Household tips and tricks! - Are you having trouble getting the wine stains out of your carpet? Do you clean your cookware with something extraordinary? Come share!

[Miss Misery]

Share your best household maintenance tips and tricks and/or ask for assistance with your biggest household problems.

I'll start:

All of my linens are white or mostly white with a pattern for the following reason...

They all get washed in Oxiclean with HOT water. I soak them for as long as possible with a few agitation cycles in between. I've found this method gets out pretty much any stain, including blood, and it doesn't lead to yellowing or fabric deterioration like using chlorine bleach would. If you're worried, check before you put them in the dryer - if you find anything, treat with Zout for a few hours, then wash again.

Also Barkeepers Friend is EVERYONE'S friend.

 

[Chihiro]

Wonderful idea.
I don't think what all I have is anything that no one else does, but if you use wax melts and find the bottom of your wax holder burner thing getting kinda burnt looking and you can't get it off, soak it in rubbing alcohol for awhile, i do for a couple hours if its bad, and it makes scrubbing it off much easier.

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole]

Greaseproof paper and an iron to remove candle wax stains from cloth. There's a bit more to it: scrape off as much wax as possible, don't put the iron directly on the paper instead use a towel in between the paper and the iron, you'll figure out the rest.

Hand sanitizer is great for removing paint and tough stains from your hands.

 

[Fialovy]

White vinegar works really well for descaling a coffee or espresso machine to avoid build up due to hard water keep it running for years to come. Just make sure you flush it out really good else you get sour coffee. I recommend you do it every six months.

I have thought about making this thread for a while, glad you made it!

 

[Motherf*cker]

I was just going to say, VINEGAR is truly multi faceted. Smelly clothes in the laundry? Windows need to be clean? A surface needs to be wiped off but not disinfected? Stain on the carpet or rust stains- baking soda and vinegar and BAM that shit is gone!

 

[𝕺𝖑' 𝕯𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝕱𝖆𝖙𝖘𝖔]

I find blood stains come out best if you try to wash them asap by hand in cold water before throwing them in the wash. Not sure if 100% true, but I've heard heat activates some enzyme in blood that makes it bond to fibers

Greaseproof paper and an iron to remove candle wax stains from cloth. There's a bit more to it: scrape off as much wax as possible, don't put the iron directly on the paper instead use a towel in between the paper and the iron, you'll figure out the rest.

Hand sanitizer is great for removing paint and tough stains from your hands.

Pumice with soap and water is the best way to get paint off your hands. Even oils, which can be a bitch to wash off. If you're going to paint I suggest using disposable gloves to cut down on mess/skin contact in the first place. Hell, disposable gloves are a good thing to have around the house for many other jobs.

 

[PotatoSalad4711]

Vinegar also works for hard water/rust stains in a toilet. Just pour a little in the bowl before bed, let it sit over night, then scrub in the morning.

Also, about toilets. It’s a very simple design. You can usually fix anything by yourself. And don’t worry, the water in the tank is clean. Is it taking too long to fill up? Probably the fill line is clogged, and you can try to clean it or replace it for cheap. Is the toilet constantly running? It’s probably the flapper that needs replaced. None of this will cost any more than $15 and 30 minutes of your time (multiple YouTube videos can walk you through it).

 

[TrainWreckSpotter]

I find blood stains come out best if you try to wash them asap by hand in cold water before throwing them in the wash. Not sure if 100% true, but I've heard heat activates some enzyme in blood that makes it bond to fibers

Hydrogen peroxide for blood and red wine stains is a miracle. Remember this tip for carpets, which can't be put in the wash.

Also, when my dog has an accident on a carpet, I spray it with white vinegar, put some paper towels over it, then put something heavy (like a stack of books or magazines) on top. (Put a piece of Saran wrap between the paper towels and the heavy object so it doesn't get ruined if the urine soaks through). Leave for about a half an hour, then repeat as necessary.

Vinegar also works for hard water/rust stains in a toilet. Just pour a little in the bowl before bed, let it sit over night, then scrub in the morning.

Also, about toilets. It’s a very simple design. You can usually fix anything by yourself. And don’t worry, the water in the tank is clean. Is it taking too long to fill up? Probably the fill line is clogged, and you can try to clean it or replace it for cheap. Is the toilet constantly running? It’s probably the flapper that needs replaced. None of this will cost any more than $15 and 30 minutes of your time (multiple YouTube videos can walk you through it).

I have a clogged upstairs toilet right now. The clog is obviously deep, but the downstairs toilet directly below still flushes fine, so it's not THAT deep. I tried Power Plunger (which always works for slow or clogged bathtub drains), a pressurized air gizmo, baking soda and vinegar, and a product called Green Gobbler. I can't use a caustic drain opener because I have and old house with cast iron pipes (learned that the hard way). I do not want to call a plumber if I can possible avoid it. Any advice? (I still have to remember where I put my drain snake.)

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole]

Vinegar also works for hard water/rust stains in a toilet. Just pour a little in the bowl before bed, let it sit over night, then scrub in the morning.

It's great for a lot of things. If a faucet or handle isn't turning as smoothly as it should and you live in a place with hard water, rip up some cloth into strips, soak in vinegar then wrap and tie them around whatever joint needs a deep cleansing. Then rinse and clean like usual. You could use saran wrap around it to really seal it in but meh.

One surprisingly common mistake I see when people/scrubs bake is that they try to clean wet dough from their hands with water. If something is wet and sticky then water will only make it wetter and stickier. Clean your hands with some flour, the dough just dries up and falls off in a matter of seconds.

 

[Accept Only Substitutes]

Don't use woollite on hand wash items. Especially wool. It will actually damage the fibers and break down the fabric quicker. In short Woollite is shit. You want a good no-rinse wool wash like Euclan or Soak. A bottle will last you for years and years. I bought mine at a local yarn store, but you can find them online.

For natural fibers a tiny bit (like a teaspoon in a gallon of water for normal soil) of hair conditioner also works, but you do need to rinse it well. Be careful to use cold water and as little friction as possible to avoid any felting that might occur.

Tidy Cats Slide litter is the best clay litter on the market. It actually clumps and stays clumped as you're scooping. If the clump goes all the way to the bottom of the box, because the litter level is a little on the low side, the clump lifts out smoothly and cleanly. It is hands down the only litter I'll use. Well worth the extra money, because you don't end up with broken off clumps in the clean litter causing the whole mess needing to be dumped out, so it probably saves money long term.

Chewy is the best place to buy animal supplies if you don't have a pet store near you. The shipping is never more than two days unless it's backordered or inclement weather. They only sell food by the case, but if your pet eats one can and then refuses the next, you can return what they didn’t eat. Tons of selections too. We found a high-quality, low phosphorus cat food our ancient, incredibly picky, cat with kidney disease loved there. Can't recommend them enough.

 

[AbyssStarer]

I worked in the cleaning industry, I have some tips:

• Don't use non-glass cleaner on glass. This includes those quick wipes. If you're concerned about disinfecting then use an ammoniated glass cleaner. (This was a real problem for some places when Covid hit.) Just don't do it.
• Those quick disinfecting wipes often leave streaks, they suck compared to proper cleaning spray with a microfiber cloth.
• Paper towels that are super plush create dust, those brown shitty paper towels you see in public bathrooms generally don't. They're the best thing you can use for cleaning if you don't have a microfiber cloth or rags.
• You can use pumice stones on porcelain like sinks and toilets to take hard water out. Just rinse the leftover pumice out and dry.
• Bleach powder is kang and cheap. I used the same Comet in the industry as you can get from the store.
• The best way to control dust is to vacuum. Dust from the top down and then vacuum over every spot 2-3 times.
• Wear a face shield when cleaning, especially toilets.

Otherwise, consumer cleaning products are shit and barely work compared to industrial stuf,. Elbow grease and upkeep make up for the weakness though.

Here's a good 5-day focus guideline:
Monday: High dust
Tuesday: Low dust
Wednesday: Glass & Stainless Steel
Thursday: Floor detail
Friday: Bathroom detail

 

[Accept Only Substitutes]

.
Otherwise, consumer cleaning products are shit and barely work compared to industrial stuf,. Elbow grease and upkeep make up for the weakness though.

I don't know how, but I have a ton of nasty, hard, raised, build up in my toilet. It's super gross and nothing will touch it. Not even elbow grease and clr! Any suggestions? I'm desperate.

Edit: and this probably should have been a pm. Oh well, mock away.

 

[A Beached Whale]

I don't know how, but I have a ton of nasty, hard, raised, build up in my toilet. It's super gross and nothing will touch it. Not even elbow grease and clr! Any suggestions? I'm desperate.

Edit: and this probably should have been a pm. Oh well, mock away.

Those cheap pumice stones sold for pedicures actually do really well for hard stains in toilets. I also combine it with Comet, letting it soak in the bowl for a few minutes before scrubbing. Boil some water too if you need hot water to help the pumice stone break down the thick grime.

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole]

I don't know how, but I have a ton of nasty, hard, raised, build up in my toilet. It's super gross and nothing will touch it. Not even elbow grease and clr! Any suggestions? I'm desperate.

Edit: and this probably should have been a pm. Oh well, mock away.

Drain the water out of the toilet. Use sand paper and go hard. Fill the tank with white house paint. Flush.
I know someone who did this

 

[AmateurComedicTaxidermist]

I wash melamine sponges (but let air dry), and I wash AND dry latex gloves when I wash rags - they almost always come out fine. I keep them under the sink to whip out whenever I need gloves for a non-sterile situation.
The melamine sponges are flatter after being used then washed, but they are perfect for a second use around the toilet, bath sink, floor, wall marks, etc. (I typically pitch them after this) I just wouldn't use them on kitchen table or countertops or anywhere food is prepared.

 

[Accept Only Substitutes]

Drain the water out of the toilet. Use sand paper and go hard. Fill the tank with white house paint. Flush.
I know someone who did this

Hahahaha. That reminds me of the refrigerator that someone painted the inside of. It was a rental, so the refrigerator wasn't in bad shape, and it was white on white. But the paint would flake off from time to time.

I'll try the pumice stone. But I'll keep this as a not-serious back up.

 

[TrainWreckSpotter]

Citric acid is also good for rust stains in toilets. You can find it in the supermarket baking aisle. I had a rusty tank and poured it in. Let it sit, then flush. I couldn't believe how well it worked.

 

[Motherf*cker]

I find blood stains come out best if you try to wash them asap by hand in cold water before throwing them in the wash. Not sure if 100% true, but I've heard heat activates some enzyme in blood that makes it bond to fibers

Yes, very cold water and if it's on clothes, you put the blood stain under very cold water and rub the two pieces of fabric together and the friction will get the majority off, spray with stain with vinegar and then throw in the wash.
For the carpet, you can buy enzyme sprays (usually in the pet aisle) for stains and that shit is awesome.


One of these bad boys are good for the sink, tile or the tub and it doesn't scratch it.

 

[FatalTater]

Dirty mirror but no glass cleaner? Use water. Get a wet cloth and a dry cloth (or paper towels.) Scrub any nastiness off with the wet cloth, buff dry and shiny with the dry one. Works on windows and other surfaces too.

Dish soap is a great all-purpose cleaner, just remember to rinse. It's magical on soap scum in the bathroom, and to pretreat laundry stains if grease is spilled on fabric.

Like Febreze but don't want to smell like you use Febreze? Get the unscented kind. I have trouble finding it sometimes but it is great.

The DIY laundry soap that uses Zote or Fels Naptha bars shredded with some other stuff? Yeah don't do that. It leaves residue since fibrous things need detergents, not soap, to rinse clean. Just get the cheapest laundry detergent in your area that still gets the job done.

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole]

View attachment 3179444
One of these bad boys are good for the sink, tile or the tub and it doesn't scratch it.

Always keep those around. They are also good for shaving, drag the razor against it(in the opposite direction of the blades of course) and it will collect all the hairs and clean the blades. Way faster than furiously rinsing, especially if you haven't shaved for a while and there's the upside of them not going down the drain. The hair will go down the toilet, just squeeze the sponge in a bowl of water and flush that.

Don't clean hot pans in cold water, do it in warm water so they don't start to warp. Do it this way and your shitty thin $10 frying pan won't turn into a wok six months after buying it. Same with expensive pans, it just takes longer to fuck them up.