Today's NYT Strands is live for Monday, August 31, 2026 (Puzzle #911). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "With a little elbow grease"
What It Really Means
Look for products and actions used to remove stains, dirt, and grime.
Think About...
- Laundry and stain treatment.
- Kitchen and bathroom grime.
- Friction, foam, and chemical action.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Top to bottom down the board
Letter Count: 9 letters
Starting Zone: Row 1, letter 3
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of a forceful method for restoring a dirty surface.
Hint 2 (Warmer): This method uses a highly pressurized stream to blast grime from patios, siding, and driveways.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is P, last letter is H
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POWERWASH
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A potent laundry helper that removes stains and can strip color.
Closer: This chlorine-based whitener often joins a load of white laundry.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total
Answer
BLEACH
Word 2
Vague: A prepared product used to lift dirt from a surface.
Closer: This kitchen or bathroom product often comes as a cream, powder, or liquid for wiping surfaces.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 8 letters total
Answer
CLEANSER
Word 3
Vague: A formulated agent added when laundering clothes or dishes.
Closer: This is the powder, liquid, or pod placed in a washing machine or dishwasher.
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 9 letters total
Answer
DETERGENT
Word 4
Vague: A vigorous rubbing action used against stubborn grime.
Closer: This is what you do with a stiff brush when wiping alone will not shift the dirt.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SCRUB
Word 5
Vague: A lather-producing staple found beside sinks and in showers.
Closer: It comes in bars or pump bottles and is paired with water to make lather.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SOAP
Word 6
Vague: A substance that dissolves another material.
Closer: Paint thinner is a familiar example of this dissolving liquid.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SOLVENT
Full Answers
Spangram: POWERWASH
Theme Words:
- BLEACH
- CLEANSER
- DETERGENT
- SCRUB
- SOAP
- SOLVENT
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, the six answers mix products with an action, so the category takes a little sorting.
Trickiest Word: SOLVENT is the likeliest stumbling block because its broad chemistry meaning feels less directly tied to household cleanup than the other entries.
Our Take: POWERWASH gives the theme a satisfyingly forceful center, while BLEACH, CLEANSER, DETERGENT, SCRUB, SOAP, and SOLVENT cover both the materials and the effort behind the prompt. The mix is cohesive without becoming repetitive, and SOLVENT adds the useful bit of resistance.
