While it’s commonly believed that the duty falls on taxpayers, the First Family is billed every month for food, dry cleaning, toothpaste, and so forth. Maybe that’s why they have a garden!
The Obama family biographer Jodi Kantor revealed that when the former president moved in, there were still stains on the carpet from the Bush cats.
Jenna Bush was convinced the White House was haunted, claiming that "millions of ghosts" roamed the mansion and "opera noises" came from the fireplace.
The White House has been home to some unusual pets, like former president Calvin Coolidge's raccoons and pygmy hippopotamuses.
Not every president enjoyed living in the big house, particularly Harry Truman who called it a "glamorous prison" and "the great white jail."
See also: The US has not been involved in wars for only 6% of its existence
Bill Clinton installed the famous White House jogging track so that he could lose some weight.
The President can enjoy a trendy pour-over coffee from the now-famous Chemex brand glass brewing device. Obama's hip administration managed to snag 50 of them.
While the First Family can specially order almost anything they desire, the only wine served in the White House comes from American-grown grapes.
Former president L.B. Johnson enjoyed nightly rubdowns and would often fall asleep on the table, making his ushers—who could only go off-duty when the president went to bed—stay up all night.
The lives of presidents are often elusive to the public, but don’t you want to know what goes on in the house where the country’s biggest historic decisions are made?
Beyond high-security protocols and regular sweeps by the Secret Service, check out this gallery to find out the lesser-known quirks and perks of living in America's most prestigious home.
Fascinating little-known facts about life in the White House
Peek into the sweet and surprising lives of presidential families
LIFESTYLE White house
The lives of presidents are often elusive to the public, but don’t you want to know what goes on in the house where the country’s biggest historic decisions are made?
Beyond high-security protocols and regular sweeps by the Secret Service, check out this gallery to find out the lesser-known quirks and perks of living in America's most prestigious home.