As a general rule, plan to complete a few essential cleaning tasks about once a week, though some bathrooms might need more frequent scrubbing, depending on the frequency of use. For example, a shared kids’ bath will get grimy much quicker than a powder room mainly visited by guests. Whatever way you work it into your cleaning routine, make your bathroom sparkle with this guide on how to clean bathroom fixtures....
Not sure how you want to decorate your tree this year? We have plenty of Christmas tree theme ideas, along with handmade ornament ideas that let you put a personal touch on your holiday decor. Once you’ve found your inspiration, follow our three easy steps for decorating a Christmas tree like a pro. How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro Getting a dazzling holiday tree doesn’t have to be hard work....
Because it’s fast, healthy, and easy, grilling is one of our go-to methods for cooking meat when the weather cooperates. When the weather prohibits outdoor cooking, you can use the same cooking times for expert results indoors on a grill pan. There’s no stopping your grilling endeavors—no matter the season or weather. Direct-Heat Grilling Guide Before we go any further, be sure you know how to control grill temperature for direct heat grilling....
Freezing Equipment Pans and utensils: To freeze vegetables, you need a colander and a large pot or saucepan with a wire basket. An accurate freezer thermometer will allow you to regulate your freezer temperature to 0°F or below. Freezer containers: When freezing foods, use containers and packing materials that are durable, easy to seal, resist cracking at low temperatures, and are moisture- and vapor-resistant. Choose the right size of container for your volume of food; too much empty space can lead to oxidation and freezer burn....
Buy ‘Wedding Gown’ hydrangea now. See more varieties of hydrangea in our Plant Encyclopedia. Where to Grow ‘Wedding Gown’ Hydrangea Hardy in Zones 5-10, ‘Wedding Gown’ hydrangea prefers light shade and rich, well-drained soil; unlike some hydrangeas, the soil’s pH does not affect the flower color. It will also do fine in conditions with a little morning sunshine, as long as there is shade in the afternoon. This dwarf flowering shrub stays fairly compact, reaching just 2 ½ to 3 feet tall....
Although it doesn’t suit every plant, rooting kitchen plants in water is the easiest propagation method. Change the water in the containers weekly because stale water turns cloudy and detracts from the attractiveness of the arrangement. More important, bacteria may develop and create an unhealthy medium for the kitchen plants. Enjoy the cuttings during the winter months, then transplant them into containers and set them outdoors for the summer....
What Are Sprouts? Sprouts are the first growth that is produced from a germinated seed. These tiny plant shoots have high levels of key vitamins and minerals. Plus they add a crisp texture to sandwiches, salads, and stir-fries. Unlike most vegetables that often take weeks or months to grow, sprouts mature in 3 to 5 days and don’t need soil, fertilizer, or sunshine to grow. They do, however, need plenty of your attention if you’re going to grow them safely from your home—make sure you follow the cleaning, rinsing, and draining steps outlined below....
Strawberries started from seed are usually alpine strawberries or close cousins to alpines. These plants produce petite berries (the fruit is about an inch long) in spring and summer. When the berries are ripe, their intense perfume wafts through the garden conjuring up thoughts of strawberry jam. However, alpine strawberries produce a small number of berries per plant; count on a packet of seeds to produce berries for fresh eating but not enough to make jam....
First, always check the care label for directions. If your garment features the hand wash symbol, which portrays a hand in a tub of water, follow our instructions below for cleaning clothes by hand. If the label says “dry-clean only,” avoid washing it at home. If the label simply says “dry-clean,” you might want to try hand-washing the item. Before you hand-wash the garment, check a small inconspicuous area first to make sure the fabric is colorfast....
1. Choose Your Plants Once you have an idea of what you want to plant around your deck, the other aspects of the project will fall into place. Start by picking out a few larger shrubs or even small trees you’d like to include. Then choose smaller perennials and ornamental grasses to fill in around them. Make sure that the plants you choose will grow in your Hardiness Zone and in the amount of sunlight your yard receives....
How to Slightly Beat Eggs When your recipe calls for a lightly beaten egg, mix the yolk and the whites together until they are properly combined. This ensures the yolk and the whites will not separate once added to the other ingredients in your recipe. Here’s the easy way to slightly beat eggs: Crack the egg into a bowl and use a fork or a whisk ($6, Target) to beat the entire egg until the yolk and white are combined and have a uniform color....
How to Make a Spring Farmhouse Wreath Follow these simple how-to instructions to make your own spectacular spring farmhouse wreath. In under an hour, you should be able to complete the sweet wreath and hang it on your door. What You Need Faux large flowersAssorted small flowers Scissors or wire clippersFlorists wire Grapevine wreath Hot glue and glue gun Buffalo check ribbon Step 1: Prepare Flowers While you certainly can make this wreath with fresh blooms, using faux flowers means you can hang the wreath up year after year—and the end result is just as pretty!...
Good for You: They consume about 75 percent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer (10,000 hours as opposed to 1,500). Replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL and save up to $83 over the life of the bulb. Good for You: Unplug appliances and electronics that glow and you could save $200 a year. Good for You: The average American household has three cell phones stashed in a drawer....
A trip to the antique store might be in order to fully achieve the look of fall farmhouse decor. You’ll need chippy, rusted pieces that you can DIY into wall art and tabletop centerpieces. Galvanized metal buckets make for interesting outdoor planters, while a few plaid blankets easily update your bedroom and living room. Even if you don’t live in a farmhouse, you can still accomplish a collected look with farmhouse fall decor that will keep you cozy all the way into the holiday season....
You can DIY this Halloween craft if you have a steady hand, or look online for cheap designs and print them at home. Add a bit of color and a graphic accent like broomsticks or bats for the full Halloween effect.
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Because of the pattern’s bold use of color, buffalo check often works in lieu of a solid color. If a room needs a punch of blue, for example, consider trading a plain blue accent for a buffalo check-patterned version to deliver the same hit of color with added dimension and visual interest. Buffalo check’s clean, color-blocked design allows it to be used as a base for layering other patterns, hues, and textures....
Have Fun with Invites Catch the attention of even your busiest family and friends with a clever DIY invitation you can easily make at home. You can make the invite match your theme and follow up with an equally crafty take-home bag or trinket. In other words, begin and end on a high note! Play It by Age Factor in the age of party-goers to make sure your shindig doesn’t frighten—or bore!...
Buy It: Wilton Cookie Sheet Set ($18, Target) Buy It: Great Value Organic White Baking Chips ($3, Walmart) Buy It: NutriBullet Blender ($110, Bed Bath & Beyond)
Ahead, shop practical cleaning and organizing solutions, delicate home decor, and plenty of stunning gift ideas for loved ones. The discounts are so good, you can get up to 85% off. Buymax Indoor Plant Pots Set of Four While I believe you can still enjoy a beautiful yard through fall and winter, adding a few houseplants is necessary for any green thumb come snowfall. Before heading to my local garden nursery, I’ve got my eyes set on this four-pack of planters that are just $7....
