Howcast: Home & Family

From do-it-yourself projects to quality family time, learn to take care of your house, and the people who make it a home. We'll show you how to properly iron a shirt, talk to a teen, paint a room, care for a pet, fix bathroom plumbing, bathe a baby, organize a closet, and so much more.

How To Teach Your Dog To Roll Over

Rolling over is a simple trick that any dog can master, and it will help you build confidence in your dog.

How To Pest-Proof Your Yard Naturally

Rid your backyard of annoying bugs without exposing your family to chemicals and toxins.

How To Deal With Mosquitoes

Nothing can ruin a beautiful summer day faster than being attacked by bloodthirsty mosquitoes the moment you step outside. Although it might be impossible to eradicate them completely, you can fight back.

How To Teach a Dog To Shake Hands

From housebreaking to traveling, crate training a puppy or dog can have long-term rewards for both owners and pets.

How To Exercise Your Dog

Follow a regular exercise routine together with your pet. It will benefit you both!

How To Get a Green Lawn

Make everyone in your neighborhood green with envy over your lush lawn with these landscaping secrets.

How To Lay Sod For a Perfect Lawn

The quickest way to get a gorgeous lawn is to lay sod, uniform patches of grass-covered soil held together by matted roots. It will go more smoothly if you know a few landscaping tricks.

How To Clean a Bathtub

Whether you shower in it or use it for long, luxurious baths, there’s nothing clean—or relaxing—about a tub full of grime, mold, or mildew.

How To Clean a Ceramic Tile Floor

It’s the porous surface of ceramic tiles that make them so warm and welcoming to bare feet—it’s also what makes them so vulnerable to stains and grime.

How To Clean a Shower

If the grime in your shower looks like something that would be more at home in a horror flick than in, well, your home, it’s time to take control.

How To Clean a Toilet

The gross-out factor of cleaning a toilet cannot be underestimated—but the gross-out factor of not cleaning a toilet is even worse. Better clean the toilet.

How To Clean a Window

Don’t think of cleaning your windows as drudgery. Think of it as a way to—as the song says—“let the sunshine in…”

How To Clean a Wooden Table

Taking care of a wooden table is sort of like taking care of a marriage—a little tender loving care on a regular basis, and it will thrive.

How To Clean an Iron

It's a fact of life: sometimes a masseuse needs a massage, a barber needs a haircut, and a cleaning device—like your household iron—needs a good old-fashioned cleaning.

How To Clean Finished Leather

Although most leather furniture, luggage, and garments are “finished” with a protective coating, that won’t prevent the spots and stains of everyday use. Here's how to undo the damage.

How To Do Laundry

Sure, it takes a bit of time and effort to do your laundry, but you've got to admit—it’s better than beating it on rocks down by the river.

How To Fold a Pillowcase

Show your pillowcases the same care and tenderness they show you, and you'll both rest easy.

How To Fold a Towel

Whether it’s a small dish towel or a mammoth beach towel, the principles for folding it remain the same—think of it as the “three-by-three” method.

How To Hand Wash Delicates

When it comes to fine knits or lacy, sheer, or shrinkable clothing, you have two choices: cough up the cash for the dry cleaner or take a few extra minutes to give your delicates the TLC they deserve.

How To Hang a Perfect Picture

From dorm posters to Dali prints, a level picture is a happy picture. And a happy picture is going to make you – the happy picture’s happy owner – even happier.

How To Iron a Pair of Pants

Just like a well-polished pair of shoes or a crisply starched shirt, a sharp crease in a pair of pants shows you're dressed to impress.

How To Make a Bed

Knowing how to make a tight, snug bed isn’t just useful if you’re in the military—you just may want to impress that special friend of yours…

How To Mop a Wood Floor

Cinderella’s plight has given mopping a bad name—but don’t let poor PR keep you from a bright, shiny floor.

How To Paint a Wall

Never picked up a paintbrush? Don't worry. You can still paint a wall like a pro!

How To Re-Cover a Lampshade

Updating an old lampshade is a great way to brighten up a corner, freshen up a room, and lighten up your life.

How To Remove Coffee Stains from Your Carpet

You might love your coffee black and hot—but not when it’s on your carpet. Don't worry, with a little vim and, yes, vinegar, that nasty stain will be a thing of the past.

How To Remove Gum From Fabric

Sitting in gum is no fun, but trying to get it off your pants—or shirt or sheets—is the real sticky situation. Nothing a little icy determination can't handle.

How To Remove Red Wine Stains from Your Carpet

Cabernet and carpet don’t mix, but if you act quickly you can save the day.

How To Remove Wax From Fabric

Blowing out a candle can be a satisfying end to an evening—unless the melted wax ends up splattered across your shirtfront. Then it’s time to just chill out – literally.

How To Repaint a Piece of Furniture

Whether you're resurrecting an old, beat-up wooden table or giving that avocado-colored nightstand a new lease on life, a quick coat of paint can update even the most hopeless furniture.

How To Reupholster a Drop-In Chair Seat

Are your chairs still covered in that faded and threadbare chintz your great-grandmama picked out in 1936? She'd be the first to tell you—it’s time for an update, dearie.

How To Tidy Up in Three Minutes

Company’s on the way and your place looks like a disaster site? You’ve got 3 minutes…. Go!

How To Calm a Crying Baby

There’s nothing more heart-wrenching—and, let’s face it, sometimes nerve-wracking— than a wailing infant. Here are a few ways to soothe your sweet little crybaby.

How To Groom Your Dog

Good-looking dogs attract smiles, stares, and lots of attention from strangers. And so do people with good-looking dogs—so break out the brushes and start pampering your pooch!

How To Launder Fabric with Red Wine Stains

Sure, sure, you didn’t notice spilling red wine on your shirt or tablecloth because the conversation at dinner was so lively. The stain might be dry, but that doesn’t mean the party has to end on a sour note.

How To Litter Train a Cat

Mother cats often train their kittens to use a litter box, so a new cat may already be housebroken. If not, don’t worry – cats are quick studies.

How To Fold a Fitted Sheet

Folding a fitted sheet doesn't always have to devolve into a wrestling match with those unruly corners. Here's how to turn it into an elegant pas de deux.

How To Solve the Most Common Thanksgiving Dinner Disasters

Don't panic! There's practically no Turkey Day fiasco that can't be fixed. Really.

How To Deal With Being a Flat-Chested Girl

With the average woman a 36C, it can suck being the flattest girl in the room. Here’s how to make the most of what you’ve got!

How To Stop Being Jealous Of Your Sibling

Whether you’re the family suck-up or the family, uh, screw-up, there are bound to be complications with your sibs.

How To Snag the Best Bargains on Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Get the best deals with these insider tips.

How To Survive a Trip To the Mall

There's nothing to fear about a trip to the mall—as long as you plan ahead and shop smart.

How To Deal With a Screaming Child While Shopping

Your kid’s having a major meltdown in a store? Here’s how to take back control without losing your cool -- or your mind.

How To Avoid Giving Terrible Gifts

If people grimace when you hand them a present, it’s time to improve your gift-giving skills.

How To Play Dreidel

The dreidel, the small top that's among the most recognizable symbols of the Hanukkah season, is a fun game of chance to play with friends and family.

How To Re-gift Without Getting Caught

Being busted for re-gifting is like getting nabbed by the IRS—you’re not sorry you did it, you’re just sorry you got caught. Don’t let that happen.

How To Light the Hanukkah Menorah

According to Jewish tradition, after the Maccabees’ victory over the Greeks, there was only enough oil to burn for one day in the Temple. Miraculously the oil burned for eight days. Lighting the Hanukkah menorah commemorates this miracle.

How To Recycle Christmas Cards

Don’t throw out those beautiful holiday cards you received! Recycle them into something useful.

How To Choose a Real Christmas Tree

Real Christmas trees are beautiful, but they also can be expensive. Make sure you get your money’s worth.

How To Safely Put Up a Real, Live Christmas Tree

Make sure this year’s live holiday tree is not only pretty, but safe, too.

How To String Christmas Tree Lights

Putting lights on the Christmas tree may not be the most glamorous part of tree decorating, but the glittering results are worth the effort.

How To Make a Popcorn-Cranberry Garland For Your Christmas Tree

Add an old-fashioned touch to this year’s Christmas tree by decorating it with popcorn-and-cranberry garlands.

How To Hang Garlands and Tinsel on a Christmas Tree

Master the art—and it is an art—of hanging garlands and tinsel on your Christmas tree.

How To Hang Ornaments on a Christmas Tree

Showcase your holiday ornaments to their best advantage with these arrangement tips.

How To Set and Stick To Your New Year’s Resolutions

Do loved ones look skeptical when you tell them your New Year’s resolutions? Make this the year they finally stick.

How To Get Some Sleep When You Have a Newborn

Is sleep deprivation threatening your sanity? Before you fall apart, try a few tricks that have worked for other new moms.

How To Save Money By Making Your Own Laundry Detergent

Brew laundry detergent that cleans your clothes for just three cents a load -- a fraction of what it costs with store-bought detergent.

How To Get a Newborn To Fall Asleep

Babies under three months are supposed to sleep up to 16 hours a day. Apparently yours didn’t get the memo! Here’s how to help him find his way to La-La Land.

How To Be a Stay-at-Home Dad

Being a father who stays home with the kids can be a great choice for the whole family -- but you need to know what you’re getting into.

How To Text Your Way Into Your Kid's Life

Having a little trouble connecting with your text-addicted offspring? Grab your phone and get on their wavelength.

How To Be a New Dad

Who knew someone so tiny could be so intimidating? Here's what every new father needs to know.

How To Deal With Peer Pressure

Sure, hanging out with kids from the wrong side of the tracks can be cool—but only if you stand your ground.

How To Spend Quality Time With Your Parents

Hanging out with the folks can be fun. Really. Trust us.

How To Exercise When Pregnant

Exercising throughout your pregnancy will make you feel good, keep your weight gain reasonable, and—let’s face it—likely be more helpful in the delivery room than picturing yourself on a tropical beach…

How To Sell More Girl Scout Cookies

You have the basics down, but there's more to selling Girl Scout cookies than meets the eye. Here are some easy ways to increase revenue.

How To Adopt a Pet From a Shelter

You can't wait to adopt a rescued animal. But there's a lot to do before you bring your pet home from the shelter.

How To Reduce Your Home Heating Costs

Saving the planet and saving money go hand-in-hand when you reduce your home heating bill.

How To Reduce Your Garbage Output

The average American throws away four pounds of garbage a day. But with a little effort, you can whittle your waste way down.

How To Use a Banana in Seven Unexpected Ways

Don’t throw out that banana peel—or that overly ripe banana. Put them to good use around your house instead.

How To Minimize Pregnancy Stretch Marks

If it’s any consolation, 90% of women get stretch marks. While you can’t get rid of them entirely, you can make them less noticeable.

How To Haggle

Once you know how and when to play the game, the possibilities are endless – you’ll be getting almost everything for less.

How To Save Money With Coupons

Learn from those crazed coupon clippers who've figured out how to buy $500 worth of groceries for 50 cents.

How To Clean With Alka-Seltzer

Dirty House? Clean it up with Alka-Seltzer! Who knew the same product that has provided indegestion relief and humorous explosions for millions of people world wide could be used to do some of your most basic household chores.

How To Change a Cloth Diaper

Cloth diapers have come a long way, baby: Pins are pass

How To Clean Window Blinds

Wash your window blinds with a minimum of mess.

How To Clean With Baking Soda

When it comes to household versatility, baking soda is king. Here are just some of the many cleaning uses for sodium bicarbonate.

How To Spring Clean Your Closet

Time to clean out your closets to make room for the new spring and summer fashions.

How To Store Your Winter Clothes

Make sure your winter wardrobe survives the summer by putting it away properly.

How To Clean Your Coffee Maker

Make your coffee maker sparkle with these easy tips.

How To Remodel Your Kitchen Without Spending a Fortune

Get the look of a pricey kitchen renovation—without the cost. All it takes is a few smart upgrades.

How To Feng Shui Your Bedroom

It’s the room where you spend one-third of your life. So why not try to make it a little luckier by adding a feng shui touch or two?

How To Install a Dimmer Switch

How many handymen does it take to install a dimmer switch? None -- you can do it yourself in a snap.

How To Not Be a Soccer Mom

Just because you're chauffeuring the kids all over creation doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your cool factor.

How To Make Your Bathroom Eco-Friendly

We waste more water and use more chemicals in our bathrooms than any other place in the house! Here’s how to green yours up.

How To Spread Turf Fertilizer

Putting down fertilizer is a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it if you want to have a lush lawn.

How To Grow Tomatoes in Your Garden

There's nothing tastier than a fresh-picked tomato. Enjoy a bumper crop this year with these tips.

How To Survive Summer Camp

Learn from summer camp veterans with these insider tips.