Cleaning Things

Want the best household cleaning tips and cleaning products? You've come to the right place! Here, homeowners are sharing their personal reviews of popular cleaning products -- including the good & the bad, the pros & the cons, the ones you should try & the ones you should skip. Plus, all our favorite cleaning tips to get the job done right the first time... while saving time and money in the long run.

Bacteria Alert: How To Clean A Jetted Tub Or Bathroom Soaking Tub With Air Jets [DIY Methods + Jetted Tub Cleaners]

You know what a dirty bathtub ring looks like… Now imagine what that soap scum buildup is doing inside the jet plumbing of your bathroom jetted tub! Sure, you can clean the surface of the tub itself. But once you start the air jets, all kinds of nasty looking black specks will come floating to the surface if you don’t clean the jets, the nozzles, and the interior plumbing system too. (I know because it happened to me.) Those pipes behind your soaking tub with jets quickly become contaminated with infectious bacteria — some you can see, and some you can’t. Fortunately, cleaning the inside of your air tub’s pipes, jets, and nozzles is really easy! The hardest part is taking the time to do it on a regular basis — to prevent biofilm (nasty residue that forms around bacteria in your plumbing lines) from building up in the jets. Here’s how to properly clean a jetted tub and remove biofilm yourself in just a few quick steps. See how to make your own jetted tub cleaner and ones that are available in stores.

Fabric Softeners And Dryer Sheets: Myths vs Facts

Heard warnings about the downsides of using fabric softener and dryer sheets? There are so many opinions out there about whether or not you should use fabric softener. You might’ve heard it can stain your clothes, start a fire, cause buildup in your washer & dryer, scare away mice, ruin sportswear, soften hard water, and cause acne — among other things. It’s time to sort out the facts from the myths about fabric softeners and dryer sheets!

Before You Buy Gutter Guards, Review These Pros & Cons Of Installing Gutter Covers

Gutter covers keep gutters from clogging with leaves, water, and debris. But not everyone agrees that gutter guards are worth the cost, time & effort to install. Wondering what are the best gutter guards? Here are the pros & cons of the 5 types of gutter guards, and gutter guard reviews for each of the companies that manufacture them.

Got A Ladybug Infestation? Here’s What To Do If Ladybugs Are Invading Your Home

Unless you want a ladybug infestation this Winter, you’ll want to follow these tips to keep ladybugs out of your home, as well as the reasons they invade your house in the first place. Avoid an Asian lady beetle infestation — with these helpful tips. Trust me, this is the article for the most helpful info about natural ways to remove them from your home and some common misconceptions about ladybugs.

Melamine Foam Sponge Facts: Is Melamine Toxic? What Is Melamine Sponge Made Of? How Does A Melamine Sponge Work?

Of all the different sponges I’ve used, the melamine foam sponge is the one I use most often in our house with 3 dogs. But I still get questions from curious readers about the safety of melamine foam — on skin, with kids, around pets, etc. Here’s what you need to know about melamine sponges and how they work.

How To Dry Bed Sheets In The Dryer Without A Tangled Mess (…It’s The Most Frustrating Part About Washing & Drying Bed Sheets, Right?!)

Want to know how to dry a bed sheet fast?… I’ve found it! I did an experiment to calculate the actual time spent drying, untangling, re-separating, and re-drying bed sheets using each of the following methods: 1) Put all sheets into the dryer at one time, 2) Put wool dryer balls / tennis balls in with the sheets, 3) Put a dry towel in with the sheets, 4) Put only one bed sheet at a time in the dryer. See which of these methods is the fastest way to dry bed sheets!

Find Cockroaches In Your Coffee Maker? (I Did) Here’s Why Roaches Like Coffee Machines, Plus How To Get Rid Of Roaches & Disinfect Your Coffee Maker

There’s just something about coffee & roaches… especially cockroaches and coffee machines. Trust me, I know! Unless you want cockroach coffee at home, here’s how to get rid of roaches in your coffee maker once and for all. Plus how to properly disinfect a coffee machine that’s had roaches in it.

How To Clean Windows Without Streaks: My Foolproof Method & DIY Window Cleaner

Want the easiest way to get sparkling, streak free windows? I’m constantly removing dog nose prints, cat paw prints, and my son’s hand prints from our glass sliding doors using this method. It’s the fastest way I can clean the windows without streaks or chemicals!

My Review Of The iLife Robot Vacuum Cleaner… In A 3,700 Sq. Ft. 2-Story House With 3 Dogs!

I have both, an A8 model and a V8 model of the iLife robot vacuum. (They’re about half the price of a Roomba iRobot vacuum!) I use the A8 upstairs where most of the rooms are carpeted, and I use the V8 downstairs where we do most of our living with 3 dogs in the house (and have mostly hardwood flooring and lots of throw rugs). Here’s my list of the pros & cons of a robot vacuum cleaner vs. a traditional upright vacuum cleaner, and how well the wet mopping feature works on an auto vacuum cleaner.

My Review Of The DIY Superior Bidet Attachment (…I’ve Always Wanted To Have A Bathroom Bidet Toilet!)

I’ve always wanted a bidet toilet… I finally got one. Hubby installed the DIY Superior Bidet attachment, and our rear ends have never been cleaner! To help you decide if a bathroom bidet makes sense for your family, read through my list of pros & cons of an add-on bidet first.

Homemade Poo Pourri Recipes: How To Make DIY PooPourri Toilet Spray & Toilet Drops Using Essential Oils

Poo Pouri is a GREAT poop spray! I’ll never buy traditional bathroom sprays again – because it’s so much more effective to use a toilet spray than an aerosol bathroom deodorizer. Here’s how to combine essential oIls & water to make your own homemade Poo Pourri recipe. The original Poopouri before you go toilet spray makes a great gift, but this homemade poo spray is what I keep in each of the bathrooms in my home.

Eraser Daddy Review: Scrubbing Power Without Scratching (Like Scrub Daddy Sponges) + Soft Wiping Power (Like Magic Erasers)

My husband calls me the sponge expert because I’ve tried practically every sponge under the sun. I definitely have my favorites (Sponge Mommy sponges and Magic Erasers). When the Eraser Daddy sponge hit the market, I couldn’t wait to try it! Here’s my review of this 2-sided sponge — it’s a Scrub Daddy sponge on 1 side and a melamine sponge on the other.

Scrub Daddy Uses: 50+ Creative Ways To Use A Scrub Daddy Sponge

The Scrub Daddy sponge, a popular kitchen scrubber, gets SOFT in hot water and HARD in cold water. Plus it doesn’t hold onto food & odors. Lots of fun uses here!

Got Yellow Underarm Stains? The Best Way To Remove Sweat Stains From Shirts AND Prevent Armpit Stains In The First Place

I’ve had a problem with the underarms of my white shirts turning yellow for years. If you want to remove sweat stains naturally, here are 3 things that have worked for me. Also, I’ve found 2 great ways to prevent sweat stains in the first place!

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers: Creative Uses For These Household Cleaning Blocks That Truly Work Magic!

A list of a zillion great uses for Mr Clean Magic Erasers from people who actually use them. See what makes a Magic Eraser cleaning block work so well & what this magic sponge is made of. What’s the secret that enables Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to work miracles?

Best Household Cleaners According To Interior Designers Whose Jobs DEPEND On Clean

House Beautiful interviewed 14 top designers. In addition to their favorite design styles and products, there’s also valuable information about their favorite household cleaners. See which cleaning supplies they think are the best at getting the job done!

Another Paint Storage Issue Solved: Cansealid Silicone Paint Can Lids Keep The Air Out & Make Your Paint Cans Stackable

Cansealid is a better paint can lid. My review of the reusable, air-tight, no mess, stain-resistant, heat-resistant, easy open/close, stackable paint can lids

There’s A New Smiley Face Sponge! 2 Reasons Scrub Mommy Sponges Are Even Better Than Scrub Daddy Sponges

Have you seen the new Scrub Mommy sponges? They’re nice because they’re soft on one side and scrubby like a Scrub Daddy smiley face sponge on the other side

Do Cheap Melamine Sponges Work As Well As Mr. Clean Magic Erasers? (Hint: YES!)

I’ve always wondered if no-name melamine cleaning blocks are as good as Magic Erasers. So I tested them side by side. A cheap melamine sponge works great!

How To Buy Essential Oils On A Budget – The Best Ones To Buy Based On Cost Per Drop

Yes, you can find cheap essential oils that are 100% pure. Here’s a list of the best essential oils to buy when you’re on a budget – based on cost per drop.

Cleaning Granite Countertops: How To Keep Your Kitchen & Bathroom Countertops Looking Like New

Here’s everything you need to know about sealing granite countertops, cleaning granite countertops daily, plus tips for preventing staining and etching.

Using Bona Refresher As A Floor Polish Instead Of Using Floor Wax: How To Make Hardwood Floors Shine Without Damaging Them!

Bona Refresher is a safe way to make hardwood floors shine. It’s similar to using a hardwood floor polish, but quicker & easier. My review of Bona Refresher