Household Hints & Tips

Zippers are found on so many products. But have you ever noticed that "YKK" is on the pull-tab of most zippers? Find out where these mysterious initials come from.

By Kathryn Whitbourne

Clothes moths can be a real problem in clothes made from natural fibers (especially wool). To combat this, use moth balls. But first, read this article to find out what moth balls are made of and whether they are harmful to your health.

There is at least one big advantage that the air outside the house has over the air inside the house. Check out this article to learn what that is.

Whatever happened to good ol' polyester? If all the different synthetic fabrics have you confused, read this article for tips and guidelines on how to clean many of the bunch.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Wouldn't it be great if you never had to pay for dry cleaning again? A steam dryer could make that wish a reality for you. And its washer companion could cleanse mildew, cat dander and other allergens out of your clothes.

By Jane McGrath

Dirty bathrooms are gross. Really gross. Your bathroom should be cleaned at least once a week to keep it sanitary, as well as sparkling. Learn how to eliminate the dirt and scum from your bathroom.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

When you're searching for a new apartment to rent, the last thing you want to think about is probably the presence of pests. But if you ignore some telltale signs, you might find yourself inheriting unwanted critters.

By Jane McGrath

Granite countertops make lovely additions to any home, but they can become unsightly if you don't know how to clean them properly. We'll show you how.

By Marie Willsey

If ants ever invade your house or yard, you'll be well-armed for dealing with the problem -- and keeping your pets safe -- if you follow this set of anti-infestation tips.

By Christopher Lampton

With today's growing number of bed bug infestations, buying secondhand furniture has taken on a whole new meaning. But we have some tips to keep you bargain hunting.

By Sara Elliott

With nightmare stories of infestations, the old adage, "don't let the bed bugs bite," went from a harmless rhyme to an actual warning overnight. If you're on the road, how do you protect your belongings from these roach-like parasites?

By Julia Layton

Maybe your toilet won't ever be the prettiest fixture in your house, but it shouldn't be covered in ugly calcium deposits, either! Learn why these stains occur and how to banish them!

By Alia Hoyt

Minerals may be good for the body, but they're not so great for the toilet. How can you remove those nasty hard water stains they leave in your toilet bowl anyway?

By Terri Briseno

If you want to scare a homeowner, there's one sure way to do it: Mention the word termite. It's important to always keep an eye out for them. Here's what to look for.

By Sara Elliott

No matter how careful you are or how little you're actually painting, it's inevitable that some will end up on your clothes. We've got some tips to help save your threads.

By Sara Elliott

If you've simply been adding bleach to your loads of white clothing, towels and sheets, and wondering why they're not, in fact, white, you probably want to read this. It takes just a few small changes to get dingy back to crisp.

By Julia Layton

Sweat stains are tricky to remove, and if you've been washing your yellowed clothes in chlorine bleach, you're only making matters worse. What are your other options?

By Julia Layton

It's all fun and games until your game system malfunctions. Why stare at a frozen screen in disbelief when you can prevent mishaps with regular cleaning? Here's how to keep things in working order.

By Chris Obenschain

For a lot of people, their shower is the sanctuary. A place to get away for a few minutes a day without any interruptions. It also can be a breeding ground for mold, mildew and grime. But, a few steps after you shower can deter the dirt.

By Emilie Sennebogen

At the end of a long day, you want nothing more than to flop down in front of your flat-screen TV and zone out. But if you come face-to-face with a dusty, dirty LCD screen, you may want to clean it first. So how do you properly clean an LCD screen?

By Chelsea Hedquist

Cleaning glass, whether it's a window, a mirror or a coffee table, is more about the tools than the elbow grease. With the right stuff in your bucket, you can get your glass streak-free.

By Julia Layton & Alia Hoyt

You may not want to think about it now, but your shiny new cell phone will soon become encrusted with fingerprints, dust and all manner of filth. But how do you clean such a delicate piece of machinery? Very, very carefully.

By Dave Roos

You probably don't spend much time stressing over printer maintenance. Printers are generally pretty easy to use, but they can get dirty and clogged. How do you clean one effectively?

By Ed Grabianowski

An unsightly stain on your favorite shirt or dress can be such an annoyance. Learn how to get stains out of clothes.

By Alia Hoyt & the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

If you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done, you might need a new way of organizing your tasks. Try these tips for setting a schedule and staying on track.

By Rebecca Regan