Water Damage on a Ceiling: Signs, Common Causes and What Repair Involves
Learn to recognize water damage on a ceiling, the usual causes from roofs to pipes, and what a proper repair involves, including when to call a professional.
How to Organize a Closet: Sorting, Hangers, Dividers and Seasonal Storage
A tidy closet comes from sorting hard and putting things back by how often you wear them, not from an expensive system. Here is the method, plus how to store off-season clothes safely.
Flooded Basement: What to Do First, Stay Safe and Dry It Out
Flooded basement? Put safety first, shut off power only when it is safe, remove water, dry everything fast and prevent mold. Here is a clear step-by-step plan.
Appliances & Gear
All Appliances & Gear
How to Choose a Dehumidifier: Capacity, Room Size, Drainage and ENERGY STAR
Dehumidifier capacity ratings changed in 2019, which confuses a lot of shoppers. Here's how to read the specs, size one for a damp room and pick the right drainage.
How to Choose a Dishwasher: Size, Noise, Racks, Tub and Efficiency
Most dishwashers clean well enough; the differences are size, noise, rack flexibility and upkeep. Here's how to read the spec sheet before you buy.
Energy-Saving Tips for Appliances: Fridge, Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher and Standby
The cheapest energy savings come from settings and habits, not new appliances. Here are the ones official sources back, without inflated savings claims.
Stains & Odors
All Stains & Odors
How to Get Cranberry Sauce Stains Out of Clothes, Tablecloths and Carpet
Act fast, blot, rinse from the back with cold water, then treat with detergent. Step-by-step fixes for cranberry sauce on clothes, tablecloths and carpet.
How to Get Rid of Shoe Odor in Sneakers, Leather Shoes, Boots and Insoles
Shoe odor comes from moisture and bacteria. Here is how to clean and deodorize sneakers, leather shoes, boots and insoles safely, and how to keep the smell away.
How to Get Candle Wax Out of Carpet, Wood Floors and Tablecloths
Candle wax comes out in two stages: harden and scrape off the bulk, then melt the thin layer left behind into something absorbent. Dye stains need a final step.
Laundry
All Laundry
How to Wash a Baseball Cap by Hand or in the Dishwasher
Wash a baseball cap by hand or on the dishwasher's top rack, and learn why the washing machine can crush the brim and shrink or fade the crown.
How to Wash Sneakers in the Washing Machine and Which Shoes to Skip
Most canvas and mesh sneakers can go in the washer on a gentle cycle. Here is how to do it safely, plus the shoes you should never machine wash.
How to Get the Mildew Smell Out of Towels (and Keep It Out)
Towels that smell sour as soon as they get wet usually hold residue and mildew. A hot reset wash, separate rinses and proper drying get them back.
Kitchen
All Kitchen
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.
How to Clean Oven Racks: The Bathtub Soak, Baking Soda and What Scratches
Greasy oven racks come clean with a long hot-water soak, a little dish soap and a baking soda scrub. Here is the method, the dryer sheet question, and how to keep racks sliding smoothly.
How to Clean a Roasting Pan After the Turkey (by Pan Material)
Burnt-on drippings look worse than they are. A soak, a baking soda paste and the right scrubber for your pan's material will handle most roasting pans.
Mold & Air
All Mold & Air
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.
How to Get Rid of Mold on a Bathroom Ceiling (and Keep It Off)
Bathroom ceiling mold is usually shower steam with nowhere to go. Clean it safely overhead, then fix the ventilation so you're not doing this every month.
Floors & Carpets
All Floors & Carpets
How to Clean Laminate Floors Without Swelling or Streaks
Laminate looks like wood but hates water even more. A light touch, the right pad and a cleaner your flooring maker approves are all it takes.
How to Clean Vinyl Plank Floors (LVP and LVT) Safely
Luxury vinyl is tough, but its clear wear layer can be dulled, stained or scratched by the wrong products. Here is what flooring makers actually recommend.
How to Clean a Mattress: Vacuum, Spot-Clean Stains and Deodorize
A mattress can't go in the washer, and too much liquid can lead to odor and mold inside the foam. Here is how to clean one with minimal moisture.