Includes index.

Chapter 1 Floors, Walls, Windows, and Doors -- Floors and Flooring 12 -- Tools for Keeping Floors Clean 17 -- Taking Care of Floors 24 -- Maintaining Walls and Ceilings 34 -- Windows and Doors 48 -- Chapter 2 Heating, Cooling, and Lighting -- Fireplace and Woodstove Maintenance 62 -- Heating Systems 67 -- Air Conditioners, Humidifiers, and Dehumidifiers 79 -- Cutting Utility Bills 86 -- Simple Electrical Fixes 92 -- Chapter 3 Kitchens, Cookware, and Appliances -- Kitchen Organization and Cleaning 102 -- Cookware, Dishware, and Kitchen Tools 110 -- Large Appliances 124 -- Small Kitchen Appliances 139 -- Chapter 4 Bathrooms and Plumbing -- Organizing and Cleaning the Bath 146 -- Minor Plumbing Repairs 153 -- Chapter 5 Home Furnishings and Furniture -- Area Rugs 166 -- Blinds, Shades, Curtains, and Draperies 170 -- Caring for Wood Furniture and Frames 178 -- Upholstered Furniture and Beds 184 -- Cameras, Electronic Equipment, and Telephones 189 -- Indoor Flowers and Plants 204 -- Chapter 6 Clothing and Laundry -- Basics of Cleaning Clothes 210 -- Choosing and Maintaining a Washer and Dryer 221 -- Drying and Ironing Clothes 227 -- Stain Removal and Special Care 231 -- Sewing and Mending 238 -- Chapter 7 Organization and Storage -- A Place for Everything 244 -- Storing Seasonal Items and Keepsakes 249 -- Organizing Your Garage, Basement, and Workshop 258 -- Recycling 262 -- Chapter 8 Yard and Garden -- Planning and Maintaining Your Landscape 266 -- Lawns, Shrubs, and Trees 275 -- Gardening Basics 283 -- Growing Flowering Plants and Vegetables 291 -- In Tune With Nature 300 -- Outdoor Living Areas 303 -- Living in a Rural Area 310 -- Chapter 9 Attic, Roof, and Basement -- Insulating and Upgrading an Attic 316 -- Sealing Roofs and Gutters 320 -- Basement Water Systems 328 -- Chapter 10 Home Safety -- Making Your Home Safer 338 -- Poisonings and Animal Bites 351 -- Household Emergencies and Disasters 354 -- Appendix Household Basics -- Workshop Tools 362 -- Workshop Tips 366 -- Buying, Selling, and Moving 368.