Category: cleaning

3 Ways to Clean a Bathtub That Are Easy on the Back and Knees

Cleaning the bathtub is one of those housekeeping chores that’s more pain than pleasure for those with health issues that make bending and kneeling difficult. So hard on the back and knees that it just doesn’t get cleaned well. Here to the rescue are three very effective and efficient ways to keep any bathtub sparkling…


Woman, 28, Spends 16 Hours Cleaning a House for Free and the Transformation is Incredible

A self-declared queen of cleaning from Finland who took 16 hours to tidy up a young couple’s house that was covered in piles of trash, stains, and mess has shared a video of the incredible transformation, which has gone viral. Auri Katariina, 28, from Tampere, who quit her day job as a service manager to…


10 Items to Toss From Your Garage in the Next 30 Minutes

If your garage has turned into the glorified dumping ground for anything that doesn’t fit in your house or that you’re just not quite ready to get rid of, it’s time to get a garbage bag and a donations box and tackle the task. Your garage is a great place to store cars, bikes, lawn…


7 Ways to Get Rid of Flies in the House

Flies are a nearly unavoidable nuisance in most homes, especially during the warmer months of the year. They’re annoying for sure, but more than just pesky, houseflies (Musca domestica) can carry and transmit disease and cause illness. Consider these seven simple ways to banish these pests from the house and keep them out for good….


Help! My White Leather Couch Reeks of Smoke

Dear Mary: I found a great deal on a gorgeous couch at an estate sale. It is upholstered in white leather and appears to be new—as if no one has ever sat on it. Priced at $100, you can be sure that I grabbed it up fast and brought it home. I put it in…


Surprising Other Uses for Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

It’s no secret that dishwasher detergent is specifically formulated to be used in automatic dishwashers whether it comes as powder, pods, pacs, liquid, or gel. What may come as a big surprise is that these products’ grease and dirt-busting abilities can be used outside the dishwasher in many useful ways. Case in point: My microfiber…


The New Rules of Pantry Organization

We asked the experts how to organize a pantry for everyday cooking and extended use. They walked us through the pantry organization process step-by-step. Start by taking stock of what you have stashed, then follow these tips to sort, decant, and stack your way to a tidier pantry. Finding snacks, dinner supplies, and baking essentials…


Quick and Easy Outdoor Cleaning and Storage Tips

Many outdoor cleaning and storage solutions can be rather expensive, especially when compared with Everyday Cheapskate do-it-yourself or homemade alternatives. Here are some of my favorite cleaning tips and storage solutions for the garage and patio that will give you the results you need without the costs you don’t. Grill Cover Protect your grill without…


How to Clean and Restore Carpet Even If It’s Old, Stained, and Disgusting

If you hate your carpet because it’s old, stained, and bordering on disgusting, I have great news. There are steps you can take that will have you falling in love with it all over again. Years ago, when we remodeled our home, we replaced some of the carpets with hardwood. What a revelation. I could…


7 Old-School Cleaning Rules That Are Totally Fine to Break

Just like technology and fashion, cleaning best practices and household cleaning products change over time—thank goodness, right? Fortunately, we’re not all still hand-washing every piece of laundry. That’s not to say some tried-and-true originals aren’t still gems, but naturally, over time, our cleaning techniques and solutions have gotten safer and more efficient. So, once we…