How to Clean a Kiddie Pool

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Nothing helps beat the heat like jumping in nice cool water. While larger pools have their own cleaning systems, small backyard kiddie pools do not. They require some cleaning from time to time to keep bacteria and algae growth away. Here’s how to keep your kiddie pool clean and safe for your little ones.  You Will Need: Bucket Bleach Old rags or towels    Steps to Clean Your Kiddie Pool: Unless your pool has a pump and filter, you will need to drain and refill it each week. Chemicals are only to be used with the proper system. Larger kiddie…

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Spring Cleaning Checklist

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Spring is here! The weather is gorgeous and it’s time to open the windows and start that spring cleaning. But where to start? What needs to be done? If you’re not sure exactly what needs to be cleaned, we’ve got the checklist just for you. Throughout the House Vacuum/Wipe Down Walls and Ceilings: Start by vacuuming to remove as much loose dirt and dust as possible. Follow this with a soft cloth. Wash with water and soap mixture to clean really dirty areas. Furniture: Vacuum and clean upholstered items and polish wooden items. Clean all dust and treat any problem…

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How to Remove Rubber Feet Stains from Wood

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Patty asked: How do I get a stain from the rubber feet on a clock radio off of a light maple bedside table? A cheap clock radio’s protective feet left black circles on my son’s light maple bedside table. Is there any way to remove these stains without completely refinishing the table? I also have these stains on a maple kitchen cabinet. When rubber transfers to the surface of wooden furniture, it is best to treat it like a scuff mark. There are a couple of different items that can be used to remove the rubber from the surface. Follow…

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How to Remove Olive Oil Stains from a Wool Sweater

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Robin asked: How do I remove olive oil from a wool sweater? I recently splashed some olive oil and lemon juice mixture on a wool sweater. How can I get that out? I have not done anything yet except blot as much as I could. Removing stains from wool can be a little tricky to tackle yourself. It’s often best to take it to a professional cleaner and allow them to treat the stains. If you want to remove them at home, here is a method that many have found safe and effective. If your item is machine washable, see…

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How to Remove Stains from Unfinished Wood

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Gail asked: How do I clean unfinished wood? I think it’s pine. Our dining room table has wine and food stains on it. I once used olive oil, but it did not remove the stains that well. It’s unfinished wood, so I’m not sure how to clean it and also protect the wood. If you’ve had the misfortune of finding unwanted stains on your unfinished wood, you’ve learned firsthand why experts recommend a protective coat over wood surfaces. Whether you’ll ever be able to remove the stain depends on a couple of factors, namely, the type and condition of the…

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How to Remove Red Chili Pepper Stains from Blender Lid

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Rod asked: How can I remove red chili pepper stains from my blender lid? I was making red chili paste and used the blender to puree previously soaked, dry, red chili peppers. The white lid of my blender is now stained. I already tried soaking it overnight in bleach, and it did nothing. I also used vegetable oil and vinegar with no result. Thanks for your help. Red chili peppers create a notoriously stubborn stain. Fortunately, there’s a cleaning product that can handle their intensity and provide sparkling results. Here’s what you do. You Will Need: Bar Keepers Friend Liquid…

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How to Clean a Stainless Gas Stove Surface

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Mizuho asked: How can I clean a stainless gas stove surface? My almost 2-year-old gas stove has the stainless surface. It has brown stains around the burners. I don’t want to scratch the stainless, so I’m afraid to use harsh chemicals or scrub hard. I’d appreciate any suggestions to clean it. Stainless steel may sound like a low maintenance surface, but keeping it clean can be a chore. Although it wipes down easily, getting rid of stains and scorch marks can be problematic, especially when scrubbing is required, as scratches will remain vivid long after the stain is gone. The…

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How to Clean Dingy Whites in a Front Load Washing Machine

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Libby asked: I have a front loading washing machine and cannot get my whites white. When replaced with new whites, within 2-3 washings, they are just as grey and dingy. I only use HE detergents and have tried different brands, hot water and adding bleach, all to no avail. Help! With the trend toward front loading washers comes an unfortunate truth:  clothes need water to come clean, and lots of it. Front load washers use a relatively small amount of water and as such, it has become apparent that dingy whites are a side effect of these types of machines….

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How to Clean Silver and Pearl Necklace

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Blair asked: How do I clean a silver and pearl necklace. I have a sterling silver chain necklace with pearls every 1 ½. How can I clean the dulling of the silver without harming the pearls? Cleaning it by hand is difficult to get to the links that are close to the pearls. Silver requires a delicate touch, but cleaning techniques appropriate for silver can be too much for pearls. Cleaning a piece of jewelry with both silver and pearls can pose a bit of a challenge, especially with intricate silver pieces featuring “nooks and crannies” that are difficult to…

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How to Clean Vintage Aluminum Kitchen Canisters

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Heather asked: How do I clean vintage aluminum kitchen canisters. The canisters are about 1940/1950. They have dust and oil on them. I would like to clean them without damaging them. If mild soap and water won’t cut the buildup on your vintage aluminum, it’s time to amp up your cleaning power. You will have to use some judgment on your particular pieces, but assuming they’re in otherwise good condition, you should enjoy good results from this process. You Will Need: Baking soda Lemon juice Cloth scrubber or sponge Damp cloth Dry towel Steps to Remove the Buildup: Make a…

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