Cleaning
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Try a window squeegee to pull embedded pet hair out of carpets; it may gather the hair into lines or balls.
It pulls hair out and forms lines or balls of hair.
- Softer silicon squeegees may not work on carpet.
3 people, independently
Press a slice of bread onto hard floors to pick up tiny glass shards, then discard the bread immediately.
The moist, grippy texture of bread picks up small shards.
- Do not eat the bread.
- Incinerate the bread to prevent harm to animals.
5 people, independently
- Roll a sticky lint roller over the area to capture tiny glass pieces.4
slide a damp pillowcase over a ceiling fan blade and pull it back to trap dust inside
it keeps dust contained so it does not fall on furniture or floors
- a dry pillowcase may allow dust to escape into the air
- it can be difficult to open the case without knocking dust around
4 people, independently
Leave the washing machine lid or door open between uses.
Allowing the drum to dry out prevents mildew buildup and musty odors.
15 people, independently
Buy cloth shower curtains instead of plastic liners so they can be washed and dried in the dryer.
Fabric curtains wash much better and dry fine.
3 people, independently
Add white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or rinse cycle to remove odors without leaving a scent.
The acid kills musty bacteria and evaporates faster than water.
- Do not mix with bleach or detergents containing bleach, as it creates deadly airborne chemicals.
5 people, independently
Wipe the surface with a damp cloth or towel to collect tiny fragments that are hard to spot.
Capillary action causes the small pieces to adhere to the wet material.
9 people, independently
Do not put greasy or fatty items in the garbage disposal.
Liquified grease solidifies and sticks to pipes about 8 feet down the line, causing clogs.
3 people, independently
use a squeegee for washing windows
provides the best results in terms of time and quality
7 people, independently
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Vacuum the area where glass broke and adjacent rooms to remove shards that may have traveled far.
Glass pieces can fly farther than expected.
3 people, independently
Use less laundry detergent than recommended to ensure clothes rinse fully.
Too much detergent prevents full rinsing, leaving residual soap that acts like dirt.
3 people, independently
Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets; their waxy coating traps smells and bacteria.
The buildup keeps odors lingering post-wash and provides a home for germs.
3 people, independently
Repurpose old clothes into cleaning rags to avoid buying paper towels.
9 people, independently
Use wool dryer balls rather than fabric softener sheets to soften garments, shorten drying cycles, and stop repeated purchases.
They are cheaper than sheets and last indefinitely.
4 people, independently
If you want to clean debris and odors from your garbage disposal, try running ice cubes through it.
It helps clean up fibers and eliminate odors from clinging crud.
3 people, independently
disassemble the blender blade assembly periodically to clean nooks and crannies underneath
otherwise mold can grow in the hidden areas
5 people, independently
Clean glass surfaces using coffee filters rather than towels or cloths to get a nearly streak-free finish.
These filters lack lint and avoid depositing paper residue on the surface.
3 people, independently
Use rubber or nitrile dish gloves to wipe pet hair and dust off furniture and fabrics.
3 people, independently
Use a washing wand or plunger in a tub or bin to agitate clothes when hand washing.
3 people, independently