Housekeeping Instructions: Video Series

Unsticking a stamp from an envelope can be done by boiling some water, holding the stamped envelope over the steam, gently lifting the stamp off the paper and blotting it with a paper towel to dry. Place a stamp between heavy books to flatten it out with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Homemade stain removers for clothes include rubbing alcohol and hairspray, as each of these can remove even the toughest ink stains. Use a type of powder to absorb oil stains before applying alcohol, and wash the garment as usual once the stain is removed, with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Washing a down comforter involves taking it to a laundromat to use an extra-large washer and dryer, and adding a couple of tennis balls to the dryer will help agitate the comforter enough to dry thoroughly. Wash a down comforter with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

To stone wash jeans at home, add some river rocks to the washing machine, start the machine as usual, add detergent and a splash of bleach, and throw the jeans in the wash. Let the jeans soak in the wash tub for three to four hours before finishing the cycle with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Shrinking a shirt requires boiling water over the stove, pouring the hot water over the garment in a bowl, letting the clothes soak in the hot water until the water cools and washing it on the hottest setting in the washing machine. Shrink a shirt one or two sizes smaller with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing rust buildup in the sink is done by making a paste out of lemon juice and baking soda, rubbing it on the rust with a sponge and allowing it to sit for 15 minutes. Wipe up the residue to remove the rust in the sink with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing rust from a bike can be done by using either an abrasive sponge or steel wool on the surface or by slicing an onion, rubbing the open end of the onion on the rust and watching the rust flake away from the chemical reaction. Eliminate rust from a bike, making sure to coat the bike in a rust resistant finish, with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing rust from brass is done by applying a good brass cleaner to the surface, letting it sit on the brass and buffing the excess product away. Use ketchup to remove detailed areas of rust with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Stains on aluminum siding can be removed using a store-bought house wash that is added to a water sprayer, and stubborn stains can be removed using a baking soda and dish soap mixture. Clean the siding of a house once a year to prevent lots of buildup with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing mildew from fabric is best done by scrubbing a stain remover onto the garment, letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, adding 2 or 3 cups of vinegar to a washing machine tub, letting the clothes soak in the diluted vinegar mixture and running the machine as usual. Remove mildew stains and stenches from fabric with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing mildew stains from carpet requires pouring vinegar and water over the stain to kill the mildew and bacteria, mixing dish washing liquid with water and scrubbing the area with a stiff-bristled brush. Allow the stain to completely dry, and repeat the process if necessary, with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Keeping copper from tarnishing involves applying a solution of lemon juice and salt using a rag, and ketchup can even be applied to small detail areas with a Q-tip. Use common household ingredients to keep copper shiny and tarnish-free with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Preserving copper from sunlight and moisture involves wiping it down with a lemon juice and slat mixture, which will remove all traces of tarnish. Maintain a copper pot or decorative piece with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing water stains from silk involves dissolving laundry detergent in a large bowl of lukewarm water, soaking the garment in the bowl for 10 to 15 minutes, rinsing it under cool water and laying it flat on a towel to dry. Eliminate the appearance of water stains from silk with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

To wash silk, mix a gentle laundry detergent in lukewarm water, place the garment in the bowl, agitate it a little in the water, and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Lay the garment out flat on a towel to dry with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing stains from Formica can be done by wiping the surface down on a regular basis, but stubborn stains can be removed with baking soda and water. Scrub a Formica surface to remove hard-to-clean stains with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing odors from plastic containers and lids is best done by scrubbing the container with a baking soda and vinegar paste mixture, but allowing the container to soak over in vinegar and water can also absorb many of the odors. Clean a plastic container to be as good as new with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Reorganizing a garage on a budget is a daunting task, but weeding out the items for donation or the garbage and finding containers to store everything else in is a great start. Shop at a consignment store for inexpensive shelving to organize a messy garage with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

To remove wax from floor tiles, use half a cup of ammonia in two gallons of water to scrub down the floors, and rinse the floors thoroughly with a clean mop. Consider also using vinegar and water for a more eco-friendly approach to cleaning floors with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing rust stains from a bath tub can be done using a vinegar and baking soda mixture, which forms a paste and creates a great scrubbing formula. Allow baking soda and vinegar to soak on a stubborn stain overnight with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

When doing laundry, prevent fading colors by using a gentle detergent specifically designed to keep colors bright, and add a splash of vinegar to each load to protect the clothing from any harsh chemicals in the detergent. Avoid fading the colors from garments during the wash with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

To remove wax buildup on linoleum, mix half a cup of ammonia into two gallons of hot water to strip the wax from the floor and using vinegar and water to clean the floors on a regular basis. Avoid using floor cleaners that contain wax with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Removing a mustard stain involves blotting up as much excess condiment as possible with a paper towel, mixing gentle laundry detergent in a bowl of hot water, soaking the garment in the mixture and pre-treating the stain with a commercial laundry stain remover before throwing it in the wash. Repeat the stain-removing process as needed to get out a harsh mustard stain with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

Spot-cleaning carpets can be done by using a commercial spot remover, an industrial carpet shampooer or by blotting on a vinegar and water mixture. Rinse a treated stain thoroughly before allowing it to dry completely with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

To wash windows, mix vinegar and water into a spray bottle, spray down the surface, and wipe the solution away using a microfiber cloth or dry paper towel. Prevent streaking on a window by drying off the cleaning solution as soon as possible with instructions from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.