Hunker uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding home improvement and design, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Water itself typically doesn’t stain fabrics; it's usually the minerals in the water that cause the stain. You can remove water stains in a washing machine or, for less washable items, using spot treatments with minimal amounts of water or even vinegar or steam.
Read MoreFor muddy puppies or children exhausted from the tedious chore of making mud pies for all their friends, the couch may become the perfect place to crash. The result of such behavior can be unsightly mud stains adorning the fabric of your furniture.
Read More
When clean fresh-smelling clothing goes into the dresser, and unclean musty smelling clothes comes out, it’s both frustrating and inconvenient. Whether the clothing or the dresser caused the smell, it becomes an endless cycle until it’s taken care of.
Read More
A memory-foam pillow offers a sleek alternative to a traditional stuffed pillow. Contouring around you, it adjusts to your head, making the pillow both comfortable and supportive. If your memory-foam pillow gets wet, its dense material can take a long time to dry on its own.
Read MoreIt’s inevitable that your carpet won’t stay perfectly clean forever. Kids and pets along with those who forget to clean off their shoes track dirt inside your home that may initially go unnoticed. When enough dirt gets onto your carpet it becomes noticeable and hard to hide.
Read More
Fuzzy fleece fabric is a popular choice for blankets for several reasons, including softness, insulating properties and its easy-care nature. Occasionally a wonderfully warm fleece blanket takes on a rather unappealing odor.
Read MoreWhen Silly Putty appeared during World War II, people used it to help with caulking and to mold machinery. After the war, Americans found a new use for stuff–as a pliable toy for children. Unfortunately, children put the putty in some strange places, including electronic equipment and even the refrigerator.
Read MoreAlong with being unpleasant, mildew is potentially hazardous to respiratory health. This fungal growth thrives in warm, damp places and carelessly attaches itself to any surface it can find that happens to boast the right climate. Mildew on blankets is not only disgusting, but also unhealthy.
Read More
Those who work in the automotive industry are no strangers to motor oil stains. Even the do-it-yourself types have probably seen their fair share of oil in places it shouldn't be. If changing the oil in your car proves to be a messier ordeal than you thought it'd be, there's no need to worry.
Read More
Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, was invented by Robert Chesebrough and became a staple for moisturizing skin. Invented in the 1860s and branded in 1870, this product become an instant success and by 1875 was purchased at an astonishing rate of one jar per every minute in the United States.
Read More
New rubber mats emit a chemical smell that can be quite overpowering, especially if these mats are in your car where the smell can permeate through an enclosed space. This smell can be more than irritating and can even cause headaches.
Read MoreWater can stain a mattress and even though you can't see it through the bedding, you still know the stain is there. Plus, if you ever try to sell your mattress, good luck. Water stains never look good. Fortunately this is a very simple stain to remove. In a matter of minutes, your mattress can be stain-free.
Read MoreWite-Out is a type of correction fluid used to correct errors made with ink that cannot simply be erased. The formula was created by George Kloosterhouse, a clerk at an insurance company, and Edwin Johanknecht, an associate, in 1966.
Read MoreCats are terrific companions. They're independent, affectionate and usually very clean. Unfortunately there are some cats that for whatever reason will occasionally miss the litter box and use the bathroom in an inappropriate place.
Read MoreMold thrives where moisture and darkness combine. Mildew is the unfortunate bi-product of mold. This fungus adheres to surface and aside from looking esthetically displeasing. It can be harmful to your health as well.
Read MoreA burn mark can leave a noticeable unsightly mark on a bedspread that can be quite an eyesore. As long as the fabric is not burned all the way through, there is hope for salvaging it rather than having to buy a new one.
Read MoreCanvas is an extremely durable woven fabric that is used for everything from tents to shoes. Usually made from cotton, this extremely strong fabric can stand up to an awful lot, but even canvas is no match for grease.
Read MoreInk always seems to find its way to places we don't want it. And worse yet, it tends to outstay its welcome in these places. Pen stains can be an irritating eyesore, especially on such a luxurious fabric as suede. Suede, being a type of leather, is both elegant and extremely temperamental when it comes to cleaning.
Read MoreUnfortunately the very thing we use to clean with can be one of the most difficult things to remove from our carpet. Soap, when diluted, can be very effective in cleaning, but all by itself it can create a mess that's hard to rival.
Read MoreFlagstone is a term used to describe flat rocks that are commonly used in landscape design. Constantly exposed to elements, the beautiful stones are subject to all that Mother Nature has to offer, such as mold and mildew. Mildew is the unfortunate byproduct of mold.
Read More
Cooked on grease stains are difficult to remove, but these household tips and tricks can help make the job easier.
Read MoreAn oil spill on the driveway is an eyesore that can be difficult to remove. No amount of pressure washing or scrubbing alone seems to help. Cars that leak or accidents during oil changes can create the dreaded black spot that won't seem to give up its chosen spot on the concrete.
Read More
New brass is a very shiny metal that may or may not fit in with the décor of a home. However, you can change the color of brass by aging it. There are several different methods for aging brass that can help you achieve the desired look and color, depending on your creative preference.
Read MoreLabels and stickers look good, but only for so long. Once they're gone they tend to leave unfortunate and long-lasting evidence that they were there. Regular washing only seems to make the adhesive want to cling stronger to the clothing.
Read MoreFor all its many uses, the residual from caulk can make an unsightly and seemingly impossible-to-remove mess. Dried caulk adheres to brick and poses quite the problem in removing it.
Read More