Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
Digital photo frames are a great way to simplify your home decor while still enjoying cherished family photos. Benefits of digital photo frames Family photographs have traditionally graced mantles, bookshelves and walls. Today, a digital photo frame displays scores of photos on a single, elegant frame in crystal clear high definition. Here’s what you’ll love… Read more »
Homeowners often keep gasoline or diesel fuel on hand for use in lawn equipment. You must handle these useful but dangerous fuels cautiously. Take these steps to protect yourself, your family and your home. Understanding the risk Gasoline and diesel are both flammable liquids. Gasoline also has highly volatile fumes to a degree diesel does… Read more »
Toilets are used repeatedly each day, so problems inevitably develop. Here are four common toilet problems you can fix yourself for minimal money and hassle. Anatomy of a toilet Here’s how a toilet works. The water supply line comes out of the wall near the floor level. (You’ll see it on the left side when… Read more »
When you buy plants at a garden center, you can also buy soil in which to plant them. Maybe you’ve wondered whether to get potting soil or garden soil. What’s the difference? Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice for your plants. What is potting soil? As its name implies, potting… Read more »
If you haven’t cleaned your tile grout in a while, it may be discolored, moldy or coated in soap scum. Here’s how to get your grout squeaky clean and looking like new. Types of tile grout Grout is used between tiles on flat surfaces. There are three types. Two of the three are cement-based grout,… Read more »
Adopting a puppy is exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking. If your new pooch is not already house-trained, you should start training immediately to preserve your peace of mind and keep your home sanitary. Most dogs can be trained to consistently do their duty in a designated spot outdoors in just a few short weeks…. Read more »
Your houseplants may have flourished while basking in the summer sunshine outdoors, but come winter, it’s time to move those plants inside. You may also have garden plants you hope to protect through the cooler months by moving them indoors. With either type of plant, there are certain steps you need to take to help… Read more »
Specific maintenance steps are required for your air conditioner to operate at peak efficiency. Periodic cleaning of the outside air conditioner condenser is a task you can do yourself. Here’s how to keep cool. Why cleaning the condenser is important Air conditioning works through the principle of heat transference. Inside your house, return vents draw… Read more »
An electrical fire can be stealthy. Old or faulty wiring or an overloaded circuit can spark a fire inside a wall, the basement or the attic. Here are signs you need to act quickly to protect yourself and your family from an electrical fire in your home. Tripping breakers It’s not unusual to trip a… Read more »
Home service contractors joke that they charge more to correct botched work a homeowner has attempted than to do the job themselves in the first place. But there are some DIY projects where shoddy work is no laughing matter. Instead, it may be dangerous and illegal. If you are not trained and licensed, do not… Read more »
If grass clippings have accumulated on your lawn, you should periodically clear the resulting thatch so that water and nutrients can penetrate the soil. Known as scarifying, this process of raking up thatch is essential for the health of your lawn. Here’s what you need to know. What is and is not thatch If you… Read more »
Fire can break out at your house even if you’re careful, so preparing ahead can save people and property. It’s a good idea to have fire extinguishers nearby and ready to use. Here’s a brief tutorial to arm yourself against catastrophe. Types of fire extinguishers and their use Should a fire break out in your… Read more »
That first crisp fall day is exciting. We pull out sweaters, watch football and excitedly anticipate the holidays. Before long, though, it’s dark when you leave for work and dark when you drive home, and the weather is cold and depressing. It’s a good time to make your home a cheery, cozy haven that drives… Read more »
We all know cleaning helps reduce our risk of illness, but do you know the distinction between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting? Here’s a primer on the important differences. Clean first The first step in either sanitizing or disinfecting is to clean the surface, which means removing visible dirt. The Centers for Disease Control say that… Read more »
Your seven-year-old refrigerator is on the fritz. Should you spring for a repair or bite the bullet to replace the broken appliance? Fortunately, there’s a simple rule of thumb that can help you make the decision. Here’s our guide to when to repair or replace appliances. Is it really broken? Before you spend money to… Read more »
Christmas and other winter holidays bring excitement and good cheer, but they also create waste: lots of it. It’s estimated that more than 1 million extra tons of trash go to landfills each Christmas. And many celebrations increase the country’s carbon footprint. If you’re concerned about the environment, take a look at our guide to… Read more »
With their summer shade, fall color, dramatic winter branches and spring leaves, stately trees bring beauty year-round and are a boon to the environment. It’s easy to become emotionally attached to nearby trees you associate with fond memories. But no tree will last forever. So is it time to say goodbye to one of yours?… Read more »
If you’ve spent more time than you’d like down on your knees putting away Legos, Barbies, small cars and crayons, you’ve probably wished for a fairy godmother who could clean up your children’s play area at the end of the day. Unfortunately, no such person exists, but with a little effort, you can organize your… Read more »
White paint might seem the simplest choice for painting your home’s walls, but it’s anything but. One trip to the paint store is all it takes to see that there are dozens of white paints, each of which looks a bit different. So how to choose the right white paint for your home? Here are… Read more »
