Latest news with #household
Washington Post
21 hours ago
- General
- Washington Post
Asking Eric: Daughter's boyfriend declared himself king of the house
Dear Eric: My daughter has a 'live-in boyfriend' who, since he moved in, thinks he is the king of the household. He is very disrespectful to me, her dad and her stepmom. I tolerated the stuff he said about her dad, and I tolerated him skipping paying my daughter his share of the mortgage for a few months. But when it got so she almost lost her house, I was very upset to say the least.
CNET
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- CNET
Your Bathroom Isn't Truly Clean if You Miss These 8 Things
Summer is in full swing. Between vacations, pool and beach trips, keeping your bathroom clean can feel like an impossible task. It's a room that's used every day, but knowing where to start can be a chore in itself. Cleaning may not be the most exciting thing for everyone to do, but your bathroom is one of the rooms you should regularly spruce up. This will help eliminate and limit the amount of germs and bacteria from festering in your home. It doesn't matter if your powder room is long overdue for a deep clean or if you're just curious about a cleaning cadence; we will provide you with insight. Whether scrubbing your toilet or degunking your shower head, this guide makes freshening up your restroom easy and simple. Read more: 15 Filthy Spots That Survived Your Spring Cleaning Rampage, According to an Expert 8 bathroom items you should clean regularly Bathroom rug Once a week, toss the bathroom rug in the washer. Wash it on the gentle cycle in warm water and let it air dry (especially if it has a no-slip grip on the back) before putting it back in place. If you're unsure, always follow the washing instructions on the tag. Toilet David Watsky/CNET If you live alone, you can probably get by cleaning the toilet every few days. If you have kids, the rules change. The outside, handle and seat should get a once-a-day wipedown with an antibacterial cleaner or wipe. Most families can get by with cleaning the bowl once a week, particularly if you use this toilet tank tip. If you have tough stains or gunk in your toilet bowl, we advise pouring Coke (yes, the soda) into a spray bottle and then saturating the stain with the drink. Let it sit for a few hours. You can then easily scrub away the stain with a toilet brush. Shower curtain Once a month, you should take down your fabric or plastic shower curtain and throw it in the wash. Here are five tips for cleaning your shower curtain in the washing machine. Shower and tub You only need to clean your shower and tub once a week, but if you have a glass shower door, it needs a little more attention. To prevent the build-up of soap scum and keep the glass looking spotless, use a squeegee to wipe away water after every shower. These few seconds can save you from scrubbing at the end of the week. Bath towels Josh Miller/CNET My family has had this debate for years. How often should you wash bath towels? Well, it depends. Every three to four uses is a good rule of thumb, but there are some conditions where a towel should be washed after one use. Here's how to know when to wash your towels. Sink The germs from your hands collect on the sink knobs and in the sink bowl when you wash your hands. So, even if you live alone, the sink needs a good wipe down every day with an all-purpose cleaner or antibacterial cleaning wipe. Mirror Like the sink, the mirror needs a daily wipe down to remove lint, dust and toothpaste specks. Simply wipe it down with a microfiber cloth after you step out of the bath or shower. Hair dryer Yes, even your hair dryer needs a proper cleaning schedule to prevent it from overheating. Here's a simple way to clean a hair dryer in just a few minutes. More cleaning tips and tricks
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
I'm a cleaning expert, everyone is using this cheap viral product but there's three surfaces it should never touch
WHEN it comes to cleaning, everyone is looking for quick cheap hacks to lighten the load. Experts come up with amazing tips using ingredients you normally find in your cupboard or fridge to get the work done cheaper. 2 But one pro says a popular viral cleaning recommendation could be ruining your home. Joseph Passalacqua, CEO of Maid Sailors, has warned people to stop using white vinegar. Despite its growing popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, he says some surfaces can be permanently damaged by the acidic substance. And he said it could cost householders thousands to repair. Joseph said: "Natural stone surfaces like marble, granite, and quartzite should never come into contact with white vinegar. "The acidity eats away at the calcium carbonate in these materials, permanently etching the surface." The cleaning expert says stone surfaces are damaged by acidic solutions, restoration often requires professional intervention, which can cost hundreds or even thousands. He added: "Many homeowners think vinegar is safe because it's natural, but so is lemon juice, and both will destroy a marble countertop just as quickly as any harsh chemical. For stone surfaces, the expert recommends pH-neutral cleaners specifically formulated for the material. And while many cleaning videos suggest vinegar for stainless steel surfaces - like draining boards or hobs - Joseph says this is a big no. Inside filthiest house cleaned up by Kim Woodburn on How Clean Is Your House? The cleaning guru said: "Vinegar can cause pitting on the surface of stainless steel over time. "If you must use it, always dilute the solution with water to minimise damage." The expert pointed out that repeated use of vinegar on stainless steel dishwashers and oven tops can also lead to a dull finish and eventually permanent spots that cannot be buffed out. He said stainless steel should be cleaned with mild dish soap and water or dedicated stainless steel cleaners. The third category of household surfaced to keep vinegar away from is anything with electronic components, the expert says. He explained: "Spraying vinegar directly on screens or electronic interfaces can make touch screens less responsive and damage internal components. "Many people spray vinegar directly on their TV screens or computer monitors thinking it's safer than commercial cleaners, but they're actually risking permanent damage to expensive equipment." He recommends using specialised cleaners designed specifically for electronics as well as microfibre cloths. But where can you use vinegar safely? The cleaning expert explained that vinegar's popularity stems from its effectiveness on many other surfaces and its low cost compared to commercial cleaners. Joseph explained: "Vinegar works wonderfully on glass, ceramic tile with sealed grout and porcelain fixtures. It's also excellent for removing mineral deposits from showerheads. "Just keep it away from those three key surface types." "The rule of thumb is simple. If something is porous, sensitive, or high-end, verify that vinegar is safe before applying it. When in doubt, test in an inconspicuous area first or simply use something else."
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Country diary 1925: The frantic search for a pet fox called Rufus
CUMBERLAND: A pet fox, it seems, has the homing instinct of a well-cared for and intelligent dog. Rufus, the young fox who in April was dug out of an earth on the fell side near one of the lakes, was lately taken to Cheshire and spent a fortnight in a hunting country. He accompanied his master on his rambles, but one evening he went into a covert and failed to return. A vigorous, almost a frantic search was made for him. It was dreaded, since he has no fear of dogs and approaches them with all the trustfulness of a puppy, that he might be attacked and killed by a spaniel or retriever. But he could not be found. Two of the household remained up all night, and went out again at dawn to look for Rufus. They met him crossing the lawn. Somehow or other he had nosed his way back. The griminess of his coat almost suggested that he had been among the village ashbins. I saw Rufus the other day. The bracken and the heather had restored the glossiness of his coat. He looked what he is – a typical fell fox.
CNET
3 days ago
- General
- CNET
This Hidden Kitchen Spot Gets Filthy, but There's a Quick Hack to Fix It
Keeping your kitchen clean is a never-ending task, but there's one sneaky spot that loves to collect grime: the narrow gap between your stove and the counter. It's a magnet for crumbs, grease splatters and anything else that escapes your countertops -- and it's tough to clean without moving the entire stove. Since most of your cooking happens on the stovetop and nearby counter space, it makes sense that this area attracts debris. But ignoring it doesn't just look bad, it can also invite unwanted pests. The problem? Most of us avoid cleaning that tight space because moving the stove is a hassle (and let's be honest, kind of risky). Here's the good news. You can stop crumbs in their tracks and keep that hard-to-reach crevice just as clean as the rest of your kitchen with one kitchen staple: aluminum foil. No scrubbing, no lifting, no problem. Fore more kitchen upgrades, explore the best dishwashers, best washing machines and best refrigerators of the year. How to use aluminum foil to keep the stove gap clean CNET Measure the length of the gap between your stove and counter. Add about 4 inches to that number. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil to match that length. Fold the foil strip in half lengthwise. Fold up the edges to create a shallow "boat" shape. No need for perfection. Just make sure the sides are high enough to catch spills. Gently slide your foil boat into the gap so it rests on the floor and stays out of sight. A fresh boat ready for floor-protecting duty. Alina Bradford/CNET That's it. Think of it like a mini drip tray for that tricky crevice. When it gets dirty, just toss it and replace it with a fresh one. It's a low-effort solution for a cleaner kitchen -- and one less mess to worry about. For more cleaning tips, explore how to wash your bedding the right way and how to clean your kitchen in less than 15 minutes.
