Stain removal, odor fixes and surface care: proven ways to get things clean and keep them that way.
Most cleaning problems are chemistry problems wearing an apron. A stain is something bonded to a surface, a smell is something still releasing molecules, and hard water spots are minerals that soap was never going to move. Once you know which kind of problem you are holding, the fix usually costs a few dollars and lives under your sink already. That is the working idea behind this whole section: match the remedy to the mess instead of scrubbing harder.
The guides here run the full territory of a lived-in home: ink, blood, wax, rust, permanent marker and every other stain with a reputation; odors in carpets, mattresses and drains; glass, granite, grout, laminate and the other surfaces that each want their own treatment. You will find the honest version of every answer, including the unwelcome ones, like which etching is permanent and which discoloration means replacing the thing rather than fighting it.
Start with the featured guides above if you have a whole surface or room to deal with, or go straight to the article list for a specific stain or smell. When a job calls for a particular ratio of vinegar, baking soda, bleach or peroxide, the article says so exactly, along with the mixes you should never make. If a search brought you here mid-emergency, blot first, do not rub, and the right guide is one search away.
Although antique bottles make a magnificent addition to your home décor, cleaning them can be an utter nightmare! HomeQuicks gives you information on how to clean glass antique bottles at home.
Cemeteries are the final resting place for our beloved. But over time, the headstones gather dirt, which makes the inscriptions on them illegible. We give you some tips on how to clean a headstone, and keep the memories fresh.
Abalone shells are loved by many due to their iridescence and colors. They can be used for making jewelry and decorative items. Like other shells, they need maintenance to retain their luster. Know how to clean abalone shells in this HomeQuicks post.
Collected for decorative and food purposes, conchs are denizens of the sea with beautiful shells. If you collect shells regularly, you would know that these shells are filled with sand and many microbes. In this article, we will look at the various processes and tips that can be used to correctly clean and polish a conch shell.
Nothing can be easier than cleaning a copper bathtub. They need NO special treatment and are much easier to maintain than other types. Know more about how to maintain a copper bath.
Antique porcelain dolls are collectibles, and therefore, valuable. Cleaning them regularly becomes utmost important to keep them in a good condition. This HomeQuicks article provides the tricks of the trade by telling you how to clean antique porcelain dolls.
We love to accumulate beautiful things and flaunt them, don’t we? However, those beautiful little things need regular cleaning to remain so. And if it is cloisonne, it will need special care. This HomeQuicks post tells you how to clean cloisonne vases, jewelry, or any other item made from this enamelware.
Vinegar is not a better disinfectant than bleach as the latter is more potent against pathogens. However, inhaling the vapors of bleach can irritate the lungs and even cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
Bakelite plastic has been used in a number of different vintage items and antique pieces such as old telephones, radios and even pieces of jewelry. If you have one of these and want to bring back the shine on it, go through the Bakelite cleaning tips highlighted in this HomeQuicks article.
Hemming tape is a benefit endowed to all those who are looking for a quick fix for their frayed or broken hem, and that too, without one having to play with fussy sartorial toys like a needle and thread! But, if you want to remove it later, it ain’t all easy as yanking it from your clothing. Learn how to remove hemming tape in this HomeQuicks post.
Accidentally slopped hair dye on your carpet? Use liquid dishwashing detergent with white vinegar to cleanse the stains. HomeQuicks further suggests some easy home remedies to get hair dye out of your carpet.
Refrain from purchasing expensive cleaning products, and instead, wipe a chalkboard clean with a solution made from products that are available at hand. With this HomeQuicks post, you will find 7 easy, yet effective ways to clean a chalkboard every time.
Brasso - a metal polish - has been in the market for over 100 years now and is certainly a household name when it comes to cleaning brass and copper artifacts. This HomeQuicks article enlists some amazing uses of Brasso.
Has your anklebiter scribbled marker pen all over the plastic upholstery? Ahh, imagine the marker-stained plastic chairs. Or did you use a permanent marker and misspell something on your plastic folders and binders? Fret not. The good thing about a permanent marker is that it isn’t actually permanent. HomeQuicks gives some easy and effective techniques on how to remove permanent marker from plastic.
Pewter is a grayish-silver alloy which is used to make a variety of things, such as plates, mugs, jewelry, and decorative showpieces. The metal does not tarnish easily, although it may for a dark patina. In this article, we will learn more about this alloy, and the various methods which one can use to clean pewter articles.
Stainless steel contact paper renders a modern and classy look to old kitchen appliances. This HomeQuicks article tells you exactly how to apply stainless steel contact paper.
Electrolysis is a very effective method for removing rust from ferrous items, without causing noticeable damage. The process is quite easy to do, and requires very basic equipment. This article will provide elaborate instructions on performing this procedure, to get the best oxidation-free results.
Oops! Did you just spill ink on that important paper, and have started worrying about removing it? Fret not, for there are different ways to remove ink from paper. This HomeQuicks article tells you about them.
Low-E glass windows are the best solution to filter the harmful rays of the sun. They are quite popular these days for use in homes and offices. This HomeQuicks article tells you about the dos and don’ts of cleaning them.
Ammonia is a chemical, which is widely used in the manufacture of household and industrial cleaners. However, its use can have some negative impact on humans and the environment, which we have discussed in this HomeQuicks post.
The unsightly rust stains on your bathtub can be removed easily with store-bought cleaners or some easily available household materials. Go through this HomeQuicks article for some information about such stain removal.
Ceramic tiles indeed account for the prettiest floors, but at a price. They can be difficult to take care of if they’re not cleaned regularly. HomeQuicks gives you a list of the best products to clean ceramic tiles, and some tips to keep them shining.
We know that chemical bleaches are unsafe not just for you, your family, and pets, but also for the environment. It is time to go green even when it comes to washing clothes.
Keeping your valuable metal objects rust free, is an extremely important step to maintain and extend their lifespan. Naval Jelly is a great DIY aid to clean rust from metal surfaces. The procedure to use it is very simple, and we shall go into it in detail in the following HomeQuicks article.
Seagrass are plants that live in the continental shelf of sea coasts across the world. The dried plants make very attractive furniture, which can last for many years if proper care and maintenance is undertaken. Let us now look at these seagrass furniture care tips and procedures in detail.
If you’re very environment-conscious, or have allergies to artificial cleaners, or you have simply run out of options which might work on those stubborn pet stains, you can switch to enzymatic cleaners. Tough and natural, these cleaners will clear those stains in no time, provided you choose the correct kind. Read on for a list of 10 best brands of enzymatic cleaners.
A toy you simply love is not working? Maybe it has a corroded battery in it? You need not chuck it into the trash just yet. We’ll tell you why this happens and how you can still save your favorite toy.
While some tout about the kitchen-friendly characteristics of stainless steel cookware, others claim that the hard-anodized version is much better. So, which one should you pick? Let’s find out what’s the difference between aluminum and steel cookware.
For those who can hear alarm bells ringing every time they see traces of dust, the need to keep the house grime-free takes priority on their weekly things-to-do list. Here are some must-have dusting tools to stock your home with.
Housewives are commonly heard complaining about how difficult it is to get rid of burned-off food from pans and pots. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid the long hours of scrubbing, and remove the burnt stains from cookware effectively.
If your house was all clean and well looked after before the weekend arrived, then you would have so much time at your disposal. Now, wouldn’t that be a dream come true? Well, what’s stopping you then? Read on to know what to look for in a house cleaning service agency, to hire the best one.
We normally use plastic containers or Tupperware to store a lot of things, and many times these containers are left with a typical odor of the food such as garlic or onion. To get rid of this smell, this HomeQuicks post gives you some simple tips to follow, to have a fresh-smelling container.
Just as a chocolate fountain is an irresistible treat both for the eyes and the taste buds, it’s a gooey mess to clean up post the party. I can already hear voices screaming, it’s not my turn to do the dishes and specially not the chocolate fountain. We aim to give you a simplified version of cleaning the fountain to keep it ready for the next party.
With the passage of time, glassware develops tiny scratches and appears cloudy, a change which is referred to as etching. This can make the glass look unsightly. Through this article let us deal with how to remove etching from glass...
If you have purchased or are thinking of purchasing used baby furniture, then you need to know how to clean and disinfect it properly. Read the following article for more information...
A routine bathroom cleanup is a must to keep it squeaky clean at all times. Bathroom cleaning checklist provided in this article should help you in scheduling the various cleaning tasks.
Does your non-stick pan retain hard stains of food residue after cooking, and you struggle to get rid of them? Here is a post that will help you to remove the hard stains without any damage to the utensil.
The French drain will be clogged if you do not clean it regularly. The following article will tell you how to unclog a French drain.
Are you looking for ways to clean your great deal of investment, the mahogany furniture in your house? Read this piece to know some good ideas to clean the furniture and make it look like a new one.
Working with onions is a real hassle, not only because they make your eyes water, but because the smell is difficult to get off, of your hands. Read this post to know some tips to get rid of that onion odor.
