Cleaning Maintenance

Our cleaning maintenance tips can help you keep your home clean and tidy.

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24 Essential Tasks to Include on Your Winter Cleaning Checklist 

You’ve heard of spring cleaning. But did you know that winter cleaning is just as important? To minimize clutter, keep pests out, and maintain fresh air in your home all season long, you’ll want to make sure to cross each of these areas off your winter cleaning checklist.
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When to Throw Away a Kitchen Sponge

Learn why—and when—to discard a kitchen sponge before it can do more harm than good.
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How to Remove Stains from Your Mattress

If you want your mattress to last, you’ll need to make sure that you get out stains as soon as possible. Here are some tips on keeping your mattress clean until it’s time to replace it.
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Why Is My Home So Dusty? 7 Tips for Keeping Dust at Bay

It’s important to understand why these pesky particles accumulate in order to keep dust from collecting throughout your home. But if it does manage to make its way in, despite your best efforts, we’ve got some smart ways to banish it, too.
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Best Portable Carpet Cleaners (2024 Guide)

Clean carpets are a hallmark of all tidy and organized homes. Discover our top recommendations for the latest, best portable carpet cleaners.
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The 5 Best Upholstery Cleaners (2024 Review)

Cleaning furniture upholstery can be tricky, as it requires a specific cleaner that eliminates stains without damaging the material. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best upholstery cleaners on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
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The 4 Best Laminate Floor Cleaners (2023 Review)

Keeping laminate floors clean and shiny can be a challenge without the right product. This review examines the best laminate floor cleaners.
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How to Clean a Washing Machine

Banish errant soils, product residue, odors, and bacteria from the washer to ensure that laundry comes out as fresh and clean as possible.
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The 5 Best Mops (2023 Review)

There are a wide variety of mops on the market with numerous features to assist you with cleaning. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best mops on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at local home centers, large retailers, and online retailers like Amazon.
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How to Declutter Your Entire Home

While many of us are still spending a lot of time at home, it’s essential to have a relaxing space that allows for productivity. Here’s how to reduce, contain, and organize your items to bring order to the whole house.
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The 4 Best Robot Mops (2023 Review)

Cleaning your floors is no longer an annoying chore once you invest in a robot mop to tackle this task on your behalf. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the four best robot mops on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
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The 5 Best Laundry Detergents (2023 Review)

Laundry detergent works with your washing machine to thoroughly remove odors and stains from your clothes. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best laundry detergents on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
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How to Dispose of Grease and Cooking Oil

Read this guide to learn how to avoid the inconvenience of a clogged drain by properly disposing of your cooking and frying oils.
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Best Spin Mops of 2024 (Tested and Ranked)

In this round-up and review, our team tested some of today's best spin mops. See how each model stacked up against a bevy of tests.
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How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets

Banish the worst greasy messes from the cupboards and drawers that hold everything in your cook space.
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How to Clean a Toilet Tank

Read this step-by-step guide on how to clean buildup and rust from the inside of a toilet tank.
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How To Clean Leather

Read this comprehensive guide on how to properly clean and care for your leather furniture to have it looking great for years to come.

How to Clean a Dryer Vent

Excessive dryer lint buildup can pose a fire hazard, so it’s important to clean it at least once a year. Read this guide to learn how to clean your dryer vent in five easy steps.

How to Clean a Garbage Disposal

Like any appliance, your garbage disposal needs a good cleaning every once in a while, or you could end up with a breeding ground for harmful bacteria or mold. Follow this guide to learn how to easily clean your garbage disposal.
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How to Clean a Microfiber Sofa or Chair

Microfiber is becoming an increasingly more popular furniture option these days. The synthetic but soft fabric is made from thin fibers that can make a couch or chair look like suede or leather, but costs far less than those materials. How do you keep it looking new? Read on for our microfiber cleaning tips.
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How to Clean Laminate Floors

Once installed, laminate must be properly cared for to keep it looking as good as day one. Read on for our tips for cleaning your laminate floors.
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How to Clean a Washing Machine

Keep your front loader mold-free! High-efficiency front-loading washing machines use less water and energy, plus get clothes cleaner than their top-loading competition—but they’re also more prone to developing odors and mildew. Here, ways to turn a stinky washer into a clean machine
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How to Clean a Dishwasher

Is your dishwasher ready for prime time? Here are some dishwasher cleaning tips to ensure that your dinnerware gets sparkling clean
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How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner

Stay cool and save money with five simple tasks–most done just once a year–that ensure your unit keeps working efficiently.
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Cleaning Tips for Tricky Spots

Address the annoyingly tough-to-reach places with these smart strategies
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A Guide to Garage Organization, Storage, and Cleaning

Here are 19 garage organization ideas and tips to help start cleaning up and maximizing your garage space.
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How to Clean Windows Like a Pro

Looking for the best window washing solutions? Follow our DIY window cleaning tips.