Housekeeping

Window boxes fit in perfectly in any home and can liven up your exterior when you fill them with plants. Some window boxes don’t require drilling, but you can get around it with others if you use vinyl siding hangers. Whether it be using vinyl siding hangers or purchasing a special window box, let’s take a look at how you can hang a window box without drilling holes.

Any avid camper knows a decent sleeping bag costs a pretty penny. To give the bag a long life (and spare your wallet), proper care is a must.

One of the main reasons trash leaks is due to what’s inside the trash bag. Trash is meant for solids, not liquids. If you are dumping too many liquids in your trash, don’t be surprised if it leaks. All it takes is one tiny hole near the bottom of a trash bag to cause the contents to leak.

You can find at least one microwave in everyone’s home nowadays. But the microwave oven was not really a thing until the 80s. In fact, only a quarter of homes in America had a microwave oven in 1986, and by 2008 that number was up to 95%. But how much do you really know about your microwave oven?

It’s no secret that drinking reverse osmosis water can have many health benefits. The higher quality water contains fewer contaminants and tastes better than regular water. The reverse osmosis filtration system is commonly sought out by many others because of these health benefits. Surprisingly, though, this filtration system isn’t expensive, as one would think.

Most snow is tracked into the home from your shoes. Therefore, the best way to prevent it from reaching far into your home is to stop it where it enters. Most homes have doormats outside. In the winter, it’s wise to have mats on the inside of your home as well.

Ingesting non-potable water shouldn’t seem like a major problem in well-developed countries like the United States. But in 2017, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported close to 500,000 hospitalizations and 7,000 deaths from waterborne diseases.

Fabuloso is that delightful purple cleaning detergent that has been used in countless homes and businesses throughout the country. It’s basically a hallmark of people who love the floral-chemical smell of solvent. Sometimes, Fabuloso alone isn’t enough to get the bathroom clean. So, what happens then? Can you add bleach to improve results?

We’ve come a long way from the first mechanical dishwashers, way back in the late 1800s. Since early dishwashers were wooden and had to be hand-cranked, they were inefficient and impractical. Fast forward to the current day, and a dishwasher is only one of the many domestic conveniences we take for granted.

Imagine the following scenario. You and your neighbor have been living next to each other for years, and you never really had any issues. Yet, one day, you notice a construction crew near your yard. They’re putting up a fence! You’re confused because you’re not really sure whether or not they are allowed to do this. Is this even legal?

Since your pet can only walk into your home from one or two entrances, you must arm these entry points with mats. Place absorbent mats or an outdoor rug with bristles to help absorb mud and remove dirt particles from your pet’s paws and fur.

Ranges are a great way to upgrade your kitchen appliance in a way that maximizes space and improves aesthetics. The ZLINE Ranges are upscale and won’t break the budget.

A water hammer occurs when there is a sudden increase in a pipe’s water pressure when the water is suddenly forced to stop. This occurrence often creates a loud banging sound. Water hammers do more than create an annoying level of noise. These abrupt changes can severely damage a piping system.

Despite their status as one of the more popular brands for power tools, Bosch actually makes far more than that. As a matter of fact, they make a good deal of kitchen appliances as well. That includes dishwashers, which have become a favorite for homeowners.

What’s that smell in the kitchen? Oh, apparently the garbage disposal is leaking again. Every summer, some unfortunate households have to deal with one of the most disgusting things a homeowner must face: leaking garbage disposal.

It’s not unusual for there to be several gallons of water inside the water softener at any given time. However, there is certainly something wrong if your water softener is overflowing. If you are experiencing this, you want to know how to fix it and what is causing it immediately. Delaying this issue could cause thousands in damage and hours of work to clean.

Linoleum is a great, cost-effective option for kitchen and bathroom floors. It’s known for being durable and long-lasting, more so when it’s properly cared for. The key to making linoleum floors last longer is regular cleaning.

Even the most professionally painted rooms in the home will need a touch-up eventually. This is especially true for high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, hallways, and living rooms. The spots on walls that are around light switches are also subject to heavy wear, necessitating a refresh once in a while. Additionally, if areas have become damaged or were missed during the initial paint job, a touch-up is absolutely necessary.

Having pets is a blessing, but it isn’t without its challenges. That’s especially true for people who like their homes to look tidy and smell as pleasant and fresh as possible. Luckily, we assembled a guide to show you how to keep your house from smelling like your pets.

When you have no clothespins, but you have a home office with supplies, then you’re in luck. Binder clips are great for keeping documents together and can work just as well as clothespin alternatives.

Did you know that the biggest importer of kale was, at one point, Ruby Tuesday’s? It’s true. Kale was once just a garnish for the Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar. Oh, how times have changed. Kale is now a major superfood and people are adding this bitter leaf to just about every dish from soups to wraps. Now that the heat is turned on for kale’s demand, it’s a good time to learn how to make this green last.

Comforters are a popular bedding choice, adding some extra design flair to your bedroom. However, the plush coziness of many comforters that makes them so appealing often also makes them bulky. If your comforter is too big to fit in your washer, how can you clean it?

Vaulted ceilings are in right now. Like, super in. They’re considered to be one of the most frequently requested amenities in luxury apartments as well as in regular homes. Of course, there are different types of vaulted ceilings. One of the more popular is called a “tongue and groove” vaulted ceiling. If you’re debating installing this ceiling, it’s a good idea to know what you’re in for.

Bread pudding is a rich, sweet dessert that warms you up and has a comforting vibe. It comes in different flavors; you can jazz it up with a whiskey sauce or mix in various additions like raisins and chocolate chips.

If you own a LiftMaster garage door opener, then you will know one of the most essential features is the keypad. This keypad allows anyone with the passcode to enter and is a secure method to obtain access to your garage.

Be it gas or electric; the oven is every kitchen’s mainstay appliance. Whether making London Broil, cooking a casserole, or simply baking bread, our ovens provide the foundations upon which we prepare our family’s food. Gas ovens are still considered superior, but every now and then you might smell an unnerving odor and wonder why your oven smells like gas.

Is there anything worse than going through the trouble of washing your towels, but they stink like a sweaty locker room? (Okay, there are probably lots worse things, but after you spend time doing laundry, nothing else comes to mind at that moment.) You should have fresh, clean linens, so why do your towels smell after washing?

Whether you’re looking to restore a piece of furniture, wooden molding, or another type of woodwork, you’ll likely find yourself needing to strip down the pre-existing layers of paint. As with any other paint job, the initial preparation is the most important step. In fact, the condition of the painting surface heavily determines the quality of the finish once you’ve completed painting.

Window mounted refrigerated air conditioning units are popular when a bit of extra cooling power is needed. Window mounted air conditioners are easy to install and economical. But, what if there is no window in the space you want to cool?  Can you install a window air conditioner unit through a wall sleeve?

Cast iron skillets are wonderful for many different types of cooking. Whether you are making cornbread, a steak, or even a simple breakfast. They add flavor and create an effect, unlike any other cooking item.

Everyone loves peanut butter. Nourishing and delicious, it is the perfect sandwich filling, especially with jelly or jam. It’s a versatile ingredient for a number of dishes, ranging from classic cookies to the famous peanut sauces of Indonesia. However, when eating or using peanut butter, an accident may sometimes happen, and some could fall onto your carpet. If this happens, how do you clean it up?

The number one reason why clothes contain detergent residue when you take them out of the wash is that you used too much detergent. If you use double the amount of detergent you should, it can be hard or impossible to remove all the soap from the water before the cycle completes.

There are few items that are as notoriously unsafe for the dishwasher as a plastic tumbler. Even when you have a tumbler from Tervis, there’s a good chance that you might have concerns about using dishwashers to clean it off. But, Tervis is so durable! It should be able to be washed by a machine, right? Well, we decided to do a little research to find out the truth behind this issue.

Whether you’ve entered into a race or want to go on a journey, bringing your bike with you is an option. People bring their beloved bikes all over the world. If this is something you’re interested in, you may be wondering how much it will cost you.

It can be extremely frustrating to see a stranger’s car parked in front of your house. Things only get more annoying the longer that the car stays there, and it can feel like a violation. So, is it legal for them to park there and can you have their car towed?

Just like any other kitchen appliance, microwaves face daily wear and tear. Over time, one of the most common issues microwaves face is peeling interior paint. This can quickly become a fire hazard and even contaminate your food. 

Roofing work is no easy task, but some projects, such as tying into existing roof shingles is easier than it sounds. It is an easy project if you take safety precautions and install trusses that meet at the eave of your roof. Whether it be the tools for the job, working time, or costs involved, let’s take a look at how you can tie into existing roof shingles.

Recently, I was watching Fuller House and marveled at how many Tanner-Fuller family members fit into what appeared to be a three-bedroom home in San Francisco. It got me thinking. I’ve heard of dozens of my friends living together in communes or as roommates, but I was not entirely sure how legal some of those living arrangements are. I mean, how many people can normally live in a place before it’s too much?

Pumpkin is usually associated with the fall season, but it remains a delicious treat all throughout the year. Even if fresh pumpkins aren’t available in your area currently, you can still get your fix by purchasing some canned puree. But what should you do if you have leftovers; how long does canned pumpkin last in the fridge?

Home is where the heart is, but it can be detrimental to your health if you don’t pay attention to your surroundings. Indoor air quality affects everything from your mental health to your lungs, skin, and eyes. Many homeowners understand this but ask the question: Why is my home air quality bad?

Being a pet owner means that you will have to keep an eye out for threats to your furry friend. Sometimes, these threats are other animals or eating the wrong thing. Other times, it’s something simpler, like whipworms. If you want to keep your dog or cat worm-free, then you need to keep an eye out for whipworms that might be in your yard.

Hank Hill might be the world’s most popular propane salesman, and from watching King of the Hill, you’d never guess that propane is such an expensive fuel. But it is. People who are on a budget and regularly use this fuel often seek out ways to trim costs. One of the more popular rumors about propane prices is that you can get a discount if you own your tank. But is this true?

If you’ve just moved into a new home in a rural or suburban area, chances are you have a septic system. But don’t worry! A septic system shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, though you might be wondering how long it will last. 

One of the joys of completing home improvement projects is finishing them. There is something satisfying about checking it off the to-do list, and enjoying the updates. Joy associated with the job is diminished when small flaws show up. Most projects end well. But one recurring problem is ceilings that look patchy after painting.

Columbia, South Carolina, is a town that bridges its traditional Southern roots with a young and modern urban feel. Known as River City, Cola, or Soda Town, it has no connection to soft drinks other than its nicknames.

If you are reading this article then you probably have a few questions about how long molasses lasts, or if and when it goes bad. Unfortunately, molasses does not last forever. It also does not last for many years. Instead, the average lifespan of molasses once it is opened is between six and 18 months.

Baking sheets are essential for a wide range of cooking needs. You use these flat metal sheets when baking cookies, roasting vegetables, and even crisping bacon. They are a very handy kitchen tool, but they can sometimes cause problems when they become damaged. You may find that while using a baking sheet, it suddenly warps, creating a crooked and lopsided surface that renders the baking sheet useless.

Cleaning paint can be a headache. When acrylic paint dries, it dries hard, into an almost plastic-like form. This can make it hard to restore a brush that has dried or get paint out of something like clothing.

A portable generator can come in handy in countless ways. However, connecting a portable generator to your house without a transfer switch can present its challenges. A transfer switch can divide an electrical load between sources and is often used for backup generators in the event of power outages.

A condemned house is one that the government has decided is unfit for any occupants. The government will seize any condemned property and all occupants must then vacate the property.

If you hate the idea of doing dishes by hand, you’re not alone. Dishwashers are considered to be one of the nicest “luxury” appliances you can have in a kitchen, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, they have a tendency of breaking when you least expect it. When they do, you’re stuck doing dishes until you can find a proper fix. One of the biggest culprits? A bad water inlet valve.

Leeks are a vegetable closely related to the onion and often have a very similar flavor profile. This vegetable is commonly used in salads, sauces, stews, and soups. With a softer flavor than an  onion, the leek is a perfect vegetable substitute in many familiar recipes.

Hipster homes love industrial looks. This is a fact we all know. Pallet furniture has been a staple of hipsters for ages, and truthfully, it’s a good look. Pallets can be turned into tables, beds, and, yes, freestanding walls, too. If you’ve been looking for a cheap way to make a freestanding wall, the answer might just be found in a pile of pallets.

Tupperware containers are kitchen staples for every household. They make it easier for us to tow our lunch and store leftovers and keep them fresh. However, just like every reusable utensil in the kitchen, they needed to be cleaned every after use. This leaves everyone with one important question: is Tupperware dishwasher safe?

If you have a septic tank, you know it can be a lot of maintenance. Perhaps you just had your septic tank pumped and it’s full again. There could be a number of reasons why this happens.

If there’s one thing that has always stood out to me, it’s the popularity of sheepskin rugs. They’re rustic, retro, and oh, so soft! I have a sheepskin rug, but I’ve never really used it for much. Why? Because for the longest time, I had no idea how to clean it. Thankfully, I found out how fairly recently…

Baseboard trim is an important part of home building as well as remodeling. Having a wall without a baseboard would be unprofessional and weird. They often define the entire room. A regal baseboard adds class and skimpy baseboards just make it look cheap.

For those of us who like to change things up every so often, Pottery Barn offers a variety of couch slipcovers. They have a wide range of materials, colors, and textures to suit any style. And here’s some great news: Pottery Barn couch covers are so easy to wash and maintain!

Cross-linked polyethylene, also known as PEX piping, is a type of piping that is comprised of flexible plastic. Most importantly, they are beginning to replace traditional galvanized steel and copper for water supply lines in both remodels and new construction projects.

A Jacuzzi is a great way to add a sense of calm and luxury to your home. However, there is nothing luxurious about getting into a Jacuzzi full of chunks of black flakes. So, what is the black stuff coming out of my Jacuzzi jets?