A kitchen sponge can be covered in dish soap, rinsed under hot water, and still hold bacteria long after the dishes are clean. The problem isn't always leftover food or a lack of detergent. Sponges absorb water and can remain damp between uses, Continue Reading

A dishwasher can finish a hot wash cycle with clean plates and still release an unpleasant smell when the door opens. Running another empty cycle or adding vinegar may seem like the answer, but neither will remove food scraps trapped in a part of the Continue Reading

Cornstarch usually goes into sauces, soups, and desserts, where it helps thicken liquids. Adding it to a window cleaner seems unusual, especially when vinegar already has a reputation for removing residue from glass. But a homemade cleaning formula Continue Reading

Rust on a cast-iron skillet can make a dependable pan look ready for the trash, especially when orange patches spread across the cooking surface. But light surface rust doesn't necessarily mean the iron is damaged beyond repair. A raw potato and a Continue Reading

An open box of baking soda is a familiar sight inside refrigerators, usually placed on a shelf to help control food odors. But absorbing smells and removing the residue that causes them are different jobs. Baking soda can also be dissolved in water Continue Reading