Household Tips

Explore pro tips for all aspects of life: household, auto, travel, parenting, and career.

Keeping your home clean, organized, and safe doesn’t have to be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together some of the best home maintenance tips to help make your life a little easier. Whether you need quick house cleaning tips for those hard-to-reach spots, smart household organization tips to keep things tidy, or practical household safety tips to protect your family, you can trust Mercury to provide the information you need.

Browse through our library to discover time-saving strategies, safety measures, and organization hacks that fit seamlessly into your everyday life.

Want to take your home protection a step further? Contact us today for a fast, free quote on homeowners insurance and learn how you can keep your home safe and sound.

The concept of underwear storage and space organization.

Our Top Household Tips

Keep at Least 6 Months of Expenses for an Emergency Fund

Pro Tip Read Article Young couple saving coins into a piggy bank

Change Your Locks When You Buy a New Home

Pro Tip Read Article Happy couple moving into a new home with boxes

Cluttered house? Use a Chuck-it Bucket

Pro Tip Play Video Hand placing toy giraffe into chuck-it bucket

Use a Walnut to Remove Scuff Marks on Furniture

Pro Tip See Details Hands rubbing an open walnut on scratches on a wooden table to help reduce their appearance

Use a Walnut to Remove Scuff Marks on Furniture

Hands rubbing an open walnut on scratches on a wooden table to help reduce their appearance

This tip works best on finished, natural wood furniture. Rubbing a walnut against scratches on finished wood furniture allows its natural oils to darken and fill in the scuffs.

A Home Inventory Can Speed Up the Claims Process

Pro Tip Read Article Woman photographing modern living room furniture with a tablet

Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries at Daylight Savings Time

Pro Tip See Details Person installing a new battery in a ceiling-mounted smoke detector

Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries at Daylight Savings Time

Person installing a new battery in a ceiling-mounted smoke detector

It acts as an easy and consistent reminder to change the batteries when you change the clocks.

Steam-Clean Your Microwave With Water and Vinegar, Then Wipe It Down

Pro Tip See Details Person measuring vinegar into a bowl of water on a countertop in front of a microwave, preparing a cleaning solution

Steam-Clean Your Microwave With Water and Vinegar, Then Wipe It Down

Person measuring vinegar into a bowl of water on a countertop in front of a microwave, preparing a cleaning solution

Heating water and vinegar makes an acidic steam that helps loosen grime and debris in the microwave before wiping it down.

Use a Hair Dryer to Remove Stickers and Labels

Pro Tip See Details White hair dryer with coiled cord on a wooden table next to two upside-down glass cups with stickers on the bottoms.

Use a Hair Dryer to Remove Stickers and Labels

White hair dryer with coiled cord on a wooden table next to two upside-down glass cups with stickers on the bottoms.

The heat from the hair dryer helps to soften the adhesive and make the sticker easier to remove.

Install a Smart Thermostat to Save Money on Energy

Pro Tip Read Article Woman setting up a smart thermostat with smartphone

Put Pantyhose on the End of Your Vacuum to Help Find Small Items

Pro Tip See Details Close-up of a vacuum hose covered with pantyhose over the end, used as a filter while cleaning, with a small earring caught on the fabric

Put Pantyhose on the End of Your Vacuum to Help Find Small Items

Close-up of a vacuum hose covered with pantyhose over the end, used as a filter while cleaning, with a small earring caught on the fabric

It acts as a filter to retrieve small, lost items without them getting completely sucked into the vacuum bag.

Avoid Frozen Pipes by Allowing the Tap to Drip Overnight

Pro Tip Read Article Sink faucet with water dripping from the spout

Use Low-Flow Shower Heads to Save Water

Pro Tip Play Video Water flowing from a low-flow shower head