Home and Garden

See moving as an opportunity to organize and purge. Make "donate," "pitch," and "sell" piles in each room for belongings you no longer want or need. Arrange for a charity to come pick up items you plan to donate at the end of your packing schedule. P...

See moving as an opportunity to organize and purge...

1. Pick a cloudy day Streaks dry on in sunlight. To spot when they happen, wipe one side of the glass horizontally, the other vertically2. Don't make mud Before you spray, sweep dirt from the window, frame, and screen with a brush, or vacuum with the...

1. Pick a cloudy day Streaks dry on in sunlight. T...

We polled our Facebook fans for their most persistent and annoying problems. Solved! These organizers and streamliners come cheap, starting at just $10 PROBLEM: Our (OK, my) shoes are taking over the floor.SOLUTION: File them away in Lynk's 15-pair c...

We polled our Facebook fans for their most persist...

Our quick and simple guide to de-spotting, de-staining, storing, and even repairing your dishes If you're seeing spots Nestle dishwasher-safe glasses between the rack's spokes — not over them — to help eliminate spotting and breakage. For wineglasses...

Our quick and simple guide to de-spotting, de-stai...

Could your furniture use a beauty boost? A few yards of fabric is all you need. The English armchair of Good Housekeeping's literary editor, Laura Mathews, was well loved — and well worn. Its floral slipcover had become dingy and unraveled after year...

Could your furniture use a beauty boost? A few yar...

Tools You'll Use • Eraser-type sponge• All-purpose cleaner with bleach• Chlorine bleach and regular sponge Biggest Challenge Stains — and who knows what else — in the kitchen sink. Fastest Fix Get rid of the gunk: Just about everything that happens i...

Tools You'll Use • Eraser-type sponge• All-purpose...

How to patch up that hole in your wall the good way — and the good enough way. Good Way1. For fist-size holes or bigger, cut a square piece of Sheetrock slightly larger than the hole. Enlarge the hole so this patch will fit by placing the piece over ...

How to patch up that hole in your wall the good wa...

Smoke out cold-air leaks using a stick of incense With the stick smoldering, move it toward the edges of windows and doors. If there's a draft, the smoke will be blown horizontally (no draft, and the smoke will rise as normal). Fix it with caulk, app...

Smoke out cold-air leaks using a stick of incense ...

Three quick add-ons to max out a small spaceGet bottles off the sides of the tub with a toiletries organizer. Oxo's Bathtub Corner Shelf is a plastic triangle that suctions to a bathtub's corner (and can go right in the dishwasher).Hang towels where ...

Three quick add-ons to max out a small spaceGet bo...

It is true that worship and faith of a family are what make a home truly respectful and worthy in God's eyes, but there are a few more criteria given in Islam about what makes a home irresistible and inviting, even to angels, and what does not.Firstl...

It is true that worship and faith of a family are ...

It turns out that there are some surprising ingredients already in your kitchen (like egg shells and ketchup!) that work wonders when it comes to cleaning. Try these ideas for easy cleaning. 1. Try Ketchup to Remove Tarnish It’s not just for French ...

It turns out that there are some surprising ingred...

By Darlena Cunha Even a seemingly spotless kitchen might be teeming with bacteria and germs, often in places you would never even imagine them to be. These microbes spread easily, making their way from cutting boards, drawer knobs and countertops to ...

By Darlena Cunha Even a seemingly spotless kitchen...

Bathroom Rings: Clean with cheap shampoo and a long-handle scrub brush. Vinegar also removes rings, but never use on marble or granite bathtubs. Shower Curtain Scum: Put plastic shower curtains and liners in the washing machine, and add a bath towel ...

Bathroom Rings: Clean with cheap shampoo and a lon...

When ceiling fans collect dust, they can scatter it around the room. You'll need a stepladder to wipe them down, unless you can reach the fixtures easily. Use a damp paper towel first to carefully and slowly wipe off that heavy layer of dust and grim...

When ceiling fans collect dust, they can scatter i...

Unplug your computer equipment. With the brush attachment, first vacuum off as much dust as you can, particularly paying attention to the back of the machine, where the air vents and that tangle of cords are. Then turn your keyboard upside down, shak...

Unplug your computer equipment. With the brush att...

It seems the hardest place to keep organized is the closet. We're always adding new things and don't usually toss out the old. Today, go though your clothes, shoes, purses, belts, and scarves to see if any need to be repaired or fixed, and move them ...

It seems the hardest place to keep organized is th...

Today's mission: to clean underneath the bathroom sink. First put down several large, heavy bath towels to protect the floor. Take everything out and sort out all items. Do you need several curling irons, hair dryers, or shavers? Remove bottles with ...

Today's mission: to clean underneath the bathroom ...

It's time to get your medicine cabinet in order. Take everything out, including over-the-counter medicines, prescriptions, and makeup. Go through each item and toss out outdated medicine or makeup. Clean each shelf. Wipe off all jars and bottles usin...

It's time to get your medicine cabinet in order. T...

Today, we tackle the toilet. First, use a damp paper towel to initially clean up accumulated dust and grime, especially around back and underneath. Pay close attention to the base and the caps. Then use a multipurpose cleaner to wipe down all surface...

Today, we tackle the toilet. First, use a damp pap...

How to clean your refrigerator fast: First, unplug it. Use the crevice attachment of the vacuum or a flat long-handled brush to carefully remove the dust from the coils underneath or on the back side of the fridge, because accumulated dust can cause ...

How to clean your refrigerator fast: First, unplug...

Make your toaster oven sparkle in no time. First, unplug the appliance. Remove the crumb tray at the base of the toaster, and shake out the accumulated food particles. My toaster oven is hung under a cabinet, so I lay down several sections of newspap...

Make your toaster oven sparkle in no time. First, ...