How to Clean Thrifted Finds So They're Safe for Your Home

David Tsay We all love a goodthrifted find. The catch with these pre-owned items is that they are, well, pre-owned. Dont submerge wood items and dont soak them, as this can warp or damage the wood. Credit:David Tsay Fill a sink with hot water and a 1:1 ratio of dish soap to vinegar for a deep clean. After soaking, scrub each item with a sponge, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a towel....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 281 words · Nicole Church

How to Clean Tile Floors, No Matter What Type (and Grout, Too!)

Your kitchen or bathroom isn’t spotless until you’vescrubbed the floors. A hazy film or dirty grout are indicators that your floors need more than cursory sweeping. This guide explains how to clean tile floors no matter what the material. Credit:Grant Webster The same concept applies to your tile. While tile floors are incredibly durable, specific tile needs special care. Harsh substances in traditional cleaners can damage the surface of these materials....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 223 words · James Hawkins

How to Clean Up After a Flood

This post-flood guide covers safety precautions, removing standing water, home cleaning, and repairs. Getty Images / jhorrocks Experiencing a flood is one of the most devastating events for homeowners. Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage. Credit:Getty Images / jhorrocks Whatever the cause, the arduous cleaning process should begin as soon as possible after the incident. In an ideal situation, youll have access to a professional crew to handle the cleanup....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 553 words · Melanie Jackson

How to Clean Up and Dispose of Broken Glass

Use these tips to keep safe and avoid common mistakes when cleaning up broken glass. When glass breaks, it’s imperative to act quickly. In addition to protective gloves, Ehrlichmann recommends wearing safety goggles if you have them. Credit:Getty Images / matejmm “First, have anyone not involved with cleanup safely exit the room. Have them check their shoes to check that glass is not being tracked to other areas. Secure any pets in a different area during cleanup,” Ek says....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 285 words · Angela Burton

How to Clean Upholstered Furniture to Keep It Looking Spotless

Upholstered furniture can take a lot of wear and tear. Vacuum Upholstered Furniture Often Our number one cleaning tip is tovacuum your upholstered furniture often. Dirt not only affects the appearance of your furniture, it can also wear away fabric fibers. Credit: Jay Wilde Use a clean, dry upholstery attachment, or any stiff-bristle brush, to loosen dried dirt and debris. Use the crevice tool for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Keep a travel pack stashed in the living room for instant spot removal whenever spills happen....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 354 words · Lydia Perez

How to Clean Vinyl Floors

Less is more when it comes to keeping this durable flooring looking its best. Learn how to clean vinyl floors and how often. What Are Vinyl Floors? Credit:Getty Images / Liudmila Chernetska If you have kids or pets, you probably need toclean the floors more frequently. This is especially true in high-traffic spaces like the entryway, kitchen, and primary bathroom(s). High-traffic rooms can be damp-mopped weekly or every other week....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 376 words · Russell Higgins

How to Clean Walls to Remove Scuffs and Stains

Keep painted walls looking fresh with preventive maintenance and these simple cleaning methods. You frequently mop your floors andvacuum your rugs, but when was the last time you cleaned the walls? To preserve that freshly painted look, plan to wipe down your walls regularly. Credit: Jason Donnelly However, walls with different paint types and finishes require special care when scrubbing. How to Clean Painted Walls The first thing you should consider whenwashing painted wallsis the finish....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 583 words · Mitchell Garcia

How to Clean White Shoes (No Matter the Material)

will keep your footwear looking like new. will have your footwear looking like new.Read on to learn how to clean white shoes. Best Ways to Clean White Shoes These are our favorite ways to clean white shoes. Credit: Jacob Fox To loosen large bits of caked-on dirt or mud, take the shoes outside and knock the bottoms together. Use a dry toothbrush or small, soft-bristled brush to scrub the shoes and remove any remaining loose dirt....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 439 words · Melanie Fox

How to Clean Wicker Furniture—and Make It Look Like New

With our care tips, your outdoor wicker furniture will look beautiful every season. Plus, how to give it a makeover. However, the tight weave of wicker makes cleaning challenging and time-consuming. Credit: Christina Schmidhofer Don’t abandon your natural outdoor furniture to the elements, though. Heres how toclean wicker furnitureto gain extra years from your pieces. We also share easy ways to restore and refresh worn-out wicker pieces. Credit: Bob Stefko...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 287 words · Cynthia Martinez

How to Clean with Vinegar for a Sparkling Home

If you ever feel overwhelmed by the endless options in thecleaning suppliesaisle, learn how to clean with vinegar. Distilled white vinegar can clean nearly every surface in your home. Instead, try distilled white vinegar cleaning on refrigerator surfaces. Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena Wipe up spills using a cloth dampened with a vinegar cleaning solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Drain:Pour vinegar onto a scrub brush small enough to get inside the disposal....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 555 words · Carol Watts

How to Clean Wood Furniture to Make It Look New Again

The technique you use will depend on the finish. To keep your pieces in tip-top shape, make furniture care part of your regularhousehold cleaning routine. How to Dust Wood Furniture To keep wood furniture in its best shape, dust frequently. Credit: Kritsada Panichgul Dry, soft cloths and feather dusters will effectively remove dust from wood furniture. Remove excess moisture with a dry terry towel. Step 2: Apply and Buff Apply with a soft cloth and buff with a clean cloth....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 565 words · John Wilson

How to Clean Wooden Spoons and Utensils

Give wooden spoons and other cooking utensils their best clean without damaging them in the process. Jacob Fox Wooden spoons and utensils are some of the most durablecooking toolson the market. Wood naturally has antibacterial properties that ward off bacteria and mold. Credit:Jacob Fox And because wood shouldnt be exposed to water for long periods of time, each item must behand-washed. This makes for a less-than-convenient cleaning experience.So how do you properly clean wooden spoons and other cooking tools?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 317 words · Francisco Wolf

How to Clean Your Fridge’s Ice Maker

If your refrigerator has a built-in ice maker, you probably use it frequently. To get the inside scoop on ice maker upkeep, we spoke to Glenn Lewis of Mr. Appliance. Glenn Lewisis the president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company that helps customers with appliance maintenance and upkeep. Credit: JJ Gouin / Getty Images Contrary to popular belief, changing the filter is just the beginning of the cleaning process. Allow the ice to sit until the last batch is complete, and then remove it before cleaning....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 280 words · Melinda Woods