How to Clean Gold Plated Jewelry, According to a Jewelry Designer

Considerations Before You Get Started First, determine if your jewelry is real or fake. Gold plated jewelry only has a thin coating of gold on the surface with a base metal beneath it. You could also look for hallmarks like “18k” or “18KGP.” Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali The former usually indicates solid gold, and the latter means the piece is 18K gold plated. If you’re still not sure, take it to your local jewelry store for assistance....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 380 words · Brian Gonzalez

How to Clean Granite Countertops

The easiest way to clean your counters with items you probably already have. Since granite is a porous material, it’s typically sealed when installed in a home. But, with the right cleaning supplies, granite is easy to maintain. Photo:John Keeble/Getty Images Keep reading for steps and helpful tips on how to clean granite countertops. To keep bathroom countertops in tip-top shape, they should be thoroughly cleaned weekly. Then, wipe away any crumbs and debris....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 264 words · Anna Willis

How to Clean Grout the Easy Way

Give new life to dirty tile with this simple grout cleaner. Dirty grout is often the one thing standing between dingy-looking tile and tile that really pops. Knowing how to clean groutespecially white groutis essential for floors, walls, and counters to look sparkly clean. For stubborn mold and mildew stains, a goodmold removerlike RMR-86 can do the trick. There are also plenty of effectivetile and grout cleanersto choose from. Run a squeegee over the tile after every shower to remove excess water....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 254 words · Joanne Patrick

How to Clean Gutters While Staying Safe

Use this helpful guide to learn how to keep your gutters in good shape. Figuring out how to clean gutters isnt exactly something you’re dying to do. But even if this task doesn’t top yourcleaning checklist, it still has to be done. Photo: Getty Images So, its best to stay ahead of potential disasters and proactively clean your gutters. Read on to learn how and when to clean gutters and what supplies youll need to do the job....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 318 words · Robin Moreno

How to Clean Hair Brushes and Combs

A properly cleaned and maintained hairbrush will keep your hair shiny and healthy. A thorough monthly cleaning is sufficient for most hairbrushes and combs. If you havedandruff, clean your hairbrush weekly to help prevent skin flakes from redepositing into your hair. Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali Synthetic bristles can become misshapen or melt, and high heat destroys the oils in natural bristles. These steps work well with all types of synthetic bristles and handles, including cushioned and paddle brushes....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 473 words · Paul Cummings

How to Clean Hard Water Stains in the Toilet

Learn how to clean and prevent hard water stains with products you have on hand. Water from many municipal systems and wells contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron. Keep reading to see how to clean these stains and discover some tips on how toprevent them from reappearing. Photo:Hector Roqueta Rivero/Getty Images Bon Ami uses powdered limestone and feldspar as abrasives while Bar Keepers Friend relies on felspar and oxalic acid....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 138 words · David Ford

How to Clean Hardwood Floors Naturally

After all, floors face the most significant wear and tear in our homes. Is the floor sealed with apolyurethane finish? If the drop of water is absorbed quickly, the sealant is worn away or was never applied. Photo: DigtialStorm/Getty Images If the floor is unsealed, you want to limit the water used for cleaning. (Somerobot vacuums for hardwood floorscan also mop.) How Often to Clean Hardwood Floors Lightly clean hardwood floors a few times a week....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 481 words · Cassidy Pham

How to Clean Jewelry So It Shines Like New

Everything it’s crucial that you know to clean silver, gold, and gemstones. Kwangmoozaa/Getty Images Have your favorite rings, necklaces, and other beloved adornments lost their sparkle? If so, you may be wondering how to clean your jewelry and get it looking good as new. Photo:Kwangmoozaa/Getty Images Taking the pieces to a professional is one optionbut that can be costly and inconvenient. But how does your jewelry keep getting so dirty in the first place?...

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 552 words · Brenda Wells

How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets So the Entire Room Shines

Learn the trick to removing pesky grease splatters and cleaning your kitchen cabinets. It can give your kitchen a new look (without much effort). Learning how to clean kitchen cabinets regularly can help your kitchen sparkle. Getty Images Over time, marks and dust can build up, making your once-clean cabinets look dingy. Test your cleaner in an inconspicuous area, just in case it damages the finish on your cabinets. Different areas of your cabinets (exterior, interior, hardware) require different frequencies....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 332 words · Travis Henderson

How to Clean Laminate Floors the Right Way So They Look Brand New

Here’s everything you should probably know to keep laminate wood floors shiny and new. While some laminate flooring can look like ahardwood floorat first glance, its quite different. Laminate is much less expensive than hardwood, easier to install, more durable, and requires less maintenance. ProCreators/Getty Images The downside is that liquids and laminate flooring dont mix. Ifexposed to too much moisture, the high-density composite wood begins to swell and warp....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 261 words · James Lee

How to Clean Marble—Plus, Tricks for Removing Stubborn Stains

There’s even a simple hack to help fix marble etching. But marble’s reputation for being high-maintenance precedes it. From there, wiping up spills immediately is the trick to making marble last. Don’t worry, we’ll also show you a couple tricks for removing set-in stains and etch marks. Prevention is key, so don’t miss our list of dos and don’ts for pristine-lookingmarble countertops. You should only do stain or etching removal when your countertops need it....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 331 words · Connie Scott

How to Clean Mirrors Without Leaving Streaks and Lint Behind

You’re probably making common mirror-cleaning mistakes. We reflect on solutions to make this chore more effective. You may think you know how to clean a mirror and what to clean mirrors with. Brie Goldman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali The first mistake is the commercial cleaning solution. The second mistake is the paper towel and circular motion. So does that make three mistakes? Brie Goldman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali If opting for a commercial mirror cleaner, choose one specificallyformulated for glass....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 324 words · Angela Massey

How to Clean Mold

Wherever there’s an excess of moisture, unsightly, unhealthy mold is likely to follow. An unventilated bathroom growsmold in the shower. How Often to Clean Mold Mold should be cleaned whenever spotted. Getty Images Keepbathroom moldunder control with a variety of effectivebathroom cleaners. Clorox Plus Tilex Daily formula, for example, is a good preventiveshower cleaner. The brand’s mold and mildew formula is also a good cleaner for glass shower doors. Getty Images...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 313 words · Michael Rios