Good trash cans have lids to help trap odors inside the can, but a whiff of day-old bits of food or thrown-out pieces of vegetables from dinner prep a few nights ago can still escape the can every time you lift the lid—and if you throw things out often or spend a lot of time in your kitchen cooking, working, or doing anything else, that smell can quickly grow unbearable....

Soap scum can be found on shower curtains, bathroom fixtures, bathtubs, shower doors, tiling, and more. Limescale is often mistaken for soap scum. Though similar, limescale is a hard, off-white, and chalky deposit that is typically found in kettles, hot water boilers, and hot water central heating systems. How Does Soap Scum Form? Soap scum is formed into a solid substance when soap is being used in hard water. On a scientific level, soap scum combines calcium and magnesium particles (ions) that are currently in the water with the soap, which forms into the soap scum substance....

How Seeds Overwinter Sowing seeds in the fall or winter is an old technique used worldwide. You may have tried it yourself in the vegetable garden, sowing spinach and corn salad (mache) in the late fall for harvesting soon after the snow melts. The seed lies dormant all winter and is ready to sprout the first chance it gets in the spring. Any gardener who has ever cursed an effusive self-seeding plant knows that some seeds do very well when left outside in the cold all winter....

Where to Get Your Seeds Palm tree seeds can be obtained either through mail order or from flowering trees. The seeds of most palms are held on branching fluorescences and vary in appearance depending on the species. Some are small and bright red, like berries, while others like the coconut are more instantly recognizable. It’s best to use fresh palm seeds if possible because they tend to sprout more readily. To test if a palm tree seed is viable, drop it into a bowl of warm water....

Terrace gardens allow you to grow a wide variety of plants and vegetables without the fear of all of your efforts being washed away. This option will allow any homeowner with steep slopes, where planting would otherwise be impossible, to create “mini-gardens” that prevent erosion by dividing hilly areas into smaller level sections. This way, the water can be better distributed and soaked into the ground. A terrace garden can also serve other purposes on any kind of commercial or residential building or flat or slanting roof....

Based on research and interviews with home organizing experts, the SimpleHouseware Stackable 2 Tier Sliding Basket Drawer is the winner for its stackable design and durable build. Here are the best kitchen cabinet organizers on the market. For an all-around great kitchen cabinet organizer, your best bet is the two-tier Sliding Basket Drawer from SimpleHouseware. It’s affordable, easy to assemble, and would work well in most residential kitchens. Measuring 16....

We consulted with Sutton and researched the best combination of quality, smart platform compatibility, and value on the market. Based on our findings, the Wyze Bulb Color stood out as the strongest overall choice for its excellent colors, brightness range, extra control features, and affordability. Here are our recommendations for the best smart light bulbs. Whether you buy in a pack of four, two, or one, the Wyze Bulb Color is one of the best deals on smart light bulbs and one that delivers everything most homeowners need....

While searching for the best way to organize your albums, we recommend weighing your taste in decor, your budget, and the space you have available. “Ultimately, when storing and displaying your vinyl records, it really comes down to how extensive your collection is,” Decorist designer Christina Manzo tells The Spruce. After chatting with Manzo for buying tips and product recommendations, we researched high-quality units of all shapes and sizes. Our top choice is the Urban Outfitters Vinyl Record Storage Shelf, an attractive, stylish piece with a built-in divided rack that has room for up to 60 records....

Luckily, we researched the best toys from top brands, being sure to consider each pick’s recommended age, safety features, and educational value. Based on these factors, our top picks include an interactive laser tag set from NERF, a New York cityscape from LEGO, and a beginner-friendly drum kit from Alesis. Here, the best toys for 12-year-old boys. Unlike other Nerf products, there are no rubber bullets to worry about breaking furniture or getting lost behind couches, making this toy suitable for indoor play as well....

We researched brands that offer gift cards for a range of needs, and budgets, and with flexible terms. Our favorites include Etsy, Starbucks for the coffee lover, and more. Chains That Offer More Options If you aren’t 100 percent sure of what the person you are buying for likes, select gift cards from chains that own multiple brands. Often these gift cards can be used across different stores, offering the user more options....

Next to leaking, problems with the fill valve (also known as the ballcock) are the most common issue with toilets. There are several different types of fill valves commonly found in toilets, and you will need to be able to identify your type in order to make adjustments or replacements to yours. Here’s more information about each of the five fill valve types. The de facto standard in early plunger style fill valve was the Mansfield 09, many of which are still in service today....

We researched dozens of mini freezers, including traditional mini fridge/freezer combos to cooler-style models that are suitable for camping. While these mini freezers range widely in design, our selections all have a few things in common: They’re efficient and quiet, have a host of useful features, and provide an overall great value. Our best overall pick is the Whynter Cuf-210SS Energy Star Stainless Steel Upright Freezer with Lock, which is an attractive stainless steel freezer with 2....

Our top pick is the Timber Tuff 24-Inch Portable Saw Mill, which is lightweight, easy to transport, and can handle logs up to 22 inches in width. Here are the best chainsaw mills. The Timber Tuff Portable Saw Mill is small enough to easily transport, weighing under 14 pounds, making it easy to carry to a downed tree. It can cut planks of lumber anywhere from 0.2 inches to 11....

“The most important things to keep in mind are choosing heat- and weather-resistant materials like steel or wrought iron, and taking into account the height and capacity, which will depend on how much wood you’re using,” says Mallory Micetich, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Angi and an expert in consumer protection and small home living. We researched dozens of firewood racks and evaluated them based on their durability, material, size, and capacity....

Our favorite, the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum, has shockingly powerful suction, a large dust bin, and a tapered nozzle to target crevices and other hard-to-reach spots. Here are the best handheld vacuums, backed by our testing. The Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum is our favorite because it’s cordless and easy to use, has a large dust bin, and has powerful suction on various surfaces. If you’re looking for an appliance for a quick and efficient cleanup, this is the vacuum for you....

Our top pick, Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish, is an easy-to-use spray that wipes clean with common household sponges or lint-free cloths. It is also affordable and available in most supermarkets. Here are the best stainless steel cleaners, from deep cleaners to eco-friendly options. Using Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner goes beyond just getting your items clean. It adds a protective coating to your appliances to keep fingerprints and dirt from finding their way back onto your shiny appliances....

Our favorite steam iron is the BEAUTURAL 1800-Watt Steam Iron with Digital LCD Screen because it was ready to use in 10 seconds, ironed out the creases of almost all of our testing fabric in one pass, and features an interactive display that’s extremely helpful. Here, the best steam irons, according to our rigorous testing. Our top pick is the BEAUTURAL 1800-Watt Steam Iron with Digital LCD Screen. Beginners will love how the display screen walks you through which setting to use, while professional ironers will love how quickly this iron heats up and removes wrinkles....

This pick also transitions easily from toddlers to teens with easy-to-use parental controls for little ones and plenty of apps, music, and book options for high schoolers. The Fire 7 Kids is perfect for road trips; just be sure to download shows and movies in case Wi-Fi isn’t available, and keep the charging cord on hand because the battery is said to drain quickly. Price at time of publish: $60 In addition to offering comfort and opportunities for learning, this educational toy is resistant to daily messes....

We researched the top exterior paints available today, evaluating ease of application, durability, formulation, and color choices. Our pick for best overall, the BEHR Premium Plus Exterior Paint and Primer in One, is versatile enough to be used on a variety of surfaces (such as wood, vinyl, and cement), can be applied even during low temperatures, and resists issues like peeling and mildew. Here are the best exterior paints. At 400 square feet, it provides slightly more coverage than some of its competitors, though it’s also a bit more expensive....