8 common cleaning conundrums (and how to solve them)

Many common cleaning tasks are straightforward, but other household chores can be a struggle to complete. Here's what makes them so tricky and, most importantly, how to get them done right.

Dingy, moldy grout

Grout is porous, and it can be difficult to clean grout lines that are set deeper than surface tiles. Experts recommend regular cleaning with a grout brush, but when grout is badly stained or has developed significant mold or mildew buildup, something stronger may be needed. Use a mold- and mildew-eliminating grout cleaner that contains chlorine bleach or, for an alternative solution, a steam cleaner fitted with a grout brush attachment.

Stiff, smelly towels

Waxy buildup from fabric softeners reduces the absorbency of towels, and buildup from detergent residue can make towels feel stiff. The combination of the two can also add up to a musty lingering odor, even in freshly laundered towels.

To treat towels suffering from buildup problems, wash clean towels with ½ cup of white vinegar.

Sticky buildup

Experts recommend cleaning kitchen cabinets with all-purpose cleaner as part of your weekly cleaning routine and deep-cleaning them seasonally two to four times a year to prevent buildup from forming. To remove buildup, use diluted vinegar to cut through the sticky mess. You may need to repeat the process several times to eliminate grease. If something stronger is needed, use a degreaser that is safe for your cabinet material type and/or a non-scratch nylon scrub sponge to gently scour away the buildup.

Dirty, stained carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs need to be vacuumed regularly -- at least once a week, more in high-traffic areas -- to prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, and other environmental soils that can lend an overall dingy appearance. It's also important to spot-treat stains on carpets and rugs as they happen. But when regular cleaning has been neglected, use a carpet cleaning machine to deep clean the carpets and rugs, lifting embedded grime, stains, and odor-causing bacteria.

Pet hair

Pet parents, especially those with high-shed animals, know that keeping pet hair from taking over the house is a never-ending task. Regular hair removal using a variety of cleaning tools and techniques is essential, as is keeping your pet well-groomed to reduce shedding at its source. To keep pet hair at bay, vacuum floors and upholstered furniture regularly using a vacuum recommended for pet hair. It's also a smart idea to invest in low-tech pet hair removal tools, a reusable roller that uses an electrostatic charge to pick up loose pet hair.

Baked-on food

Cleaning the oven and stove are among the most dreaded chores, and it's no wonder that people put this labor-intensive cleaning task off. But by putting it off, you're making the task harder. Routinely cleaning the stovetop by wiping it after each use or at the end of the day will make a big difference, and adding oven cleaning to your list of monthly chores will prevent the need for deep cleaning that calls for heavy-duty cleaning agents and a lot of elbow grease.

Filmy buildup

Glass shower doors require a lot of upkeep to prevent them from becoming streaky, stained, or foggy thanks to the buildup of soap scum, water spots, and mineral deposits. Use a squeegee to wick water and product buildup off of glass doors after every shower and clean glass shower doors weekly using a sponge or foam cleaning pad. On a monthly basis, deep clean the shower, including the shower doors, and apply a water-repellent spray to prevent hard water stains from forming between cleanings.

Workout gear smells

Washing gym clothes requires special techniques to ensure odor-causing bacteria don't linger in the fibers. Much like towels, workout clothes and fabrics that contain stretch should not be laundered with liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets, which leave a coating that can trap odor-causing molecules. And the use of too much detergent can leave a residue that contributes to malodor. Wash workout clothes with the correct amount of detergent, and skip the use of fabric softeners.