Housekeeping Tips

Read these 46 Housekeeping Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Family tips and hundreds of other topics.

Housekeeping Tips has been rated 3.2 out of 5 based on 1391 ratings and 1 user reviews.
How can I clean my stainless steel kitchen utensils?

Stainless Steel Utensil Cleaner

Use baking soda to clean stainless steel utensils - it removes most of the tough stains quickly - without much scrubbing.

   
How can we save time on laundry?

Re-use Items

Re-use items more than once. Reach for the same bath
towel more than twice.

   
How can we clean better?

Sweeping The Floor

To scoop up the final floor sweepings that are too fine to grip, wet a paper towl and dab it onto the pile.

   
How can we save time on laundry?

Solo Socks

Throw away solo socks that have been lying around
a while. Or turn them into waxing or wash cloths. You can also make puppets out of them.

   
How can my family make the most of their drawer space?

Roll Instead of Fold

Roll underwear and t-shirts instead of folding to save drawer space. Any small item that won't wrinkle can be rolled to save dresser drawer space.

   
How can we be more organized at home?

Buttons, Coins, Pocket Miscellany

Glue a magnet to the back of a plastic pocket and attach to the side of the washer to collect stray buttons and coins.

   
How can we clean better?

Shower Heads

To remove mineral deposits from shower heads, unscrew shower head and soak in vinegar for several hours. If you can not remove the shower head, place vinegar in a plastic bag and then attach to shower head. After soaking scrub with a toothbrush and clean holes with a toothpick.

   
How can we organize household chores?

Assigning Household Chores

Put tasks that any family member can accomplish such as taking out the garbage on small slips of paper and place into a can for drawing. Once a week, have everyone draw one out and that's their chore for the week.

   
How can we clean better?

Toilet Bowl

To get rid of watermarks in the toilet bowl pour in 2 cups of white vinegar and let sit overnight. In the morning, just flush.

   
How can we clean better?

Kitchen Exhaust Fan

Use the exhaust fan in the kitchen to get rid of smoke and grease that can cause grimy buildup.

   
How can we save time on laundry?

Stockpiling t-shirts, socks and underwear

Stockpile laundry staples such as t-shirts, socks and underwear to cut down the number of weekly washings.

   
How can we clean better?

Wastebaskets

Place a wastebasket in each room for easy disposal of
trash. Use plastic grocery bags to line each can by tying the handles in a knot to fit the rim of can.

   
How can we save money?

Cold Water Rinse

Rinse laundry in cold water. It saves money and rinsing in hot or warm water won't get your clothes any cleaner.

   
How can we clean better?

Dried Food On Kitchen Floors

You can remove dried food from vinyl kitchen floors by using a plastic ice scraper. You can also squeeze a small amount of water on the area. It should wipe up easily after soaking for a few moments.

   
What are some tips on treating laundry stains?

Coffee, Tea

For cotton, linen, nylon, raime, acrylic and polyester: Sponge with cool water. Soak in; 1 quart water, 1/2 tsp. dish washing liquid and 1 tsp. white vinegar. Rinse. Launder as usual.

For silk, wool, leather, suede and rayon: Apply dry cleaning solvent on a moist pad. If milk was used, an enzyme solution will be required. (Do not use enzymes on silk or wool.)

   
How can we save time on cleaning?

Room Cleaning

Arm yourself with a large basket or box and a garbage bag. Go around the room and pick up everything that doesn't belong there. Put trash in the garbage bag and all other items in the box to be distributed to where they belong at one time.

   
What´s an easy way to dust my blinds?

Dusting Blinds

Dust your blinds easily by wrapping a cloth around a ruler. Spray the cloth with dusting spray and run the flat end across each slat.

   
How can we clean better?

Heel Marks On Wood Floors

You can remove heel marks from wood floors by using a typewriter eraser.

   
How can we clean better?

Mildew Remover

Remove mildew from walls by washing with a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 5 parts water. Rinse well. Ventilate room well during and after cleaning.

   
How can we clean better?

Dusty Drapes

Toss dusty drapes and curtains in the dryer for 10 minutes on the air only cycle to remove dust quickly and easily.

   
What are some tips on treating laundry stains?

Crayon Wax

For cotton, linen, nylon, raime, acrylic and polyester: Put between 2 paper towels and press with a warm iron. Apply dry cleaning solvent.

For wool, silk, leather, suede and rayon: Follow instructions for cotton.

   
What are some tips on treating laundry stains?

Baby Food

For cotton, linen, nylon, ramie, acrylic and polyester: Presoak in commercial enzyme solution for 30-40 minutes. Launder as usual.

For silk, wool, suede, leather and rayon: Flush with liquid dry cleaning solvent. Let dry.

   
How can we clean better?

Windows

Don't clean windows on a sunny day. They will dry too fast and streak.

   
What are some tips on treating laundry stains?

Chocolate, Cocoa

For cotton, linen, nylon, ramie and polyester: Flush with water or club soda. Sponge with dishwashing liquid and a few drops of ammonia. Launder.

For silk, wook, leather, suede and rayon: Flush with club soda. Apply dry cleaning solvent. Launder.

   
What are some tips on treating laundry stains?

Blood

For cotton, linen, nylon, ramie, acrylic and polyester: Dab with cold water. Apply paste of cornstarch. Rub gently. Let dry; brush off.

For wool, silk, suede, leather and rayon: Dab with cold water. Add a bit of ammonia (not for wool or silk) to tough stains.

   
What are some tips on treating laundry stains?

Antiperspirant

For all but wool or silk fabrics: Soak for 30 minutes 1 quart cold water, 1 tbsp. ammonia and 1/2 tsp. dishwashing liquid. Rinse. Soak again for 1 hour in warm water and 1 tbsp. white vinegar. Rinse; dry.

   
How can we clean better?

Timing Makes the Job Easier

The best time to clean the bathroom is after a shower. The heat and steam loosen dirt and grime.

   
How can we clean better?

Clean Only When Dirty

If it's not dirty don't clean it. Don't scrub the whole kitchen if only the stovetop is dirty.

   
How can we save time on laundry?

Sorting Laundry

Sort laundry by location. As you take items from the dryer stack them by room assignment.

   
How can we save time on cleaning?

Spoon Rest

Keep a small piece of tin foil on the stovetop for a spoon rest. You can throw it away after cooking.

   
How can I save time while cleaning?

Pack Along Cleaning Supplies

Place all your cleaning supplies in a cleaning cart or in a bucket. This will save you unnecessary trips back and forth to find the right cleaner.

   
How can we clean better?

Waxing Dustpans

Spray a coat of wax onto your dustpan. Dirt will slide off easily.

   
How can we clean better?

Telephone

Clean your telephone with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Use a cotton swab to get between the buttons.

   
Where should I begin dusting?

Top to Bottom Dusting

When you dust, start at the highest points in the room and work your way down to the lowest points.

   
How can we clean better?

Limits On Floor Wax

The maximum number of times that you should wax a floor is eight. Then, it is time to remove the wax and start again.

   
What are some tips on using household products for other things?

Pantyhose Dish Scrubbers

Scrunch them up and moisten with soap and water to clean non stick cookware, sinks and tubs.

   
How can we clean better?

Kitchen Freezer

Clean freezers with a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda mixed with 1 quart of water. Dry thoroughly before replacing food and wipe off any moisture on freezer packages before putting them back inside.

   
What are some tips on treating laundry stains?

Cosmetics, Lipstick

For all: Apply dry cleaning solvent with a sponge. Keep stain moist until it's gone. Sponge with water.

   
How can we save time on cleaning?

Rubberband Cleaning Cloths

Rubber band a cleaning cloth around a bottle of furniture polish so that the cloth is always at hand.

   
How can we clean better?

Shower Doors

Remove water spots on metal frames around shower doors and enclosures with lemon oil.

   
What are some tips on using household products for other things?

Newspaper Dusters

Roll old newspapers lengthwise into a loose tube, secure with tape and cut one end into a fringe with scissors. Use to reach ceiling corners and other high places.

   
How can I make my own window cleaner?

Homemade Window Cleaner

Make your own window cleaner by filling a spray bottle with 3 tablespoons ammonia, 1 tablespoon vinegar and the remainder with water.

   
How can we clean better?

Cut Down On Dirt

Always place a mat both outside and inside the doors that lead into the house. This cuts down on the amount of dirt dragged through the house.

   
What´s the best way to wash my windows?

Window Cleaning

Clean windows on a day with average weather temperatures (preferably overcast) to avoid streaking. Dry the outside in one direction and the inside in the opposite direction. Then, if you see streaks, you will know which side is the offender. When you are finished, shine windows using old newspaper.

   
How can we clean better?

Cleaning Mildew Off Grout

The way to get mildew off of grout; either on tile floors or walls, is to mix 3/4 cup of liquid chlorine bleach to one gallon of water and apply this with a sponge or toothbrush.

   
How can I freshen my carpets?

Baking Soda Carpet Freshener

Spinkle baking soda on your carpets and let it sit overnight to absorb musty odors. Simply vacuum it up the next day.

   
Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Family Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Barbara Gibson