For example, you’re able to use a shop vac for water removal. Use a three-prong extension cord that is rated for the shop vacuum’s amperage. Unlatch the top, blower-unit section of the vacuum. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Remove the collection bag and any fasteners and set them aside. In some cases, they are plastic units with attached pleated paper folds. Or they might be filter cloths that wrap around the filter unit, secured with a rubber band....

A steamer is a fast, easy-to-use appliance for removing wrinkles from furniture slipcovers, upholstery, and drapes. A clothes steamer can even cleantough grime and sanitizehard surfaces around the house. Before You Begin Clothes steamersheat water to produce steam distributed through a directional nozzle. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Never direct the steam toward your hands or attempt to steam a garment while wearing it. Water sputters can leave stains on some fabrics and take longer to dry....

The convenience of Swiffer products means no moredustersor dirty mop heads to clean. Slip on adisposable dusteror floor cleaning pad and toss it out afterward. Here’s how to use a Swiffer to wash your floors. The Spruce / Ana Cadena grab the correct Swiffer cleaning solution for your floor. Using the wrong solution can leave the floor with streaks or feel sticky. The Spruce / Ana Cadena The Spruce / Ana Cadena...

A drain auger, on the other hand, will not scratch the porcelain of your toilet. For that reason, it is never recommended to use an electric snake to clean a toilet stoppage. What Is a Toilet Auger? The Spruce / Sarah Lee A toilet auger is a specialized form of drain snake. Toilet Auger vs. Toilet Plunger When a toilet becomes clogged, the first course of action is to try using atoilet plunger....

The easiest way to remove or replace damaged vinyl siding is to use a vinyl siding removal tool. Most importantly, by using this tool you won’t damage the siding in the process. What Is a Vinyl Siding Removal Tool? Kat72 / Getty Images A zip tool separates vinyl siding’s hidden joints that lock the pieces together. The best vinyl siding removal tools are made of metal and have a high-quality non-slip grip....

But is acoustic caulk worth it? It doesn’t seem like acoustic caulk should work, but it does. Read on for our guide to using acoustic calk forsoundproofing. Vstock/UpperCut Images/Getty Images What Is Acoustic Calk? Though acoustic caulk costs more than regular silicone caulk, it’s worth the cost. Acoustic Caulk vs. Silicone sealant is good to keep air from getting through cracks but isn’t usually good for soundproofing. How is the air coming into your room?...

Below, we’ve laid out how to use an oscillating multitool 16 useful ways. What Is an Oscillating Multitool? An oscillating multitool is a handheld power tool with a rapidly oscillating head that can fit numerous attachments. The Spruce / Ashley Luciano Cut Curves in Drywall An oscillating multitool is a powerful tool forhanging drywall. The tool does all the work. Sand Corners Before oscillating multitools arrived on the scene, sanding corners was difficult and time consuming....

But should you combine baking soda and vinegar in a laundry load? Read on for tips on using each of these powerhouse household staples to achieve cleaner, better-looking laundry. Should You Combine Baking Soda and Vinegar in the Laundry? The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak Do not combine baking soda and vinegar in the samecyclewhen doing laundry. Neither is effective alone as a substitute for awell-balanced laundry detergent, but can befunctional when used correctly....

Read on to learn how to boost your laundry skills using baking soda. Baking soda can enhance the effectiveness of the detergent. Wash and Dry as Usual Wash and dry your clothing as you normally would. The Spruce You may discover that even less detergent is needed and that your clothes are softer than usual. Baking Soda vs. ## Additional Tips for Using Baking Soda in Your Laundry No. Baking soda should only be placed directly in the drum of your washing machine....

Baking soda also can absorb oils that introduce odors into the laundry. In a pinch, you’ve got the option to even substitute baking soda for laundry detergent! Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash load of your top-loader or front-loader machine. The Spruce / Kori Livingston It won’t suds up like most non-laundry soaps, so it’s safe to use in front-loaders. Removing Smoky Smells Smoke tends to cling to the fibers within our laundry....

Today, bohemian is more of an adjective than a noun and indicates an aesthetic influenced by generations past. Check out these boho design style ideas for inspiration on how to make your home decor more eclectic. What Is Boho Style? The Spruce / Almar Creative Boho-style home decor combines items that are relaxed, bold, and unconventional. Popular materials in boho-style design include wicker, macrame wood, leafy plants, and leather. The style is relaxed and free-spirited with a decidedly global feel....

What Is Borax? Borax is a natural mineral, sodium tetraborate, which has been mined and used for thousands of years. (Borax and boric acid are borates but boric acid is processed differently and more corrosive.) The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija Learn below how to properly use borax in your laundry. Use one or all three steps below. Just as otheroxygen-based bleaches, hydrogen peroxide breaks down safely into water and oxygen....

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa For a moreeco-friendly alternativeto commercial laundry detergent, look tocastile soap. Why don’t more people usecastile soapfor laundry? Learn how to use castile soap in your laundry, as well asmistakes to avoid. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Meet the Expert What Is Castile Soap and What Does It Do? Why Should You Use Castile Soap for Laundry? It’s a gentle soap that is wonderful for washing delicate fabrics....