How to clean everything in your home
Good cleaning starts with the material: the right method for sealed hardwood is wrong for marble, and what's fine for stainless steel scratches glass. These guides tell you what each thing is made of, how often to clean it, the routine and the deep clean, and what to never use on it.
Kitchen
How to clean an air fryer, basket and heating element
To clean an air fryer, unplug it and let it cool, wash the basket and pan in hot water with dish detergent and a soft sponge (soak 5-10 minutes for stuck food), then wipe the inside and the heating element with a damp non-abrasive cloth and a soft brush.
How to clean burnt pots and pans (and stuck-on cake)
To clean a burnt pot or pan, soak it in hot water with dish detergent or baking soda for 15 to 30 minutes, then scour gently with baking soda on a plastic mesh pad.
How to clean cast iron, and get rust off it
To clean cast iron, wash it while still warm with warm water, a little dish soap if you like, and a stiff brush or scraper, then dry it completely right away and rub on a very thin layer of cooking oil.
How to clean a coffee maker with vinegar (and other descalers)
To clean a coffee maker, wash the carafe and filter basket in hot soapy water after use, and descale it about once a month by brewing white vinegar (or a vinegar and water mix, per your maker) with no coffee or filter, letting it stand 15-30 minutes partway, then running two or three cycles of fresh water.
How to clean a dishwasher and get rid of the smell
To clean a dishwasher, pull out the bottom rack, clean the filter, wipe food debris out of the tub and door seal, clear the spray-arm jets, then run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in an upright cup on the bottom rack (or a dishwasher cleaner).
How to clean granite countertops and remove stains
To clean granite countertops, wash with warm water and a neutral stone cleaner or a little mild dish soap, rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
How to remove grease from kitchen cabinets
To remove grease from kitchen cabinets, wipe them with a few drops of dish soap in warm water on a cloth wrung out until barely damp, following the grain, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth and dry immediately.
How to clean marble countertops, floors and showers
To clean marble countertops and floors, use a neutral stone cleaner, stone soap or a little mild dish soap in warm water, rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.
How to clean a microwave and get smells out of it
To clean a microwave, steam it first: heat a microwave-safe bowl of water with lemon juice or baking soda until it boils, leave the door shut until it cools, then wipe the softened food off with a damp cloth and rinse.
How to clean an oven, oven racks and oven glass
How you clean an oven depends on the type.
How to get tomato stains out of plastic containers
To clean stained plastic food containers, wash them in warm soapy water, then set the clean container in direct sun for a few hours, or soak it in a mild bleach solution of 2 teaspoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water, then wash and dry.
How to clean quartz countertops and get stains out
To clean quartz countertops, wipe them with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap on a soft cloth, rinse with clean water and dry with a towel.
How to clean a refrigerator and get bad smells out
To clean a refrigerator, empty it and throw out old food, wash the shelves and drawers in warm soapy water, wipe the walls and door gaskets with a baking soda solution, rinse, and leave the door open about 15 minutes to dry.
How to clean stainless steel appliances and sinks
To clean stainless steel appliances and sinks, wipe with a soft cloth and warm water with a little mild dish soap, always in the direction of the grain, then rinse and towel-dry right away.
How to clean a stovetop and cast iron burner grates
To clean a stovetop and burner grates, let everything cool, then wash the cast iron grates and burner caps in hot, soapy water, scrubbing burned-on food with a plastic scouring pad, and rinse and dry them.
Bathroom
How to clean a bathtub and get stains out of it
To clean a bathtub, wet it, apply a nonabrasive tub-and-tile cleaner or a baking soda paste, give it a little time to loosen the soap film, wipe with a soft sponge, and rinse thoroughly.
How to clean glass shower doors (soap scum and hard water)
To clean glass shower doors, wipe them with a mild detergent solution or glass cleaner on a soft sponge, then rinse and dry.
How to remove hard water stains from any surface
To remove hard water stains, apply a mild acid such as white vinegar, citric acid or a hard-water remover, let it work for a few minutes, wipe with a soft sponge, then rinse and dry.
How to remove rust stains from a toilet, tub, sink or concrete
To remove rust stains from a toilet, tub or sink, apply a rust remover or a mild acid (an acid toilet cleaner inside the bowl, or a lemon juice and salt paste for light marks), let it work, then rinse well.
How to clean a shower curtain and liner (and the mildew on it)
To clean a shower curtain or liner, machine-wash it if the label allows and hang it to dry, or for a liner that can't go in the washer, scrub it with detergent and water, then apply 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water, keep it wet 10 to 15 minutes and let it dry.
How to clean a shower head and remove calcium buildup from faucets
To remove calcium buildup from a shower head or faucet, take off the shower head or aerator and soak the scaled parts in white vinegar for a few hours (or tie a bag of vinegar around a fixed head so the face is submerged), then rinse and dry.
How to clean tile grout, including mold in shower grout
To clean tile grout, apply an alkaline or neutral tile-and-grout cleaner (or a baking soda paste), let it sit a few minutes, scrub the joints with a nylon brush, then pick up the dirty solution and rinse with fresh water.
How to clean a toilet bowl and remove rings and stains
To clean toilet stains and rings, apply an acid toilet bowl cleaner under the rim and around the bowl, scrub with a long-handled brush, including the rim holes and as far into the trap as you can reach, let it stand a few minutes and flush.
Floors and rugs
How to clean area rugs by hand, in the washer or outside
To clean an area rug, check the label first, then shake or beat it outside, vacuum both sides with gentle suction, and spot-clean stains by blotting from the edges in.
How to clean carpet at home, and get smells out of it
To clean carpet, vacuum slowly at least once a week, blot spills with a white cloth as soon as they happen, spot-clean with a very dilute dish detergent solution and rinse it out, and have it hot-water extracted every 12 to 18 months.
How to clean hardwood floors without damaging the finish
To clean hardwood floors, remove grit dry first (soft broom, microfiber dust mop or a vacuum on the bare-floor setting), then mist a cleaner made for your floor's finish onto a microfiber pad and wipe.
How to clean tile floors (and the grout between them)
To clean tile floors, vacuum or sweep the grit, mop with a neutral tile cleaner on a well-wrung mop, then rinse with clean water and buff dry.
Living room, walls and windows
How to clean baseboards (painted or stained wood)
To clean baseboards, vacuum along them with the dust-brush attachment, then wipe with a cloth wrung out in warm water and a little mild dish soap, rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry.
How to clean blinds: vinyl, metal, wood and bamboo
To clean blinds, dust them while they hang: close the slats, go over them with a vacuum brush, soft brush or electrostatic duster, then flip them the other way and repeat.
How to clean a couch, including stains and smells
To clean a couch, find the cleaning code on its tag first, vacuum it thoroughly, then spot-clean with what the code allows: the foam of a mild detergent for W, a water-free upholstery solvent for S, either for W/S, and only vacuuming or brushing for X.
How to clean curtains, washing them or not
To clean curtains, vacuum them with the brush attachment while they hang, and freshen lightly soiled ones in the dryer on air-fluff with no heat.
How to clean a leather couch and leather furniture
To clean a leather couch, vacuum the seams, then wipe it with a soft cloth barely dampened with distilled water.
How to clean wallpaper, and wallpaper glue off walls
To clean wallpaper, dust it, then test a hidden spot to see if it's washable.
How to clean painted walls without damaging the paint
To clean painted walls, dust them first, test a hidden spot, then wipe with plain warm water on a well-wrung non-abrasive sponge, adding a few drops of mild dish soap only if needed.
How to remove water stains and rings from wood and fabric
To remove a white water ring from wood, rub it gently with a little light oil mixed with table salt, and step up to FFFF pumice and 000 steel wool dipped in oil only if needed.
How to clean windows without streaks, and remove water spots
To clean windows, vacuum the sills and frames first, then wash the glass with a glass cleaner or ½ cup of ammonia in a gallon of water, rinse with a clean damp cloth, and dry with a squeegee, a lint-free cloth or low-absorbency paper towels.
Bedroom
How to clean a comforter or duvet at home
To clean a comforter or duvet, check the care label, pretreat any stains, then wash it alone on a gentle cycle with mild detergent in a washer big enough for it to move freely.
How to clean a mattress, including stains and smells
To clean a mattress, strip and wash the bedding, vacuum the whole surface, then spot-clean stains with a cleaning solution on a cloth (never poured on) and blot with a cloth dampened in plain cold water.
How to clean pillows: washer, dryer, by hand and foam
To clean pillows, check the label, then machine-wash down and fiberfill pillows two at a time on a gentle cycle in warm water, rinse them well and tumble-dry on low with a few tennis balls until completely dry.
Laundry room
How to clean a dryer and dryer vent, plus ink in the drum
To clean a dryer and dryer vent, empty the lint screen before or after every load, wash the screen if it looks waxy, and at least once a year unplug the dryer, pull it out and brush or vacuum the lint out of the duct, the dryer outlet and the outside vent hood.
How to clean a hat and get sweat stains out
To clean a hat, brush off dust, then spot-clean it with a cloth or soft toothbrush dipped in cool water and a little mild detergent, one color panel at a time.
How to clean a washing machine and get rid of the smell
To clean a washing machine, run the empty machine on its self-clean or tub-clean cycle (or the hottest cycle) with about a cup of liquid chlorine bleach, then wipe the door gasket and folds, wash the dispenser drawer, and leave the door open to dry.
Shoes and hats
How to remove salt stains from boots and car carpet
To remove salt stains, let the item dry, brush or vacuum off the loose salt, then dissolve what's left with water: wipe leather boots with a damp cloth (a diluted white vinegar wipe is a widely repeated boot-maker method), and blot carpet with clear water and extract it.
How to get the smell out of shoes, and stop it coming back
To get the smell out of shoes, take out the insoles and laces, wash the insoles and the inside of the shoe with mild detergent and a soft brush, rinse, and let everything air-dry completely away from heat.
How to clean suede shoes and boots, and get stains out
To clean suede shoes and boots, let them dry completely, brush them with a suede brush to lift dirt and the nap, rub dry marks with a suede eraser, and treat soiled areas with a cleaner made for suede, then brush the nap in one direction and apply a suede protector.
How to clean sheepskin boots and remove water and salt stains
To clean sheepskin boots and remove water or salt stains, brush off dry dirt, then dampen the entire outside of the boot evenly with cold water, not just the stain, and gently clean it with a little sheepskin cleaner on a wet sponge.
How to clean white shoes and sneakers
To clean white shoes and sneakers, take out the laces and insoles, brush off dry dirt, then scrub canvas or mesh with a soft brush and a little gentle laundry detergent in warm water.
Car
How to clean a car interior, seats and headliner
To clean a car interior, take out the trash and floor mats, vacuum everything, then wipe surfaces and seats with a cloth dampened (not wet) in mild detergent and warm water, wipe off the residue with a clean damp cloth, and leave the doors or windows open until it's dry.
Outdoor and garage
How to remove oil stains from concrete and driveways
To remove an oil stain from concrete, soak up fresh oil with an absorbent like cat litter, sawdust or baking soda, sweep it up, then scrub the spot with powdered laundry detergent or dish soap and a stiff nylon brush.
