CLEANING
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WD-40 is a utility shelf staple. You probably know it as your go-to solution for squeaky hinges and rust prevention, but it's so much more! Inside the familiar bl...
Did you hear? The dishwasher isn’t just for dishes anymore. As a matter of fact, you can wash a whole host of things you may never have considered putting in your...
You know and loathe the traditional way to clean a carpet. But however laborious it may be, there's no doubt that blo...
Spring will be here soon enough. It's the perfect time to tidy up—both indoors and out—and take stock of your home. Whether you're planning your garden, growing a...
Concrete floors are no longer found only in garages and basements. With elegant finishes now available—like stencilin...
Wood, which naturally soaks up and retains water, makes an ideal environment for mold and mildew. To remove mold from...
As the only home appliance to host a rotating population of mess-making foods, it's no wonder the refrigerator ranks ...
Could your house be making you sick? According to the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Indoor...
[bobsays_inset] Time has a way of proving the old adage "out of sight, out of mind. " Case in point: Whether your ce...
[bobsays_inset] There are plenty of housekeeping jobs that people put off. And as opposed to a task like clearing the...
Few chores are as perennial as cleaning the bathroom. The loo probably gets more use per square foot than any other space in the house. As a result, it has to be ...
Think you know how to use a sponge? Well, think again! These colorful little squares of cellulose can be used for a lot more household tasks than just wiping down...
Nothing brightens up a room like a fresh coat of paint—but the unfortunate side effects of many painting projects are spills and splatters. Even the most careful ...
No matter the size of the chore—whether it's spot cleaning or wiping down all the kitchen countertops—the solution you need may very well be something you have on...
Decisions, decisions: Buying a new vacuum cleaner used to be a fairly straightforward and simple process, but today’s proliferation of purchasing options may leav...
Sweeping dirt under the rug: Tempting, sure, but it's no long-term solution. Different rooms in different houses requ...
[bobsays_inset]Before hauling your rug outside on a cold day after a snowstorm, first vacuum its front and back. Alte...
Just about every down comforter has a tag with care instructions that read, "Dry Clean Only. " But if you're on a bud...
Consider the environment within the average in-sink garbage disposal: It's cool, dark, and moist, and there's a near ...
When our hands get dry and the skin cracks a bit, we quickly reach for the lotion. The same logic applies to leather ...
You may not know this, but mayonnaise isn’t just for sandwiches and salad dressings. There are a host of household uses for this tasty spread. From cleaning gunky...
Many people enjoy a hot caffeinated beverage in the morning or a cold, bubbly cola in the afternoon, not just for the taste, but for the caffeine pick-me-up. But ...
Kitchens can be pretty filthy places: dirty dishes in the sink, spilled food on the counters, cooking oils and grease on the stovetop, and even pet food on the fl...
Your hardworking home deserves just as much of a fresh start as you do, doesn't it? Why not make this the year? Inspired by January's spirit of renewal, use these...
If you're like many homeowners, you make good on a regular cleaning schedule. So maybe you skip dusting once in a while, but your house is pretty clean, right? Bu...
There are many questions to grapple with before settling on any particular rug: How big should it be? Is it durable enough? What do I need to know to clean it? Fo...
We've all been there: It's the end of a long day, and rather than wipe up the splatters on the range, you decide the ...
Does home improvement leave you scratching your head? We compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions at BobVila.com—along with the answers. Click through...
When I talk to homeowners about safety, the discussion often centers around using tools and ladders and so forth. But...
Some homeowners are so drawn to the fireplace that they ignore the mess and hassle that accompany its operation and m...
A dreaded household chore, cleaning the toilet is the definition of dirty work. Mostly it's a matter of hygiene, but ...
Like their closet-lurking cousins, pantry moths are destructive pests. Act fast before they eat through (and lay eggs...
When holiday guests gather in your home to enjoy festive food and drink, there are bound to be a few accidental slops and splatters that could make your carpets a...
It's an integral part of every meal, but ordinary table salt can do a lot more than add flavor to your food. From cleaning to winter maintenance, salt can do a wh...
Wash and dry your sheets and pillowcases once a week—that's all it takes to sleep in clean comfort, right? Wrong. You...
Though they lost visibility to other heavily marketed cleaners in the last several decades, most of the classic cleaning products your mom and grandma used are st...
Once you've put your garden to bed for the winter, why not clean your garden tools before storing them away? TLC star...
There's no such thing as a truly refreshing bathing experience in a shower that looks—or even feels—dirty. To keep th...
When's the best time to remove paint spots from wooden floors? Right after the paint hits the floor, of course! But w...
Nothing kills the mood of a refreshing bath after a long day (or for that matter, an energizing shower to start one) faster than the sight of mold. Or a delay in ...
If you wound up with more tricks than treats this Halloween, you're likely to have your hands full with a mess: toilet paper in the trees, eggs dripping on your h...
Among household odors, mildew undoubtedly ranks among the worst. And unfortunately, it's all too common, lurking in t...
Tineola bisselliella, the common clothes moth, wreaks havoc on wardrobes, destroying shirts and socks, pants and swea...
Kitchen cabinets are opened and closed more often than the front door is. Such frequent use—along with leakage, spill...
Sorting, loading, folding—doing laundry is a tiring chore not only for you, but also for your appliances. What drags ...
It wasn't so long ago that trisodium phosphate (TSP) was a go-to choice for tough cleaning jobs. In recent years, how...
These days, a lot of folks are feeling the chill in the air and are beginning to button up their homes for the winter...
Butcher block counters are a perennial favorite in the kitchen, though many homeowners worry about the care and maint...
Everyone knows that toothpaste cleans your teeth and brightens your smile, but did you know it can do the same for many products around your house? Non-gel toothp...
Don’t wait until temperatures plummet: Now is the absolute best time to perform basic furnace cleaning and maintenanc...
No matter what you're painting—your home's exterior, the living room, or the dresser you recently bought secondhand—e...
Homemade dish soap. OK, sure. But why? For one thing, why not? But more seriously, homemade dish soap, which requires...
Whether tucked under our heads while sleeping or behind our backs while lounging in the living room, pillows are an o...
Of all kitchen appliances, the dishwasher must rank as one of the greatest, don't you think? It's a true time-saver. ...
Used in everything from caskets to kitchen utensils, pewter remains popular with artisans and crafters in part becaus...
More and more people are steering away from commercial cleaners with their harsh chemicals and opting for more natural choices to get their homes spotless. While ...
What a huge job it is to clean up a flooded basement! But the job can be a lot less of a headache if you keep some ke...
On those busy nights when you're lucky to have found just 20 minutes to put toward preparing a one-pot meal, cleanup ...
Say goodbye to Stuart Little! A mouse infestation can be enough to make anyone skittish. Those pesky critters can carry a plethora of dangerous diseases and cause...
When you throw a load of laundry into the washing machine, your clothes emerge stain- and sweat-free, and that's a wo...
Oil spots on asphalt driveways certainly don't add to a home's curb appeal. Ask ten people what remedies they recomme...
The stench of a skunk attack—it's unmistakable, even when you're in the passenger seat of a car, with the windows clo...
Springtime and summer are lovely times of year, but they do usher in a host of seasonal hazards, perhaps none more fe...
When it's clean, chrome glimmers—there's no other word for it. The downside? Chrome succumbs fairly easily to surface...
These days, each and every time you buy something new, the product seems to come with a sticker on it. Usually, that ...
For those who live in a damp climate—or in a poorly ventilated home—mold can be a cause for concern, not only because...
True or false: Everyone loves to clean. False! But like so many other pursuits, practice makes perfect when it comes to cleaning. Test your knowledge of 12 lesser...
With its rich color and supple feel, leather furniture invites an element of luxury into your room decor. Fortunatel...
Concrete is porous, which means that it readily absorbs liquids like paint. With this ease of penetration, paint can ...
Over time, kitchen countertops can get cluttered with junk, which not only makes the kitchen look sloppy but also dis...
There's no denying the convenience of the garbage disposal: It simplifies so many of the activities that take place i...
Bathroom ventilation fans whisk away odors, but their more important job is to draw moisture out of the room. Moistur...
You can spend hours washing the floor, dusting the furniture, and vacuuming the nooks and crannies in any given room,...
In many people's minds, granite means strength and resilience. But to clean granite countertops successfully, a homeo...
Copper can be a finicky material; it tarnishes easily even when subject to normal wear. Fortunately, using only commo...
It's the perfect accompaniment for an exquisite meal and close friends, but drink too much of it, and you may find yourself slipping and stumbling into a heap of ...
A durable material if there ever was one, cast iron occasionally requires cleaning, particularly where food preparati...
Laminate floors are so beautiful when first installed, but over time they can start to look a little worse for wear. ...
Unquestionably, marble ranks among the most luxurious and beautiful countertop and flooring materials. Equally beyond...
The best way to keep your microwave clean is to wipe it down after every use. But that doesn’t always happen—you’re i...
The idea of cleaning a dishwasher may seem a bit strange at first, but think of it this way: You regularly maintain y...
The bread has turned green and the cheese has grown what appears to be a face. There, there—no need to fear those molds. Ridding the kitchen of them is as simple ...
Homeowners have long relished the beauty, versatility, and toughness of wood furniture—and above all, they've appreci...
By design, our floors will see some of the most wear and tear of any of the fixtures in our home. Even if you’re normally careful with your floors, harsh cleanser...
Second only to a new mother’s instinct to nest is the desire to clean house at the first signs of winter thaw. Debra ...
Candles enhance the atmosphere of any space. The gentle glow from their lit wicks fosters a feeling of calm and relax...
Window screens really take a beating. They're constantly exposed to the sun, wind, rain and snow, and pollen and inse...
So, you think your house is clean? Well… you might have to think again! If you’re like most people, there are areas that you never even think about cleaning, unli...
No matter how clean your home may be, it's probably still a little dusty. Dust is a pervasive problem that everyone has to deal with every day. It's more than an ...
Is your shower head failing to perform as well as it once did? If so, then chances are good that it's time to clean t...
I am moving into a new home. The previous owners had a dog. I am wondering if cleaning the air ducts is worthwhile. ...
For most people, dust is a housecleaning nuisance. But for those with respiratory ailments or allergies, dust can be ...
There's no better time than spring to give your home some serious deep cleaning. It's finally warm enough to wash your windows without freezing them shut, and now...
Learning how to remove rust isn't rocket science, and in homeowners' ongoing fight to maintain outdoor tools and pati...
Remember Rosie, the congenial (and often hysterical) robot that flitted around the Jetsons' apartment in the sky, keeping things neat and tidy? When the cartoon f...
You know it's time to clean your microwave when obnoxious smells fill the kitchen every time you open the appliance d...
Steel wool, now commonplace in the modern home, came about somewhat by accident. It is believed that 19th-century mechanics used to gather up the metal waste shav...
Rust stains quickly make your bath an unsightly prospect. Image credit: Neil Smith on Flickr. If you’ve ever ...
Ugh, is there anything worse than a dirty oven? If you use the appliance at all, chances are that baked-on grease, st...
Don't fear the cleanup! Once the last guest has left, make the most of your time with these helpful tips and cleaning tricks, all of which involve common househol...
Before you repaint your house, you have to remove all loose and peeling paint. A pressure washer makes the job go fas...
Porcelain tile consistently ranks as a preferred flooring choice among homeowners, partly due to its beauty—the mater...
In recent years, microfiber furniture has risen in popularity with homeowners because the fabric is not only appealin...
If you have kids, you know that crayons can cause some serious damage to any paint job. Here's how to tackle tough cr...
Nature’s supreme source of sour is capable of far more than making tea tangy and pies tart. Slice up a few lemons and give these practical household solutions a go.
Tired of spending hundreds of dollars on fancy cleaning products? The solution to many household cleaning and freshening problems is probably sitting in your cupb...
How do I get rid of a cigarette smoke smell in my house?The smell of cigarette smoke can affect virtually every part ...
This post stinks... Well, our trash cans do anyway. Before we wrap up our garage improvement series, I felt I needed to ...
If you think vinegar is just for salads, think again. Here are 10 practical and easy ways to improve your household with vinegar—from cleaning tiles to repelling ...
Consider this: In Canada, about 40% of homes are equipped with central vacuum systems. In the U. S. , the figure is l...
Pull the clothespin off your nose and instead try these 10 common household items to deodorize every nook and cranny of your abode.
A walk down any big-box store’s cleaning products aisle will tell the story: It’s evident by the noticeable increase ...
Searching for a cleaning product nowadays can be a complicated matter. All sorts of different specialized cleaners li...
Every year for Father’s Day I clean something of HH’s that he normally doesn’t clean and thus is quite...
Cleaning a microwave is just plain annoying. I mean, let’s be honest: it’s way easier to just shut the door ...
With just 15 minutes a day, a smart plan, and some pro tips, you can start to control the clutter that, up until now, has been controlling you.
Ceiling fans are a wonderful addition to any room, offering a cool breeze and providing a pleasant decorative accent....
There is nothing like a long, leisurely soak in a luxurious hot bath to soothe away the stresses of the day—that is, ...
There’s nothing like a freshly tiled floor or backsplash—but there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing those beaut...
Homemade recipes from Karyn Siegel-Maier’s "The Naturally Clean Home" empower you to freshen, clean, and disinfect without chemicals.
The sleek look of stainless steel lends sophistication to any kitchen. But keeping those surfaces gleaming takes care...
I know, I know....Hardwood floors. Boooorinnnngggg. Not a subject that we talk about frequently, but one that needs atte...
It's spring, the season for cleaning. Washing windows is at the top of our list. Many commercial window-cleaning prod...
Vinyl siding is a durable, versatile, and resilient building material, but it does require some routine care and clea...
From shower doors to stainless steel, concrete, and slate, we've collected our best scrub-and-polish advice to aid in your spring cleaning.
Window blinds are an extremely popular decorating option. But for blinds to look their best, they require regular car...
Brass brings a warm, burnished glow to household items, ranging from switch plates, door knockers, and lamps to bathr...
It's always a challenge to clean shower doors, but that doesn’t mean you have to use powerful cleansers made with amm...
Vinyl tile and laminate flooring is attractive, durable, and long-lasting, even under a home's highest-traffic condit...
For many of us, area rugs are a significant investment in decor. They warm up and add color to our rooms. They provid...
When it comes time to clean concrete, you don't need to be delicate; after all, it's a very hard material. In order t...
Tile is beautiful, durable, and generally easy to clean, but cleaning grout? That's a different story. Because of its...
I have a slate fireplace surround that makes my living room feel really warm and earthy, even if the fire is not lit....
Special problems need special solutions—and that's particularly true of wood flooring. When accidents happen, first ...
If your oven had a busy holiday season, January is a great time to do some oven cleaning before it makes a smoky mess...
Gleaming and shiny, stainless steel brings a bright and polished air to any kitchen. Keeping that brilliant sheen, ho...
Entertaining at home has become one of our favorite pastimes: houses are increasingly designed around our passion for...
One of the wonders of the modern age, vacuum cleaners range in price from $60 to almost $2,000. What’s different abou...
Cleaning green is becoming more important to many people, especially those with allergies, sensitive pets, or childre...
Cleaning your painted walls may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple (though somewhat time-consu...
While spring is generally considered the month for cleaning windows, airing out the house, reorganizing the cupboards...
You can get several years’ worth of grime off your deck and siding in minutes with a pressure washer. Whether you buy...
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
Even if you’re diligent about cleaning year-round, when winter’s over there’s always some spring cleaning in order. T...
Like everything with moving parts—your car, your computer, your body—your power tools will last longer and work bette...
When we were weighing options for our home, a new construction, I was almost certain we wouldn’t elect to put in a ce...
An investment in high-quality brushes is wasted if they are not properly cleaned and stored after use. So invest the ...
Safety and convenience are certainly served by keeping the shop clean. You may even find that a broom-cleaned space i...
For 125 years, this hardworking household cleanser has been keeping America’s kitchens and baths sparkly clean—withou...
Bob talks with the installer of a new on-demand tankless water heater that is more energy efficient than tank water heaters.
Bob discusses the chemicals and process used to clean and restore the home's vintage bathtub. And a new finish of synthetic porcelain is applied to the pedestal s...
In the final step of the pool's contruction, the basin is washed and vacuumed before plastering begins. Bob discusses the materials and the mixing ratio used in t...
Bob meets with Bob Ryley and Al Worth to install a pair of Andersen mulled windows with a transom, as well as an interior window seat. Bob discusses the window it...
Painter Kip Wanamaker power-washes the exterior of the Naples project house.
Brick worker Dan Webb explains how the brick façade is power-washed to remove several layers of ugly paint.
