Whole House and Outside
Every tip here is checked against the sources listed on its page.
This is for the rest of the house and the outside too. Pick a job and I will walk you through it step by step.
Every page in this room
9 pages, newest first.
How to Clean Up After a Holiday Party the Next Morning
The morning-after plan: what food to toss, where the grease goes, how to soak the pans, and how to lift wine from the rug before it sets.
How to Get the House Guest-Ready in 3 Days (a Company’s-Coming Countdown)
Company in three days? A day-by-day plan: guest room and safety checks first, bathroom and kitchen next, then floors and a quick final walk-through.
Things You Forgot to Clean (a Simple Checklist)
The dryer lint trap, smoke alarms, furnace filter, dishwasher filter and more: the spots that never get cleaned, and how often each one needs it.
How to Remove Sticky Label Residue From Anything
Soak it in hot soapy water, press on rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes, or use an adhesive remover. Here is what is safe on glass, plastic and wood.
Does Baking Soda and Vinegar Unclog a Drain? (What Works Instead)
The fizz looks busy but rarely clears a real clog. A sink plunger and a cheap hair snake do the job, and hot tap water beats boiling water.
How to Find and Fix a Mystery Smell in the House
Rotten eggs means leave and call 911 and the gas company. For musty, sewer or sour smells, here is how to track the source room by room.
How to Clean Windows Without Streaks
A little dish soap in water, a squeegee wiped dry after every pass and a cloudy day give you clear glass. Exact amounts and a streak fix inside.
How to Clean Hardwood Floors Without Damaging Them
Dry dirt off often, use a cleaner made for your floor’s finish once a month, and keep water, vinegar and steam away. Here is the full routine.
How to Clean Grill Grates Without a Wire Brush
Scrub hot grates with a ball of foil after you cook, then give them a real wash now and then. Here is the right wash for each kind of grate.
Get the Kitchen and Laundry Rescue Guide, free
Five printable pages: the never-mix chart for your cabinet door, ten checked fixes, a towel reset card and a leftovers card for the fridge.
