376 Make a DIY wire hook to clear stopped drains. Unfold an old wire clothes hanger to make a long wire. Using pliers, bend the end of the wire to form a hook. Put on protective gloves. Remove the drain cover and any dirt, hair, and other debris you can reach with your hand, then use the hook to fish out anything you can’t reach.
377 Clean slow-moving drains with salt and water. Add 1 cup of salt to boiling water or superhot tap water, and pour the mixture down the drain to break down soap clogs.
378 Keep drains clear with boiling water. To keep pipes clear, pour a pot of boiling water down your drains once per week. This method works best on metal pipes since boiling water may be too hot for PVC pipes. If you don’t have metal pipes, use the hottest water from your tap.
379 Clear deep clogs with a drain snake. Use a drain snake, available at hardware stores and online, to clear drains like the pros. To use, slowly insert the snake into the drain. Once you get it down deep into the drain, slowly twist it around a few times to gather the hair and debris that are clogging your drain, then pull the snake back up and out of the drain. Remove the mess from the snake, and repeat the steps 2–3 more times to make sure you’ve removed the entire clog.
380 Prevent clogs with a hair filter. Install a hair filter in the shower drain to keep hair from going down the drain. As the hair gathers in the filter, just pick it up, and throw it in the trash.
When cleaning mold, wear a face mask and gloves, especially if you’re sensitive to mold, mildew, and other allergens, to prevent health problems from mold exposure.
381 Run the exhaust fan to prevent mold. Mold isn’t just unsightly—it’s also a potentially serious health hazard that’s common in wet areas of the home, including bathrooms. To prevent mold and mildew from forming in your bathroom, make it a rule to always run the exhaust fan every time you take a shower or bath to remove steam and moisture that can help bacteria grow. You can also increase air circulation by opening a window and running a dehumidifier.
382 Clean mold, grime, and hard-water deposits from the base of the faucet with a vinegar soak. Saturate a paper towel or cleaning cloth with white vinegar, and wrap it around the base of the faucet to remove bacteria, grime, and mold. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, wipe, and then rinse clean.
383 Prevent mold and mildew on the shower curtain with a salt bath. Take down your shower curtain, and soak it in a tub of warm water with 1/4 cup of salt. Leave for 3–4 hours or overnight, if possible. The salt creates a protective barrier that helps keep soap scum, mold, and mildew from forming.
384 Prevent soap scum with an all-natural homemade daily shower spray. Spray your shower with this DIY spray every day after your family is finished showering to prevent soap scum, mold, and mildew before it forms.
11/2 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup vodka or rubbing alcohol
1 teaspoon natural dish soap
15 drops lime essential oil
15 drops tea tree oil
1-quart spray bottle
Combine the ingredients in a 1-quart spray bottle.
Spray on shower doors and walls after every shower.
385 Store towels on towel bars to dry completely between uses. Hooks may seem like an inexpensive and space-saving solution to dry your towels between uses, but it’s actually really difficult for towels to dry completely when they’re folded up on hooks, which can encourage mildew and bacteria growth.
386 Eliminate tough mold stains with a homemade mold eliminator. This recipe can be used to clean porcelain, tile, and painted walls. If this method doesn’t work, you may need to call a mold removal company.
2 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup borax
Spray bottle
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine, then spray the affected area liberally with the solution.
Scrub with a brush or sponge, and wipe clean with a cloth or paper towels.
Spray again, let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then wipe clean.
387 Remove grime and mildew in hard-to-reach places with an old toothbrush. Use a toothbrush to scrub mildew away from faucet bases, grout, and other places cleaning cloths just can’t reach.
388 Nix mold and mildew from your shower with vodka. Spray vodka on the area, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Scrub with a brush or sponge, then rinse clean.