Home and Garden

If a clean machine is what you're after, look no further than this to-do list. 1. Clean up spills quickly, before they have a chance so soak in and set. 2. When vacuuming, use the duster-brush attachment to get in all the nooks and crannies of the d...

If a clean machine is what you're after, look no f...

How to Clean Tile, Wood and Vinyl Floors Ceramic-tile floors can be cleaned easily with nothing but warm water, but be sure to sweep or vacuum first to remove any loose soil or grit. Never use a sponge mop to clean ceramic-tile floors. It will pull ...

How to Clean Tile, Wood and Vinyl Floors Ceramic-...

Don't be afraid — cleaning a refrigerator (and keeping it clean) isn't a herculean task if you follow these tips: Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon of hot water: 1 cup clear ammonia, ½-cup vinegar and ¼-cup...

Don't be afraid — cleaning a refrigerator (and kee...

A moderately-sized refrigerator may be sufficient for your family most of the time, but when holidays, special events or summer rolls around, there's never enough space for all the food and beverages that must be kept cool. Upgrading to a much larger...

A moderately-sized refrigerator may be sufficient ...

I remember when cleaning the refrigerator was a high-priority weekly chore which involved removing all the contents, cleaning shelves, door bins and even the freezer compartment. This also included discarding anything that was saved on the last round...

I remember when cleaning the refrigerator was a hi...

Proper care and maintenance of your freezer will not only improve efficiency and performance, but will save energy dollars, and help your food contents to last longer. Location of Your Freezer Placing your freezer directly near a heat source, outside...

Proper care and maintenance of your freezer will n...

Simple maintenance and cleaning procedures can greatly extend the life and efficiency of your refrigerator. Learn what you need to do to keep your fridge running well now and for years to come. Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 30 minutes or less Clea...

Simple maintenance and cleaning procedures can gre...

Baking Soda Boxes Store an opened box of baking soda in your refrigerator and freezer to help eliminate odors. Replace at least every three months, although the box may need replacing sooner if it begins to absorb too many odors. Try dating the box t...

Baking Soda Boxes Store an opened box of baking so...

A refrigerator is the hub of our kitchen. We depend on it to safely store all of our perishable foods until we're ready to use them. Unfortunately the refrigerator takes a lot of abuse. We stuff it full. We forget about leftovers. We leave spills unt...

A refrigerator is the hub of our kitchen. We depen...

I know. It isn't the most fun job. In fact, many of us avoid the job, mainly because of how long we've been avoiding it. Who knows what lurks in the farthest corners of our refrigerators? There are a few signs that it is time to clean out the refrige...

I know. It isn't the most fun job. In fact, many o...

Growing vegetables in containers is an easy and effective way to cut into your food budget, provide fresh foods for your table, and is a relaxing hobby that will cost you very little money. Whether you are an experienced gardener or a beginner, here ...

Growing vegetables in containers is an easy and ef...

Kitchen, 4 ½ minutes daily Always start with the sink. "Keep it empty and shining," says Marla Cilley. A sparkling sink becomes your kitchen's benchmark for hygiene and tidiness, inspiring you to load the dishwasher immediately and keep counters, ref...

Kitchen, 4 ½ minutes daily Always start with the s...

Daily A daily housekeeper works well for busy families with packed days, new parents who are taking care of an infant, working parents who don't have time for household tasks and elderly people who need help with daily chores. When you hire help to c...

Daily A daily housekeeper works well for busy fami...

What Do I Need? Your first questions should be directed toward you and your own family. It is important to know your needs and goals before even considering a cleaning company. Start by writing a list of things you need done around the house and how ...

What Do I Need? Your first questions should be dir...

You Work Full Time After a busy 9-5, using your time off from work to clean the house depletes your energy and limits your availability to enjoy other activities. You might not need a daily housekeeper, but having someone clean once or twice a month ...

You Work Full Time After a busy 9-5, using your ti...

Start Young Getting children involved in family chores is easiest when they want to help mom and dad. Lang admits to directing her 2-year-old's "I can do it myself" attitude toward chore completion. "Nothing gets Chloe to help out faster than me sugg...

Start Young Getting children involved in family ch...

Take it Slow Mary Baker, who has been cleaning houses for more than 20 years in the Tulsa, Okla., area, suggests spreading the job out. "A lot of people make the mistake of trying to get everything done in one long session, only to end up exhausted a...

Take it Slow Mary Baker, who has been cleaning hou...

Start with the Sink If you or the house owner has let the kitchen go, there is a good chance you'll find yourselves standing in the doorway feeling instantly defeated. Even if it means taking the dirty dishes out of the sink and setting them on a cou...

Start with the Sink If you or the house owner has ...

Use Multi-Tasking Products "Manufacturers love to sell home consumers lots of little specialty tools and cleaning chemicals that only do one thing or clean one special type of surface because it is an easy excuse to get you to buy more stuff," says M...

Use Multi-Tasking Products "Manufacturers love to ...

Clean, Weed and Fertilize Clean out and weed all of your garden areas. Turn the soil while it's still easy to work and you'll save yourself a lot of backbreaking labor come the spring. Finish by covering the weed-free beds with a layer of organic fer...

Clean, Weed and Fertilize Clean out and weed all o...

1. Do One Load A Day It's simple math: the more family members you have, the more laundry you do. Satterfield advises to make it a habit: "Wash, dry, and fold at least one load a day. Of course there are days that I dread this task, but not nearly as...

1. Do One Load A Day It's simple math: the more fa...