A wet-dry vacuum slurps clogs right out of plugged drains; even plumbers use this trick sometimes. If you need to increase suction, seal around the nozzle with a wet rag.
Suck Out Drain Clogs, and Two More Cleaning Tricks
There is a certain satisfaction that comes with keeping a clean home, and it's also healthier. Studies have found that people with clean houses are healthier than people with messy ones, so here are a few tips that make cleaning your home easier and more effective.
Suck Out Drain Clogs
Clean the Air While You Clean the House
Your vacuum's agitator brush and exhaust whip up dust that eventually settles back on the surfaces you've just cleaned. Switch your thermostat to "fan on" to turn on the blower inside your furnace, which filters the air even while the system isn't heating or cooling. Leave the blower on for about 15 minutes after you're done cleaning, then switch it back to "auto" (most blowers aren't designed to run constantly).
Dust With Your Dryer
Blankets, pillows, slipcovers, drapes, and other textiles not only trap household dust, they create it as they shed and disintegrate. Buy machine-washable items when you can and launder them twice a year. For non-machine-washable textiles, throw them in the dryer on the air-fluff setting (no heat) for 20 minutes with a damp towel: the damp towel attracts pet hair, and the tumbling motion and airflow remove the smaller dust particles for you.
Got a handy tip of your own?
Reply and let us know, we love hearing your tips.
This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive — 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →