Stain or Paint the Concrete Floor If the basement floor is concrete, a common approach is to add a floor covering like vinyl, tile, or laminate. But this isn’t always necessary. In many ways, leaving the concrete floor exposed is better than covering it up. In a space that always seems starved for height, a concrete basement floor gives your basement its maximum ceiling height. Concrete is hard, durable, and easy to clean....

Laminate Countertops The laminate countertop is a cousin of laminate flooring: layers of paper that are treated with resin and pressed together under high heat and pressure. Under this paper-and-resin layer is a base of composite chip MDF wood. The thickest laminate is used for horizontal work surfaces; thinner laminate is used for vertical areas such as backsplashes. Laminate is one of the cheapest countertop options, with installed laminate countertops as low-priced as $35 to $45 per square foot....

Since space is always at a premium in a dorm room or apartment, collapsible hampers are a great space saver for those few times you have no laundry to do. Most of these mesh or fabric hampers have a strap for easy carrying. If you prefer laundry baskets, look for those that might fit under the bed and have sturdy handles for easy carrying. Plastic baskets are always a good choice because they can be easily cleaned....

Traditional ceramic containers are also used as plant pots. Ceramic pots tend to be made of denser, less porous earthen materials, and they are always glazed, both inside and out. All these types of ceramics have similar properties when used as planting containers. Advantages Terracotta pots are classic planting pots, with a neutral and warm color that makes almost any plant look great. The range of quality and cost of terracotta pots is huge—from super cheap to phenomenally expensive....

Here is a list of eight of the most common or severe pests and plant diseases you might encounter, and how to handle them. Emerald Ash Borers For most of the United States, the biggest issue involving ash trees is the devastating emerald ash borer. This beetle spells almost certain death for ash trees if a tree is infected due to the high cost of treatment. (There are methods of prevention you can use to try to protect your tree....

While having extra room for storage is always a good thing, there is so much opportunity in attic spaces—especially for those who have an eye for turning blank walls into something fabulous. Scroll through these impressive attic “before” and “after” transformations and you might just find yourself feeling inspired to help your own attic reach soaring new heights. Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome....

But there is an amazing amount of diversity among tiles, and not all tiles are appropriate for use as a flooring surface. Learn about eight different types of tiles that are used for flooring and how to distinguish wall tiles from flooring tiles. DIY Considerations Most hard tiles for indoor applications have a similar installation profile. The tiles are usually installed using a cement-based thin-set adhesive over an underlayment of cement board that is screwed down to the subfloor....

When you see an entirely yellow leaf, you should remove it from your plant using a sterile cutting tool. Removing the leaf will let the plant focus its nutrients on healthy leaves. A yellow leaf has lost its chlorophyll (pigment) and it can’t turn green again even after you correct the problem. Don’t worry, if the plant regains its health, it’s possible that new leaves will fill in during the next growing season....

In order to help those who just don’t get it (yet), we’ve consulted with the experts to create this list of 9 things pro-organizers wish you’d stop doing. So if you find yourself nodding your head to any of these points … you may want to change up your habits. 1. Stop Feeling Guilty About Poor Organization “It’s not your fault,” says Caroline Clark, Professional Organizer and Home Organization Coach....

Why Is There a Chlorine Shortage? A big part of the shortage can be attributed to supply issues from one of the primary chlorine tablet manufacturers, BioLab. Last year, the manufacturer, based in Westlake, La., had a major chemical fire caused by Hurricane Laura. It took three days to extinguish, but not before it took its toll on the environment and the chlorine supply. The other cause of the shortage was the higher-than-normal demand for chlorine in 2020, when people started using their home aquatic centers instead of venturing out to water parks or public pools....

Botanical Facts Plant taxonomy classifies Washington hawthorn trees as Crataegus phaenopyrum. As members of the large rose family of plants (making them relatives of apple trees), they are deciduous, flowering trees. Plant Traits Washington hawthorn trees attain a height of 25 to 35 feet, with a spread also of 25 to 35 feet. They produce attractive white blooms in clusters, from late spring to early summer. These flowers, known for their distinctive odor, yield to first green and then red berries that persist throughout winter....

Here’s a washing machine temperature guide based on fabric types. When to Use Hot Water Most linens and white clothing can be washed in hot water. The high temperature is effective at removing dirt and contamination from fabric. However, hot water tends to make some fabrics shrink, wrinkle, and fade. Dyed fabric might turn out splotchy after using hot water. And delicate fabrics don’t usually respond well to high temperatures....

We spent a couple of weeks testing an Abode starter system that costs just over $300. Although to be fair, it did lack some bells and whistles, such as an outdoor camera and touchscreen (though an outdoor camera has since become available). The Abode system we installed monitored a few of our critical entryways, so we didn’t have a full perimeter of protection. Nonetheless, it satisfied our desire for peace of mind....

The following is a frequently updated list of above-ground pool manufacturers. While this type of pool has enjoyed a surge in popularity since the Great Recession, some manufacturers had to close their doors because of the economy. If you already own an above-ground pool and have had difficulty tracking down the company or its website, it may have joined forces with or been acquired by another company. Parts are usually compatible with other brands but do your research to make sure it fits or is returnable if it doesn’t work out....

Pros of Adding a Skylight to a Garage There isn’t a whole lot to a skylight, especially skylights used for garages. If desired, the skylight can consist of nothing more than colored plastic acrylic that is screwed into place instead of regular sheeting. There are also high-end skylights made of reinforced glass to stand up to breaking branches and falling trees, as well as designs that also open and close to provide increased ventilation....

Size: Lightweight and compact You’ll want to consider how much laundry you do at one time and how many items you’re looking to air dry simultaneously. This size rack is perfect for our household because we always wash our clothes separately to prevent any mixups. We tend to wash small loads throughout the week rather than one big load. If you have a large family and prefer to throw everyone’s clothes in together, this drying rack would likely be too small for you....