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Sarah's Housekeeping Blog

By Sarah Aguirre, About.com Guide to Housekeeping since 2004

How To Clean an Iron

Friday July 3, 2009
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.

Video: How To Hand Wash Clothes

Wednesday July 1, 2009
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.

More Laundry Resources

Top Laundry Detergents
Top Stain Removers
How To Sort Laundry

Daily Cleaning Chores

Wednesday July 1, 2009
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.

10 Laundry Disasters and How To Fix Them

Sunday June 28, 2009
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.

Baking Soda Tips for Pots and Pans

Thursday June 25, 2009
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.

How To Clean a Sink

Tuesday June 23, 2009
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.

Removing Candle Wax From Furniture

Saturday June 20, 2009
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?

Mud Stains

Thursday June 18, 2009
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.

Cleaning Electronic Devices

Monday June 15, 2009
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.

How To Clean a Dryer

Saturday June 13, 2009
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.
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