How to clean everyday household surfaces
Clean everyday hard surfaces with a material-appropriate routine. Learn how cleaning differs from disinfecting and what to check on the label.
The how-to collection
Home & cleaning
Small jobs that make your space work better.
54 step-by-step guides
How to organize a drawer so it stays useful
Organize a messy drawer with supplies you already have. Sort its contents, create useful groups, and set up an easy daily reset.
How do I clean a microwave safely?
Remove everyday food splashes from a cool microwave using a soft cloth and mild dish soap, then rinse and dry.
How to read laundry symbols on clothing labels
Understand the main washing, drying, bleach, and ironing symbols on clothing labels before choosing a laundry cycle.
How to remove coffee stains from washable clothes
Treat a coffee spill on washable clothing, choose a fabric-safe laundry product, and check the stain before putting the garment in a dryer.
How to clean a washing machine without mixing cleaners
Clean a washer using its approved maintenance cycle, wipe accessible residue, and check dispensers and door seals with the machine’s manual.
How to clean a dishwasher and its accessible filter
Clear accessible debris, check the filter instructions, and run an approved dishwasher-cleaning cycle without combining products.
How to fold a fitted sheet into a tidy rectangle
Tuck the corners of a fitted sheet together, flatten the elastic edges, and fold a compact rectangle that fits your linen shelf.
How to change a light bulb in a table lamp
Replace an ordinary screw-in light bulb safely, match its base and wattage, and know when a damaged socket needs repair.
How to patch small holes in drywall
Fill nail holes and shallow dents with spackle, smooth the repair, and prepare it for paint without making the patch stand out.
How to remove a spring-loaded window screen
Remove a side-spring window screen without pulling the mesh, bending the frame, or confusing it with the glass sash.
How to tilt a window sash for cleaning
Identify tilt latches, support a lower window sash, clean it indoors, and understand why complete sash removal needs the exact model procedure.
How to use a multimeter: test an AA battery
Learn COM and V sockets, select DC volts, and take a simple AA battery reading without using the current input or household wiring.
How to replace a single-pole light switch
Understand a basic single-pole switch replacement, verify power is off, identify when to stop, and use the exact switch manufacturer’s wiring instructions.
How to hang a picture: studs, wall anchors, and a level frame
Hang a framed picture with the right wall anchors or stud fixing. Follow the stud-finder demonstration, measure the hanger position, and level the frame.
How to change a smoke alarm battery
Change a replaceable smoke detector battery, match the correct battery type and polarity, close the compartment, and test the alarm afterward.
How to lubricate a garage door
Lubricate accessible garage-door hinges and serviceable roller bearings, keep tracks clean, and recognize parts that need professional service.
How to shut off the water main inside your home
Find your indoor main water shutoff, recognize lever and wheel valves, check that the supply is off, and reopen the supply slowly after a repair.
How to replace a kitchen faucet
Change a sink-mounted kitchen faucet with a clear removal and installation sequence, including shutoff checks, mounting hardware, supply connections and leak testing.
How to clean an oven by hand without damaging its finish
Hand-clean a cooled oven with the right method for its liner, racks and door. Avoid damaged seals, cleaner residue and unsuitable products.
How to replace a toilet flapper and check for a silent leak
Replace a compatible flapper in a gravity-flush toilet, set the chain correctly, and test whether the tank still leaks into the bowl.
How to clean tile grout without damaging the tile
Clean intact grout on ceramic or porcelain tile with a material-compatible cleaner, a small test patch, gentle agitation, and thorough residue removal.
How to clean wood and faux-wood blinds while they hang
Dust both sides of horizontal wood blinds and spot-clean compatible faux wood without soaking the headrail or damaging the finish.
Paintbrush vs roller: which tool fits the job?
Compare brushes, full-size rollers and mini rollers by surface, access and finish. Build a painting kit that fits the job without buying every tool.
How to replace felt furniture pads that keep coming off
Replace worn chair-leg felt pads, choose a close fit, prepare the feet for adhesion, and keep grit from scratching a hard floor.
How to clean a faucet aerator and restore an even stream
Identify a removable faucet aerator, keep its parts in order, clear debris, and reinstall it without damaging the threads or finish.
How to get rid of fruit flies in your kitchen
Get rid of kitchen fruit flies by finding breeding spots, cleaning food residue and trapping adults. Includes a vinegar trap and optional Lowe’s supplies.
How to clean a garbage disposal and its splash guard
Clean a smelly garbage disposal safely, including the splash guard, and distinguish ordinary residue from a jam, leak or drainage problem.
How to clean a grill: grates, cookbox and grease tray
Clean a gas grill beyond the grate: remove grease buildup, choose surface-safe tools and check the catch pan before cooking again.
How to clean windows without leaving streaks
Clean accessible window glass with a squeegee or cloth, protect frames and coatings, and troubleshoot streaks without abrasive scraping.
How to fix a running toilet: find the leak before buying parts
Diagnose a toilet that keeps running: check the flapper, chain, water level, refill tube and fill valve before choosing a compatible repair.
How to remove a stripped screw without making it worse
Remove a stripped screw by checking the drive, gripping an exposed head or using the correct extractor. Learn when to stop before damaging the work.
How to remove wall anchors and prepare the hole for repair
Remove common plastic and self-drilling drywall anchors with less wall damage. Identify toggles and metal anchors before pulling or patching.
How to remove wallpaper without tearing up the wall
Identify strippable, peelable and washable wallpaper, soften the adhesive carefully and prepare the wall for its next finish.
How to grout tile: fill joints and clean without washing them out
Grout an installed tile surface with a rubber float, controlled cleanup and the correct curing schedule. Includes grout selection and common mistakes.
How to hang drywall on an interior wall
Plan drywall sheets, cut accurately and fasten panels to framing while avoiding torn paper, unsupported edges and hidden services.
How to tape and mud drywall for a smooth painted wall
Tape drywall seams, embed paper tape, build thin feathered coats and inspect the finish before primer. Avoid bubbles, ridges and rushed sanding.
How to install baseboards with neat corners
Measure, cut and fit baseboard trim, choose corner joints and fasten to framing without trapping a floating floor.
How to stop a smoke detector from beeping: identify the warning first
Distinguish a smoke or CO alarm from a low-battery chirp, check the model and age, and restore protection without disabling the alarm.
How to reset a GFCI outlet and know when to stop
Reset and test a GFCI outlet using its buttons, check connected appliances and recognize a repeat trip or failed reset that needs an electrician.
How to use a drill: your first straight hole in wood
Learn drill controls, select a wood bit, clamp the work and make a clean practice hole. Includes drill mode versus the screwdriving clutch.
How to use a circular saw for a straight cut in wood
Set up a circular saw for a straight wood cut with correct support, blade clearance, a guide and a controlled finish.
How to use a miter saw for a square crosscut
Mount a miter saw, support and clamp stock, align the blade on the waste side and finish a basic crosscut with control.
How to use a non-contact voltage tester—and understand its limits
Check a non-contact voltage tester on a known live source before and after use. Understand why a silent pen does not prove wiring is safe.
How to use drywall anchors for a small wall-mounted item
Choose a drywall anchor for the wall and load, check the location, install it flush and tighten the matching screw without damaging the board.
How to clean copper without damaging the finish
Choose the right cleaning method for bare copper, lacquered copper or cookware, then remove grime and polish only where the finish allows it.
How to clean brass: solid, plated and lacquered finishes
Clean brass hardware and decorative objects with a finish-first approach. Use the selector to avoid polishing through plating or damaging lacquer.
How to unclog a toilet without a plunger
Stop an overflow, try a gentle method for a minor paper clog, and recognize when a toilet auger or plumber is the better next step.
How to clean a shower head without harming its finish
Clear shower-head spray nozzles, choose a finish-safe cleaner and check whether a weak spray is caused by deposits or another problem.
How to wash a pillow without ruining the filling
Check whether your pillow can be machine washed, spot cleaned or cover-washed only, and make sure the filling is dry before putting it back on the bed.
How to get pee out of a mattress
Blot a fresh accident, choose a mattress-compatible spot cleaner and dry the mattress fully without flooding the foam.
How to remove acrylic paint from clothes
Treat wet acrylic paint quickly, check fabric compatibility and avoid setting the stain in a dryer. Dried paint needs realistic expectations.
How to get nail polish out of clothing safely
Check fibers before using nail-polish remover, blot the stain without spreading it and inspect before machine drying.
How to wash an electric blanket safely
Find your heated blanket’s cleaning instructions, disconnect its controls and dry it completely before use. Do not apply one model’s cycle to every blanket.