Staining wood can bring out some of its natural patterns and deep colors like nothing else. If you want to change a wood surface’s color without painting it, staining is a great option. However, stain must be properly applied otherwise it will not dry and still feel sticky and rough hours later.

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.

Bringing an air conditioner into your home is a cause for celebration. Enduring the heat may become a thing of the past thanks to your new appliance. Don’t go cranking up the air conditioner right away though. Doing so could potentially lead to some issues.

Now more than ever, homeowners are especially concerned about the security of their homes. Much time is spent in searching for the perfect lock for their doors, in order to prevent entry from any unwanted guests.

You know the holidays are fast approaching when you start seeing ham displayed in more stores. If you have the time, preparing homemade ham is well worth the effort. Ham is a terrific holiday treat, especially since any leftovers still remain tasty days later.

Cleats are used to play a variety of sports. When these are brand new, they’re pretty nice to look at and they even smell good too. But cleats don’t stay in good condition forever, as soon after they’re out of the box they’re hitting the mud or dirt and absorbing all the sweat from your feet.

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.

If you ask most families, there’s nothing quite like having a home-made frozen pizza straight out of the oven. Of course, prepping said pizza can vary from household to household. Most frozen pizzas will come with some cardboard that’s left at the bottom of the pie to help retain the pizza’s shape during transport. The problem is, most people can’t figure out what to do with said cardboard. Is it oven-safe?

Vanity cabinets are seeing a huge leap in popularity, and rightfully so. They are beneficial and provide a focal point for almost every bathroom design imaginable.

When it comes to building high-quality tools, few companies have as big a name as DeWalt. This is a company that built its entire name on being as all-American as apple pie, beer, and the 4th of July. Lately, much of the tool manufacturing world has been switching its factory locations from the US to other countries. Is DeWalt buckling to that pressure, though?

During the day, many people have difficulty working, knowing that people are watching them. Privacy window film is a great solution for just this problem.

America’s top-selling cookware brand, Copper Chef is known for their Cerami-Tech nonstick coating that makes sautéing and pan-frying fast and simple. Believe it or not, nothing will stick to the surface of a Copper Chef pan, which eliminates the need for cooking with added fats and oils. Since nothing sticks, Copper Chef pans are incredibly easy to clean. Oftentimes, all you’ll need is one pass with a soapy sponge and cleanup is done in a matter of minutes.

When it comes to comfort, no other mattress beats memory foam mattresses. This is due to the ability to adapt to your body size and shape. However, memory foam mattresses can also get dirty, and if you’re looking to clean them, one question will cross your mind; can a memory foam mattress be steam-cleaned?

Bad neighbors are the bane of the homeowner’s existence. Unfortunately, oftentimes it is difficult to know how to deal with this common nuisance. In the event that you can’t get rid of them, your best bet is to ignore bad neighbors.

Pergo floors are the same as laminate flooring, but Pergo is simply the brand name. Actually, Pergo has a patented way of producing their laminate that makes it more durable and shinier than all the rest. In fact, they are the ones who invented laminate flooring way back in 1977 so they know what they are doing.

Baseboard heaters are a great convenience, which is why many builder owners choose them for their homes. They are highly energy-efficient and give you control over the temperature of each room of your house. However, it can be quite unsettling when you go to turn off your baseboard heater and nothing happens.

Cable outlets, also known as coaxial outlets, are a common fixture in most modern homes. Even with many households making the shift from traditional cable television, cable internet remains a popular choice across North America.

No matter where you live or what your lifestyle is like, it’s safe to say that you’ll need some outdoor lighting at night. Dusk to dawn lights are one of the more popular categories of outdoor lighting on the market. This category is meant to turn on when motion hits the light, or when the sun sets. If you have them, you’re probably wondering why your lights keep turning on and off.

It may sound like stating the obvious, but a refrigerator door needs to shut tightly in order to work properly. When the door doesn’t shut tightly, creating that proper seal, cold air will not only escape the fridge, warm air will also get inside. Warm air can result in a buildup of moisture and make the compressor burn out eventually. That makes it important to get the door back on track and closing properly before long.

Pellet stoves are one of the most eco-sustainable sources of heat you can get, and they are very efficient as well. You can get more heat with the same amount of pellets versus wood with a superior clean combustion system. Also, you can get tax benefits for using a pellet stove because they are so environmentally friendly.

A ceiling fan can be an excellent addition to any home for both aesthetics, comfortability, and saving energy. In the wintertime, you can have the benefit of enjoying warm air being pushed down into your living areas. Whereas, in the summer, the fan will draw the excess warm air up and away.

When a bathtub is installed, there are gaps that are purposely left between the tub itself and the wall that is to be adjoined to. This is what is known as an expansion joint. The purpose of this is to allow for a little movement between the position of the tub and the wall it is adjoining.

If you’ve just purchased a new dishwasher and you’d like to connect it to a garbage disposal for effective drainage, you’ve come to the right place. Both garbage disposals and dishwashers are generally attached to a kitchen sink for water to drain appropriately once the washing cycle is complete.

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.

Plumbing venting is extremely important as it removes sewage from your home. The sewer gases are directed out of the house by plumbing vents which improves the air quality inside. However, many builder-owners and homeowners wonder if plumbing vents absolutely need to go through the roof.

Home security is super important; after all, it protects you, your family, and your most significant investment – your house. Nowadays, there are multiple options available on the market to help automate your home’s protection. 

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?

Many people recoil at the thought of being near asbestos. But you might be surprised to learn how common it is in older homes. If you’re thinking about buying a house with asbestos in the siding, the best thing to do is be informed. Learn more about it and the potential risks.

Pancakes are delicious with maple syrup on them but not so much for carpets. The sticky gooey mess in your rug is unsightly and you need to get rid of it as soon as possible before it soaks in all the way. Whether it is real maple syrup or corn syrup, we have some solutions for you.

Leveling a yard is a process that is crucial to the aesthetics of your landscaping. Leveling your yard can save you from damage and foundation repairs. How much will you pay to level a yard you may ask? Let’s take a close look at the costs of the operation.

Having an efficient swamp cooler in the summer results from taking care of your cooler in the winter. In this article, we will give you a step by step process to winterize your swamp cooler properly. Preparing your swamp cooler for the off-season is not difficult, and it will increase the life of your unit.

If you were recently placed under a boil water advisory, this means that there’s a concern that your local water supply may be contaminated with pathogens. When this happens, you can no longer trust the water that comes out of your tap, including any appliances that are connected to your water supply. This includes your refrigerator and ice maker, but what about your dishwasher? Can you use the dishwasher during a boil water advisory?

If you live along the coast, or in a region prone to severe weather, then you are likely aware of the danger of hurricanes and tropical storms. They can completely demolish homes and entire communities in their path. In some cases, you might even be ordered to evacuate your home when a hurricane is expected to hit. In other circumstances, it is your responsibility to hope for the best but plan for the worst. As you begin preparing your home and gathering emergency essentials, you might wonder exactly what you should buy at the grocery store to properly prepare your pantry for a hurricane.

As someone who’s had friends who didn’t really understand the concepts of cleanliness, I’ve seen some pretty gnarly rooms. The worst rooms I’ve seen are, invariably, bathrooms and kitchens. I’ve even refused to bathe in a friend’s home because their bathtub was so gross. Believe it or not, if you’ve neglected cleaning your bathroom for that long, you can still clean a disgusting bathtub with a few tips.

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Granite is a popular high-end material for sinks. While it looks beautiful and luxurious when you buy it, it can be hard to keep it that way.

Pecan pie is a beautiful fall treat that many people enjoy eating following a hearty meal. This nut and egg-based pie is quite famous and can be in high demand. But, many people struggle with how to store the pie after it has been made.

The sight of mold in your dishwasher can make you think twice about using your dishes again. Dishwashers are the perfect place for mold to grow because of the moisture, heat, and darkness. Many people struggle with how to get rid of mold in the dishwasher, however, you can prevent mold growth and get rid of what’s already there by taking a few precautions.

Not too long ago, I had a friend who’s reckless cooking habits ended up making a huge dent in their kitchen. More specifically, a pot that was tossed on a glass stovetop ended up causing the glass to break.

If there is one thing that seems to dry out my hands, it’s washing dishes in piping hot water. And sometimes, I forget my gloves. That’s why, on occasion, I get the urge to turn down the temperature so that I can avoid slathering my hands in super thick lotion. I still often wonder if it’s really safe, or if it’s effective.

When you’re building your home, you are in control of everything, including the orientation of your house. That small detail is something most people don’t think about but can make a huge impact on how you experience your home. After all, the direction your house faces will impact your heating, parking, as well as the amount of sunlight you get. So, what is the best direction for a backyard to face?

Natural disasters affect 160 million people worldwide each year. While things like tornados, wildfires, and hurricanes are inevitable for some regions, it’s a good idea to prepare your home. If you live in an apartment, it can make these events seem a lot more frightening. 

Aromatherapy isn’t just a trend; it’s a method of holistic healing that’s been around for centuries. There are numerous benefits to using essential oils diffused through the air, but what’s the safest way to do so?

A washer and dryer combo is an essential in any homes. Stacking a washer and dryer takes up less space than having them side by side, and it is quite common.

It is quite rewarding to look at your fish tank, especially when the fish are healthy. The only downside of having a fish tank is that it requires lots of maintenance. Changing the water isn't fun, but it's necessary. So, how often should you change the water in a fish tank?

It is okay for a washing machine to shake a little bit during the spin cycle. This happens when clothes move around and slap the sides of the drum. The combination of the impact of the clothes and the washing machine spinning makes it shake.

One of the great luxuries of the modern home is having a water dispenser in your refrigerator door. It’s wonderful to have filtered water and ice available at the ready, but it’s not-so-wonderful when your dispenser suddenly stops shutting off. A leaky dispenser can drive you crazy and cause a slippery mess in your kitchen!

Intex pools can be great during the summer months. After all, who doesn’t enjoy spending time with the family in the backyard, enjoying the sun, and having fun? If you are thinking of purchasing an Intex pool or have already gotten one, there is one question: what to put under your Intex pool.

Unfortunately, urine can leave stains and smells on clothes even after they have been laundered. It can seem that the odor is an unpleasant permanent feature of the affected garments. However, various natural and chemical products can return the item to its original fresh-smelling state. 

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.

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.

Muriatic acid is one of those chemicals that sounds scary but can easily be a DIY fan’s best friend. This acid is regularly used to etch glass, prep masonry for paint, restore surface appearances in basements, and fight mildew. However, it’s a pretty strong chemical that can easily cause burns and damage if left as a spill. That’s why knowing how to neutralize it is so important.

Cleaning your toilet can be a big pain, but it’s one of those chores that you must do on a regular basis. Thankfully, bleach can make the job a whole lot easier and a lot less gross. If you’ve had to deal with stubborn stains that won’t seem to fade in the past, you may have found yourself wondering if you could leave bleach sitting in the bowl to do the hard work.

Reusable water bottles have become more common as more people are steering clear of disposable plastic bottles. The reusable water bottles stand out as the more eco-friendly option. In the long run, you can also save more money by turning to reusable containers such as the Hydro Flask.

Keeping your faucet working is an integral part of ensuring that your bathroom meets the needs of your household. Sometimes you can do this without replacing the faucet. However, other times there’s no other option but to swap out your old faucet with a new one.

When you become a homeowner, you’ll quickly find out that there are a lot of things you didn’t know. Whether it’s how to fix something, how to install an appliance, or how to winterize a house, there’s always something new to learn. Knowing these things can help keep your home safe and sound. 

When you’re laying out a nice, new layer of porcelain tile, there are certain things you expect. For example, you expect your tiling to stay put. The problem is, using the wrong bonding agent can make it hard to keep your tiles in place. That’s why there’s an ongoing debate between using Versabond versus using Flexbond thinset mortars when you’re laying out tiling. So, what’s the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

Hard water has a habit of leaving behind stains on plenty of surfaces. For those unsure how to deal with it, hard water stains just become a part of life. Those pesky stains show up on top of taps, on mirrors, on silverware, and, often, annoyingly, on glass shower doors. How do you remove it when it’s on your glass shower doors?

A brick wall is usually known for its structural integrity. If you’ve noticed one of your brick walls has shifted, this can be a cause for concern. It is vital to fix the brick wall as soon as possible. Except, how exactly do you do that?

No matter what you use your basement for, an unpleasant septic smell makes you want to stay as far away as possible. Whether your basement is for storage, a workshop, or a bonus room, it becomes virtually useless if it smells like sewage.