Housekeeping

Modern homeowners rely on the convenience of electrical outlets to power household appliances. Unfortunately, electrical outlets go bad over time just like every other part of the home. So, how often should electrical outlets be replaced?

There are several things that most people are okay with leaking—details about favorite TV shows, news about a much-anticipated fashion line, things that people need to know. Sewer pipes? They’re not one of those things. In fact, a leaking sewer pipe is a serious health risk. Even cast iron sewer pipes can leak a pretty scary amount if left to rot. But, what can you do if your cast iron sewer pipe starts to leak?

Have you ever turned on the faucet to fill your bathtub only to be surprised by the water coming from your shower head? Believe it or not, this is a pretty common issue. The good news? It may be super easy to fix! It’s just a matter of finding out the problem and knowing how to repair it.

One of the most popular aftermarket accessories among four-wheel off-road enthusiasts is LED lightbars.  The advances in LED technology afford amazing lighting performance at remarkably reasonable prices. However, mounting these lightbars poses a problem for some vehicle owners.  The question of how to mount a lightbar on a vehicle roof without drilling comes up often.

We all heard Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” but what about your blue suede couch? Suede is one of the hottest options for couches as well as couch covers. It’s satiny, leather, and absolutely gorgeous. It’s a good choice for matte looks. But, how do you wash suede couch covers, or at the very least, keep it clean?

If you live in a multiple story home, you may have found yourself questioning why your second floor is so much hotter than the first. Unfortunately, a warmer second floor may not be noticeable until the summer months when the heat really starts coming in. And when it happens, you’ll start to feel extremely uncomfortable.

When repairing sheetrock, or prepping walls for paint, you have the option to use spackle, and joint compound. Each one has its uses, so we’re going to break down the differences between the two, as well as when to use them.

Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent way to get the look of hardwood floors at an affordable price. They’re also durable, many types of vinyl floors are waterproof, and they’re easy to maintain. But if you don’t take care of them, they can get dull over time. Luckily, it’s easy to make vinyl plank floors shine like new.

Dehumidifiers are popular appliances in many homes, especially in areas where damp conditions can pose mold problems.  These appliances range from small room-sized units to whole-house dehumidifiers that are part of the HVAC system.  When a dehumidifier breaks, how should you dispose of a dehumidifier safely and legally?

Roombas are the gold standard of vacuum robots that do all the work for you. They’re often seen buzzing around on tile, wood, and laminate floors. Of course, many people are beginning to wonder if their carpeted flooring could use a little visit from their favorite self-guided vacuum. So what should homeowners expect to see happen if they try to use a Roomba on their carpet?

You never have to question the beauty of the item known as a slow cooker–it’s all about the “set it and forget it” life. It’s one of the most versatile cooking devices on the market and also happens to be one of the easiest ones to use. Crockpots are superb for people with tight schedules, but are crockpots dishwasher safe?

Sleeping without a comfortable pillow can mean a rough night's sleep. In a perfect world, pillows would last forever and never lose their comfort. Sadly, that’s not the case. So, how often should you replace your pillows?

If you do a lot of cooking, then you’ve probably come across Pampered Chef cookware before. This cookware is ideal for those who take cooking seriously, as this cookware is built to last, versatile, easy to clean, stain-resistant, and usually offered for an affordable price.

When water is backing up out of your basement floor drain, it could be the result of many different issues. However, it usually isn’t the fault of the floor drain itself. A common time for back-ups is during heavy rain, but why is your basement floor drain backing up when it rains?

Brass is one of the most popular metals for home decor, especially if you are fond of the “old world” style. It’s coppery, yet a little more gold. Unfortunately, brass also happens to be one of the more high-maintenance metals, so it’s important to know how to keep brass from tarnishing.

Cordless power tools have made doing just about anything around the house a completely different task. No more having to find an electrical outlet. No more getting tangled up in tool chords. Going wireless is simply better.

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.

There are a few things that parents love as much as helping their kids with arts and crafts. Of course, this can often lead to spills (rather than thrills) if you’re not careful. For most adults, there are few things that are as scary as seeing a large wad of rubber cement getting spilled on the carpet. Thankfully, there are ways to clean it up if you act fast.

With a variety of shepherd’s hooks on the market, they can be used to decorate an outdoor wedding or to enhance your outdoor space or garden. Shepherd’s hooks allow you to elevate and display hanging baskets, yard ornaments, lanterns, bird feeders, or other outdoor decorations.

Heating oil is used in boilers or furnaces, which often sit in people’s basements. If there is a spill, it should be cleaned immediately to prevent damage to your home. However, even after the spill is treated, the smell of oil may remain.

If you have doors in your home that are louvered doors, you know that they can be a chore. Their style might make them look nice, but they can be a bit of an inconvenience when it comes to cleaning.

There is no doubt that a roaring fire in the winter can be the ultimate mood setter. Not only does it create an ambiance that simply can’t be beaten, but it keeps your home nice and cozy. That is, so long as the wood stove is still burning.

Coconut oil has become one of the most popular “superfood” buzzwords of the last decade, and rightfully so. It can be used for almost anything from massage oil to a delicious additive to your food. Unsurprisingly, it’s also found itself on many unsuspecting carpets across the country in unprecedented quantities. So, how do you get this oil out of your carpet?

Sliding mirror doors are extremely popular options for bedroom closets. They don’t require the clearance to open that traditional doors do. Also, mirror doors are a functional, attractive way to improve a wardrobe area without taking up wall space.

Cast Iron tubs can be a beautiful addition to any bathroom. Their classic style is one of the main reasons why they’ve been popular for so long. However, not everyone wants to keep their cast iron tub in their bathroom.

It’s your dishwasher’s job to clean the leftover food off your dishes. A dishwasher cleans, sanitizes, and sometimes has enough heat to dry your dishes. What your dishwasher shouldn’t do is leave behind a gritty residue.

Having fried food is not exactly healthy, but that doesn’t stop us from indulging in it from time to time! But thanks to air fryers, it’s possible to have our favorite fried foods, with less oil, fewer calories, and more goodness.

When you’re shopping around for a house, one of the deciding factors is often the neighbors. How close houses are, whether or not the yards are separated in any way, and other things play a role. If your house is close to your neighbor, when Autumn comes around you might wonder how to stop your neighbors’ leaves from blowing in your yard.

When the lights go out at home, we have quick ways of checking out the problem. Generally speaking, it can be as simple as one of three things: checking the bulb, ensuring that the switch is in the proper position, and taking a look at the circuit breaker.

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.

Many homeowners invest in humidifiers, with approximately  eight million sold in the U.S. every year. Humidifiers are an important part of maintaining proper air quality in your home. These machines add moisture to dry air, which makes a big difference, especially for colder months.

Shark is one of the hottest vacuum companies on the market right now, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their problems. With the Shark Navigator, the most common issue is having a roller brush that just won’t spin. When this happens, your vacuum ends up being unable to handle its regular load. So, what do you do when you’re confronted with a “locked brush?”

If you’ve been working on a home addition or a garage as part of your DIY work, you’re probably aware of the fact that your house needs drywall. It’s just a must. The problem is that most of us haven’t attended a class that tells you how many screws you will need in order to properly secure.

While carpets are typically easy to clean, wax stains on them can prove a little stubborn. However, there are ways to get that wax off. With the appropriate use of a few household items, you can get rid of every trace of wax on your carpet.

Drawers are essential to home organization. Instead of having random items scattered all over the place, you can store them in drawers for safekeeping.

Recently purchased a new Black and Decker coffee maker but confused as to how to program it? If this describes your current situation, you’ve come to the right place! Black and Decker coffee makers come outfitted with a variety of functions and features. The Maryland-based company manufactures over 33 different types of machines, each with its own unique characteristics.

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.

If you’re like the average renter in my area, your landlord has a lease that stipulates that you need to have your carpets shampooed at least once a year. And let me tell you, shampooing your carpet is not exactly the easiest thing to plan out. This is doubly true when you realize you can’t actually step on the carpet until it dries. But…how long does that even take?

Kitchen cabinets can take quite a beating throughout their lifespan. They are constantly exposed to temperature fluctuations, dirt, dust, and grease. Not only is it difficult to keep them clean, but it’s hard to prepare them before you repaint or stain them. What is the best degreaser for kitchen cabinets?

Painting your concrete basement can present you with multiple puzzles to solve. After you’ve decided to paint your basement, you are probably wondering which type of paint to use.

Both The Salvation Army and Goodwill are popular choices for donations of clothing and other belongings. Thanks to their significant charitable contributions, these organizations have been well-known for decades. However, hardly anyone knows the differences between them, making it difficult to know which is the better option for donations.

Bathroom vanities can prove very useful as a versatile piece of furniture. Use them to stay organized in the bathroom while also touching up your appearance. They even work as a functional piece of bathroom décor.

A homeowner’s association (HOA) can be a great asset when living in a community full of diverse cultures. Although the HOA is not allowed to discriminate against anyone for any reason, they can help keep the neighborhood safe and comfortable. The HOA is an organization in a community that creates and enforces rules for the properties as well as the residents. The members of the HOA are those who live in the community.

Coffee lovers often have a particular fondness for their coffee makers. That is no less true for those who use Keurig as their coffee maker of choice. Like every good coffee connoisseur or anyone who just likes good coffee, that often means  taking care of those coffee machines. That also leads to questions about things such as water filters and other coffee maker considerations.

Pillow top mattresses are increasingly popular these days, and not just because of how cozy the name sounds. They are fairly affordable and can be found in virtually every mattress size available. Surprisingly, they are one of the oldest types of mattresses around. They’re making a comeback, and that means it pays off to know how to clean them.

Cooking your own meals at home is a great way to learn a new trade, save some money, and find delicious flavors you enjoy. There are a plethora of kitchen hacks on the internet, many of them involving aluminum foil. It’s important to note that using aluminum foil can affect ovens in the long run.

If you survey 100 professional loggers and arborists on whether they prefer a Stihl or Husqvarna chainsaw, you are likely to get a clear-cut, 50/50 split.

A silicone sealant, also known as caulk, is used to provide a waterproof seal between bathtub or shower and the wall that it adjoins. Without that waterproof seal, moisture can get into the gaps and lead to mold growth if left unattended.

Cream cheese is a versatile topping or ingredient. Whether you want to spread it on a bagel or implement it into your latest dish, there are tons of uses for cream cheese. It may become a staple in your refrigerator.

If you are running an underground 200 amp service, then you may be wondering what size wire to use in your installation. We’re going to answer that question for you, however, keep in mind that you may need a permit and that a professional should do the installation.

Thanks to its lightweight profile and value proposition, Dirt Devil has become one of America’s top vacuum cleaner brands. If you’re looking for a simple, lightweight, and functional vacuum cleaner, it’s hard to go wrong with Dirt Devil.

Imagine the following scenario:  you are known for conserving water, and for as long as you lived in town, your water bills were $30 or so. Recently, a new family moved in. They have a pool, sprinklers, and everything else watery under the sun. The next month, you notice that your water bill shot up to $900. You look at your neighbors, who don’t make eye contact with you anymore. Could it be them?

Have you ever driven through the countryside, through farming areas? You may have passed by farms with vast fields set far apart from the barn. How do farmers contain their animals in a setup like this? How did the electric fence span the whole area of the field when the barn so far away? Doesn’t an electric fence have to create a loop for it to work?

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.

Depending on where you live, the inside of your home may get excessively humid. An easy fix is to run a dehumidifier to suck the hot air out of any room. But what happens when it’s not working properly, and you’re stuck sweating inside?

A faucet aerator is a great way to conserve water usage and save a bit of money on your water bill. Faucet aerators mix air in with the water stream, saving up to an extra 16 gallons of water per day! It’s essential to clean your faucet aerator regularly and replace it every year to ensure continued efficiency.

Clothes, clothes, everywhere, and not a thing to wear? Maybe that’s because you have so many clothes, you get overwhelmed whenever it’s time to get dressed. If your closet is ready to burst, it’s time to learn how to declutter your closet and take back control of your wardrobe.

Rust stains on concrete are actually quite a common and ugly problem. They can be caused by fertilizers, soft rock like limestone, or just imperfections in the concrete mix. Getting rid of them may not be as difficult as you may think.

In life, most things are not free, but sometimes you can get lucky. When you can score something for free it always feels good, and often the product seems to work even better than if you bought it. 

High-efficiency washing machines, also commonly known as HE washing machines, have been gaining popularity recently. Not only are they good for the environment, but they are supposed to save you money on water and electric bills.