What Is Loose-Fill Cellulose Insulation? Cellulose insulation is thick, dense, and clumpy, with a consistency much like down feathers. The chief value of this shape and size is that the insulation can fit in enclosed areas (such as walls) and can conform around obstructions such as wires and ducts (found both in walls and in attics). Cellulose insulation technically can come from any cellular plant source, such as corncobs or sisal....

The proper timing of your last fall mowing is just as important as cutting the grass at the right height. Following a few basic rules helps your lawn make it through the winter and start healthy regrowth in the spring. Fall Mowing of Cool Season Grasses If you live in the central and northern United States or southern Canada, your lawn most likely consists of cool season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue....

Signs Your Lawn Needs Lime Plants’ ability to absorb absorb nitrogen is especially affected by soil pH; this is why lawns are especially sensitive. Nitrogen is the soil nutrient most responsible for green foliage, and turf lawns are nothing but green foliage. A lawn struggling to grow in acidic soil may show the following signs: Weak growthThe presence of lawn mossDiseaseInsect infestationWeedsFailure to respond after treatment with fertilizerWashed-out color Some species of lawn grass are more tolerant of acid soils....

Baking soda is a naturally occurring mild alkali (base) that helps dirt and grease dissolve in water. The powder acts as a gentle abrasive to help loosen stuck-on grime without damaging surfaces. It also deodorizes by transforming both acidic and basic odor molecules into a more neutral, odor-free state. Vinegar (acid) is produced through the fermentation of fruits and vegetables. Distilled white vinegar is a five percent solution of acetic acid that is mild enough to dissolve greasy molecules without harming most finishes (do not use on natural stone)....

Why Do Some Ants Have Wings and Others Don’t? Carpenter ants and termites (which aren’t really ants) that have wings and fly are reproductive males or queens. These are the only members of an ant colony that can reproduce. Ants and termites swarm to mate, then the males die, having fulfilled their life’s purpose. The queens drop their wings to seek a nesting site. So if you see something like looks like an ant with wings, it’s likely that it is getting ready to add to its population!...

So, if the garbage disposal starts to hum when you turn it on, it’s important to find out why the disposal is making this noise and how to fix the problem. Common issues that can cause the disposal to hum include a clog that is preventing the blades from turning, an overheated motor, or even a physical obstruction, like a fork or spoon. Use this guide to learn why the garbage disposal is humming and what you can do to resolve the issue....

The direct glare from a bare bulb can actually damage the eye. Use lampshades to both block the eye from directly seeing the bulb, and to direct the light where you want it to go. A common form of the lampshade on a floor lamp, for example, uses cloth or paper with a loose weave to block significant amounts of light in a horizontal direction. At the same time, the shade permits light to flow from the top and bottom....

We recently spoke to Andrew John Bettany, Production Manager at Original BTC’s Stoke-on-Trent Factory, who gave us all the details on how they finish each fixture to their incredibly high standard. What item made your work life easier this week/month/lately? Andrew John Bettany: Definitely our spray guns. We work with china using the slip-cast method to create each lighting fixture. Where/how do you use this item most? AJB: We only use the spray guns in our spray booth....

3 Reasons Why New Clothes Should Be Washed Before Wearing There are three good reasons to wash new clothes, especially pieces like underwear or t-shirts and shorts that are worn in direct contact with your skin before you wear them. Loose Dye Transfer One reason to wash new clothes is to wash out extra dye that can be transferred to your skin or other garments. Most fabrics made from synthetic fibers (polyester, acrylic) are colored with azo-aniline dyes....

Dated styles, air leaks, water infiltration, thermal leaks, fogged glass, and insect intrusions are just a few of the many reasons why you might want to consider new replacement windows for your home. What a Replacement Windows Is A replacement window is a window that is smaller than the existing window and which replaces a majority of the existing window, such as the glass and moving parts. So, replacement windows are not a one-for-one, exact replacement....

The tiny house plans were created by Lamar Alexander, a homesteader who lives mortgage-free and off the grid on a patch of family-owned land in Utah. His designs are for people looking to live a similar lifestyle. Below, learn more about the accommodations of this tiny home. Alexander says this small home makes a great starter home or bug-out retreat that can sleep up to six people. So, what’s the catch?...

Color Family: Reds, oranges, yellowsComplementary Colors: Greens, blues, purplesPairs Well With: Warm neutrals, white, blackMood: Cozy, inviting, happy, comforting, richWhere to Use: Living areas, bedrooms, accent walls, exterior paint, exterior doors, cabinetry Here are some of the best warm paint colors from Sherwin-Williams. 

Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

We found ten projects you can tackle easily for $500 or less. Our top choice, the solid-hardwood Alexandria Portable Kitchen Island with Granite Top, comes in 24 combinations of colors and finishes. Brushed-nickel hardware complements the raised-panel doors, which conceal anything you need to store, from utensils to containers. Its short and narrow footprint (40 x 31 x 21 inches) fits even small kitchens, and adjustable levelers facilitate portability. Our top choice, the Mayne Fairfield 5823B Window Box Planter, takes up only 48 inches, and the double-wall design creates a water reservoir, keeping your thirsty plants satisfied....

Napkin Folding Teach the guests at your cooking party how to fold napkins in different styles. Once you have taught them, have them compete to see who can fold their napkins the fastest, or set a timer and see who can complete a variety of different fold designs before the buzzer rings. Blind Taste Test To play this game, blindfold a player and have the remaining party guests challenge her to guess different foods by feeling, smelling, and tasting them....

Here are 10 great choices if you are considering white shrubs for your landscape. If your soil does not have the acidity preferred by viburnums, a yearly feeding with an acid-enhanced fertilizer will improve its flowering. Mulching the base of the shrub with pine needles can also improve soil acidity. USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7Color Varieties: Pinkish-white bloomsSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, moist, acidic, well-draining...

While it’s great to save money and put yourself up to a new challenge, there are innumerable reasons why we have home improvement professionals. They can get the job done faster and usually better than if you did it yourself. They’ll also take a lot of the heavy lifting off of your plate, allowing you to concentrate on other parts of your home.

Here are 10 kitchen sink types, including their pros and cons. John Keeble / Getty Images

Discover 10 great reasons to make the switch today and rest easy knowing you are protecting yourself, and the health of your family and planet. Small children and pets are especially vulnerable due to higher exposure levels because of their size. Plus, household cleaning supplies are among the top ten substances responsible for poisoning exposure in the United States. So, minimize your risk with green cleaning products that aren’t toxic or as dangerous....

Here are 10 secret spots in your bedroom you’re probably forgetting to clean. Over time, pillows lose support and shape, leaving you with a less than comfortable night of sleep. If your pillow doesn’t spring back to its original shape after being folded in half, or it’s a foam pillow with an indentation of your head permanently etched in place, it’s time for a replacement.