Consulting Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the metal surface you want to clean.

For as nice as fabric softener can make your clothes smell, it turns out that sometimes, they're not so great for the environment, or your skin.

I am a quilt hoarder. No matter the style, if the price is right it’s coming home with me. I’ve never paid more than $50 for a quilt (but only because of budget restraints, believe me, I know the more expensive ones are worth every penny!), so this means that I’m often purchasing them from yard sales or thrift shops. And this means its imperative they get a good cleaning before taking up residence in the blanket closet.

Moldy shoes. I know… scary stuff. I can understand how your first thought might be “Quick! Throw them out!” But fear not; if you are a fellow humid climate dweller who has faced this situation and shamefacedly thrown out pair after pair of otherwise perfectly good shoes. I have the solution! It’s quick, it’s easy, and you more than likely already have everything you need. You don’t need any harsh cleaners.

In a perfect world we would all have furniture made from 100% sustainably sourced materials and press board or particle board would be a thing of the past. But here in the real world that’s not always the case. We find pieces at thrift stores and auctions, rescue them and bring them home. We clean them up and have big plans for painting or making them over and then we see it, or rather smell it. Yes, that’s right: mouse pee.

With winter well behind us in most parts, it is once again time to stow away all those bulky blankets. Here is a dead simple tip on how to save loads of space with nothing but a vacuum, a garbage bag, and a rubber band!Bulky blankets, pillows, linens, clothing, you name it!Vacuum with a hoseGarbage bagRubber band 1.Fold the blanket, winter coat or whathaveyou. Stack several on top of each other if desired.2.Place the folded material into the garbage bag.3.

If any of you set off fireworks on the sidewalk or driveway (if you have one) last night, you might wake up this morning to black powder and sulfur stains marring the concrete. Want to rid any concrete surface of them?

A few years ago I was hosting some friends when the spill of all spills happened. The one you nervously laugh about when purchasing anything white. Yep, the dreaded red wine spill, on a white wool rug, because really, what fun is a red wine spill unless it happens on something white? But my friend was quick on the draw. She ran to the kitchen and returned with salt, club soda, and a dish towel. By the next morning the stain was gone.

I’m the kind of DIY-er who imagines elaborate and wonderful furniture re-finishing ideas and is consistently too busy, lazy, or pre-occupied to execute them. But in desperate need of bedroom dressers I dropped $70 for a pair from craigslist that had good bones, but were grimy, scratched and in need of help.

Science is cool, right? Clean a slow drain with baking soda and vinegar, and it makes things smell better but it doesn’t do much for getting rid of the unwanted matter blocking your pipes. So instead try a little instant yeast. To which you say, I’m sorry, what?If your shower or bathroom sink is running a little slow, it’s been said you can pour two packets (or a few tablespoons) of instant yeast down your drain.