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What Does the Steam Feature Do? Different manufacturers have different methods of creating and delivering steam to the wash tub, but most operate with an internal heater that heats the water into steam that is then injected as a mist into the tub during prewash, wash, and post-wash cycles. In most cases, this steam option can be chosen when you are washing using the machine’s normal wash cycle, but some appliances use the steam feature for other cycles, such as “sanitize” or a “tub-clean” cycle....

The cottage garden comes from the time in history when two-thirds of medieval Europe’s population suffered from bubonic plague. This created a demand for labor and likewise made more land available to the people who survived. Originally, cottage gardens included vegetable plants, medicinal herbs, and fragrant perennials. These perennials were planted on purpose, emitting attractive aromas, to compensate for the lack of bathing facilities in each home. Over centuries, the cottage garden evolved into a mix of English annuals and perennials with herbs, greenery, and perhaps a fruit tree for added height and bounty....

How Does Leucism Effect Birds? Birds with leucism do not have the normal, classic plumage colors listed in field guides or seen in most photos. Instead, the plumage may have several color changes, including: Bold white patches where the bird should not have anyPaler overall plumage that looks faint, diluted, or bleachedOverall white plumage with little or no color visible The degree of leucism, including the brightness of the white and the extent of pigment loss, will vary depending on the bird’s genetic makeup....

For those who like to mask off the edges of woodwork or other surfaces to ensure sharp lines while painting, painter’s tape is a great material. It is very often misused, though, since many people choose to remove the tape immediately after painting, while the paint is still wet. In reality, the better practice is to wait until the paint is fully dry before peeling off the tape. How Painter’s Tape Works Masking tape itself was created in 1925 by an engineer of the 3M Corporation to assist workers in the automotive industry who needed a product to mask off edges while painting metal parts....

So, if your home doesn’t have a utility closet or a laundry room, where do you stick the big stuff that you still need, like a vacuum? With this common quandary in mind, Samsung recently announced its newest product: the Bespoke Jet, “a cordless vacuum cleaner with an All-in-One Clean Station” that’s meant to be left out and on display. While a meant-to-be-displayed vacuum is certainly a solution to the where to store your vacuum question, it might not be for everyone....

Iron Chlorosis Chlorosis can be caused by many diseases, nutrient deficiencies, insect or mite damage, or environmental issues like too much water. Imbalanced soil pH may be another cause of iron chlorosis. The ideal pH level for tomatoes is between 6.2 and 6.8, but plants may grow in more acidic soils with a pH as low as 5.5. Tobacco/Tomato Mosaic Virus Tobacco mosaic virus may lessen the number of ripe fruits produced, but it will rarely kill plants....

There are many advantages and disadvantages to having a shared bathroom, and you’ll want to take each one into consideration to see if it’s something you want in your home. What is a Jack and Jill Bathroom? Jack and Jill bathrooms are shared bathrooms that can be accessed by at least two doors that lead out to two different bedrooms. There is a door in each bedroom leading to the bathroom, so those in the two bedrooms each have direct access....

Determined to solve this clothing conundrum once and for all, you look everywhere—double-checking the hamper, dryer drum, and that empty space underneath your bed—but your missing sock is nowhere to be found. So, what gives? Where did your sock go? And, most important, how can you make sure you never face this dryer dilemma again? Don’t worry, help is on the way. We spoke to a handful of cleaning and organization experts to answer your most burning questions....

Why Cauliflower Turns Purple Genetically, many cauliflowers tend toward purple, red, or blue pigments. Cauliflower is a cool-weather vegetable, and when a lot of heat and sunlight hits the developing cauliflowers, they can display a purplish tinge along the edges of the heads. The purple color in cauliflower is caused by the presence of anthocyanin, which is a harmless, water-soluble pigment in the curd. Anthocyanin is the same pigment found in red cabbage....

But many of the problems are solvable through good planning. It all begins with proper plant selection, followed by locating your fruit tree in the right spot when planting (including placing it far enough away from other trees, as per label instructions). But even if you get the selection and the location right, there are several things that can go wrong later. Other reasons for fruit trees not bearing fruit include:...

What Is a Native Plant? Native plants are plants that evolved over hundreds or thousands of years in the area. Native plants grew naturally in an area before humans began to bring in outside plants to grow and farm. Plant natives adapted to the climate and cultural conditions of an area and became part of the ecosystem. That brings us to our next question: what is that area? Plants may be native to North America, but not necessarily native to every state in the U....

Overview Color Family: VariousComplementary Colors: VariousPairs Well With: VariousMood: Energizing, uplifting, relaxing, welcomingWhere to Use: Front doors Here are ten of the best front door paint color ideas for inspiration.

The beautiful secret about using gray as a neutral is that it allows you to decorate with bolder blues or calmer beiges. Gray walls somehow manage to stay crisp, even in darker shades. The key to finding the right gray for your space is to sample colors thoroughly and correctly. Color Family: NeutralComplementary Colors: No direct complementary colors in gray; they already have little bits of color in themPairs Well With: Everything from whites and pastels to darkest tonesMood: Light shades generally peaceful, darker shades more dramatic and masculineWhere to Use: All walls, any room, even kitchen cabinets...

Characteristics Typically Dogtrot Houses have the following characteristics: Wood construction Wide, central, open-air breezeway One side gable roof over two enclosed spaces One story high, depending on the pitch of the roof Large porch or gallery Symmetrical Vernacular cottage or farmhouse in a rural location Usually, these homes are very small—1300 square feet or less. Many are still found in southeastern states—Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi—but also from Pennsylvania to Texas. Most often, these front doors will open onto a front porch....

There are also entirely different species of Asian climbing beans that are increasingly popular in North American gardens. These often have a unique appearance, but the beans are known to be extremely nutritious. Growing Heirloom Pole Beans Most pole beans require 65–75 days to mature, and they don’t grow well outdoors until the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees or, preferably, 70 degrees. If you don’t have a lengthy growing season in your region—or if you’d prefer to harvest your beans earlier—you can start seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost of late winter or spring....

The downside is that when you grow grasses in containers, they are less hardy—generally by about two hardiness zones. For example, an ornamental grass rated for USDA hardiness zone 5 when planted in the ground typically is hardy only to zone 7 when planted in a pot. (Note: the USDA zones listed below refer to ground-grown plants, not container-grown.) The actual hardiness of a container-grown ornamental grass depends upon its exposure, the material of the container, weather fluctuations during the winter months, and how well you winterize it....

The Salvia genus fits into the mint (Lamiaceae) family of plants, and, predictably, many of these species have a strong, pleasant scent, making them attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. While most salvia species are technically perennials, some of the most popular are more often planted as annuals in colder regions. The majority of salvia plants are known for their long bloom period, which sometimes can extend from late spring into fall....

Part of the Crassulaceae family, known for plants with fleshy, succulent leaves, the Sedum genus comprises 400–500 species known as sedums, or stonecrops, many of which have been widely adopted as garden plants. The name stonecrop derives from the fact that these plants not only tolerate dry, rocky soil but positively thrive in it. Sedums range in height from about 2 inches to 3 feet. Some species are hardy up to USDA hardiness zone 3, while others are best limited to warmer climates....

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Color Family: PinksComplementary Colors: GreensPairs Well With: Teal, aqua, blue, white, cream, blackMood: Soft, bright, cheerful, vibrant, friendlyWhere to Use: Living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, accent walls, accent furniture Here are several of our favorite pink paint colors that you can buy right now. Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.