How to Get Rid of a Smell in the Refrigerator in 4 Steps
A refrigerator smell usually comes from spoiled food, a hidden spill or a dirty seal or drain. Find the source, clean the fridge, then deodorize it.
The Clean Machine — Home care made simple: cleaning, cars, pests and upkeep.
35-Year Study Links Acorn Crops to Tick Surges Two Years Later
A 35-year Cary Institute study finds mice and acorn crops predict nymphal tick numbers better than deer do. See what the Lyme disease findings show.
How to Clean Suede Shoes: Brushing, Stains and Water Marks
Clean suede shoes dry first with a suede brush and eraser, then treat stains with as little water as possible. Covers water marks, salt, oil, mud and protection.
Stains & Odors
All Stains & Odors
How to Get Dog Poop Out of Carpet: Steps That Prevent a Stain
Get dog poop out of carpet by lifting solids, blotting with cool soapy water and finishing with an enzyme cleaner. Fixes for diarrhea and old stains.
How to Get Urine Out of a Mattress: Stain and Smell Removal Steps
To get urine out of a mattress, blot it, treat it with an enzyme cleaner and dry it fully. Steps for fresh and old stains, odor, and when to replace it.
How to Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes, Skin, the Tub and the Sink
Hair dye comes out best while it is wet: rinse cold, then treat with dish soap, rubbing alcohol or a baking soda paste. Steps for fabric, skin, tubs and sinks.
Appliances & Gear
All Appliances & Gear
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.
Vacuum for Pet Hair: Features That Matter in Uprights, Cordless and Robots
The best vacuum for pet hair has strong suction, a tangle-resistant brush roll and a sealed filter. Compare upright, cordless and robot models here.
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.
Laundry
All Laundry
How to Get Grass Stains Out of Jeans, Sports Clothes and White Shoes
Grass stains come out with enzyme detergent and cool water before any heat. Steps for jeans, sports uniforms, white shoes and set-in stains.
How to Remove Deodorant Marks From Shirts, Including Dark Clothes
Fresh deodorant marks rub off with a dry cloth or a damp sponge. Built-up residue needs a vinegar soak or enzyme detergent. Steps for whites, colors and darks.
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.
Car Care
All Car Care
Car AC Smells Like Vinegar or Old Socks: Evaporator and Filter Fixes
A sour or dirty-sock smell from car AC usually means mold on the evaporator. How to replace the cabin filter, clean the coil and keep it from returning.
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.
Mold & Air
All Mold & Air
Mold Removal Cost: DIY vs Professional Remediation and When to Hire
Mold under about 10 square feet is usually a cheap DIY job; larger or hidden growth needs paid remediation. What drives the cost and when a pro is required.
Crawl Space Dehumidifier and Encapsulation: When They Help and Costs
A crawl space dehumidifier keeps humidity below about 60% to slow mold and rot; encapsulation seals the space. When each helps and what drives the cost.
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.
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.