Ten Tips To Do At Home

Odors: Removing Food Odors

When my plastic storage containers start to smell like the food that was in them, I wash them with hot water and two tablespoons of baking soda."

Odors: Cigarette Odor Removal

Of a mattress: Spray the odor out. Use two large cans of Lysol spray (one for each side) and saturate the mattress. Let it dry for a couple of days and then follow up with two large bottles of Febreze. Place a hypoallergenic mattress pad cover on.

Spills: Zapping Red-Wine Stains

A squirt of foaming shaving cream can help erase many red-wine spills from carpets.

Spills: Baby wipes 

For cleaning upholstery easily and quickly.

Stains: Cleaning Stained Pots & Pans

A paste of vinegar and cream of tartar is poured into the pan or pot you are trying to clean and let sit for a few minutes. Then scrub with a light scouring pad. Rinse!

Stains: Water Stain on Leather Upholstery

Soak a brand new sponge in a bowl of tepid water. Wring it to get it as dry as possible.

At the exact location of the water stain, dampen the leather until you reach the edge of the cushion. Wet the leather less as you move further away from the water stain. Do not scrub. Condition the leather after it has dried.

Other liquid stains can be treated in the same manner, however, leather can be tricky and in many cases it is best to seek professional treatment.

Stains: Ballpoint Pen Ink

Using a clean, white towel sprayed with hairspray, dab at the ballpoint pen ink stain. Follow up with blotting the stain with a separate clean towel.

Stains: Butter Stains

With butter, your best bet is to use a dry cleaning solvent, found at any grocery or retail store. Apply a little solvent to a clean, white cloth and blot the stain.

Bonus tip: Grease stains out of your clothes

Rub a little dish soap right onto a stain and let it dry for a while before washing.