Household Hints & Tips

You may find them annoying when they swarm an outside light during the summer months, but many other animals welcome them as a tasty treat.

By Alia Hoyt

Fitted sheets often look a mess when folded if you do it the wrong way. We've got step by step instructions to ensure that they come out looking neat.

By Alia Hoyt

Despite what you may have heard, it's pretty easy to clean a cast-iron skillet. We'll show you how.

By Jeremy Glass

Those tiny critters with a snout may be crawling around your pantry. But how do you get rid of them? And if you find them in your rice or flour, are they harmful?

By Alia Hoyt

You may have spotted these insects in your home. But are they bad to have around? And how do you get rid of them?

By Alia Hoyt

There are thousands of reported uses for WD-40, an aerosol lubricant that's as handy as duct tape. We look at 12 of the more creative ones we've found for this miracle product.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Those worn but loved sneaks can look almost new with a few cleaning tips we got from a pro.

By Alia Hoyt

You're being eco-friendly and eschewing plastic for reusable bags. But don't forget about your health, too, and toss those bags in the washing machine!

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

A simple rinse of the mug may not be enough to keep germs at bay.

By Alia Hoyt

Hydrogen peroxide is most likely in your first-aid kit. But it can be deployed for a whole variety of cleaning, gardening and beauty purposes you may have never ever thought of.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Discussing the topic of downsizing and decluttering with a love one before they die is a tough subject. But the gentle approach some Swedes take can make it a little bit easier.

By Alia Hoyt

We've all accidentally put something in the dryer that we shouldn't have. If a garment comes out two sizes small, follow our tips for ways to unshrink it.

By Alia Hoyt

Studies show that living in a cluttered space can lead to depression, anxiety and other mental disorders.

By Jesslyn Shields

So you're all better now but there are probably a lot of germs lingering in your house. What's the best way to get rid of them?

By Alia Hoyt

It seems counterintuitive to wash new garments before wearing them. After all, they're brand-new and look clean! But there's a lot more going on behind the clothing scenes than we realize.

By Alia Hoyt

You know to clean toilets and wash dishes, but some things aren't as obviously in need of a good scrubdown. Take this quiz to find out how your cleaning skills stack up.

By Alia Hoyt

All those dust mites, body oils and drool do a number on the cleanliness of your pillow. Grossed out yet?

By Alia Hoyt

Once a month might be good for washing your car, but your bedsheets could stand a little more care.

By Alia Hoyt

Between overdoing it with the sanitizer and never washing our hands after using the toilet is the sweet spot for good hygiene.

By Dave Roos

While laywomen give answers ranging from "after every use" to "once a month," experts have a definite number.

By Alia Hoyt

Answer: A lot less time than you're probably thinking.

By Alia Hoyt

We're consumers, not mind readers! How are we supposed to know what the shapes on our clothing tags mean?

By Nicholas Gerbis

Our world is full of insects, and our first response to seeing one is usually to reach for a can of spray to zap it. Is this good idea? What's in your typical can of bug spray? And, could it harm you, too?

By Beth Brindle

Keep your marble looking like new with these simple tips.

By Tanya Edwards

Keeping your water softener clean prevents costly repairs.

By Sarah Fernandez