I had a pretend iron when I was a little girl, and I loved to use it and pretend to iron clothes. But when I got old enough to really use an iron, suddenly the appeal of my childhood toy was gone. Ironing became work and not play. I also quickly learned that a dirty iron can ruin clothing, ironing in stains, as it irons out wrinkles. Cleaning an iron is not difficult, but it is necessary maintenance.

Our washing machine is trying desperately to die on me, but I'm determined to nurse it back to health. I have tried to ease the loads by handwashing a few items. Even with our modern appliances, most households still have some clothing items that need to be handwashed. It may seem like a lot more trouble than being able to use a washing machine, but Anne-Marie Barton's video will show you just how simple hand washing clothes can be.

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The basics. The bare minimum. What's the least we can clean on a daily basis and still have a livable home? Sometimes this basic cleaning list is all we can manage, but by completing just a few chores on a daily basis we can keep our home a haven. We'll have more to do on other days, but these daily cleaning chores keep our home functioning.

I'm sure you've had the frustration of opening a washing machine or a dryer and seeing an unpleasant surprise inside. Major mistakes with your laundry may seem difficult to repair, but it is possible to fix whites that have been turned pink, sweaters that have shrunk, stains that have been dried, and many other laundry disasters.

Find ways to keep your pots and pans shiny and clean with baking soda. Baking soda is just abrasive enough to clean tough areas, without damaging most dishes, pots, and pans.

Is your bathroom sink a magnet for toothpaste blobs? Do you remember what your kitchen sink looks like when it's not piled high with dishes? Are you blessed enough to have a laundry sink, but can't remember what color it is underneath the soap scum? Find out how to clean a sink and maintain it, keeping it ready to use.

Beautiful scented candles can add a beautiful touch to your home. In fact...I'm a little obsessed with them. At the end of a hard day, I can light my favorite candle and get a hint of a sweet smell. But what happens when a candle drips on your nice wood furniture?

You wouldn't think that T-Ball could generate as much mud as a major league game, but I have proof that the little kids make some mud stains the big leaguers would be jealous of. The thing about mud, is that it smears, dries, and stains in a matter of minutes. So what's the first step to removing mud stains? Believe it or not, the first step is to let it dry.

Yesterday, I was on power cord overload. My daughter couldn't find her Nintendo DS charger. My cell phone cord was missing. The laptop cord was showing signs of wear and tear. And the iPod dock cord for my husband's MP3 player wasn't docking. Sometimes it feels like electronic devices have taken over our home. With how much we rely on them, it's a good idea not to forget that they need cleaning, too.

You wash clothes. You throw them in the dryer. You expect that when the dryer buzzes, your clothing will be ready to pull out and fold neatly. Have you ever wondered how to clean your dryer? Does it need to be cleaned? The drum of your dryer may need to be cleaned occasionally. And accumulated lint can cause dryer fires. Find out how to give your dryer a little extra attention.