How to Clean a Phone Charging Port Safely: Tools, Steps and Mistakes
Clean a phone charging port with the phone off, a light and a wooden or plastic pick. See the safe steps, what never to use and when to get a repair.
How to Get Paint Out of Clothes: Latex, Acrylic and Oil, Wet or Dry
Wet water-based paint rinses out with cold water and dish soap; dried or oil paint needs alcohol or a solvent. Steps for each paint type and fabric.
Wasp Nest Removal: When DIY Is Safe and When to Call a Pro
Small, exposed wasp nests can be treated at dusk with a labeled wasp spray. Nests in walls, the ground or high up, and any sting allergy, need a pro.
Appliances & Gear
All Appliances & Gear
How to Clean a Garbage Disposal: Splash Guard, Ice and What Not to Put In
A clean disposal starts with the rubber splash guard most people never scrub. Here's a safe routine, a reality check on popular hacks, and a list of what to keep out.
How to Clean a Range Hood Filter: Mesh, Baffle and Charcoal Filters
Greasy hood filters slow your vent and can drip grease. Here's how to tell which filter you have, how to degrease metal ones and when to replace charcoal filters.
Do Steam Mops Work? What They Clean, Where They Fall Short
Steam mops sanitize and lift light grime on sealed hard floors, but they struggle with heavy dirt and can damage some floors. Here is what to know.
Stains & Odors
All Stains & Odors
Old Urine Smell in Carpet and Padding: How to Remove It for Good
Old urine smell in carpet comes from dried salts and bacteria in the padding. An enzyme cleaner that soaks as deep as the urine went is the fix; here is how.
How to Get Slime Out of Clothes, Carpet and Hair: Step-by-Step Fixes
Scrape off the excess, then soften slime with white vinegar or warm soapy water. See the steps for clothes, carpet and hair, plus how to handle dye stains.
How to Get Vomit Out of Carpet, Mattress and Car Seats Fast
Remove solids, blot, treat with detergent and deodorize, then disinfect safely. Steps for vomit on carpet, a mattress and car seats, plus what to avoid.
Car Care
All Car Care
Musty Smell in Car After Rain: Find the Leak and Dry It Out
A musty smell in the car after rain usually means water is getting in. How to find the leak, dry carpet and padding, and keep mildew from coming back.
How to Winterize Your Car: Salt Protection, Wax, Wipers and Washer Fluid
Winter is hard on paint, metal and rubber. A few cleaning and maintenance jobs in the fall make the next few months easier on you and the car.
How to Clean a Car Dashboard and Touchscreen Without Glare or Damage
Car screens often have coatings that household glass cleaners can damage, and shiny dash dressings can throw glare onto the windshield. Gentle and matte wins.
Laundry
All Laundry
How to Get Ink Out of Clothes After the Dryer: Set-In Stain Fixes
Dried, heat-set ink often lifts with rubbing alcohol, blotting from the back and a cool rewash. See which solvent fits each ink type and fabric.
How to Get Stains Out of White Clothes Without Ruining Them
Treat stains early, match the method to the stain type, and avoid heat and chlorine bleach on some fabrics. A step-by-step guide to brighter white clothes.
How to Get Candle Wax Out of Clothes and Fabric Step by Step
Harden the wax with ice, scrape off the bulk, then lift the rest with an iron and paper towels. Here is how to get candle wax out of clothes, plus dye and grease fixes.
Kitchen
All Kitchen
How to Defrost a Freezer: 2 Methods, With or Without Unplugging
To defrost a freezer, unplug it, move food to a cooler and let warm water and towels melt the ice. Also covers quick scraping and frost-free freezers.
How to Wash Fruit and Vegetables: Plain Water, Baking Soda and What Not to Use
Running water and a little friction clean most produce. Learn when a baking soda soak is optional, how to handle greens and melons, and why soap and bleach are out.
How to Clean a Dishwasher: Filter, Spray Arms, Door Seal and Smells
Most dishwasher problems, from dirty dishes to a sour smell, trace back to a clogged filter. Here is a monthly routine that takes about 20 minutes, plus what to know before running vinegar.
Mold & Air
All Mold & Air
Mold Inspection: When You Need One and What Testing Tells You
A mold inspection is worth paying for when you smell mold but cannot find it or after water damage. See what tests show, what drives the cost and how to hire.
How to Prevent Mold in Winter: Condensation, Laundry and Cold Walls
Winter mold is mostly a moisture problem: warm, damp indoor air meets cold windows and walls. Control humidity and ventilation and most of it never starts.
How to Clean a Humidifier: Daily, Every Third Day and End of Season
A dirty humidifier tank can grow mold and bacteria, and hard water leaves white dust everywhere. Here's the simple cleaning routine the EPA recommends.