This guideline can be used to compare: Which brand of detergent removes specific stains more effectivelyHomemade detergent vs commercial brand detergentPlant-based laundry detergent vs petrochemical-based laundry detergentEnzyme enhanced detergent vs non-enzyme detergent (Higher priced detergent vs inexpensive detergent) The same process could also be used to compare the effect of different types of bleach on a variety of fabrics—chlorine bleach vs hydrogen peroxide vs oxygen-based bleach. Start With Research Before launching any science project, research should be done to give the student a working knowledge before any testing comparisons begin....

Many hard-shelled beetles found in the residential landscape may infest the ground with their larvae, which are collectively known as grubs. Japanese beetles and June bugs are some of the common beetles that infest lawns and gardens with ugly white or yellow grubs that eat the roots of garden plants and lawn grasses. In most cases, this is what the small animals and birds are looking for in your lawn....

Originally, those colorful stamped metal lawn chairs were the ones that Grandma (or Great-Grandma) and her friends would sit and slowly glide in or on while they sipped beverages on the front porch. Later referred to as “motel” chairs for their propensity to show up near pools or outside the front offices of Route 66 motels, most of the originals were allowed to rust and corrode until it was time for them to be sent to lawn chair heaven....

But Minted is out to change that with their new customizable fine art feature. Best known for their greeting cards, wedding invitations, art prints, and other paper goods, Minted is making designing artwork for your home more accessible with their new custom fine art feature, available now on their website. But with the custom art feature, anyone can choose from a curated collection of fine art works and adjust the colors, choose whether to have a print or canvas, pick their favorite frame, and even select the size up to 48" x 72"....

As the new “it” item in self-care, weighted blankets are touted for their abilities to ease anxiety. The heaviness of these blankets comes from beads, usually glass or plastic, which are sewn into quilted pockets to help with weight distribution, resulting in a bean bag-like feel. If you’re in search of a weighted blanket for yourself or someone you love, there’s no shortage to choose from. We decided to try the Adult Weighted Blanket by Etsy seller Katie Steffens, of MyThreeBoysLLC, who custom-makes each product by hand....

Though it’s very adaptable to adverse conditions, it is considered to have weak wood and a brittle branch structure, and it can be a messy tree when it is dropping spent flowers or dried seed pods. While it may not be an ideal tree to grow for every location, northern catalpa is widely grown on residential properties and in parks and other open spaces throughout the country, thanks to fast growth, dense shade, and good tolerance for urban conditions....

We asked editors from The Spruce to share the brands they trust when they’re looking for eco-friendly or sustainable options. Spanning the furniture in your home to the containers you store your leftovers in to chapstick for your lips, they shared the brands they really use at home. Here, our editors’ favorite sustainable and eco-friendly brands: I’ve been using one bottle of their dish soap for months now (and I’ve been doing a lot of dishes since I’m working from home right now), and I’m just about to finish the bottle—it’s that powerful!...

How to Grow Papaya Indoors Sunlight Give this plant full sun for six to eight hours for the best growth, or conditions as bright as you can provide. Rotate the plant from time to time to help ensure the plant grows straight and true in the pot with no leaning. Papayas are a great sunny patio plant for summer climates. Temperature and Humidity Papaya plants need quite warm conditions, up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit....

Outdoor patios can be attached to a house or detached. They are often designed and oriented to the landscape. Patios are versatile: they can take on any shape and be built with various materials, like concrete, pavers, stone, tile, brick or gravel. Most patios are set on a concrete slab or a sand and pebble base. Once you’ve decided to build a patio and chosen a site, there are other design considerations:...

Best planted in the early spring or early fall, patriot hosta will grow at a moderate pace, forming a low-growing clump of leaves that unfurl to reveal a vibrant green center and “painted” white borders. The leaves themselves are large and round, coming to a soft point and featuring corrugated texture. In late spring or early summer, patriot hosta will begin to grow long stalks that extend beyond the foliage and eventually erupt in light purple flowers, which are beloved by pollinators....

Getting Insurance Approval Adding any type of wood-burning heat stove to your home can slightly increase your insurance rates, but not informing your insurer can void your coverage in the event of a fire. Before buying a stove, obtain a clearance diagram and installation specifications from your insurance company. This will detail the amount of space you must provide between your pellet stove and nearby furniture, floor coverings, draperies, and walls....

Pros It is very quick to germinate and is capable of going from scattered seed to mow-able lawn in about 21 days. Perennial ryegrass is considered a nurse grass because it is often included in grass seed blends mainly for its ability to germinate quickly and provide shade and protection to the other grass species like Kentucky bluegrass which can take up to three weeks to get started. Perennial ryegrass is also a formidable lawn grass on its own....

Contrary to a popular myth, poinsettias are not seriously toxic to people or pets. At most, they are mildly toxic to cats and dogs who ingest the plant material. If grown as a landscape shrub in warm climates, poinsettia requires a sunny location and well-drained soil. Frequent pinching back of the stem tips will ensure seasonal color in winter. Light Poinsettia do best when placed in bright, diffused sunlight, so place your plant near a sunny window where it will receive at least six to eight hours of diffused light per day....

Are you concerned that people will think less of you if you ask for something? Most people don’t think twice about being asked for favors, unless you come across as needy and constantly want something. If asking for favors makes you uncomfortable, you’re in good company. Many people ponder, fret, and worry before they finally get the nerve to ask someone for what they want or need. This doesn’t have to be the case, but there are some important guidelines that will make the request less demanding....

But the gap between quartz and laminate countertops is narrowing all the time. Premium laminates are racing to catch up to quartz’s wide customer acceptance and market share. Homeowners who once might have flocked to quartz now may find themselves also taking a second look at laminate counters. While quartz countertops may add more value to a home than laminate countertops (and they’re more durable), laminate countertops are more affordable to install, among other characteristics in their favor....

The tree gets its name from the whitish scar found on each brown seed–it’s said to give the seed the appearance of a deer’s eye. The flowering red buckeye displays its showy red flowers in three to six-inch clusters at the branch tips, along with lustrous dark green leaves. Its relatively smooth bark is a dark brown color that will flake off with age. Buckeye trees have become particularly popular with landscape gardeners due to their small, square size as well as their very early flowering....

While there are already several soap dispensing wands on the market, this wand promises new features like a built-in drain and dual-locking soap dispense system. Scrub Daddy first gained traction after airing on Shark Tank in 2013 and has since been named “Shark Tank’s most successful product to date.” The brand’s collection of products are designed with patented texture changing scrubbers, smell-resistant sponges, and scratch-free scour pads. Earlier in March, Scrub Daddy also announced their new BBQ Daddy scrubber ahead of the summer grilling season....

Wool is one of the most commonly used fibers for rugs and also one of the most durable. It’s a good choice for a high-traffic area like a living room or dining room because it’s resilient, yet it’s still incredibly soft and comfortable. Wool rugs are naturally water and dirt repellant, and because the fiber is elastic, it bounces back to its original shape quickly. They are available in a range of different pile heights and styles, and are often combined with other fibers to bring down the cost of the rug, as a pure wool rug can be quite expensive....