What Is Green Cleaning? For some, green cleaning means that they only use substances like baking soda, ​vinegar, and lemons to clean the home surfaces. These are considered to be natural green cleaners. Some households may seek out manufactured green cleaning products that are healthy for the environment (some are green brands). Green cleaning products typically have the following characteristics: No phosphatesNo chlorineNo artificial fragrancesNo artificial colorsBiodegradable or recyclable packagingOrganically grown ingredients using sustainable farming practices...

History of Postmodern Architecture Postmodernism arose in the 1960s and ’70s as an architect-driven critical reaction and response to the prevailing Modern architecture of the mid-20th century, which postmodern architects perceived as placeless and rigid, built from sleek modern materials like steel and glass and lacking in ornament and emotion. Postmodern architects believed that the utopian ideals of Modernism as a democratic form of accessible architecture for the masses had failed and that its cultural moment had passed (an assertion which, judging by the enduring 21st century popularity of modernist aesthetics, has not weathered the test of time)....

Cleaning Considerations The main thing to understand about self-adhesive tiles is that these floors are made up of lots of individual pieces which are pressed together by pressure and glue. While this creates the illusion of a single, solid surface that stretches out beneath you, in truth, there are still seams that exist between every individual component in the collection. Those are vulnerabilities that can be exploited by liquids and humidity over time, allowing water to penetrate down to the subfloor and cause damage....

The rules are simple—there’s a price limit everybody needs to stick to and every gift needs to be wrapped. The game consists of each person opening a gift and having the option of stealing someone else’s gift, but we’ll tell you more about the party rules below. If you’re thinking about hosting this fun holiday tradition this year, keep reading to learn about its origins, what the general rules are, and to gain inspiration for your own party!...

Late-maturing vegetables sown in June in cooler climates will not be ready for harvest until late fall. So get a jump on things by purchasing plant starts for these varieties. Gardeners who live in warm climates can sow those same seeds straight into the ground in early spring. Just because a seed doesn’t fall onto your climate’s list for June doesn’t mean you can’t plant it; you just need to do so at a different time....

When to Saw-Cut Concrete In addition to the concrete mix and the weather conditions, determining when to saw concrete is based on the concrete’s hardness as well as the type of cutting equipment used to make the saw cuts. Cutting too early causes raveling, an effect created by the saw blade pulling the aggregate out of position, leaving a messy, weakened edge along the cut. This also causes undo wear on diamond concrete saw blades....

Summer bulbs include begonias, caladium, cannas, dahlias, gladiola, gloriosa lilies, elephant ears, liatris, nerines, oxalis, pineapple lilies, tuberose, and tigridia. Some of these are tubers, corms, and rhizomes, but for purposes of planting and storing, they’re grouped under the term “summer bulbs.” Read on to learn more about the ideal time to plant summer bulbs and how to care for and maintain them when they are in the ground and stored over winter....

The Best Time to Start Seeds Indoors When to start seeds indoors depends on the type of seed and the last expected frost date for your area. Frost dates are averages and are given as a range of dates. Once you know your last expected frost date, your seed package should tell you how many weeks ahead you should start the seeds. Count back from the last expected frost date for each type of seed you are planting and you’ll have a planting schedule....

Types of Alarms Although they are often lumped together as “smoke alarms,” there are actually four different types of smoke and fire alarms used in homes. Some actually detect heat and actual fire, some detect smoke, and some do both jobs. Heat Detectors Heat detectors represent fairly old technology, and the first residential fire alarms were of this type. They feature a detecting component inside the unit that activates an alarm when it reaches a predetermined temperature....

Aphids Dying branches (branch dieback) or branches that are shedding needles are common symptoms that Colorado blue spruce trees exhibit when they have been attacked by insect pests. One such pest is the aphid, a sap-sucking insect. There are various kinds of aphids; for example, the melon aphid is Aphis gossypii. The aphids that commonly attack Colorado blue spruce are called spruce aphids (Elatobium abietinum). They are about 1/16 inch long and can be found in great numbers on the needles of the tree during an infestation....

While most often applied only to hawks or falcons, the term kettle can be used to describe any types of raptors seen in a large group. It’s generally only used when referring to birds in flight; groups of raptors on the ground are characterized by other terms. Why Raptors Kettle Most birds of prey are generally solitary, defending and hunting on their individual territories. They are only occasionally seen together, such as when several vultures feed on a single carcass....

Below, we’re sharing our top selections from Oprah’s home favorites, from stunning prep bowls to wooden serving boards perfect for your holiday charcuterie.

From the layout to the finishes, this year is a turning point for kitchen design. Here, we’ve rounded up the biggest trends designers expect to see in kitchen styles for 2021. If you’re hunting for inspiration for that big kitchen project, read on. “After years of bright, white kitchens being the norm, cabinets and countertops are going dark,” she says. “I’m seeing tons of beautiful black marble, earthy walnut, and midnight greens....

1. Under the Sink Shira Gill literally wrote the book on breaking big organization jobs into smaller tasks. Her book, Minimalista, offers a ton of great tips. She is known for her “15-minute wins,” which is exactly what it sounds like. Take charge of your clutter, a quarter-hour at a time. One of her ideas for a fast refresh is tackling what lurks under the sink in your kitchen or bath....

A spruce tree can be identified simply by examining its needles. These conifers feature needles attached to the branch by a swollen area, a pulvinus, a joint-like structure that allows extra flexibility and movement. The pulvinus, which resembles a peg, is left behind if a needle drops and is a telling sign that it’s a spruce. Another notable characteristic for identification is that, unlike the fascicles (or clustering needles) of pine trees, each pulvinus holds only one needle....

So what happens if you over-wash your clothes? Washing some items too much can shorten the lifespan of the fabric and any elasticity. In addition, you may over-wash clothing by adding too much laundry detergent, which can cause problems in both the clothes and your washing machine. Newer HE (high efficiency) washing machines use less water and can’t handle oversudsing. If suds are not completely rinsed from your clothing, the residue can attract more dirt and odors....

Maple trees include a sizable number of species in the genus Acer within the plant family Aceraceae. Most of the maple species are deciduous woody plants, ranging from multi-stemmed shrubs to large upright trees with massive trunks. Here are 13 excellent maple tree species for your landscape. Native Area: Korea, Japan, Mongolia, SiberiaUSDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Height: 30 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Native Area: Western North America, from Alaska down to southern California....

P. Allen Smith uses agaves to great dramatic effect. Potted in large, dark containers, they punctuate the landscape and add a modern, sculptural sensibility as well as vertical interest. As when planting any succulent, use either a potting soil made specifically for succulents and cacti, or make your own by taking a good quality potting mix and adding either pumice or perlite. Make sure to use a container that either has drainage holes one that you can punch or drill holes in....