How to Clean

Are you ready to tackle the cleaning jobs in your house? Whether it's your floor or your washing machine, we are here to help you with step-by-step instructions of exactly how and what you'll need to do to get started. Check out our DIY video tutorials, discussion boards, slideshows, and top cleaning projects. Welcome to Hometalk. Happy cleaning!

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Top Projects for Cleaning

Check out our top DIY cleaning projects. Your house will be sparkling in no time.

Avoid Bacteria Growth With These Easy Steps for Cleaning a Humidifier

Humidifiers are commonly used in winter months to add moisture to the air. They can be a great way to stay healthy in cold, dry winter months. However, they can also make you very sick if you don’t clean them regularly. The combination of sitting water and the intricate crevices in a humidifier can cause bacteria to grow very quickly.

Best Of Hometalk

How to Clean Silver and Bring Back the Shine

From family heirlooms to the perfect yard sale silver serving piece, the brilliant shine of silver eventually fades and starts to tarnish. That foggy black tarnish is called silver sulfide and rather than cover the surface of the silver, it is the surface of the silver as it ages.

Best Of Hometalk

How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet So It'll Last Forever

By Alexa EricksonAcquiring a cast iron skillet is a rite of passage for all home chefs. The benefits are plentiful. Seasoned pans are naturally nonstick, allowing you to cook with less oil. Cooking with a cast iron pan also eliminates the worry of chemicals from materials like Teflon, a synthetic coating often found on nonstick pans. Cast iron pans have a long lifespan (some have been passed down for generations), can be used in the oven as well as on the stove, and they even add iron to your food!Cast iron cookware requires a different approach than other pots and pans in your kitchen. This how-to guide has you covered from cleaning to seasoning and general upkeep.

Alexa

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

My dishwasher is one of the hardest working things in my house (I basically run it everyday!), but it’s easy to forget that it needs a good cleaning too. When my dishwasher starts to smell, you know it's time to give it a good cleaning. With just two green ingredients you can have an Eco clean dishwasher (without using expensive dishwasher detergent).

Shawna Bailey

How to Clean Glass Shower Doors to Make Them Sparkle

By Erin LindholmWhether it’s the shower in your own bathroom, a kids tub and shower, or even a vacation rental that needs a little extra TLC, it’s a skill to know how to clean glass shower doors. Hard water stains, soap scum, those corners where mildew starts to creep in — it all detracts from the fresh and clean feeling of the shower. If hotels can maintain sparkling-clean glass shower doors in bathrooms in hundreds of rooms, surely the average household can manage one, two, or a few, right?This brings us to the purpose of this guide: To explain the how’s and why’s of shower build-up and share our best store-bought cleaning solutions and DIY solutions to clean glass shower doors. Sparkling clean shower doors, here we come.

Erin Lindholm

How to Clean a Nespresso Machine in a Few Easy Steps

By Marilyn SyartoNo need to travel to Italy or even down to your corner café for an espresso thanks to your home coffee bar outfitted with a nifty Nespresso machine. Maybe buying a Nespresso machine was a bit intimidating at first, but you made it through the learning curve. Now you’ll need to learn to clean your coffee machine if you want to keep that perfect morning infusion flowing.Regardless of whether you have a Nespresso from the Original Line or the VertuoLine, natural oils and tap water residue (called scale) can build up inside your machine, resulting in off-flavored, tepid temperature coffee, and a potentially clogged machine.Nespresso cleaning is broken into two parts: Routine cleaning of the machine to kill bacteria and germs, and descaling to eliminate interior gunk and built-up minerals. Routine cleaning is easy; descaling is a multi-step process that, depending on the model of your machine, will involve pressing one or two buttons to start the process.If you can’t find your owner’s manual, or you just want a quick review of how to clean your machine, this guide can help. By cleaning it well and often, your machine can last a long time. Follow these steps for a clean Nespresso machine in no time!

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean a Carpet

We’ve all been there. You’re throwing a fabulous party and someone spills their wine on your carpet. Or is it a pet that has an accident? Or maybe your kids just ran through the house with their soccer cleats on, getting mud everywhere! Carpet stains happen, it’s just a fact of life. It’s too late to prevent them, so let us help you remove them!There are so many approaches to how to clean carpets that you may feel overwhelmed, but we’ve broken it down into a step-by-step process that’s easy to follow. Most carpets will respond to a basic 5 step treatment, even if they have marks and stains that have been around for a while.

How-To Guides

How to Clean a Refrigerator From the Outside In

By Alexa EricksonThe refrigerator is one of the most used appliances in the home. While keeping it stocked and organized may be your top priorities, a deep clean is likely on your to-do list. A good wipe-down of the outside helps avoid grimy buildup and keeping up with interior cleanings ensures spillage doesn’t harden and become difficult to clean out. Taking care of buildup also prevents the breeding of germs that can cause diseases like food poisoning. This guide on how to clean a refrigerator will take you through the best methods and best practices to keep your refrigerator healthy and pristine.

Alexa

How to Quickly Clean Your House From Top to Bottom

You’d love to know how to quickly clean your house, but it’s easier just to daydream about it, right? It’s more simple than you think with the right tools and supplies—and a plan. No matter how large or small your home is, there is a way to declutter and de-grime without breaking too much of a sweat. It’s important to know that a quick cleaning session and a deep cleaning session require similar tools and supplies, but different plans of attack.Our guide will give you the best ideas and three simple cleaning plans to make your home sparkle, along with some DIY cleaning solution recipes using common household items for when you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to run to the store.

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean Window Screens Like a Pro

By Marilyn SyartoCleaning window screens is probably a must-do on your to-do list. But you may wonder—isn’t cleaning the windows enough? The screens actually protect your windows by grabbing all the dirt, dust, and pollen that gets blown around in the air during rainstorms, dust storms, and any other times during the seasons when allergens are floating in the air. But thanks to all of that protection, in the end, screens are a lot like bed pillows—they harbor all kinds of gunk and grime that you really don’t want to inhale.This guide will take you step by step through the best methods to clean your window screens like a professional.

Marilyn Syarto

Avoid Bacteria Growth With These Easy Steps for Cleaning a Humidifier

Best Of Hometalk

How to Clean Silver and Bring Back the Shine

Best Of Hometalk

How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet So It'll Last Forever

Alexa

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Shawna Bailey

How to Clean Glass Shower Doors to Make Them Sparkle

Erin Lindholm

How to Clean a Nespresso Machine in a Few Easy Steps

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean a Carpet

How-To Guides

How to Clean a Refrigerator From the Outside In

Alexa

How to Quickly Clean Your House From Top to Bottom

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean Window Screens Like a Pro

Marilyn Syarto

Cleaning Videos

Watch our step-by-step DIY video tutorials on how to clean your house.

Best Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work

Check out these 15 cleaning hacks! - 5 Ways to Clean Your Tub & Tile- An Insanely Easy Eco Oven Cleaner- The Easiest Way to Clean a Burnt Pot or Pan- The Easiest Rust Remover- Get Your Carpet Smelling Fresh With This Eco Carpet Freshener- The Fastest Way to Clean Glass Dishes- The Natural Cleaner Your Nasty Toilet Needs- Eco Wood Polish (Just 2 Ingredients!)- Homemade Grout, Tile and Tub Cleaner- How To Clean Your Old Cookie Sheet

Abbie M

5 Ways to Clean With Baking Soda

Baking soda is a staple in every DIY'ers home. So, I'm giving you 5 awesome ways to use it in your cleaning routine!

Kara S.

Scented Vinegar

In the last few years since I quit my 9-5 job and started working from home, I’ve tried to find ways to save money. Before Bo was born, I was making mine and Rob’s laundry detergent which was great but after a year or so I found myself going back to the convenience of buying it in the store. I’ve always experimented with natural glass cleaner and things of that nature but I hated the smell of the vinegar in the solutions. I think I may have finally found a way to make my own cleaning solutions that still smell just as nice as the store bought once and it’s amazing how easy it is to do!

Rob & Courtney M, Hometalk Team

DIY Laundry Cleaners

I have been doing some laundry cleaning research lately and I wanted to share a homemade laundry DIY recipes with you. You can see more of my crazy creations here

Chas' Crazy Creations

Hometalkers' Favorite Cleaning Projects

We've gathered he best cleaning projects on Hometalk. Take a look!

Eco Wood Polish (Just 2 Ingredients!)

I'm always looking for great eco cleaning products that are cheap, easy to use, and non toxic, and this homemade cleaner is the best furniture polish I have ever used. It's made out of liquid (fractionated) coconut oil and lemon juice. Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Shawna Bailey

Must-Know Tips and Tricks for How to Wash Pillows

By Stacy FisherYour bed is a sanctuary, and you want to keep your pillows fresh and clean by learning how to wash them the right way. Clean, fresh pillows are proven to enhance sleep and keep your allergies at bay, so it’s important to keep up the maintenance of washing them, along with the rest of your bedding. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to washing every type of pillow, along with answering some of the most commonly asked questions: How often should you wash pillows? Can you clean your pillows in the washing machine? How often should I replace my pillows?

How-To Guides

How to Clean a Burnt Pot to Perfection

By Marilyn SyartoIf you have a burnt pot or pan, don’t throw it out! Although it may feel like a disaster at the moment, it’s not a hopeless situation. You may have had the heat on too high under your white sauce or forgot to tend to your steamed vegetables which created the blackened mess, but now you have the chance to learn a new skill—how to clean a burnt pot.If you’ve scoured the internet (no pun intended) to find solutions to clean a burnt pot, you'll have found plenty of ways to clean scorched cookware. But in this simple guide, we’ll get right down to the way that’s proven the best while offering tips and hacks for handling the more difficult cases. If you’re interested in experimenting, we’ll even let you in on a few alternative ways to bring your stainless steel, cast iron, or yes—even a non-stick pot or pan, back to life.

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean a Mattress and Remove Every Type of Stain

By Stephanie FeldmanMattresses are one of the most used items in our homes. It’s estimated that the average person spends almost a third of their lives in bed—with all that wear and tear, it’s no wonder mattresses can sometimes look like they’ve seen better days. Unfortunately, some with stained mattresses are stuck with having to buy a new mattress or foot the bill for pricey professional cleaners. Luckily, not all stains need to result in buying a new mattress or require expensive cleaning services. Read on to learn how you can rescue a stained mattress with these DIY tips.

How-To Guides

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink So It Sparkles

By Marilyn SyartoLearning how to clean a stainless steel sink the right way will keep the no-fuss and durable material sleek and shiny for years. Stainless steel sinks have been around since the 1930s and continue to go through changes, both in design and thicknesses, and you’ll even see the trendiest farmhouse sinks in all stainless steel. But these sinks do have a few problems you need to contend with, mostly when it comes to cleaning mysterious stains that seem to appear out of the blue. Our guide gives you the best ways to clean a stainless steel sink so it stays looking surgically clean and corrosion-free.

Marilyn Syarto

Dusting Hacks That Are Crazy Easy

Here are a few dusting tips that are so easy you'll say, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Alicia W

Eco Wood Polish (Just 2 Ingredients!)

Shawna Bailey

Must-Know Tips and Tricks for How to Wash Pillows

How-To Guides

How to Clean a Burnt Pot to Perfection

Marilyn Syarto

How to Clean a Mattress and Remove Every Type of Stain

How-To Guides

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink So It Sparkles

Marilyn Syarto

Dusting Hacks That Are Crazy Easy

Here are a few dusting tips that are so easy you'll say, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Alicia W

Popular Cleaning Discussions

Visit our popular discussions on how to clean your whole house.

How do I use vinegar?

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How can I clean the soap from the shower doors and walls?

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How can I make a DIY odour neutralizer spay?

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How can I fill a bucket from a shallow sink?

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New Cleaning Projects

New cleaning projects from Hometalk. Get that home sparkling!

Don't Panic: Here's How to Get Paint Out of Clothes

By Hannah TwietmeyerAdding a fresh coat of paint to the surfaces in your home is one of the easiest ways to change the atmosphere of a room, minus the time and renovations that come with major demo projects. All it takes are some brushes, tape, and some color. But no matter how careful a painter is, it’s inevitable that paint will get on not only hands, but clothes, too. Luckily, we’ve got a guide for how to get paint out of clothes for when that time comes.

Hannah Twietmeyer

How to Get Rid of Mold Inside and Outside of Your Home

By Marilyn SyartoLearning how to get rid of mold in your home is extremely important. Mold of any color is ugly, bad for your respiratory health, smells, rots wood and other important materials, and can spread if not checked. We’ve all heard horror stories about homeowners who have had to abandon mold-infested homes. Although it’s unlikely that these extreme scenarios will happen to you, you still can take steps to get rid of mold inside and outside of your home and prevent mold from taking hold.Whether you're looking for how to get mold out of a room or get rid of mold in a house entirely, this guide will give you the right tools and methods to help you clean it all up.

Marilyn Syarto

Save Money on a Detail and Learn How to Clean Your Car's Interior

By Marilyn SyartoCar interiors take a beating, whether you’re the only one in your car or it’s always packed with your family or friends. Cleaning car interiors takes a lot of time and elbow grease. The worst interiors can take a professional car detailer five to six hours to detail, which is why many people pay to have car interiors detailed by professionals. But, professional detailing can cost a pretty penny, and you’re mostly paying for labor you can do yourself, which is why we made a step-by-step guide to cleaning your car interior.With a few brushes, high-quality microfiber cloths, and a variety of household and specially-formulated auto cleaners (you may have to take a trip to the auto supply store for some extra-useful items), you can get your car almost back to brand new. But, remember, even professional detailers don’t expect perfection when it comes to grimy car interiors.

Marilyn Syarto

A Super Easy Non-Toxic Spring Cleaner

I'm always looking for easy-to-make recipes, that are inexpensive and healthy for the home and the garden, especially since we have a bit of an asthma and allergies problem at home. So today I want to share with you the one all-purpose cleaner that I can't live without.

Elena K, Hometalk Team

Clean Your Blinds With Tongs & Chopsticks!

I’m always looking for easy-to-make tools. It's so much better if I can use inexpensive household materials. So I decided to peruse the cabinets to get inspired for my next cleaning project: Blinds. Guess what I found? A pair of tongs and chopsticks! Let me show you how I turned these into a blind-cleaner contraption, perfect to reach to the hardest spots.

Elena K, Hometalk Team

Love Fizzy Bombs to Clean Your Toilet (and Laundry!) in No Time

Raise your hand if you like to clean the toilet. C’mon. Anyone? No? I know cleaning the toilet can be a daunting task, but let me tell you, these LOVE FIZZY BOMBS make it so easy that you may find yourself wanting to clean daily. Really. Need to know how to make these lovelies? Stay with me and read on!

Elena K, Hometalk Team