DIY Life

It's time to break out the silver and buff out those tarnished serving pieces, but first --- your DIY guide to cleaning silver, using mostly items you already own around the house!

For small items, slightly tarnished:
Use white toothpaste. Dab a bit on your index finger and rub the toothpaste directly onto the tarnish. Wipe clean and presto -- new silver!

For medium-sized, more tarnished items:
Use baking soda and a damp sponge. Mix equal parts baking soda and water, then rub the mixture onto the silver with a clean sponge. Rinse with hot water and polish dry with a soft cloth.

For large or badly tarnished items:
Using the same mixture as above, coat the silver with the baking soda paste and let sit for a few hours. Then, run the silver under hot water and rub with a clean, damp sponge. Repeat if necessary.

You'll silver will look shiny and new -- just like your holiday baubles!

I'm a hardwood floors gal all the way. I love the rich colors and patterns that come from natural wood, and there's just something about a good game of sock hockey in the kitchen that gets me every time. Yet I'll admit --- it's sometimes tricky to clean hardwood floors. After all, how do you reach those cracks and crevices between the planks?

Turns out that if you follow a few ground rules, you'll have shiny, gleaming wood floors worthy of a palace. Ready for the tips, straight from our friends at ShelterPop?:

1. Sweep wood floors twice weekly with a soft, fine bristle broom. Avoid hard brooms as they may scratch the surface of your wood.
2. Vacuum twice monthly to remove dirt, sand and other small particles. Use a soft brush attachment to minimize any scratching from the vacuum's wheels.
3. Because water is one of a wood floor's worst enemies, get rid of water right away! Remove wet spills as soon as possible with soft towels or a wet/dry vacuum, then dry thoroughly. Be sure to dry cracks between the planks with a napkin-covered toothpick for heavily soiled areas.
4. Use a very well wrung-out, damp mop when mopping polyurethaned wood floors as excess water can seep into seams and ruin a wood floor.
5. Some floors may require periodic waxing and buffing. Get recommendations from your floor's manufacturer for the specific procedures for your floor, and be sure to avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning.

Your clean hardwood floors will gleam in no time!

With the swine flu in full swing and some sort of horrid cold roaming around my household, cleanliness is on the forefront of my mind this week. And after reading this article re: the transmission of bacteria on your shower head, I'd hope it's on the forefront of yours, as well. Luckily, our friends at ShelterPop have the scoop on how to get the cleanest showers in town.

A quick tip from the article? You can make a fantastic homemade shower cleaner with 1 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup ammonia and 1.5 gallons of hot water. Be sure to use rubber gloves, scrub well (use an old toothbrush for those tough tiles!) and rinse with hot water. Wipe dry. Also, tackle your glass shower door with white vinegar to prevent streaks and mildew at the same time. Bonus!

After all, cleanliness is next to awesomeness, right?

Looks like it's time to bid farewell to another hot, humid summer and welcome a cooler season. But before you say goodbye, give your air conditioner a good cleaning to thank it for its hard work these past few months. AOL's Mr. Fix-It Eric Stromer shows us how...




An important thing to remember:
Call a technician if you have a defective condenser or any problems with the refrigeration system -- this is a closed system that you should not attempt to repair without the aid of a licensed provider.

And of course, the cleaner your air conditioner, the less maintenance you'll have in the long haul. As with all appliances, keep your unit clean, tidy and up to date on all repairs and/or maintenance checks. You'll be glad you did when next summer's heat wave hits!

Speaking of air conditioner's, consider a fun (and green!) way to garden with the last few days of air conditioner use you've got...

I can't believe I forgot to tell you all about my weekend! I rummaged through an abandoned home in the middle of nowhere this past Saturday, and stumbled upon a bit of a gold mine... if you consider vintage glassware to be gold.

Yes, that's right! I scored a few old soda bottles from the local junkyard and they couldn't be cooler. Only problem? I was having the hardest time ridding the interior glass of mold and other grimy build-up.

Luckily, a friend suggested I use denture-cleaning tablets to dissolve the grime, and I honestly had my doubts. Wow. Boy, was I wrong! The tablets instantly melted away the grease, grime and mold... leaving spotless soda bottle vases that are sure to make a splash the next time I host a dinner party.

Incredible! I ran the glassware through one cycle of the dishwasher and they look brand new. Here's to double duties -- denture style!

Halloween may be just around the corner (I am so so excited to break out this how-to tutorial and rock a sandwich costume this year!), but no one likes a spider web inside their home. Chances are, you rid the webs with your household broom, but how do you keep them from coming back?

Easy. Next time you broom-tackle those spiders, dab a bit of lemon juice onto the bristles of the broom. Turns out, the feisty arachnids don't react well to citrus, so you're likely to ban them forever. Bonus? In the process, you'll be ridding your home of tons of other pesky critters, including ants, flies, scorpions and earwigs.

Just another fabulous use for a fabulous fruit.

Want more fun lemon uses? Try a few of these tips around your home:
-Daily DIY: Clean Your Entire Kitchen With One Lemon
-Organic Produce Wash Made With Lemon and Vinegar
-How to Easily Clean Your Filthy Microwave

Question: What can make vintage clothing forget their musty past, and also make you forget just what exactly happened during that bachelorette party in Vegas?
Answer: One word - Vodka!

Turns out that vodka is a natural bacteria-killer, which, in turn, deodorizes last season's pea coat that's been hiding in storage for the past few months. Simply prepare a spray bottle with vodka (sans tonic with lime), spritz it a few feet away from the garment and let rest overnight. Your coat will smell fresh, clean and, surprisingly, not like you've bee partying all night with your 21-year-old nephew.

So, next time you spill your drink onto your favorite frenemy, don't fret -- you're saving her from an unnecessary dry cleaning bill!

For more secret tips on household cleaners, surprising hacks and quick fixes, check out Diane's Unusual Uses column... only at DIY Life!

Clean your kitchen, bathroom and other nooks and crannies with just two ingredients? Unheard of! Until now. Howcast shows us how to tackle grease and grime with the same everyday relief you get from Alka-Seltzer and water. Take a look!:

See? It's true! You can clean your toilet, cookware, sink and even shine your jewelry with this handy over-the-counter medication. Because Alka-Seltzer is no more than baking soda mixed with citric acid and acidic aspirin, it creates a chemical reaction worthy of even the toughest grease and grime.

Hint: Did you realize that in addition to cleaning your home, you can use Alka-Seltzer to soothe an insect bite? Dissolve two tablets with water, soak a cotton ball and press firmly onto the bite for instant relief.

Curious for more household items that work double-duty? Check out DIY Life's "Unusual Uses" column for our favorite multi-purpose items.

Cleaning the fridge is my most dreaded task when it comes to the kitchen, and I'll admit -- I often designate it as my husband's job. Something about unearthing hidden treasures at the bottom of the produce drawer really gets under my skin, not to mention the length of time it takes to really clean your fridge.

Until now. Here's a time-saving tip next time you tackle the jungle that awaits you on the other side of the fridge door...

After you clear out the contents of the fridge, remove your drawers and trays and place them in a hot, sudsy tub. No more fussing over the kitchen sink one at a time --- the bathtub will clean each piece simultaneously, leaving you time to focus on more important things (like throwing at that science expirement you formerly called yogurt).

Genius, right? For more ways to tackle those tedious chores, check out Lightning fast ways to speed-clean your kitchen. Enjoy!

Sure, there's a million-dollar industry that thrives on offering all-natural cleaning products for your home, but did you realize you could get one of the most natural cleaning agents in the fruit section of your local market? Lemons are acidic and packed with antibacterial properties; here's how to transform the fresh fruit into a universal cleansing solution:

Cut one lemon into two halves, sprinkling baking soda on the first half. Use the lemon itself to scrub dishes, countertops and sinks. Next, squeeze the second half into a clean bowl to mix with vinegar for a natural cleansing spray. Clean your appliances and wooden cabinetry with the solution.

When finished, simply drop both lemon halves down the garbage disposal for a fresh scent that will fill the kitchen. Amazing, right?

In fact, you may want to grab an extra lemon while you're at the grocer -- you deserve a spritzer for your ingenuity!

It seems there is a cleaning solvent for every material in the world, but how do you tackle your lackluster aluminum and stainless? Without frequent maintenance, both metals can become dull and grimey. Here's a breakdown of aluminum and stainless steel products in your home to keep an eye out for, and how you can make them top-notch again!:

Aluminum Screens
DAILY DUTY: For frequent and light cleaning, wipe down with vinegar and water.
HEAVY DUTY: If your screen is badly soiled, try an automotive cleaner intended for wheels. Don't forget your rubber gloves and a soft brush, as aluminum is easily scratched!

Stainless Steel Sink & Countertops
DAILY DUTY: Wipe down with white vinegar and water using a soft terrycloth or microfiber rag.
HEAVY DUTY: Sprinkle baking soda on the surface and scrub with microfiber to avoid scratching your stainless steel. Rinse well, dry and repeat if necessary.

Stainless Steel Appliances
DAILY DUTY: For fingerprints or light cleaning, use a mild window cleaner.
HEAVY DUTY: Try white vinegar with a damp terrycloth. If the stain is more resistant, I'd recommend Method's stainless steel cleaner (it smells divine!).


Aluminum Cookware
DAILY DUTY: Let dirty cookware soak in warm, soapy water and rinse.
HEAVY DUTY: For more soiled cookware, try a boiled solution of 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice (or vinegar) and 1 qt water. Let solution rest in cookware for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Softly scrub the soiled areas with a gentle washcloth and rinse again. Towel dry and repeat if necessary.

Aluminum Patio Furniture
DAILY DUTY: For regular cleaning, wipe a damp, soapy cloth over the patio surfaces and rinse clean. Be sure to dry thoroughly!
HEAVY DUTY: For a more soiled patio set, start with a mildly abrasive cleaner (I like SoftScrub), and scrub softly with a washcloth or soft brush until stain is lifted. Rinse clean with a garden hose and dry with a soft towel. For an extra boost, dab a bit of baby oil on the set to maintain its shine and protect the aluminum surface.

Remember, steer clean from any cleaning agent that seems moderately abrasive, and always rinse and dry thoroughly to avoid spotting and/or soap residue. Avoid cleaners containing chlorine, and never approach your metal materials wit a steel wool soap pad, as this will lead to scratching and eventual rusting of your decor and/or appliances.

Last tip? Like wood, clean with the grain of stainless. The shine will speak for itself! Happy cleaning!

I'm a sucker for all-in-one products, but they all seem so harmful to the environment. Until now...

Care2 teaches us how to make a green cleaning kit using supplies that I guarantee are already in your household (except perhaps tea tree oil, which you can purchase right here for less than my a pack of socks). By using the same key ingredients, you can create a green cleaning agent for every room in your home! I'm simply amazed.

Round up your spray bottles and mix away! Don't forget a handy caddy to hold all of your new cleaners in (I love The Container Store's lace basket right here).

Bonus? Your homemade mix will cost about a tenth of the price as household cleaners from your grocer. You'll save time, money and who knows? You may even save the environment.

I have a very busy house. Two teens in full-time residence, three teens in part-time residence, five toddlers here during working hours. And one very patient husband. (There are still more offspring, as it happens. They're just old enough to live elsewhere.)

It's also a very small house, particularly for the number of people. Oh, and an old house, so that not every bedroom has a closet, and there is really no front hall to speak of, and certainly no front hall closet. I think I have now established my clutter and cleaning challenges, no?

You're generally an eco-friendly sort. You try not to use that dryer much, and when you do, you cut your dryer sheets in half to make them go further.

It still rankles a bit that you then throw them right out, though, doesn't it? You could always make your own, re-usable dryer sheets, of course: they're far less expensive, less loaded with chemicals,and less wasteful.

Steel wool is great for many DIY projects. It comes in different grades for different applications (#00, #1, #2), and in many cases it's much better than sandpaper. But as great as it is, in some cases there's a much better product -- bronze wool!

Why is it better? For one thing, it doesn't rust like steel will; this is an important consideration on any project that involves moisture. For the same reason, you can store it longer in a humid environment. Consider these applications:

• Gun maintenance: It'll take off minor rust, but not the bluing.
• Any boat maintenance: it doesn't rust, so it won't discolor wood -- like that expensive teak.
• More suggestions after the break....