Washing Machine Smells, Cleaning Shoes, Home Smell Fresh & Kill Aphids

Author

Joan Clark
November 03, 2025

In partnership with

Hi there,

We know a fresh home lifts the whole day. We gathered simple, gentle fixes to tackle smells, pests, and scuffs with confidence.

In today's issue:

  • Beat Washing Machine Odors

  • Aphids Gone, No Harsh Sprays

  • Clean Tennis Shoes the Right Way

  • Make Your Home Smell Good Naturally

  • And more...

CLEANING

We once came home to a washer that smelled like a damp basement, then discovered a crumpled sock wedged in the gasket. We also learned that front-loaders can trap moisture and residue. These 15 simple fixes stop the stink and prevent it from coming back.

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CLEANING

We rounded up 5+ clever ways to revive tennis shoes, with clear steps for stain-lifting, whitening, and odor control. We share a fun fact: baking soda absorbs odor-causing acids, and melamine foam lifts scuffs from rubber.

TIP OF THE DAY

Is your blender blade hiding last week's smoothie?

Drop a few drops of dish soap into the blender jar, fill it halfway with warm water, and secure the lid. Pulse on high for 30 seconds, then rinse thoroughly under running water.

The spinning action pushes suds into every crevice around the blade assembly, loosening stuck-on residue without requiring you to unscrew anything. This method keeps your hands away from sharp edges and cuts cleaning time in half.

CLEANING

From simmered citrus on the stove to a splash of vinegar in a small dish, we found seven natural ways to make any room smell fresh without chemical sprays. We once slid orange peels onto a baking sheet in a low oven on a rainy afternoon, and the house held a bright, clean scent for hours.

FUN FACT

Mocking the Queen?

Sir John Harington, godson to Queen Elizabeth I, invented the first flush toilet in 1596 and installed one in his home. He wrote a cheeky book about it called "The Metamorphosis of Ajax" (a pun on "a jakes," slang for outhouse), which included satirical jabs at courtiers who had angered him.

The Queen found the political gossip so scandalous that she banished him from court, though she later had him install a flush toilet at Richmond Palace.

BUG CONTROL

Aphids are a gardener's worst nightmare, and it's challenging to eliminate them without harming your plants. We have 17+ cost-effective and straightforward ways to get rid of aphids and leave your plants glad to be rid of the pests.

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THANK YOU!

Fresh washer, fearless plants, bright sneakers, and air that smells like a welcome. Kick mildew out of the drum, send aphids packing, scrub soles without scuffs, and scent rooms naturally. Minor fixes stack into calm . The home breathes easier, and the day follows suit. Enjoy clean, simple wins.

With care,

Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team

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