Household

120 tips · Small tricks. Big impact.

Air a cellar in summer only when outside air holds less moistureAvoid drying wet shoes on heatersAvoid running heating pipes warm unnecessarily in summerAvoid the oven and hob on hot daysBaking powder and sugar mixture on plates against silverfishBaking powder with sugar as ant baitBaking soda paste on mosquito bitesBallpoint stains on cotton treated with alcohol-based hairsprayBasil and lavender as scent plants against mosquitoesBin odour neutralised with baking soda or baking powder on the bottomBin odour reduced with cat litterBleed radiators before the heating season startsBowl of lemon water and lavender flowers against silverfishBowl of raw rice as a simple humidity absorberBrief vigorous cross-ventilation against mosquitoesBuild your own cutlery insert for a drawerCarpet dabbed with a cloth dampened with vinegar waterCarpet stains treated with baking powder and hot waterChalk line as a barrier against antsChoose a shower head delivering less than nine litres per minuteChoose light, airy curtains instead of dark onesClose blinds or curtains during the day before the sun heats the roomCool feet, inner elbows, wrists and neck before sleepCooling compresses for mosquito bitesCross-ventilation through two opposite windowsCucumber peels on the ant trailDab carpet stains instead of rubbingDenying silverfish their habitat through airing and cleaningDescale a faucet with vinegar in a freezer bagDescale an aerator with a vinegar and water solutionDiluted vinegar compress for mosquito bitesDispose of organic waste and fruit scraps promptly against fruit fliesDo not aim the fan straight at the faceDo not let unused rooms cool below 16 degreesDo not store batteries in a metal boxDo not turn the radiator valve to level 5 to heat fasterDrink one or two glasses of water before sleepingDry window condensation with a squeegeeEquip roof windows with exterior sun protectionFan against mosquitoes in the bedroomFill a hot-water bottle with cold water or crushed iceFine-mesh insect screen in front of the windowFloor tiles mopped with lukewarm dish soap waterFree a stiff zipper with soap or candle waxFreeze infested food for several days before disposalFridge odour absorbed by a bowl of coffee groundsFridge odour treated with a small bowl of lemon juiceFully switch off unused appliances rather than leaving them on standbyGrease stain on upholstery treated with baking soda overnightGrease stains on carpet treated with one drop of dish soapHair dryer against moth eggs in crevicesHang a wet cotton sheet in front of the windowHydrogen peroxide or denatured alcohol as household mold treatmentInk stains on carpet treated with vinegar or citric acidKeep a glass of ice cubes on the bedside tableKeep blinds closed and lights off during the daytimeKeep indoor humidity between 40 and 60 percentKeep large furniture away from exterior wallsKeep radiators free of curtains and furnitureKeep the bathroom door shut while the window is open after showeringLabel closed food containersLavender as a scent barrier against clothes mothsLay a lightly dampened sheet over the body or backLeave blinds open at night on west and northwest windowsLemon slice in the oven against odoursLemon slices in a bowl in the bathroom against bad smellsLevel a wobbly table with a spirit levelLoosen adhesive residue with cooking oilMagnetic labels on the pantry shelf as a restock reminderMake a sticking drawer run smoothly with soap on the runnersMildew stains soaked in a stain-salt solutionMildew stains treated with a lemon-salt paste in sunlightMount a sun sail in front of the windowOven cleaned with a baking powder and water pastePlace a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fanPlace the fan at the window in the morning or eveningPlacing a half onion on a mosquito bitePlant trees or shrubs in front of the windowsPre-chill bedding in the fridge before bedtimeRaw potato as a silverfish trapRefill a stripped screw hole with toothpicks and wood glueRemove insole and laces before drying shoesRemove rust from steel with a vinegar and baking soda pasteRemoving standing water around the house against mosquitoesRenew moth-repellent scent sachets every three monthsReplace incandescent bulbs with LED lampsRun the fan only in the room you are in, since it does not lower temperatureSanding cedar wood to keep moths awayScrub stubborn limescale off with an old toothbrushSecure windows against slamming during cross-ventilationSet all radiator thermostats in one room to the same temperatureSew a button on with a toothpick as a spacerShort full-open airing instead of a tilted windowShower lukewarm rather than cold before going to sleepSmelly shoes treated with baking powder overnightSmelly sneakers treated with coffee grounds in a sockSpin laundry hard so less water evaporates indoorsSprinkling cinnamon on the ant trailSqueegee walls and floor right after showeringStains treated with shaving foamStore new batteries in their original packaging and separate by typeStubborn mildew stains soaked overnight in vinegar and dish soapStuff wet shoes with newspaper and replace it regularlySweat odour in clothing removed with a vinegar soakSweat stains on white textiles rubbed with baking powderSwitch off all power strips before going on holidayTile grout cleaned with a baking soda paste and toothbrushTomato stains on white laundry treated with washing sodaTreat a second fridge as a heat source on summer daysUpholstery treated with a 2:1 water and vinegar solutionUse a fan instead of a mobile air conditionerUse an outdoor and an indoor thermometer to decide when to airUse exterior roller shutters or blinds rather than interior onesVentilate in the evening or early morning when outside air is coolerVinegar and dish soap bowl against fruit fliesWiping ant trails with vinegar waterWooden cutting board rubbed with salt and lemon against odoursWrap a cold pack in a towel and place it on feet or neckWrite the best-before date on cans with a markerYellow sweat stains treated with vinegar from a spray bottle