Quiz

BuzzFeed Staff

Nifty

How much do you really know about keeping it clean?

Do You Actually Know How To Clean Up After Yourself?

As the liquids heat up, they essentially steam the insides of the microwave, including the crusted-on food. This makes it super easy to wipe out the inside with a clean towel or sponge. Watch the full how-to [here](https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeednifty/videos/1706471652940893/).

You microwave water, vinegar, and lemon slices, then wipe clean.

Your roommate microwaves messy things like chili and spaghetti sauce all the time, but never cleans the microwave. What's the easiest and fastest way to get all of the dried-on gunk off?

Your outfit will smell boozy right aft you spray it down, but as the vodka evaporates, it will take its own smell and all the other smells on the fabric with it. Read our review of this technique and save serious cash on your dry cleaning bill [here](https://www.buzzfeed.com/farrahpenn/popular-pinterest-fashion-hacks-debunked?utm_term=.kqKBWz25O#.cm2g1qpZo).

Spritz with vodka — the other two "hacks" will leave you just as smelly as you were before.

You realize you never got your outfit for today's big presentation to the dry cleaners, and it smells like stale beer and McDonald's. How do you freshen it up while you hop in the shower?

Yeah, you do use soap here, because you're going to have to re-season the pan anyway, and you usually skip the soap because you don't want to damage the seasoning. Read more about all the details (plus how to deal with rust that goes deeper than the surface) at [_Bon Appétit_](http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/how-to/article/cast-iron-pan-rust).

Scrub with a little soap and steel wool (yes, soap, and yes, copper wool is too abrasive), then re-season in the oven however you prefer to re-season.

You pull your mom's beloved cast-iron pan out of the cabinet and realize it's a little bit rusty...probably because you used soap on it last time you cooked. How do you fix it before she finds out?

Just make sure 1) they're metal or a dishwasher-safe plastic and 2) you dry them promptly, so they don't rust. Read the full tutorial [here](http://www.designdazzle.com/2016/01/how-to-clean-floor-and-ceiling-vents-in-the-dishwasher/).

Washing the vent covers in the dishwasher is quicker than wiping them down by hand, and gets them cleaner than vacuuming does.

Your niece has incessant allergies anytime she visits. You notice guiltily one day that your air vents are clogged with dust. What the most efficient thing to do to drastically improve the air in your home?

[Here's the full tutorial.](http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/How-Clean-Natural-Fabric-Couch-33772791)   
Wrinkle-releasing spray may smell good, but it doesn't get rid of odors. Pulling the covers off the cushions to clean them is okay, but depending on the fabric of your couch, washing them like the rest of your clothes could damage them.

You'll want to try sprinkling a coating of baking soda over the cushions. And if that doesn't work, try carpet cleaner.

One of your best friends from college stays on your couch for a week. But after they leave, the couch smells like farts, fries, and armpits. How do you banish the stink?

Read more about how to clean your fridge properly [here](http://www.marthastewart.com/274799/cleaning-your-fridge#167166).

The best way to get rid of the whole spill (leaving no drips to chance!) is to pull out the shelves. Then, coffee grounds or activated charcoal absorb any lingering odors.

You open your fridge one morning and discover that the leftovers on the top shelf have leaked _everywhere_. And they smell like fish. How do you clean it up and ditch the stench?

If you have incredibly hard water, you may need to take the shower head off, dump out the little rocks of buildup if there are any, soak the entire shower head in vinegar overnight, then reattach. Scrubbing Bubbles may make the outside of your shower head look clean, but won't do much for breaking down the buildup. The vinegar and baking soda will react to form water with salt, which also won't really help.

The vinegar basically de-scales the mineral buildup on and inside of the shower head — [here's the tutorial](http://thenymelrosefamily.com/2015/02/how-to-clean-a-shower-head.html#_a5y_p=3385416).

You go to turn on the shower one day, but only a few of the little nozzles on your shower head are actually working. How do you fix it?

[Here's the tutorial.](http://diyconfessions.com/2013/10/14/remove-rust-stains-sink/) Bleach might work, but it might take more time and will definitely smell worse. Vinegar and baking soda will react to form water and salt (plus whatever baking soda doesn't react), so you're basically letting baking soda and water sit on your counter...which is fine, but not a particularly efffective cleaner unless you're scrubbing.

[Cream of tartar](http://www.stain-removal-101.com/cream-of-tartar-uses.html) should be your go-to to get rid of any rust.

A guest of yours left their rusty shaving cream can on the bathroom counter, and it's left a stain. What will it take to make the counter look like new?

A vacuum might blow the glitter up and around, while a piece of duct tape may leave residue. But it's up to you and your house. [From here.](http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2013/11/playdough-christmas-trees.html)

Play Dough or clay will pick up the glitter quickly and easily without spreading it around the house.

A child in your life who really LOVES GLITTER comes to your house, and dumps glitter all over the coffee table and carpet. How do you clean it up without also spreading it around?

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Do You Actually Know How To Clean Up After Yourself?

Learn more about cleaning your whole home, or how to detail clean your car, your desk, your kitchen and your bathroom.

Do You Actually Know How To Clean Up After Yourself?

Learn more about cleaning your whole home, or how to detail clean your car, your desk, your kitchen and your bathroom.

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