Cleaning Maintenance

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

A room with laminate floors.

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How To Clean and Care for Laminate Floors in Your Home

Once installed, laminate must be properly cared for. Here are our tips for cleaning and maintaining your laminate floors.
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24 Tasks for Your Winter Cleaning Checklist

Add these 24 items to your winter cleaning checklist to reduce clutter, pests, and stagnant air in your home this winter.
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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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Tips for Keeping Dust Under Control in Your Home

Keeping dust under control can be a constant battle. In this guide, we show you how to significantly reduce the amount of dust in your home.
A dog in a carpeted living room with a portable carpet cleaner near by. Lead image for best portable carpet cleaner guide.

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.
A decluttered kitchen with a sink and a cutting board with bread on top of it.

How To Declutter Your Entire Home: A Room-by-Room Guide

We share some tips and strategies for decluttering your entire home to help you achieve a more organized and stress-free environment.
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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

In this guide, we discuss 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: A Comprehensive Guide

Banish greasy messes from the cupboards and drawers that hold everything in your cook space with this guide to cleaning kitchen cabinets.
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How to Clean a Toilet Tank

Does your toilet tank need a deep clean? Learn how to sanitize it using our simple technique and common household tools.
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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.
A person cleaning a dryer vent with a vacuum.

How To Clean a Dryer Vent

Excessive dryer lint buildup can pose a fire hazard, so it’s important to clean your dryer vent at least once a year.
Cucumber is being peeled into a sink with a garbage disposal.

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 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 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 you clean up and maximize your garage space.
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How to Clean Windows Like a Pro

Learn how to clean your windows like the pros. Follow our simple DIY window cleaning tips for streak-free glass.