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Cleaning & Laundry : Home & Garden

How to Remove Transmission Fluid From Concrete

Transmission fluid leaks and drips leave a reddish stain on concrete driveways. If you want to remove such a stain, do it as soon as possible after the stain gets there--petroleum-based fluids are removed much easier if dealt with right away. Though a concrete surface is hard, it is also porous and

Warped Wood Floors & Water Spills

Hardwood floors add warmth and sophistication to any home. With proper care and maintenance, a wood flooring will last for many generations. Water damage holds the greatest threat to the appearance of a hardwood floor. An overlooked spill will warp the wood, and a constant influx of water, such as f

How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

Cleaning a stainless steel appliance must be done in a cautious manner. Many stainless steel appliances are factory "clear-coated" with a lacquer varnish that must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's specific instructions. Removing fingerprints, spills and other messes from uncoated

How to Get Smoke Smell Out of the House

In addition to the smell of smoke being unpleasant in the house, it's quite unhealthy as well. The lingering odor is more than just a smell but a collection of particles, residue and metals left behind and referred to as third-hand smoke. Getting this unpleasant odor out of your home takes a little

How to Run the Dishwasher With Bleach

Your dishwasher makes cleaning up the kitchen much easier, but sometimes the appliance you trust to get your dishes clean is dirty itself. A dirty dishwasher can result in dishes that come out less than clean. Whether your dishwasher is plagued with mildew or food buildup or just has an unappealing

Cleaning Gas Grill Burners

Why Clean Your Grill's Burner?In the springtime, most people get their barbecue grills ready for a summertime full of use by cleaning off the grates. Many people, however, neglect to clean the burner in their grill, which is where the flame comes out. Checking the burner annually to see...

How to Clean Black Around a Sink Rim

Black stains around the rim of your sink are not uncommon. These stains can point to the formation of mold or mildew, but they also can just be gunk built up around the sink rim. Either way, you need to get rid of the black substance before your sink can look its best. Cleaning regularly around the

How to Get Rid of Mold in an Old Building

Putting your time and money into an older building, whether it's a business purchase or a home, can be well worth your investment. However, older buildings will likely have some issues that you don't need to worry about as much with newer buildings and homes. One of these issues is mold. Mold can be

How to Clean Rust Stains From a Mattress

Even though mattresses are usually covered with bedding which hides unsightly stains from those who don't know they're there, when the bedding comes off the stains can be a visual eyesore. Rust stains require a certain amount of ingenuity to remove as many methods for other stains usually won't work

How to Remove a Broken Dowel With Old Glue

Once a dowel snaps off in a joint or breaks along its length, there is no easy way to pull it out. Carpenter's glue actually dries to form a joint that is stronger than the wood itself. While many glues are reversible, provided you know what kind of glue was used, getting into a tight spot to dissol

How to Get Silvering Off of a Mirror

The glass that you see and handle is as transparent as your window. The reflection is created by a silver nitrate solution painted onto the back of the mirror. When dry, it creates a reflective surface visible through the transparent glass. Part or all of this backing can be removed when refurbishin

How to Thoroughly Clean My Carpet

Carpet needs regular maintenance and occasional deep cleaning to stay in optimal condition. One of the first things noticed upon entering a home, carpet can add to the room or detract from its beauty. While standard maintenance of carpet includes regular vacuuming and stain removal, thoroughly clean

How to Remove Scuff Marks From Ceramic Tile Floors

Ceramic tile is a flooring option that is attractive yet subtle, fitting into nearly any style of home decor. Scuff marks, however, can quickly develop on the flooring through normal foot traffic, leaving the floor looking unclean and uncared for. Luckily, the scuff marks can be removed as quickly a

How to Remove a Port Wine Stain

Port is a sweet red wine made in Portugal. The wine is often served with the dessert course. When port wine is accidentally spilled on your clothing or tablecloth, it's important to act fast to prevent the stain from spreading. Once the stain is isolated, you must remove the grape pigment from the f

Solutions for Pet Stains

Pet stains can be removed from most fabrics.cute puppy young dog pet vizsla image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.comPets can stain carpets, furniture and other fabrics when they eliminate waste indoors or when they get sick and vomit. Stains can not only look unsightly, but also reek....

How to Check a Floor Drain

Floor drains allows standing water or flood water to drain away out of your basement. Floor drains are wonderful when they work, but if the water doesn't drain like it should, you need to do some checking. This is a job you can do yourself. Don't use any of the drains until you check out the problem

How to Remove Mold on Bathroom Walls Before Painting

Because of the high humidity from showering, the bathroom is the most common place in the house to find mold. If you are getting ready to paint your bathroom, all mold must be removed; it is a health hazard, carrying allergens and germs that can easily spread to humans. Mold will also prevent the pa

Review: Method Dish Soap, Sea Minerals

Method's dish soaps come in a variety of enticing fragrances with eye-catching colors and creative packaging, but they aren't as green as they could be.

How to Mix Concrete Stain & Waterproofer

If you have concrete flooring in your home, it is more than likely in the garage. Waterproofing a concrete floor, especially one that is exposed to the elements, is one of the most important things that you can do to extend the life of your floor. If you want your flooring to look great as well, it'