How do I remove sticky residue from Elmer's Multipurpose Spray Adhesive from my wooden desk? [more inside]
posted by lucy.jakobs on Oct 26, 2009 - 12 answers

Drafty castles, stone construction, floors strewn with rushes, noble ladies' trailing gowns... Anyone who's read any historical fiction set in the Middle Ages is familiar with these popular Medieval motifs, but I have been troubled by a number of questions about these items. Perhaps we have some period history mavens who can ease my confusion? (Warning: Long! Strewn! Possibly moldy.) [more inside]
posted by taz on Sep 23, 2009 - 28 answers

Help us de-neurose, de-jealous-ize my cranky canine please! [more inside]
posted by amelioration on Jul 23, 2009 - 17 answers

Help me man-up! Inspired by these questions, I would like some pointers about how to become a more capable, handy man. [more inside]
posted by man down under on Jul 10, 2009 - 35 answers

One of the burners on the gas stove isn't lighting all the way. What should I do next? [more inside]
posted by chengjih on Apr 29, 2009 - 7 answers

Last year, I hired someone to clean my house. I didn't do the correct registrations for US tax purposes. How do I make this right? [more inside]
posted by carpographer on Apr 5, 2009 - 4 answers

How do you keep your laundry system running smoothly in a bi-level (or larger) house? I want to hear how others have set up hampers, etc or otherwise established a system to efficiently move clean and dirty clothes to and from the laundry room. [more inside]
posted by jacksides on Mar 2, 2009 - 17 answers

What's the typical usable life of common household items? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot on Jan 13, 2009 - 17 answers

Can you suggest some replacements for standard, everyday household items that are far superior in terms of usefulness, luxuriousness and quality? [more inside]
posted by Balonious Assault on Dec 2, 2008 - 100 answers

Please suggest products that I should and should not use to clean different parts of the kitchen, such as a laminate counter top, stainless steel sink, or metal stove top. I am particularly interested in products that won't generate fumes that will send me out of the kitchen. [more inside]
posted by grouse on Oct 25, 2008 - 21 answers

Bicycle per household statistics? [more inside]
posted by BeaverTerror on Sep 26, 2008 - 2 answers

We suddenly have a whole lot more dirty/clean/drying dishes by our sink. We have a small kitchen, and the pile is enduring and unsightly. Do you have a better method for drying a steady stream of dishes than leaving a big pile sitting out for most of the day? [more inside]
posted by dreamphone on Sep 3, 2008 - 24 answers

What's the coolest thing I can buy for $200? [more inside]
posted by andreux on Aug 27, 2008 - 47 answers

What is causing the strange metallic "clank" sounds that appear to be coming from one of the junction boxes on my ceiling? [more inside]
posted by philmas on Aug 18, 2008 - 8 answers

Are there any online goal or chore trackers that can be used by more than one person? [more inside]
posted by logic vs love on Jul 21, 2008 - 5 answers

Please help me with a weird house-buying situation caused by the mortgage crunch. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 12, 2008 - 26 answers

Please help me with oganization of daily tasks at home and at work. [more inside]
posted by mintchip on May 8, 2008 - 10 answers

Why does the water from our kitchen sink come out white? It appears to be thousands of tiny air bubbles and they eventually clear up a few minutes after I pour a glass of water. But what causes this? I'm assuming its safe to drink because its just air (and this is what I tell all our weirded out guests) but really...why?
posted by minicloud on Apr 9, 2008 - 5 answers

How much was that stuff worth? I have to prepare a fairly precise net worth statement for Sept 93 on short notice. Most is easily pulled off old statements, but how do I come up with a solid fair market valuation for household/personal goods? It's peak tax season, so impossible to get an fast answer from an accountant. The only obvious calculator just throws validation errors. [more inside]
posted by nakedcodemonkey on Mar 28, 2008 - 3 answers

I bought a house a few months ago, shortly thereafter asked a friend and former housemate to move in with me, and am now feeling almost constantly enraged by behaviors that didn't bother me so much when I didn't own the house we shared. In fairness to myself, I think some of the behaviors are genuinely unfortunate--but I need some advice on what are reasonable limitations and how to stop my own complete transformation into a raging, miserable Nazi. [more inside]
posted by vegsister on Feb 21, 2008 - 15 answers

How do you get a good amount of chewing gum out of a clothes dryer most efficiently. [more inside]
posted by prodevel on Jan 25, 2008 - 10 answers

What are the real dangers of mold?? Our master bathroom with something leaking somewhere and it has damaged the wood floor under the vinyl. [more inside]
posted by beccaj on Jan 15, 2008 - 11 answers

How do you keep incoming mail neat, organized, and dealt with in a timely fashion? [more inside]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur on Dec 26, 2007 - 19 answers

I don't normally wash my clothes after each wearing. I'm lazy/cheap and I hate wastefulness. But I also don't like to fold them up and put them back in the drawer, because even a little smell or dust will negatively effect the surrounding clean clothes. Both my boyfriend and I do this, and we do not have a good place to put these limbo clothes in our apartment. Where/how do we store our not clean, not dirty clothes?
posted by bookish on Dec 17, 2007 - 42 answers

Where can I find a Saeco Piccolo steam cleaner in the US? [more inside]
posted by melissa may on Dec 13, 2007 - 5 answers

Any electricians out there? How can a household circuit *halfway* stop working? I am confused. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Lokheed on Oct 26, 2007 - 13 answers

Our kitchen sponge starts to smell like mildew after less than a week of normal use. We use a standard "scrubby" sponge that has an abrasive side and an absorbent sponge side. Has anybody else experienced this problem, and if so, what did you do about it, or do you have any general advice about keeping sponges from mildewing quickly? [more inside]
posted by ezrainch on Aug 13, 2007 - 37 answers

What is the best method for cleaning broken eggs off of grass during an event? This must be done in a timely manner over a fairly large area, with the help of 4 people. [more inside]
posted by Jenna Roadman on Jun 28, 2007 - 11 answers

I just found some mold growing in the corner of my microwave. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 2, 2007 - 15 answers

How can I make my household more functional and less antagonistic this summer? Tons of details inside. [more inside]
posted by k8t on Apr 11, 2007 - 34 answers

Folger loving Father spilled coffee grounds into main water chamber of Krups Dual Drip Machine (867), then proceeded to brew coffee anyway. The result was to bake all those coffee grounds onto the sides of the water chamber. How can I safely clean the water chamber? [more inside]
posted by IndigoSkye on Jan 16, 2007 - 7 answers

My parents have been given a bottle of imported gin for Christmas. They are teetotal. While I do drink, I hate gin. Does gin have any household applications? [more inside]
posted by randomination on Jan 6, 2007 - 47 answers

What small indulgences or habits do you have that make your life so much easier? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Dec 29, 2006 - 62 answers

I'm looking for household organization templates. [more inside]
posted by Human Flesh on Oct 27, 2006 - 4 answers

I live in a hundred-year old house (in Los Angeles, no less!) that has limited electrical outlets. I have unlimited (it seems) electronics - three computers, monitors, two laser printers, two air conditioners, electric heater (in the winter), etc. The house was upgraded from old-style fuses to circuit breakers a few years ago. It is a rental so I am not able to do any upgrades. None of the wall outlets are three prong, so I am using adapters. In the summer, my office is just overdone with things drawing power - all three computers, the printers, AC, and probably 20 (or more) smaller items - cell phone, postage scale, radio, etc.... [more inside]
posted by soulbarn on Sep 16, 2006 - 12 answers

A treasured white T-shirt (with logo) has gone from bright white to dull blue thanks to an errant blue T-shirt... [more inside]
posted by badlydubbedboy on Aug 8, 2006 - 6 answers

This may seem like one of those "duh" questions, but I've just put in my very first air conditioner (thanks to MeFites) and have a few quick questions. [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Aug 1, 2006 - 26 answers

Can anyone recommend any guidelines or specific household appliances (eg fridge, freezer, washing machine, sofa and bed) that are reasonably environmentally friendly and affordable (in the UK)? [more inside]
posted by badlydubbedboy on Jun 22, 2006 - 2 answers

Is vinegar really effective as a household cleaner? [more inside]
posted by catfood on Apr 12, 2006 - 33 answers

Does household natural gas pool in low places or rise to high places? [more inside]
posted by freebird on Feb 13, 2006 - 19 answers

My father has a problem with mold and humidity in his house. It grows copiously on the exterior walls of exactly one bedroom. Condensation appears on the windows, to the extent that there is a puddle of water on the window sill every morning; and this is a year long phenomenon. (Interestingly, the area around the windows does not get moldy. )The humidity in this room is literally palpable. We pulled up the carpet today, but it was always moist to the touch, towels don't dry, etc. The walls have to be cleaned with bleach every month or two. There is an adjoining bathroom, and we've tried leaving the windows open but it seems to have no effect. In any case, there is another bathroom in the house which in never ventilated and there is practically no mold. At this point we need to pinpoint the source of the humidity, and why it is only found in this room. Any ideas? If you need more info just ask.
posted by zorro astor on Jan 27, 2006 - 12 answers

Help me get a horrible ink stain out of my favorite shirt! [more inside]
posted by josh on Jan 6, 2006 - 14 answers

Can I plug my dryer into this outlet meant for an electric range? [images inside] [more inside]
posted by FearTormento on Dec 7, 2005 - 22 answers

How can I get my roommates to clean up after themselves? [more inside]
posted by k8t on Oct 25, 2005 - 48 answers

I have an antique photo album that stinks and I am looking for tips to neutralise the smell... [more inside]
posted by fire&wings on Aug 12, 2005 - 7 answers

How can I fix a leaking above-ground pool filter (with epoxy or something)? Should I try or will this mess it up further? [more inside]
posted by Morrigan on Aug 3, 2005 - 3 answers

How much does it cost (or what is the amount of electricity / volume of water used) to do one full load of laundry, as an average. Or, how would I go about getting precise figures for this? I want to know how much too much we pay to operate the pay-per-load laundry machines in our new apartment building.
posted by ChrisR on Jul 16, 2005 - 5 answers

What real benefits are there to continuing to feed my Water Softener? [more inside]
posted by thanotopsis on Jul 8, 2005 - 12 answers

I'm trying to locate outdoor wall-mounted coach-lantern light fixtures that have a built-in photocell... [more inside]
posted by gwenzel on Jun 27, 2005 - 5 answers

So the building has no history of mice infestation, as far as I know. The place has always been immaculate. Recently I have been living there on the generosity of a good friend. The past fortnight has been a bit difficult, and I reverted to being a slob. There are no tracks, no droppings: no sign of anything. But just now I saw a mouse taking a stroll down the hall. Have I fucked my friend's place? Even if I get rid of the little critters, will they always come back? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 2, 2005 - 17 answers