Clear Answers for Common Questions

Setting a formal table isn't as difficult as it looks. Sure, there are a lot of components to put into place, but everything is set up for the sake of convenience. If you're planning a formal dinner party, but aren't sure of how to set the table ...

Learning to manage clutter begins with getting rid of items you no longer need. If you want to unclutter your home and keep it that way, organization is the key. It may not be a matter of more storage, but learning how to utilize storage bins, shelves, and organizers more ...

Carpets are a source of contention for many homeowners. On the one hand, they feel soft and warm to bare feet, but on the other, they're just one more thing requiring maintenance and upkeep. Most home owners vacuum their carpets once or twice a month, bringing in a professional ...

Having a baby around is one of the most exciting privileges one can have. Watching a baby learn how to use his or her hands and begin to explore the environment is amazing, but it can also be dangerous. It is extremely important to baby-proof every room. The easiest ...

Many homeowners and renters encounter sticker shock after receiving their monthly utility bills, especially during periods of extremely hot or cold weather. Even after accounting for additional heating or cooling expenses, utility customers may find themselves wondering where all that electricity, gas and water actually went. Knowing precisely where your ...

Standard sizes for storage units range from 5 by 10 feet (1.5 by 3 m) to 20 by 20 feet (6 by 6 m). Nearly all units have an 8 foot (2.4 m) high ceiling, except those designed to store a recreational vehicle. Some are climate controlled, which ...

Reducing a home heating bill is not as hard or expensive as it might appear. Through a mix of simple fixes and changes, it can be possible to save a substantial amount money on a monthly home heating bill. Some of the quickest ways to reduce heating costs are to ...

Carpeting consists of tiny, absorbent fibers and most are relatively easy to clean. A wax spill, however, quickly hardens from a melted liquid to a greasy, solid mass that sticks tightly to the fibers of the rug. To completely remove wax from carpet, you need to act quickly to scrape ...

Regardless of the cause of the problem, the first step to removing stains from carpet is to blot up as much of what is causing the stain as quickly as possible. The next step is to treat the stained carpet with a cleaner that is appropriate for the specific carpet ...

Making a room look larger involves several different decorating techniques working in unison. Some involve fooling the visitor's eye, while others involving changing the room's apparent perspective. It is amazing what mirrors, paint and windows can do to add a sense of depth to any room. The first ...

While a house fire can happen by accident to unsuspecting homeowners, many are completely preventable. You can protect your home by giving special attention to a few simple matters. The number one cause of total loss and death by fire is the lack of working smoke detectors in the home ...

Mildew is a grayish growth that resembles mold, and it can be found growing on almost any organic matter, including leaves, leather, clothing, paper, tile, and walls. The mildew most commonly seen around the home is powdery mildew, caused by Ascomycota fungi. These fungi tend to produce pouches and cysts ...

If you have glue residue on the surface of something, whether from a previous application or from an accident, removing it is not impossible. There are, in fact, several different ways of removing glue, but the method is dependent on the surface in question. Following are some suggestions for removing ...

It often seems that we've no sooner finished cleaning dust from our homes when it starts to settle once again. No one wants a house full of dust. In addition to being unsightly, it also contributes to uncomfortable situations such as asthma and allergies. So, what are the best ...

Tile is a favored treatment in many homes, but it requires careful installation as well as good maintenance. It can easily become dingy looking and take away from the appearance of a room. To improve the appearance of your tile, begin by cleaning it and the grout thoroughly with bleach ...

There are several different ways to remove water marks from wood, and the approach that works best often depends on the extent of the damage. Surface marks can often be removed by applying dry heat to the area or rubbing the stain gently with mayonnaise or toothpaste. Deeper staining may ...

As more people use marble tiles in their kitchens, bathrooms and entryways, the demand for products to clean this material is growing. With proper maintenance and upkeep, it’s not difficult to clean marble tiles at all. Floors should be swept regularly with a soft broom, and they can be ...

Moving is a big job, unfortunately dreaded by many, but there are steps anyone can take to make the move smoother, easier and more pleasant. Most of the stress that comes with moving can be avoided by not putting off the preparation until it’s too late. If approached pragmatically ...

Dingy grout or tile can detract from the overall look of an otherwise great space. Keeping tile and grout clean can make the difference between freshening up a space and having to endure a complete renovation. The best way to clean tile surfaces is to use a soft cloth and ...

It is easy to make changes that can reduce energy costs in the home. Through a mix of careful use and smart appliance purchases, it is usually possible to save substantially on electric, gas and home heating bills. Often, small changes can substantially reduce energy costs in the home. Some ...

The foyer should be one of the most inviting spaces in the home. It is the first area people see when they enter your front door and it should be a space that makes your guests feel welcome. It should also draw people further into the home. One of the ...

Lighting the pilot light on a gas stove is a fairly simple process, but working with gas can be dangerous so you should exercise caution and contact your local gas company if you notice a very strong gas odor. A slight odor, however, is normal if you have a pilot ...

From the complex to the simple, there are many types of home water filters available today. Water purification and filtration systems come in an assortment of styles, types, and price ranges, to suit every need. From pitchers to faucet filters, countertop models to whole-house devices, they are typically less ...

Hardwood floors are one of the easiest flooring types to keep clean. Unlike carpeting, hardwood floors require minimum maintenance and can last for many years. Clean hardwood floors that run throughout a house can make the house look both beautiful and spacious. Maintenance methods to clean hardwood floors should not ...

The recipe to loosen a rusted screw is a relatively simple one. To dissolve the corrosive seal, use a penetrating oil spray, such as WD-40®. Spray the screw head and allow one or two minutes for the lubricant to penetrate the corrosion around the screw. As an alternative ...

There are several things to consider before hiring a babysitter, including the age of the sitter and his or her experience and training. It's also important to make sure that the person you hire gives you a good personal impression and doesn't have any personality conflicts with your ...

Household accidents happen all the time. As with many things in life, preventing household accidents is largely a matter of common sense. Burns are common around the house — usually in the kitchen. Steam burns are very common, especially from microwaved foods. To prevent these kinds of steam burns, pull the ...

It can be tricky to remove gum from clothing, and much depends on what the item of clothing is made of. A knife shouldn't be taken to a delicate silk blouse, for example, but it might work to remove it from the thicker fabric of jeans. It may also ...

There are several ways to revive old towels with common household ingredients. Adding ammonia or vinegar to the wash can reduce detergent buildup, while drying them on low and using dryer balls can make them fluffier. Over time, towels do have a tendency to get hard and to lose absorbency ...

The best way to remove mold from a home depends on the type of mold, but removal should be thorough in any case. Surface mold can grow in nearly any damp, dark, or cool location and is very common in bathtubs and shower walls, bathroom tiles, and the laundry areas ...

It is usually somewhat difficult to remove lipstick from clothing, but people facing stains and smears usually have the best luck acting fast, paying attention to the clothing label, and being willing to try a number of different remedies. Most lipsticks are made from a combination of oil, wax, and ...

Of all home-improvement projects, updating a kitchen is one of the most expensive, yet most rewarding, projects. If you have laminated kitchen cabinets in good shape, you can save the expense of replacing them by painting them instead. While it takes a bit of time to get the job ...

In an ideal world, the best way to eliminate mosquitoes would be to stop breathing, sweating, exposing your skin, wearing cologne or perfume or using outdoor lighting. Of course, you would be too busy re-applying DEET inside your net-covered home even to notice all the smokepots burning in ...

Removing deodorant stains from clothing can take a lot of work, and there seems to be no one definitive method that all agree will work. In all cases, it's best to test any method on a small, unseen part of the clothing before trying it on the stains. Some ...

Many homes have a designated area called a wet bar for storing and serving alcoholic beverages, but few homeowners are trained mixologists or bartenders. To stock a bar properly, it pays to understand the basics of the professional bartending world, from the storage of beers and wines to the barware ...

Of all the flying pests, gnats might be the most annoying. Though they're harmless, they hover and buzz around our heads, driving us crazy. Gnats are also known as vinegar flies or fruit flies because of their attraction to the smell of rotten food. This explains why they particularly ...

Mini-blinds are convenient and attractive window treatments that have replaced the old fashioned Venetian blinds. The only draw back to having this window covering is finding an easy way to keep it clean. Most people will avoid cleaning their mini-blinds until they actually begin to change color, at ...

To plan a garage sale, it’s helpful to start a few weeks in advance so that you have time to prepare the merchandise and advertise. When you choose a date, avoid holidays or other times when events might keep potential customers from shopping. Whether you publicize your garage sale ...

Soap scum is the film left behind on our shower and tub walls once we're done bathing. Because it's made up of body oils, soap and minerals, it's especially difficult to remove. The result is a disgusting gray film or ring. The problem is, most people don ...

Garages are often in need of better organization. Cluttered, cramped and full of junk, they can become unworkable after a short time unless they are organized. With a few simple tips and a little effort, this area can become one of the most efficient uses of space in the home ...

With home theater systems becoming more affordable, many people are going from traditional two-speaker stereo systems to 5-channel or 7-channel audio systems. While some wireless surround-sound systems exist, there's nothing like quality speaker cables to ensure a good, clean, unhampered sound. With great sound comes ...

Organizing a bookshelf seems like a simple enough task, but most people don’t really arrange their books; they just put them on the shelf where they fit. Many people don't take the time to put their bookshelf into logical order. This process does take a little bit of ...

Cleaning your kitchen cabinets can be a quick, easy task or it can take hours, depending on what kind of shape the cabinets are in. One common problem is that grease, food particles, and smoke can stick to the surface of the cabinets, making them grimy. Since the main culprit ...

Most spiders found in the house are not dangerous, but many people still prefer to keep them outside. These arachnids are a great asset to the garden, after all, and without them, people would be overrun by flies, various garden-eating insects, and other pests. Getting rid of them in ...

Before the development of today's stain treatment products, the only reliable way to deal with tar on a shirt was to buy another shirt. Fortunately, times have changed in the stain removal world, and there are a number of proven methods to get tar out of clothing. A professional ...

Compost is organic material that has decomposed to become rich soil or mulch. Many gardeners choose to make their own at home by recycling kitchen and yard waste and other organic matter. Some create a pile in the back yard, while others choose to spend money on special composters so ...

Repairing cracks in concrete is not as difficult as it might seem to someone who has never done it before. It basically involves cleaning out the cracks, then using either a concrete patching compound or concrete caulk to fill the space. For larger cracks, a little sand can be added ...

To properly winterize a swimming pool, the owner should begin by making sure that the pool water is clean of debris. Leaves, bugs, pine needles and other similar items should be vacuumed or removed from the pool by use of the filter, or by using an extension pole and net ...

Leaf mold is an excellent mulch, protecting your garden over the winter, and with some additions, it can be a superb compost as well. Many gardeners enjoy using leaf mold because the cost is minimal, and it's a splendid way to use leaves that have accumulated in the garden ...

Do you dread spring cleaning? Does it seem overwhelming? You know you will feel better once it is done, but sometimes it's just hard to get started. Fortunately, there are several tips you can employ to help make spring cleaning faster and easier. The first step is to de ...

You can clean linoleum and make it shine with the right products and methods. Though linoleum is quite durable, it can be vulnerable to products with high levels of alkalinity. Excessive moisture can cause damage as well. To clean linoleum and keep it well polished, use products that are specified ...

Fleas are a bothersome pest if they appear in your home. They are parasitic insects that affect people and animals alike, and removing them from your home can be a tedious and difficult process. The only way to eliminate fleas from your home is first to eliminate them from your ...

For as long as people have had closets, they've hidden clutter. Even the tidiest of house keepers admit to throwing items in the closet in order to clean the home a little quicker. The problem with closets is they're usually designed for things that hang, but not everything ...

Cleaning up broken glass is a tedious chore that requires close attention to avoid injury. Certain types of glass create bigger messes than others when shattered, but ultimately, thoroughly cleaning up all broken pieces is necessary. Regardless of where you’ve broken the glass or what type of glass it ...

To remove mold stains from clothing, it's important to catch them as soon as possible. Mold stained clothes should be taken outside to prevent the spores from spreading, and the area where the clothing was stored should be cleaned and dried thoroughly. Leaving stained clothes outside in the heat ...

The home refrigerator tends to collect old items, like mostly empty jam jars, half-eaten jars of salsa, salad dressing bottles, and all manner of other items. Stains are common from spilled liquids, overturned cola bottles, and so on. The outside may collect magnets, children’s art and business cards ...

Water scale is a coating that forms on areas of the shower that make contact with hard water. This hard water contains calcium or magnesium, which becomes rocklike when allowed to set. This build up can develop inside pipes and water heaters. As a result, it can clog pipes and ...

There are two schools of thought when it comes to selecting the right color of paint for the exterior of your home. One is that you own your home and the land beneath it, so you should have the right to choose any exterior paint you want. Let the neighbors ...

Promptly washing rust stains in hot water with regular laundry detergent is often the best and usually also the easiest way to remove them, particularly if they are fresh. Really tough stains or those that have had a lot of time to penetrate the fabric sometimes require a more aggressive ...

A new puppy and a rambunctious human toddler have a lot in common, so it might help to think of one when preparing your home for the other. Puppies often have two speed settings, zero and ten, so be prepared for a frenetic first day when one arrives from the ...

So you had a little accident, and now you need to remove wine stains from your clothing. Fear not, you’ve come to the right place. That unsightly splash doesn’t have to mean the end of your garment. This brief primer should help the next time you need to ...

Hydrangea blooms can make for fabulous floral arrangements, especially the mophead varieties, which are so large, they can fill a vase with its many tiny flowers. They also keep very well, especially with a few precautions. Since new flowers frequently bud on old wood, cut the green part, not the ...

The type of canvas used for tents, awnings, camper covers and other outdoor applications usually contains natural fibers such as cotton. Unfortunately, this means the fabric is an ideal breeding ground for opportunistic fungi and molds. While many canvas-based products are treated with chemical water repellants, this does not ...

The best way to remove nail polish from fabric depends on whether the nail polish is wet or dry, what the fabric is made of, and whether it is colorfast. Generally speaking, a non-oily acetone nail polish remover woks well on most types of washable fabric, while dry cleaning ...

Paint thinner, specifically the mineral-based substitute for turpentine, is a highly volatile and hazardous substance that must be used with care. Certain precautions should be taken to use it safely and without incident. The fumes from paint thinner are not only harmful if inhaled; they are also flammable. In ...

Many people enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit with decorations, and one of the most common ways of doing this is by hanging Christmas lights on their homes. An exterior display of Christmas lights can range from a single strand wrapped around the eaves to an elaborate display of multicolored ...

Are you tired of looking at the same old room? Are you bored by your walls and furniture? Do you feel a change is in order but aren't really up to a full-fledged remodel? You're in luck. Updating a room doesn't have to be major project ...