How do I remove candle wax from fabric, carpet and surfaces?
The freeze-and-crack method for hard surfaces and the iron-and-paper method for fabric, plus the dye that is left behind.
beginner30 min3 min read
Cleaning
Getting things properly clean without wrecking them.
92 guides in Home & DIY
How do I clean a burnt or sticky iron soleplate?
Brown streaks are limescale from the tank; sticky drag is melted synthetic on the plate. They are different problems with different fixes.
beginner20 min4 min readHow do I clean a shower curtain?
Washing mould and soap scum out of a fabric or plastic shower curtain, and how to stop it growing back.
beginner1 hr 30 min2 min readHow do I clean tarnished silver, brass and copper?
Removing tarnish from each metal, and knowing when the patina is worth keeping rather than stripping.
beginner45 min2 min readHow do I look after a tiled floor?
Knowing whether the tile is porous, the routine that keeps grout looking new, and the cleaners that damage stone.
beginner45 min4 min readHow do I remove expanding foam from skin, clothes and surfaces?
Uncured foam wipes off with the right solvent and cured foam does not come off at all — which makes the first ten minutes the whole of the job.
beginner20 min4 min readHow do I remove hair dye stains?
Permanent dye is designed to bond irreversibly, so speed matters more than product: on hard surfaces it is a two-minute job, and after an hour it may be permanent.
beginner20 min3 min readHow do I clean behind a radiator?
How to get the dust out of and behind a radiator, and why it affects both cleanliness and heating efficiency.
beginner30 min2 min readHow do I freshen up fabric furniture?
Reviving tired fabric furniture between deep cleans — deodorising, de-bobbling and reshaping cushions.
beginner1 hr2 min readHow do I clean blinds?
Cleaning venetian, roller, vertical and fabric blinds without damaging the slats or the mechanism.
beginner45 min2 min readHow do I clean the outside of a kettle and other steel appliances?
Removing fingerprints, water marks and grease from stainless steel without leaving streaks or scratches.
beginner15 min2 min readHow do I clean up silicone smears and haze?
Wet silicone wipes off with the right solvent and water does nothing at all — and once it has cured, the answer is mechanical rather than chemical.
beginner25 min4 min readHow do I clean a mirror without streaks?
The technique for a genuinely streak-free mirror, and why bathroom mirrors are harder than the rest.
beginner10 min2 min readHow do I clean oil off a garage floor?
Removing fresh and old oil stains from concrete, and how to keep the floor manageable afterwards.
beginner1 hr 30 min2 min readHow do I clean wheelie bins and recycling boxes?
Cleaning outdoor bins so they stop smelling and attracting flies, and the habits that keep them manageable.
beginner40 min2 min readHow do I clean skirting boards?
Getting the dust and scuff marks off skirting boards quickly, and the trick that keeps them clean for longer.
beginner45 min2 min readHow do I clean light fittings?
Cleaning shades, pendants and bulbs safely, and why dusty fittings make a noticeable difference to how bright a room feels.
beginner45 min2 min readHow do I look after a ceramic or Belfast sink?
Removing the grey metal marks that are not scratches, dealing with limescale on glaze, and the honest position on chips.
beginner20 min3 min readHow do I keep bathroom cleaning tools hygienic?
Keeping toilet brushes, cloths and sponges from becoming the dirtiest things in the bathroom.
beginner15 min2 min readWhy are my tiles cloudy after grouting, and how do I get it off?
The thin cement film left behind after grouting, why it gets harder to remove by the day, and the sequence that takes it off without damaging the tile or the joints.
beginner45 min4 min read
Going deeper: MaterialWorld
Material properties, comparisons and suitability — paints, fillers, sealants, timber, tile, insulation.