10 easy solutions to pesky cleaning problems

How to: Clean your gas range

Step 1: Remove the grates and any griddles, as well as the burner heads and caps. Using a non-abrasive sponge, wash them well with dish soap and warm water. If the dirt buildup is particularly bad (when was the last time you cleaned these things?), leave them to soak for 20 to 30 minutes. (Do not replace yet.) Step 2: To loosen the dirt buildup from spills and splatters on the stovetop, cover the spots with a cloth dampened in hot water for several minutes. Using a rubber scraper, remove the debris. With a dampened sponge (not soaked – water can harm the igniter), wipe the whole stovetop. Wipe dry using a microfibre cloth. Step 3: Rinse and thoroughly dry all the components you removed before replacing them. Click here for more tips, stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Remove stubborn price stickers

Step 1: A little heat can go a long way: Use a hair dryer to warm and loosen the glue beneath the sticker. When choosing the heat setting and how close to hold the nozzle, be mindful of the material of your purchase and any finish on its surface. In many cases, the sticker should lift right off without any residue. Step 2: If step 1 doesn’t get the job done, immerse your item in hot water for a few minutes. Using a plastic razor blade (a credit or library card will also do), scrape the sticker off. Step 3: For any leftover sticky residue, you’ll have to get a bit messier to get things totally clean. Oil-based substances, such as peanut butter (smooth, not chunky), mayonnaise or cooking oil, are the best for battling glue remnants. Using a paper towel, smear on a generous amount and scrub until all the glue is gone. Step 4: Wash the item thoroughly with soap and water. Click here for more stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to remove red wine stains

Step 1: Time is of the essence when you're faced with red wine stains. As soon as possible, blot the area with a paper towel to remove as much of the wine as you can. Step 2: Fight wine with wine. As crazy as it may sound, white wine helps dilute red's bold pigment (club soda or vinegar works, too). Pour a bit of white wine over the stain and blot with a paper towel. If the stain is more orless gone, launder as usual in cold water. Air dry; the head from the dyer will set any leftover stains. Click here for more tips, stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Clean casserole dishes

Step 1: Fill the dish about halfway with cold water. if the water level does not cover all the crusty bits, you’ll need to place it in another larger dish that allows you to fully submerge it. (if you don’t have anything sufficient in your cupboard, use a disposable aluminum one.) Mix in a few tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. Step 2: Place the dish in the oven (never on a hot stovetop, which may cause it to crack) and heat it slowly on a low setting of 250°F. The process will take a few hours, but be sure to keep a close watch. Step 3: Being careful not to spill any hot water, remove the dish from the oven and leave it out on a heat-proof surface to soak overnight. What has not lifted off in the water will scrub off with a scouring sponge. Click here for more stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Clean tarnished silverware

Step 1: Wash the silverware with warm water and mild dish soap to rid it of any dirt or dust, which can scuff the surface as you polish. Step 2: Wear white cloth gloves to protect both your hands and the pieces you’re polishing. Using a soft cloth, apply a small amount of silver polish following the shape of the piece (use a vertical motion for flatware, for example). Continuously rotate the cloth so that no tarnish is redeposited on the surface. Rinse the polished pieces in warm water. Using another soft dry cloth, buff them to a shine. Click here for more tips, stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Remove pet hair from upholstery

Step 1: Before getting started, remove as much hair as possible by vacuuming the surface thoroughly. Step 2: Fill a small bucket halfway with room temperature water. This will save you frequent trips back and forth to the faucet. Step 3: Wearing a latex or rubber glove, dip your palm in the water. In a smooth motion, run your hand along the surface, pressing firmly. The hair will stick to the glove. Repeat once or twice until that section is totally hair-free. Dip your hand back into the bucket to remove the stuck-on hair. Repeat until the entire surface is clean. Click here for more stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Keep dish sponges germ-free

Step 1: Forever moist and full of dark nooks and crannies, a kitchen sponge is ideal breeding ground for all kinds of harmful bacteria. Sterilize it on a regular basis, preferably daily. The best method is soaking it for a few minutes in a mixture of two teaspoons chlorine bleach and one cup water. But if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly approach, you can also place the sponge in a pot of boiling water for five minutes and hang it to dry. Step 2: To deter germs from thriving in your sponge, keep it as dry as possible. Always rinse and wring it well before depositing it in a designated spot that has good drainage. If possible, the spot should also be in direct sunlight, which will significantly speed up drying time. Click here for more tips, stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Clean your windows

Step 1: Start on the exterior. Cool, cloudy days are best for window cleaning, as the sun can dry the cleaning solution before you wipe it off, leaving streaks. Step 2: Dip a sponge into a bucket that contains equal parts white vinegar and hot water. Thoroughly scrub down the window pane and frame. Rinse the sponge. Step 3: Wet the rubber blade of a squeegee with cold water. Working from an upper corner, pull down firmly in a straight line. Wipe the blade clean with the sponge and repeat, drawing another vertical line that slightly overlaps the first. Continue moving across the window until the whole surface has been squeegeed. Step 4: Wipe the window frame dry with a microfibre cloth. Step 5: Working on the inside, lay a towel along the windowsill to avoid a mess. Using a spray bottle with the same homemade mix or your favourite storebought brand, spritz the window pane. Repeat step 3, this time using horizontal instead of vertical strokes. Step 6: Clean the window frame with a damp microfibre cloth. Step 7: For any minor scuffs, squeeze white toothpaste onto a microfibre cloth and buff them out using a circular motion. Wipe off the toothpaste and spot clean. Click here for more stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Wash shower curtain liners

Step 1: Remove the plastic shower curtain liner and place it in your washing machine. Along with your regular laundry detergent, add 1 cup of baking soda, 10 drops of tea tree oil and two towels (bath mats with a terry texture will work, too). Wash on the gentle cycle in cold water. As the detergent and soda’s cleaning capacities and the tea tree oil’s antibacterial properties go into action, the towels will softly scrub the liner’s surface and cushion it from damage. Step 2: Remove the liner from the washing machine and hang it back up on the shower curtain rod to dry. (Put the towels through the dryer as you normally would.) Click here for more tips, stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.

How to: Keep your carpet clean

Step 1: Be diligent about vacuuming. Dragging the machine across the surface once isn’t sufficient. Make a number of passes over each section, giving extra attention to high-traffic areas. Step 2: Attend to spills immediately. Blot stains with a paper towel before spot cleaning; never rub, as that can push the dirt further into the fibres. Use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water to wet - not soak - the area, then blot again. For stubborn stains, try spill-specific solutions: Cornstarch works well on grease, club soda on coffee spills and salt on mud. Click here for more tips, stylish solutions and expert cleaning products.