Air-purifying houseplants like a peace lily, bamboo palm, or chrysanthemum lose some of their filtering power when their leaves get dusty. Wiping a little mineral oil onto the leaves with a paper towel creates a shield that keeps dust from settling without blocking the plant's ability to filter the air.
Three Hints for a Cleaner Home, Inside and Out
A few small habits make a real difference in how clean a home feels, from the air it holds to the floors near the front door.
Shield Houseplant Leaves From Dust
Clean the Oven With a Citrus Steam
Filling an oven-safe tray with water, the juice of one lemon, and both lemon halves, then setting it on the middle rack at 450 degrees and letting it steam for 30 minutes, loosens grease for easy wiping while leaving the oven smelling fresh.
Knock Dirt Off at the Door
About 60 percent of household dust comes from dirt tracked in on shoes. Tapping shoes together a few times on the doormat before coming inside eliminates around 40 percent of that tracked-in dirt.
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This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →