Cleaning
Cleaning tips for carpet stains, smoke stains, foul smells and that stinky refrigerator! Make house cleaning easier with The Money Pit.
We have over 171 articles discussing Cleaning including frequently asked questions, columns, tips, product reviews, e-newsletters, transcripts and news releases.
Cleaning Articles
Cleaning FAQ
Avoid Mold in Bath
Bath Remodeling, Cleaning, Fall, Mold, Spring, Summer, Winter...I have mold on my ceiling and behind the shower wall. There is black stuff coming through the plastic wall covering in the shower wall too. What shoul...
Stinky Refrigerator May Have No Solution
Appliances, Cleaning...Dear Tom & Leslie,I have been unable to get rid of a foul smell in my fridge. I have tried baking soda and have even washed it out with bleach tw....
Cleaning Roofs
Cleaning, Roofing...Dear Tom & Leslie,I noticed those unsightly black stains on my shingle roof a few months ago. I'm guessing they are the fungus/mold that grows .....
Painting Over Cigarrette Smoke Stains
Cleaning, Painting & Staining, Walls & Ceilings...Dear Tom & Leslie,I enjoy your program very much. I listen to it on Central Jersey 1450 AM - WCTC, New Brunswick, New Jersey. I am planning to ....
Hot Tips For Cool Summer Home Improvements
Air Conditioning, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Flooring, Lawn & Garden, Siding...Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete host The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated radio show that fields hundred of calls each week from listeners seeking....
Fabulous Floor Fix-ups
Appliances, Cleaning, Kitchen Remodeling, Lighting...Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete host The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated radio show that fields hundred of calls each week from listeners seeking....
Cleaning Columns
Renovating an Older Home
Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Fall, Painting & Staining, Spring, Summer, Winter...Almost a million children under the age of six in this country suffer from lead poisoning. We’ve heard a lot about lead paint and toys in the news r...
Busting the Dust
Cleaning, Insulation & Ventilation...Does dust collect on your home’s surfaces faster than you can keep up with it? Dust can come from several sources and is hard to get rid of completel...
2007 August Money Pit Weekend To-do Projects
Cleaning, Garage, Insulation & Ventilation, Lawn & Garden, Storage & Organization, Summer...Yes, we know you are still sweating bullets right now and almost everyone is, or knows someone who is, on vacation. But as the summer season begins i...
May Weekend Projects
Air Conditioning, Appliances, Cleaning, Lawn & Garden, Spring, Tools...As spring weather streaks to the finish line, you have one wonderful month left to get your spring home improvement projects complete before summer su...
April Weekend Projects
Basements & Crawlspaces, Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Decorating & Design, Mold, Spring...Spring is here! With warmer weather and longer days, it’s a great time to add a few projects to your home improvement to-do list. Here is where to...
January Weekend Projects
Bath Remodeling, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Walls & Ceilings, Winter...Home improvement projects to work on in January that will keep your home in tip top shape all winter long. ...
Ghosts And Goblins Create Holiday Problems
Cleaning...Halloween trick-or-treaters are cute in their costumes, but the tricks they can leave behind are anything but. There’s nothing quite like waking up ....
Power Washers
Cleaning, Patio, Siding...For faster yet effective cleaning, you can do a thorough job with a power washer. You need the punch that a pressure washer packs to really clean th....
Ready - Set- Snow!
Cleaning, Driveways, Paths & Sidewalks, Safety...Are you one the weather watchers betting "El Nino" will send the snow storm "El Dumpo" to the north-east? Even if you're not - n.....
Picture Perfect Painting
Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Painting & Staining, Patio, Siding...Picking up a paintbrush may seem like a straightforward home improvement task. But in truth, this simplest of home improvement projects may too oft....
Spring Cleaning
Cleaning...Yes, it really is time to take down the Christmas lights and begin searching for the lawnmower. As the days warm and lengthen, some of us might even ....
Sweep Into Winter With A Clean Chimney
Chimneys, Cleaning, Contractors...Your mind may still be in summertime mode, but when temperatures drop, it’s time to think about getting your house ready for winter. A good place to ....
Decked Out For Summer
Cleaning, Decks & Porches...Looking for the least expensive way to increase your exterior living space and enjoy a piece of the great outdoors? Building a deck is a great way t....
Clean And Green
Cleaning...When your house calls for cleaning but your cleanser cabinet is bare, there’s no need to run out for more store-bought cleaning products. A search t....
Two Hours To A Clean House
Cleaning...Not everyone today has the time, or support, to tackle a major day-long house cleaning, but the main tasks can be accomplished in less than two hours....
Decked Out For Summer
Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Patio...Looking for the least expensive way to increase your exterior living space and enjoy a piece of the great outdoors? Building a deck is a great way to ...
Cleaning Tips
Spring Cleaning Musts
Cleaning, Spring...If the thought of spring cleaning has you stressed, remember that you can break a spring cleaning marathon into manageable segments. Rather than empty...
Clean Up, Clear Out
Cleaning, Spring...Get ready to take on that spring cleaning. And don’t forget to get rid of old paints and chemicals that are just sitting around....
Clean Up – With Bleach!
Cleaning...Bleach not only keeps your bright but is also a great anti-septic that can kill bacteria which may have been left behind by rodents. Mix 1 part blea....
Stains In Carpet
Cleaning...Wall to wall carpets are expensive and the best way to make them last longer is by keeping it clean. Just like sandpaper, dirt can be the abrasive t....
Cleaning Your Appliances – Inside And Out
Appliances, Cleaning...Are your washer and dryer really clean on the inside? Over the years, washing machines can become contaminated with fecal bacteria potentially leavi....
Recipe For Fresh Garbage Disposer
Cleaning...Does your garbage disposal smell like last night’s dinner? Here’s a recipe to kill odors and keep your disposal fresh. Flush your disposal with a mi....
Got Rot?
Cleaning, Mold, Structure...Rot isn’t just a condition. It’s a living, breathing pack of organisms that can wreak havoc on a home. To evict these unwelcome house guests, you fi....
Cleaning Natural Stone
Cleaning...Cleaning a natural stone surface with the wrong product can actually remove its natural beauty. You can actually shorten the stone’s life or alter i....
Natural Furniture Polish
Cleaning...What do salad dressing and natural furniture polish have in common? Plenty if company is on the way and you need a quick polish for furniture cleani....
Tidy Trash Cans
Cleaning...How many pounds of garbage do you think the average family of 3 generates each week? The answer is about 40 pounds – and that’s a lot of trash to st....
Fragrant Fridge Freshener
Cleaning...A little vanilla extract goes a long way towards removing musty, mildew smells in your refrigerator. For a fresh start, empty your refrigerator and ...
Dressing Up Tile Floors
Cleaning, Flooring...Want a quick tip to keep tile flooring looking like new? Make a solution of white vinegar and water to wash your floor. The vinegar cleans and shines....
Flower Shower
Cleaning...Why would you water an artificial houseplant or silk floral arrangement? Silk or artificial plants do not need a drink of water, but they can use an....
Dye Solution For Grout
Cleaning, Flooring...Looking for a quick way to touch up stained tile grout? You can actually dye your tile grout. But first, you must clean the grout with a good househo....
End To Clothes Dryer Stains
Appliances, Cleaning...A stray crayon, forgotten pen, or excess dye from clothing not only stains clothes, but your dryer, as well. To remove stains in your dryer’s tumble....
‘central’ Allergy Relief
Cleaning, Mold...If you suffer from indoor allergies, a central vacuum system could be “central” to some relief. Central vacuum systems are often highly recommended ....
Old Socks
Cleaning...Don’t toss them yet! Those unmatched socks in your drawers can help you stroll through dusting. Just slip one over your hand and spray it with your f....
Iron Out Sticky Situaton
Cleaning...Do you love starch on your shirt collar, but not on your iron? To iron out starch build up, soak a washcloth in white vinegar: Wring it out and iron ....
Save Oven Cleaning For After Holidays
Appliances, Cleaning...Getting ready for the in-laws to visit? There is one thing you might NOT want to clean. Vacuum and dust to your heart’s content, but think twice befo....
Halloween Pranks
Cleaning...Halloween candy is sweet, but the pranks are anything but. To remove toilet paper from trees, use a long-handled branch trimmer to get paper down, th....
Smoke Out Soot Damage
Cleaning, Mold...If your home has been damaged by a fire’s smoke and soot, don’t give up hope. Depending on the scope of the damage, specially trained professionals ....
Clean Faucet Heads
Cleaning, Faucets...Frustrated by low water pressure? Here’s a tip to help “screen” out a simple, inexpensive solution. Blocked screens at the faucet head often caus....
Concrete Comes Clean
Cleaning...Concrete is one tough material, but cleaning it can be tricky. Concrete is a tough but porous material that can easily hold dirt and grime. But by ap....
Shiny Shower Stalls
Cleaning, Tub & Shower...Do you know what automotive product can also keep your bathroom tile sparkling clean? A thin layer of car wax applied to your shower stall is a great....
Cleaning Product Reviews
1.2.3 Odor Free
Cleaning, Flooring...If you have a pet or small children, you know that stains on carpeting are a fact of life. You have probably tried your best to clean accidents on y....
Introducing Vax® – A New Generation Of Vacuum Cleaners
Cleaning, Flooring...Vax® is calling all consumers to stand up straight and tall for the introduction of a vacuum that puts your comfort first! A new generation of Vax v....
Cleaning E-newsletter
Cleaning E-newsletter Articles
New Year's Resolutions for Your Home - 1/4 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Appliances, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Winter...If you are like most Americans, you made yourself some promises just a few short days ago, and swore you’d keep them this year. But if you are like m...
Stage Your Home for Faster Sale - 12/28 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Lawn & Garden, Plumbing, Product Recomendations, Roofing, Safety, Winter...Selling a home these days can be tough – excess inventory plus the threat of foreclosure is making it a buyers market. How do you attract potential b...
Your Home's Hidden Heat Loss Culprits - 12/14 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Appliances, Caulking, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Fall...You’ve sealed all the leaks, caulked all the gaps and weather-stripped like crazy. So why are you STILL feeling a cold draft? The hidden heat loss c...
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Home for the Holidays - 11/16 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Electrical, Fall, Lawn & Garden, Lighting, Mold, Painting & Staining, Storage & Organization, Windows & Skylights...They're baa-aack... It's that time of year - your relatives are coming! Before you panic that your home isn't up to par, take a breath and do some ve...
Cleaning Up Mischievous Messes - 10/26 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Caulking, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Fall, Safety, Windows & Skylights...In just a few days, you’ll likely catch sight of Hannah Montana, Spiderman, Barbie or even the entire cast of High School Musical roaming around your ...
Get Out Alive - 10/5 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Appliances, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Fall, Lighting, Safety...October is the perfect month for a whole home fire safety check. Each year there are nearly 390,000 reported home fires in this country resulting in ...
Illuminate Your Landscaping - 9/28 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Driveways, Paths & Sidewalks, Electrical, Flooring, Painting & Staining, Product Recomendations, Safety, Siding, Storm Proofing, Walls & Ceilings...In your home, lighting can create a mood, light a work area, keep you safe at night and create drama. You can use exterior lighting to create the sam...
Ease the Financial Squeeze - 9/21 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Bath Remodeling, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Contractors, Fall, Kitchen Remodeling, Lighting, Plumbing...Soaring energy prices, brutal insurance rates, variable rate loans that go nowhere but up – these are tough times for homeowners. It’s gotten so bad ...
Toys & Toxins Don't Mix 9/14 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Cleaning, Energy Savings, Garage, Heating, Product Recomendations, Safety, Storage & Organization, Tools...When was the last time your car saw the inside of your garage? If you’re like many Americans, the answer might be: never! As we accumulate more stuff,...
Dorm Room DIY - 8/17 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Cleaning, Fall, Furniture Refinishing & Repair, Safety...Back-to-school shopping has become big business. But instead of a lava lamp, lounge chair or other groovy accessory, buy your college bound kid somet...
All Decked Out - 4/27 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Basements & Crawlspaces, Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Outdoor Structures, Painting & Staining, Storm Proofing, Walls & Ceilings...Thinking about your next project? Why not add a wood deck to your home? As more of us look for ways to create outdoor living spaces, a deck cost-eff...
Small Kitchens, Big Impact - 4/6 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Basements & Crawlspaces, Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Doors, Faucets, Kitchen Remodeling, Product Recomendations, Tools...If you have a small space, you need to get imaginative to make it seem bigger and create storage for your stuff. If that small space is a kitchen, th...
Replace, Reface or Refinish? 3/16 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Bath Remodeling, Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Kitchen Remodeling, Product Recomendations...There is no doubt that you’re choosing wisely when you choose to remodel your kitchen. It’s probably the single biggest make or break-the-deal room w...
February 9th Money Pit e-Newsletter
Cleaning, Contractors, Energy Savings, Faucets, Flooring, Foundation, Heating, Kitchen Remodeling, Mold, Product Recomendations, Roofing...Construction pros are flocking to Orlando, Florida this weekend, because for them the International Home Builders’ Show is the happiest place on earth...
1/12/07 Money Pit e-Newsletter
Cleaning, Kitchen Remodeling, Painting & Staining, Tools, Windows & Skylights...Big news from Money Pit headquarters: starting Sunday, the most popular home improvement radio show (that’s us!) is joining the line up on the nation'...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for December 15th
Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Flooring, Lawn & Garden, Lighting...Deck the halls, but do it safely! This time of year, festivities and can turn tragic when an overloaded electrical outlet causes a shock or a dried o...
Say No to Extended Warranties! Dec 1st Money Pit e-newsletter
Cleaning, Contractors, Remodels & Additions, Safety...Welcome to December! Now is when the holiday shopping season REALLY gets into full swing. If you’ve got big ticket items on your list – make sure yo...
Avoid Turkey Day Trouble - Money Pit e-Newsletter for 11/17
Cleaning, Insulation & Ventilation...You're planning a full house on Thanksgiving Day, and a four-course meal with all the trimmings. What happens when the unexpected throws a wrench in t...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for July 14th
Air Conditioning, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Caulking, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Home Security, Lawn & Garden...If you’re uncomfortably hot, there’s no need to crank up the AC for relief. There are things you can do that are cheap, easy and smart to keep cool A...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for June 30th
Basements & Crawlspaces, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Foundation, Outdoor Structures, Product Recomendations, Safety, Storm Proofing...Happy Birthday to Us! This Fourth of July, the United States will celebrate birthday number 230. That’s more than two centuries of freedom. Among t...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for June 23rd
Air Conditioning, Basements & Crawlspaces, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Insulation & Ventilation, Mold, Safety...If you’re thinking about how HOT it was last summer, and you just can’t stand to think about sweating through another one, you might want to consider ...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for June 16th
Cleaning, Mold, Product Recomendations, Safety, Siding, Tools, Tub & Shower...Forget the tie, don’t even think about a “World’s Greatest Dad” mug… we know what dad really wants for Father’s Day: tools! Spending on Father’s Day ...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for May 26th
Basements & Crawlspaces, Cleaning, Contractors, Flooring, Foundation, Mold, Product Recomendations...Gas prices got you stranded at home this Memorial Day weekend? Use the extra day to become a real weekend warrior, and take on those projects you’ve ...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for May 19th
Cleaning, Flooring, Outdoor Structures, Painting & Staining, Tools...Have you ever been a victim of cordless interruptus? That’s when you’re in the middle of your latest DIY project and on a roll… when suddenly your po...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for March 31st
Cleaning, Driveways, Paths & Sidewalks, Mold, Product Recomendations, Safety...According to a recent study, the average American loses nearly an hour a day, roughly 12 days a year, looking for things they own but can't find. So ...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for April 7th
Appliances, Cleaning, Decorating & Design...As you take on your annual spring clean fest, remember that dust and pollen aren't the only things that can make you sneeze and sniffle. If you or yo...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for April 14th
Appliances, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Lawn & Garden...Snow on the ground might not be such a distant memory where you are, but the shrubs and trees are sensing a change in the weather - and are starting t...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for March 17th
Cleaning, Mold, Tub & Shower, Windows & Skylights...Happy St. Patty's Day! In honor of the Irish, we've got lots of great tips and advice in this week's issue to help you keep the green in your wallet....
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for March 10th
Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Doors, Driveways, Paths & Sidewalks, Product Recomendations, Tools...A deck is inexpensive way to add square footage to your home, with minimal construction. If you're lucky enough to have one, you know that this "room...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for February 24th
Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Product Recomendations, Safety, Tools...Half a million Americans bought a second home last year. Most say they purchased their home as true vacation home, not a future place to retire. But ...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for February 10th
Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Product Recomendations, Safety...If you and your sweetheart can't agree on a design scheme for your home, you're not alone. Venus and Mars rarely have the same tastes when it comes t...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for February 3rd
Bath Remodeling, Cleaning, Flooring, Windows & Skylights...What was once luxury is now necessity. In 1857, Joseph Gayettey invented toilet paper. Back then it was considered a luxury item. Pages ripped from...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for December 16th
Cleaning, Faucets, Plumbing, Product Recomendations, Tools...'Tis the season to give cordless power tools... Over 100 million cordless tools have been sold in the past two decades and the cordless tool market co...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for December 23rd
Cleaning, Energy Savings, Heating...If your dishwasher is on the fritz, make sure you fix it in time to save your holiday guests from having to form a dish-duty assembly line. This is a...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for December 30th
Cleaning, Energy Savings...If your new home is more expensive than you thought it would be, blame burglars. Believe it or not, theft of building supplies is a growing problem a...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for December 2nd
Appliances, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Product Recomendations...Happy ho-ho-home improvement! DIYers, get ready to shop 'til you drop. According to a recent survey, home improvement products along with housewares...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for December 9th
Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Lighting, Outdoor Structures...It's time to start decking those halls... this time of year means lots of extra lights and sparkle to make the holidays festive. But have you ever tho...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for November 11th
Caulking, Cleaning, Energy Savings, Flooring, Heating, Insulation & Ventilation...Did you know that cold air coming into your warm house from outside is responsible for 80% of your home's heat loss? But chill out, because there are ...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for October 28th
Cleaning, Energy Savings, Plumbing, Product Recomendations, Safety, Toilet...The good news is oil prices are coming down off their August peak. The bad news: we're still in short supply of the fuels that will keep us warm thr...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for August 26th
Air Conditioning, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Lighting, Plumbing, Windows & Skylights...Millions of college kids heading to school know something we never did - style matters. Even if what you're decorating is a 12' x 12' cinderblock cel...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for September 2nd
Cleaning, Heating, Product Recomendations, Storm Proofing, Walls & Ceilings...Mother Nature's fury has hit the Gulf Coast with full force. Our thoughts are with those who are still suffering from the brunt of Hurricane Katrina....
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for May 27th
Basements & Crawlspaces, Cleaning, Faucets, Lawn & Garden...The Memorial Day long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer… when homeowners dust off the grill, spruce up the lawn and start spending much mor...
Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for April 9th:
Cleaning, Flooring, Miscellaneous, Painting & Staining, Product Recomendations...When you drive by a well-landscaped and beautifully manicured front yard, you just have to wonder what the inside of the home looks like. It's calle...
Cleaning Transcripts
Cleaning On Air
Transcript For September 8, 2007, Hour 1
Appliances, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Doors, Flooring, Outdoor Structures, Painting & Staining, Patio, Product Recomendations, Roofing, Tub & Shower, Walls & Ceilings...
Transcript For September 1, 2007, Hour 1
Basements & Crawlspaces, Cleaning, Driveways, Paths & Sidewalks, Electrical, Flooring, Plumbing, Roofing, Stairs & Railings, Windows & Skylights...
Transcript For August 11, 2007, Hour 1
Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Driveways, Paths & Sidewalks, Flooring, Lawn & Garden, Lighting, Roofing, Walls & Ceilings...