This method for cleaning paint tools uses supplies you probably already have around the house. Taking care of paintbrushes, rollers, and pads will save you time, energy, and money. With proper cleaning, painting tools can last for many uses andhelp you achieve a beautiful finish. Credit: Blaine Moats Check the paint can label for specific cleaning instructions before you begin. For extra small brushes, you could also use a fine-tooth hair comb....

You probably already have all the supplies it’s crucial that you give your pewter pieces a proper cleaning. Laurey Glenn Pewter is a commonly-used material forhome decor accessoriesbecause of its beauty and durability. Here’s how to clean your pewter trays, vases, and teapots. Credit:Laurey Glenn What Is Pewter, and Is It Different from Silver? Pewter is a metal alloy, which means it’s amixture of several types of metals. It typically contains a combination of antimony, bismuth, copper, tin, and occasionally silver....

Here’s what to do when your popcorn ceiling harbors dust, cobwebs, mold, or mildew. Textured ceilings, commonly known as popcorn ceilings, were popularized in the 1950s and 1960s. Popcorn ceilings have some drawbacks. Credit: Jay Wilde The delicate material crumbles easily, so cleaning the textured surface can be a dusty mess. In addition to their eye-catching look, popcorn ceilings were an inexpensive way to providesound insulationand mask building imperfections. If your home was built before 1990, consider having your popcorn ceilingtested for asbestosbefore attempting to clean it....

These four simple methods for cleaning pruning shears will kill any plant diseases and pests on your tools. Marty Baldwin Pruning shears are essential tools for maintaining a garden. Why Clean Pruning Shears? Credit:Marty Baldwin That includespruning toolssuch as garden shears, trimmers, clippers, scissors, snips, and loppers. Its a good gardening practice todisinfect all garden implementsat least once a year, either in spring or fall. It is a salt that can alter the soil pH, and it doesn’t kill fungi....

These simple tricks and household ingredients will make dirty shoes look (and smell) like new. The best method for how to clean shoesvaries depending on the material. But the steps below should help you get them cleaner. Credit:Brie Goldman Clean the entire shoe by scrubbing with a sponge or cloth dipped in the detergent solution. Remove Scuff Marks and Let Dry Use a melamine sponge to remove scuff marks from the sole....

Restore shine to your silver pieces using a few pantry ingredients. Because it’s a precious metal, pure silver is not magnetic. Rinse and Dry Silver Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. Credit:Jacob Fox Prepare the Pan or Sink Line a pot or roasting pan with aluminum foil. ensure the foil covers the entire surface. If you are cleaning large silver items, line your sink with foil. Credit:Jacob Fox...

Cleaning silver jewelry likely isn’t one of the tasks at the top ofyour to-do list. These frequently worn pieces typically only need an occasional polish. If your necklace or bracelet doesn’t have these markings, it’s probably silver-plated. Credit:Jason Donnelly Another test you’re free to try is using a magnet on your jewelry. Because it’s a precious metal, pure silver is not magnetic. Soak Silver Jewelry Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to warm water....

Rid your appliances of water stains and fingerprints with our expert tips for cleaning stainless steel. Stainless steel is a sleek modern finish that looks great with nearly anykitchen color scheme. But fingerprints, smudges, spills, and splashes can make the material unsightly. Credit:Getty Images Luckily, our tricks for cleaning stainless steel will help your appliances sparkle again. Skip the steel wool and chlorine-based cleaners, too. Some cleaning methods include using rubbing oil and essential oils....

Easily remove stuck-on food and stubborn discoloration with simple ingredients. Stainless-steel pans are a staple in any cook’s kitchen for good reason. Althoughmany types of cookwareare marketed as dishwasher-safe,hand-washingis typically the best way toclean stainless-steelpans. Credit:Jacob Fox To avoid warping, always let your cookware cool down before cleaning. The food should come away easily. Allow the pan to cool, then wash as usual. Credit:Jacob Fox Add a few spoonfuls to your scorched pan, and enough water to cover the burnt areas....

Keep plush toys free of germs and dirt with these easy cleaning tips. Some stuffed toys can be easilytossed in the washing machine, while others should be delicatelycleaned by hand. Discover the best methods for cleaning stuffed animals safely and effectively. Credit:Getty Images / YCHEGZHANINA How Often Should You Clean Stuffed Animals? If your child has been sick, disinfect and clean plush toys as soon as your child is well....

Learn how to clean suede shoes to remove water spots, salt stains, dirt, and more. Suede footwear is a wardrobe staple in cooler weather that offers both stylish comfort and warmth. We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process below and offer tips for removing commonstains on suede footwear. Credit:Brie Goldman These cleaning strategies make it easy to restore the soft, spotless appearance of your favorite suede items. Once your footwear is totally dry, follow these instructions for cleaning suede shoes....

Ever wonder if you’re doing it all wrong? Prevent stains and keep your linens clean with these tips. Spills are inevitable,but stains don’t have to be. Credit:Annie Schlechter Here’s everything you should probably know about cleaning up spills,preventing stains, and washing tablecloths. How to Properly Clean Tablecloths Tablecloths come in various designs, textures, and materials. While most of these materials are machine-friendly, others arehand-wash only. For machine-washable cloth, blot excess liquids and scrape off (dont rub) food residue....

Those mineral deposits, as well as algae growth, can be detrimental to plants. Getting Started Regular upkeep of terra-cotta pots will help to preserve their color. Mineral deposits, in particular, can sap plants of water, leading to dehydration or burning. Credit:Westend61/Getty Images How to Clean a Terra-Cotta Pot Cleaning a terra-cotta pot is similar to washing dishes. Donning a dust mask and protective gloves is recommended for this job. Alternatively, use a garden hose to dislodge caked-on dirt....