Home Ideas

Designer Kate Lester created a modern farmhouse vibe in this California home with the help of the homeowner’s vintage treasures. Many of the other furnishings reflect her Oklahoma roots, while architectural details, contemporary light fixtures and unique flooring exude a relaxed aesthetic. Layered throughout the space, which the family of four share with their cat, are cherished heirlooms, including the wife’s grandmother’s china and a beloved wooden dining table. “If everything were new, the house wouldn’t be nearly as cool,” says Kate, who is based in Hermosa Beach, CA.
To transform this Manhattan Beach, CA property into a modern farmhouse fit for a family of four, Kate leaned on a dazzling blend of contemporary and rustic touches.
Kitchen

Amy Bartlam

Add simple wood paneling.
Kate used simple wood panels behind shelves and chose a wooden range hood for a hint of a farmhouse feel while sticking to a classic black-and-white palette throughout the house. To showcase the owner’s impressive collection of vintage finds, she played with placement and scale by propping up favorite pieces instead of hanging them.
For a similar look: Blake White Server, mybobs.com; Ivy Bronx Kamren Armed Sconces, wayfair.com.
Dining Room

Amy Bartlam

Replace dining room seating with a rustic bench.
Kate made a cushion and attached it to a wooden bench with recycled-leather straps. The table belonged to the homeowner’s grandmother, and the fabric for the chair is reminiscent of vintage grain sacks.
For a similar look: Whitney Antique Linen With Weathered Grey Bench By Liberty, overstock.com.
Living Room

Amy Bartlam

Fake upscale drawer fronts.
Love the look of small individual drawers but need more storage? Ask your contractor to make grooves in a basic large dresser to give the illusion of smaller drawers, then affix the hardware of your choice, Kate suggests.
For a similar look: Farrow Rustic Coffee Table by Linon Home, bedbathandbeyond.com; Wesley Microfiber Sofa with Rolled Arms by Lifestyle Solutions, homedepot.com.
Bedroom

Amy Bartlam

Go for high contrast.
Kate nailed the look with a black canopy bed to ground the room and a reclaimed-wood beam on the ceiling. “Browns, blacks and other dark tones add instant sophistication,” she says.
For a similar look: Dubay Canopy Bed by Hashtag Home, wayfair.com.
Bathrooms

Amy Bartlam

Put a farmhouse sink in the powder room.
Kate took a few surprising risks in the powder room. Along with a farmer’s sink in a striking black hue, she used rich blue wall panels to draw the eye to a floral wall (and ceiling) covering made of vintage paper.
For a similar look: Blanco Precis Anthracite Single Bowl Undermount Sink, lowes.com.

Amy Bartlam

Add striking black accents.
A shower door with a transom opening allows steam to escape and adds interest. Patterned tile breaks up an otherwise all-white room.

Get This Look

SomerTile Cilento Nero Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
SomerTile overstock.com

Carnany Lower Solid Wood Bench
Joss & Main jossandmain.com

Rogue Small Oval Brass Mirror
CB2 cb2.com

Pellegrini Solid Wood Utility Stool
Gracie Oaks wayfair.com

Playroom

Amy Bartlam

Build a daybed in a corner.
Kate transformed one end of the playroom into a cozy area for lounging by adding an enormous custom daybed topped with a mattress-style cushion and storage underneath that the homeowner uses for wrapping paper. She finished off the laid-back space with mismatched pillows and an intriguing gallery corner complete with vintage polo mallets.
For a similar look: Carmelita Full Daybed, wayfair.com; Woven Nayland Throw Blanket, anthropologie.com; Planets Decal, crateandbarrel.com; Block Print Cotton Suri Area Rug, worldmarket.com; “Ask More Questions” Print, Anthony Burrill.
A version of this feature appeared in the July/August 2020 issue of Good Housekeeping.
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Designer Karen B. Wolf set out to make this Montclair, NJ home, built in 1891, suitable for a busy family of five that includes three boys under 10. Her passion for designing spaces with “modern elegance” is evident throughout the open floor plan, from the color palette to her use of natural materials. “We wanted to bring a relaxed, warm, modern vibe with a touch of boho to the space,” she says.
To achieve the homeowner’s desired look and feel, she mixed warm neutrals and soothing blue hues to accent the vintage home’s beautiful architecture.
Breakfast Nook

Raquel Langworthy

Craft a breakfast nook that doubles as a home office.
This multipurpose eating area, which functions as a workspace while the owners (both lawyers) work from home, has a relaxed, rustic vibe. Large-scale shiplap creates a spot distinct from the sleek, modern kitchen. “Plus, it opens up the space and adds farmhouse charm,” says Karen.
For a similar look: Out to Sea Art Print by Carolyn Maclaren, minted.com; Whitesburg Dining Room Chairs, ashleyfurniture.com.
Kitchen

Raquel Langworthy

Create a “mudroom” in a kitchen corner.
This historic house didn’t have a natural area for stowing shoes, jackets and sports equipment, so Karen added a large storage cabinet in the corner of the open kitchen-dining space. “I designed every nook and cranny to be functional,” she says. A wooden bench, along with floating wood shelves to display books and decorative objects, adheres to the layout’s farmhouse flair.
For a similar look: Two-Tone Woven Basket, westelm.com.
Bathroom

Raquel Langworthy

Use a rustic ladder as a towel rod.
The bathroom’s graphic floor tile in soft blue adds freshness to the design and complements the subway tile walls, which feature a hand-glazed texture with a subtle sheen. A decorative wood ladder for towels plays up the bohemian vibe. “The wall was a negative space and needed a focal element and height to bring your eye to the vanity area,” Karen says.
For a similar look: Decorative Eucalyptus Ladder, worldmarket.com.
Bedroom

Raquel Langworthy

Embellish drawer knobs with tassels.
Rather than a traditional headboard and nightstand, Karen relied on hand-carved designs to give the space a globally inspired feel. She finished the look with simple cotton tassels.
For a similar look: Bechtold 2 Drawer Nightstand by Wrought Studio, wayfair.com.
Dining Room

Raquel Langworthy

Hang a nontraditional chandelier.
In the dining room, Karen chose a large candelabra-style light fixture to boost visual interest with rustic charm. Coral floral wallpaper, along with blue trim and wainscoting, pulls the room together. Benjamin Moore’s Smoke, a trendy blue-gray paint color, adds unexpected calm to the high-traffic space.
For a similar look: Cachil Dining Room Candelabra Chandelier by LNC, homedepot.com.
A version of this feature appeared in the October 2020 issue of Good Housekeeping.
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With their fragrant flowers, verdant foliage, and sweet harvest, fruit trees are the ultimate garden multitaskers. They attract beneficial pollinators and provide produce that’s even fresher than your farmers’ market haul. Even better, almost every aspiring gardener can own one, whether it’s in a sprawling backyard, on a patio, or tucked into the corner of a city balcony.
Certain varieties of apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, and fig trees remain a manageable size while still providing a bountiful harvest. You can even espalier their branches into decorative shapes to line a terrace or wall. Get the full run-down on growing your own fruit tree below, and start dreaming about all of the tarts and pies coming your way.
How to Choose a Fruit Tree
Fruit trees are good in pots as long as they are grown on a rootstock — any specialist supplier can help you select the right one for your balcony if you are unsure.
Always check with suppliers to see if you need more than one tree to ensure good pollination. Some fruit trees, such as cherries, apricots, and peaches, are self-fertile, so you will get fruit with only one tree. Others, such as apples and pears, need a partner nearby to ensure pollination. If you have room for only one apple or pear tree, a “family” tree, in which three varieties have been grafted onto one rootstock, is ideal.
How to Plant and Grow Fruit Trees

Traditional 13-Inch Planter Pot
PSW amazon.com
$37.24

You can grow fruit trees in pots at least 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot deep. Galvanized dustbins come in the ideal size, look surprisingly elegant, and cost fairly little at hardware stores. Heavier options include halved wooden barrels or terracotta pots, while for super-lightweight versions consider plastic planters or rubber Tubtrugs. Drill drainage holes into the base if they don’t already have them.
You will also need to anchor the tree to some type of support, as a fruit tree in full leaf can really catch the wind. Since fruit trees will live for many years, it’s best to plant them in a soil-based potting mix that releases nutrients slowly. Place the trees in a sunny spot to get a really good, sweet crop.
Feed potted fruit trees every two weeks from blossom time to mid-autumn with a high-potash feed such as liquid seaweed and keep them well watered. It’s a good idea to mulch the surface of the soil (with shingle or coco shells, for example) to keep moisture in. The traditional time to plant fruit trees is in the dormant season from mid-fall to early spring, though you can pick up potted trees all year round. The pruning required varies depending on the form and type of fruit tree; it’s worth buying from a specialist supplier who will provide detailed instructions.
Adapted from The Edible Balcony by Alex Mitchell
Apple Trees

OliverChilds

Honeycrisp Apple Tree
Online Orchards homedepot.com
$31.73

It’s the quintessential orchard fruit that can grow as a bush on a rootstock or as an espalier, U-shaped cordon, or double U. For some delectable snacking varieties, go for Gala, Fuji, and Honeycrisp, all of which will pollinate each other, or try Jonagold, Pink Lady, Ashmeads Kernal, or Cox. Good cooking varieties for all of your baking needs (including apple pies, cakes, and more) include Gordon, Liberty, and Sierra Beauty.
Pear Trees

Bartlett Pear Tree
Online Orchards homedepot.com
$37.98

A ripe pear is a wonderful thing, but since pears flower early, late frosts can damage their crops. To be on the safe side, cover the branches with fleece if they’re in blossom when a frost is forecast.
Pears can be grown as a bush on a rootstock or as a cordon, espalier, U-shaped cordon, or double U. Good dessert varieties include Bartlett, Moonglow, and Doyenne du Comice.
Cherry Trees

Lapins Cherry Tree
Online Orchards homedepot.com
$40.00

Modern cherries are self-fertile, so you only need one tree to ensure a good crop — if you can keep the birds off, that is. Netting may be a necessary defense as the fruit ripens. Expect beautiful blossom and lots of fruit when the tree is established. Grow cherries as a bush on a rootstock or as a fan against a warm wall.
Good varieties include Lapins and Stella. If you have a shady, north-facing wall, a morello or acid cherry will thrive as a fan, producing tart cherries that are excellent when cooked.
Plum Trees

Potted American Plum Tree
NutsAnywhere etsy.com
$12.95

These accommodating trees deliver heavy crops with very little asked from you in return. Pruning is minimal (and certainly should never be attempted except in summer, to avoid fungal infection), and most are self-fertile.
The only thing they demand is thinning of developing fruits. Otherwise, plum trees tend to produce far too many plums one year, followed by nothing the next. Thin plums in midsummer so they’re about 2 inches apart. Either grow plums as a bush on a rootstock or as a fan. Try greengages for their unique buttery texture and sweetness.
Peach and Apricot Trees

Dwarf Blenheim Apricot Tree
Online Orchards homedepot.com
$40.00

Once you’ve tasted your first ripe peach or apricot straight from your own tree, there’s no going back. Such experiences have to be repeated, and you’ll go to no end of trouble to do so. As with all container fruit trees, make sure you buy a tree with the suitable rootstock. A good peach is Bonanza; try Pixzee or Pixie-cot for an apricot. All of these can be grown as freestanding trees in pots and need little pruning. Alternatively, they can be grown as fans.
Both peaches and apricots are hardy when dormant over winter, but since they blossom early in the spring, the flowers are susceptible to frost damage. Bring the tree inside when in blossom if frost is forecast, or cover it with horticultural fleece if it’s trained against a wall.
Although self-fertile, both trees can benefit from a bit of help with pollination to ensure you get a good crop: When the flowers are open, dab the pollen gently with a soft brush and rub it onto the surrounding flower. Peach leaf curl is a nasty fungal disease, so if you can find a variety that claims resistance to this disease, buy it.
Fig Trees

Brown Turkey Fig Tree
FruitThaiSweet etsy.com
$19.99

A sprawling, fan-trained fig tree in a pot is a majestic sight, and the hand-shaped leaves release a “figgy” scent if you brush past them, particularly on hot days. And then there are the incredibly succulent fruits, swelling through the summer until they all but burst open to reveal their sweet, dark flesh.
Figs are an ideal choice for growing in pots because they prefer to have their roots confined, and they’re easy to train into fan shapes by tying branches against a warm wall.

How to Grow Figs

To ensure a crop where your climate is cool, protect the baby fruits over winter by tying sleeves of plastic bubble wrap loosely around them, making sure to leave them open-ended so that air can still circulate. Any fruits that are larger than pea size by fall should be removed, and pinch out the growing shoots of the tree in early summer so that only five leaves remain per shoot.
Brown Turkey is a reliable variety with delicious, purple-fleshed fruits. Other good ones to try are Panachee and Black Mission. Plant in soilless potting mix or soil-based mix in a pot no smaller than 18 inches in diameter. Place in a sunny, sheltered spot, keep well watered, and feed with liquid seaweed every two weeks throughout the growing season.
Calamondin Orange Trees

Variegated Calamondin Orange Tree
shopterrain.com
$68.00

Calamondin orange is perhaps the best choice for beginner gardeners. These glossy trees constantly produce intensely scented flowers, which develop into small, round fruits that are too sour to eat raw but make delicious, tangy marmalade.
They can also be cut into segments and added to cool drinks. The biggest benefit of Calamondin oranges (X Citrofortunella microcarpa), though, is that this is the only citrus that can be overwintered indoors. It can even be grown all year inside.
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Whether you want to show off your collection of artwork and mementos, cherished photos, or a little of both, a gallery wall is arguably the best way to go. It’s a perfect activity for a Saturday afternoon at home, and one that the whole family can join in on, too. If you need to stock up on frames and hangers, just head to Walgreens.com/pickup and select what you need—choose the pick up option and your order will be ready in as little as 30 minutes!
To get you going, Monique Valeris, Senior Home Editor at Good Housekeeping, shares her tips on how to design and hang a gallery wall—and quick!
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Jewelry should sparkle, but exposure to dust and dirt, lotions and soaps, even air and moisture can dull your favorite pieces over time and rob them of their gleam.
Luckily, it’s possible to clean most items in your jewelry box without heading to a professional jeweler. Restore tarnished silver and dingy gold back to their former selves, get gemstones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires glinting again, and make those pearls look lustrous once more.
When your bling has lost its, well, bling, consult these tried-and-true DIY cleaning methods from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab. Just grab the right supplies (and a little elbow grease) to get started.
How to Clean Silver
The best way to clean tarnished silver pieces and keep them from re-tarnishing as quickly is with a good silver polish, like Good Housekeeping Seal holder Weiman Silver Polish, which contains ingredients that dissolve and remove tarnish while leaving behind a protective coating to prevent new tarnish from forming.
Liquid polishes can be a bit messy to use, especially if you’re in a hurry, so wipes (like the ones below) can be a more convenient alternative. Specially treated multi-layer cloths, which have one side to clean and remove tarnish and a second one to shine, are also a good option.

Weiman Silver Polish
amazon.com
$16.89

AmazonBasics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
amazon.com
$15.65

Connoisseurs Silver Wipes
bedbathandbeyond.com
$6.99

Connoisseurs Silver Polishing Cloth
amazon.com
$6.88

3 DIY Silver Cleaning Hacks
If you don’t have silver polish on-hand and you need to clean silver ASAP, try one of the DIY methods below. Just know that these treatments won’t keep tarnish from returning, and silver experts caution against using them too often (if at all). For silver-plated jewelry, avoid excessive rubbing to keep from wearing away the finish.
Use dish soap: Mix a few drops of dish soap, like Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap, with warm water. Dip a soft cloth in the solution and use it to rub the silver to remove the tarnish. Rinse with cool water and buff dry with another soft cloth.
Try baking soda: For heavier tarnish, mix three parts baking soda to one part water. Wet the silver and apply the paste with a soft, lint-free cloth. Work it into the crevices and turn the cloth as it picks up the tarnish. Rinse well and buff dry.
Reach for toothpaste: In the same way mild abrasives in toothpaste remove stains from your teeth, they can also remove tarnish from silver. Apply a dab of white paste toothpaste (not gel) to tarnished silver and rub very gently with your finger or a soft cloth. Then, rinse well with warm water and buff to a shine with a soft cloth.

Dawn Dish Soap, Pack of 3

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
amazon.com
$7.89

AmazonBasics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
amazon.com
$15.65

Colgate Total Clean Mint Toothpaste
amazon.com
$9.72

How to Clean Gold
Give solid gold bracelets, chains, and earrings a gentle bath in a solution of a few drops of dish soap and a little warm water. Put small jewelry pieces into a strainer before placing in the solution; large pieces can go directly into the bowl to soak for about five minutes. Swish the items around, then take them out, lay them on a soft cloth and go over the crevices and chain links with a soft toothbrush to dislodge any dirt trapped there. Return small pieces to the strainer and rinse everything under running water. Buff dry with a soft cloth.
How to Clean Gemstones
It’s easy to restore the sparkle of precious and semi-precious stones, like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires set in gold. You can use the same instructions as the ones above for cleaning gold, but instead of using regular water, mix the dish soap with seltzer water. In Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tests, the carbonation helped to loosen soil and remove debris trapped in the settings and on the facets.
Brush stones and settings with a soft toothbrush; then, dip in clear water to rinse or place the pieces in a strainer and rinse under running water. Buff dry and admire the sparkle.
To clean rings on-the-go, keep a jewelry cleaning stick in your purse. You’ll find them from Connoisseurs and Baublerella. Simply twist the wand to release the cleaner and use the soft brush tip to remove dirt and grime. Rinse well, and see your gems shine!

OXO Good Grips 3-Inch Mini Strainer
amazon.com
$8.99

Dawn Dish Soap, Pack of 3
Dawn amazon.com
$11.35

Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stick
amazon.com
$7.05

Baublerella Bling Brush Jewelry Cleaner
amazon.com
$18.00

How to Clean Pearls
Because they’re so porous, pearls can easily lose their luster. Whether real, cultured, or faux, you must clean them with care. Rule number one: Never soak pearls as doing so can cause the string to weaken and break.
To clean pearls gently, start by laying the strand on a soft cloth. Dip a clean, small makeup brush into a mixture of warm water and a little shampoo, and go over each pearl. To finish, rinse the pearls with a clean, well-wrung damp cloth. Let the strand dry flat to prevent the string from stretching.
This no-soak treatment also works well for turquoise and opals (which are also porous stones). Special pearl care kits, like the one from Town Talk, include tissue sachets of cleaner and a polishing cloth.

wet n wild Small Eyeshadow Brush
amazon.com
$0.95

Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo
amazon.com
$5.99
$4.97 (17% off)

Sparkle Bright All-Natural Jewelry Cleaner
amazon.com
$10.95

Deluxe Pearl Care Kit by Town Talk
amazon.com
$16.95

How to Clean Costume Jewelry
Dab a cloth into a sudsy solution of dish soap and water and gently wipe any smudges or grime. Then rinse with a cloth dampened in plain water. Pat dry and lay the pieces upside down so moisture won’t soak into the setting. Because stones are often glued on rather than set, don’t soak costume pieces in water or the glue could loosen and the “gems” could pop off.
How to Properly Care for Your Jewelry
Remove rings when washing your hands, applying beauty products, cleaning the house, or applying lotions to keep the settings grime-free.
Don’t wear jewelry while swimming — chlorine and salt water can damage it.
Wipe pearls with a soft cloth after each wear to remove body oils and perfume that can yellow them.
Don’t let silver sit in your jewelry box — wear it! It becomes shinier the more it’s worn (the friction slows down tarnishing). When you’re not wearing it, store pieces in an anti-tarnish bag.
Get valuable jewelry checked regularly by a reputable jeweler to make sure the stones are in good shape and the settings are secure.

The Best Ways to Clean Brass

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The Best 2-Ingredient Cleaners for Your House

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Since its inception in 2012, actress Jessica Alba has been building her consumer products business, The Honest Company, on one simple mission: to offer items for babies and homes that aren’t loaded with harmful chemicals. But that’s not the only selling point that’s resonated with consumers, especially busy moms, over the years.

The Honest Company

As a mother of three, touting the convenience of shopping at Honest.com has been key to the brand’s success. Instead of scrambling to restock essentials like diapers and wipes at the last minute, Honest offers subscriptions, where shoppers can select the delivery frequency and shipping date of their choice.

The Honest Company Conscious Cleaning Clean Vibes Kit
The Honest Company amazon.com
$34.50

Now, Alba is bringing this same level of attention to Honest’s new Conscious Cleaning Collection, designed to reduce your carbon footprint and single-use plastic. The line includes a multisurface cleaner, a glass cleaner, as well as a bathroom cleaner that retail for $14.99 each and come with an empty spray bottle and two refill pods. There’s also a Clean Vibes kit, including all three products, as well as a Palo Santo Stick and a reusable microfiber cloth for just under $40.
“When I founded the company, it was definitely around putting people’s health and wellness first, and then, of course, thinking about everything that goes down the drain and making sure that wouldn’t poison our waterways and ocean,” Alba tells Good Housekeeping, noting that millions of plastic bottles go to our landfills every year. “But then the last big piece of the puzzle is finding a packaging solution that’s more sustainable, and I’m really proud that we’ve been able to do that.”

The Honest Company

Alba acknowledged that her two daughters and son played a small part in the development of the cleaning line. “My kids helped pick out the scent profile (a blend of citrus, mint and sweet notes),” she said. “We were mindful that — even when it comes to things that need to really clean on that next level — to not put in harsh fragrances or perfumes. That’s really important to us.”
As for how to get your kids to help with cleaning around the house? “A timer!,” Alba says, crediting her husband, Cash Warren, for coming up with the idea. Making a routine chore a playful competition among kids works, according to the star.
We’ll definitely be giving that idea a try!
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DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO DALY

Over time, pollution and grime accumulate slowly but surely on your windows, obstructing your view and blocking precious sunlight. The only thing worse? Thick streaks left behind by improper cleaning.
To keep your vista clear (and your light-loving houseplants happy), follow this expert advice from Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. With the right spray, cloth, and technique, your windows will have never looked better.
1. Choose a dry, cloudy day.
“Do this job in the blazing sun and the cleaner will dry onto the hot windows before you get to wipe it off, leaving hard-to-remove streaks,” Forte says. If the weather won’t cooperate, start on the shady side of the house.
2. Remove dirt and dust first.
Before you get started, sweep dirt from the window frame with a brush or vacuum it up with your machine’s dusting attachment. This will prevent dirt from turning into a muddy mess when mixed with a cleaner. If your window screen looks especially grimy, pop it out and wash with hot, sudsy water and a soft brush, then rinse and let dry before putting it back.
For quickly dusting shades and blinds, Forte recommends going over both sides with a microfiber duster or opening the slats and going over each one with a damp cloth and followed by a dry one.
LAB TIP: You can also refresh your curtains at the same time by putting them in the dryer for 15 minutes on an “air-only” cycle and rehanging quickly to prevent wrinkles.
3. Pick the right cleaner — and spritz generously.
Don’t hold back on the spray, especially if your windows look extra dirty. “You need plenty of cleaner to dissolve and suspend the dirt so it can be completely wiped away — skimp and you’ll be seeing streaks,” Forte says.
She recommends Invisible Glass Cleaner With EZ Grip. The fine mist from the bottle stays where you spray until you wipe it, meaning less drips and mess. Check out these other top-tested cleaners depending on the job too:

Top Lab Pick
Invisible Glass Cleaner
walmart.com
$5.35

Greasy Windows
Spic & Span Cinch Glass Cleaner
amazon.com
$12.10

Car Windows
Hope’s Perfect Glass Cleaner
amazon.com
$13.77

Speed Cleaning
Windex Original Glass Wipes
Windex walmart.com
$10.66

Outside
Windex Outdoor Cleaning Tool
amazon.com
$14.85

If you rather go the DIY route, try whipping up this homemade vinegar cleaner:
Homemade Glass Cleaner
Combine the ingredients and pour them in a spray bottle. If you have kids or pets, write the ingredients on the outside of the bottle for safety.
4. Use a microfiber cloth.

Casabella Microfiber Glass Cloths
amazon.com
$6.99

Some folks like drying panes with newspaper, but you’re better off reusable microfiber cloths. “They are super absorbent, washable, and leave the glass shiny and streak-free,” Forte says.
Try Casabella Microfiber Glass Cloths, which have a special honeycomb texture to nab water spots, smudges, and dirt from mirrors and glass without scratching.
If you rather use paper towels, choose a brand that’s up to the task. Weak paper towels can shred and leave lint behind. In our last paper towel test, Bounty Regular held up the best when wet.
5. Skip the squeegee.
“Professional window cleaners swear by them, but you have to know how to use them right,” Forte says. “You squeegee down and where does the water go? On the floor.”
Because of the potential mess and drip factor, she avoids using squeegees, especially for small panes, but they can be more helpful on bigger, picture windows.
6. Break it down.
You only need to clean your windows once or twice a year, Forte says, but it’s even easier if you divide the job up and do it room by room. When you’re cleaning, wipe one side of the window horizontally and the other vertically. If any streaks do form, you’ll easily know whether they’re on the outside or the inside.
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Commuting to work, going to school, hiking or even just enjoying a day in the park can all leave their marks (literally!) on your backpack. Whenever your backpack heads outside, it’s exposed to dirt and grime. And even if you give your bag a once over with a disinfecting wipe when you get home, that’s not enough to thoroughly clean it. Spills, stains and general grime can all make a backpack look old and worn, but the good news is that it’s easy to clean your backpack so it looks practically brand new again.
Before you start cleaning your backpack
No matter what brand your backpack is, what material it’s made from, or what cleaning method you’re using, you’ll want to follow these tips first before doing anything else
Empty the backpack completely, and unzip all the pockets.
Flip the backpack upside down over an open garbage can and shake out any debris and food particles. You can use a soft brush to loosen dirt, or use the crevice attachment on your vacuum to suck up all the crumbs and fuzz bunnies that may be trapped deep in the seams.
How to machine wash your backpack
Yes, you can put your backpack in a washing machine provided the instructions on the care label say you can. If you have a nylon or polyester backpack, it can be cleaned in the machine on a gentle cycle, with non-bleach detergent and stain remover to treat spots. Wash it solo, not with a full load of clothes — if you don’t have a large mesh laundry bag, you can put it inside an old pillowcase first to help contain the straps. “However, even if the fabric is machine-washable, doing so may cause some backpacks to lose shape,” notes Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. So use the shortest, gentlest cycle your machine offers.
You do not want to tumble dry the backpack, as that will damage it. Instead, skip the dryer and use a clean dry towel to blot the interior and exterior well, then hang it upside down to air dry, preferably in a place with good air circulation.
How to wash your backpack without a washing machine
If the care instructions for your backpack recommend spot cleaning, here’s how to do that:
If the straps are made of woven fabric and can be removed, first wash them in a warm sudsy solution of water and a deep-cleaning detergent, like Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide Hygienic Clean, to break down any heavy grime embedded in the woven fibers. Rinse the straps well in cool water, blot them in a clean towel, and air dry.
Then, mix a few drops of dish soap in a small bowl of warm water.
Dip a sponge or cloth in the sudsy mixture and use it to wipe the interior of the backpack itself. Use a soft scrub brush, or an old toothbrush, to scrub difficult stains. After you’ve cleaned the interior, tackle the exterior of the backpack the same way, paying particular attention to areas that often touch skin and rest against the body.
Using a clean, damp microfiber cloth (our favorite is from eCloth), wipe down the entire interior and exterior of the backpack. Rinse the cloth in clean water, wring, and repeat to remove any remaining soapy residue.
Hang the backpack upside down to air dry. Do not tumble dry.

Supplies for Cleaning Your Backpack

Hygienic Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent
Tide walmart.com
$11.97

Dish Soap (3-Pack)
Dawn amazon.com
$11.35

Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
E-Cloth amazon.com
$10.99

If the care instructions on the backpack’s label say you can hand wash the backpack, follow these steps:
Fill a basin with warm water and non-bleach detergent.
Gently swish the backpack in the solution, and use an old toothbrush to scrub any visible stains.
Rinse the backpack in cool water multiple times, then squeeze and blot in a towel to remove excess water.
Hang the backpack upside down to dry where there’s good air flow.
How do you clean a leather backpack?
Whether your backpack is made of all leather, or just has a leather bottom that you’d like to clean, first empty out your bag. Then, similar to how you’d clean a leather couch, use a leather cleaner and conditioner, like Weiman’s Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, or a little saddle soap, on a damp cloth to remove grime. Follow up with a clean damp cloth to remove remaining residue. When the backpack is completely dry, apply the leather conditioner sparingly to the leather for added protection.

Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
Weiman amazon.com
$21.00

Disinfecting Wipes
Lysol amazon.com
$64.57
$44.25 (31% off)

Antibacterial Fabric Spray
Tide walmart.com
$5.94

Tips for sanitizing a backpack
Every now and then, damp gym clothes may get left inside a backpack for days. Athlete’s foot fungus and bacteria from sweaty socks, shirts and towels cause odors and can transfer onto the bag itself. So, can you disinfect a sweaty, smelly backpack? In a word, no. While you can kill germs on soft fabric surfaces, they technically cannot be disinfected. “Only hard non-porous surfaces can be cleaned of germs to the level required to be disinfected,” says Forte. However, soft surfaces can be sanitized. While chlorine bleach can damage the coating on the interior of a backpack, you can instead try a non-bleach disinfecting wipe like those from Lysol:
First, thoroughly wipe out the interior of the backpack, paying careful attention to the seams and other nooks and crannies.
Use multiple wipes if necessary so the interior surface stays wet for the length of time stated on the wipe’s label.
Spray the bag’s fabric exterior with a fabric sanitizer, like Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray.
Make sure your backpack has completely dried before using it.

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