Posts

Products to Never Use in a Clothes Washer Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Most automatic dishwasher detergents contain ingredients that are much harsher than laundry detergent and can cause fading and bleaching of colors. The ingredients can also leave residue in the fabrics that can irritate the wearer's skin. Dishwashing Liquid, Shampoo, Bubble Bath, or Body Wash These products produce too many bubbles that will be difficult to remove during the rinse cycle....

If you’re still looking for the perfect summer book, we’ve got you covered. The Spruce and Simon & Schuster have teamed up for the Summer Reading Oasis Sweepstakes, just in time to make every weekend a staycation. In addition to the perfect summer reads, the winner will get everything they need to make the perfect summer reading oasis at home. One grand prize winner will receive: Book club reads for your whole club: 10 copies of each of On Gin Lane, Tracy Flick Can’t Win, Such a Quiet Place, QueenieOutdoor furnishings from Room & Board: two Yamba chaises, two Cast pillows, and two Omo towels$250 worth of home organization products from The SpruceA $1,000 gift card for outdoor entertaining essentials...

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Erithacus rubeculaCommon Name: European Robin, English Robin, Robin, Robinet, RuddockLifespan: 1-3 yearsSize: 5-6 inchesWeight: .5-.8 ouncesWingspan: 8-9 inchesConservation Status: Least concern European Robin Identification These birds are familiar and plentiful across Europe, and have a distinctive body shape and colors that make them easy to identify. The head is round and the neck is thick, giving the bird a stocky appearance, and the short, straight bill is evenly black....

About Teal Ducks Teal are dabbling ducks that are found primarily in shallow freshwater areas. Their preferred habitats may include marshes, ponds, rivers, swamps, flooded agricultural fields, and similar riparian zones that boast suitable vegetation and shelter. Teal ducks are among the most popular duck species—some variety of teal can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Physical Characteristics Characterized by stout necks and short tales, teal ducks are generally smaller than many other types of ducks....

Wrap Lights Around a Spool A large plastic or wooden spoon is a great tool for neatly storing supplies such as rope or string, but it works equally as well for storing Christmas lights. Take a strand of lights and make sure all the bulbs work, then lay it down on a flat surface such as a table or the floor. Starting with one end of the lights, begin to wrap it around the spool in a single layer—once you reach the end of the spool, start a second layer....

Or, so we think. But there is so much more available to gardeners with shady yards. Shade gardeners have a great number of gorgeous plants available to them. To prove it, here are twelve wonderful plants that will thrive in four hours of sun or less.

In terms of botany, cannas (or “canna lilies,” as they are sometimes called) are perennials in planting zones 8 to 11. They are considered “tender” perennials, being sub-tropical and tropical flowers. The above-ground growth springs from underground rhizomes (sometimes colloquially called “bulbs”). What the Plant Looks Like As you can see from my image, canna plants do produce an attractive flower. In my growing zone (5), they typically bloom in the second half of July....

Latin Name Agastache rupestris is the scientific name assigned to this species. It is included in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Common Names Names for this plant include sunset hyssop, threadleaf giant hyssop, rock anise, hummingbird mint, and licorice mint. USDA Hardiness Zones Zones 4b-9 are suggested for this species. It is native to Arizona, Mexico, and New Mexico. Size and Shape At maturity, each vase shaped sunset hyssop subshrub will measure 2 feet high and 1-1....

In the real world, however, you cannot help but transition from one flooring type to another because different rooms need different types of flooring. For example, the Brazilian cherry works great in the living room, but you must transition to porcelain in the bathroom due to moisture issues. To accommodate these shifts from one type of flooring to another, the flooring industry uses several different types of accessory items called transition strips....

Sure, moving it out of sight would be ideal, but it’s a pricey endeavor. So instead of living with the big ugly, it’s best to disguise it. After two failed attempts at hiding a breaker box, one homeowner finally found the right fix on the third try. She had an “aha!” moment while strolling through her local Ikea store where a simple cabinet inspired her solution. A small hack offered significant impact in making her entryway an inviting spot in her home....

Roommate Benefits Particularly in urban areas, having a roommate can have several benefits. Here are some reasons why people choose to share an apartment or house. You will share the cost of your living space and save money.There is some security in having more than one person in a house or apartment.If you’re also friends, you’ll have someone to talk to. Roommate Etiquette Guidelines Whether you’re a college student or a young adult who needs a roommate for economic reasons, you’ll have a much better experience if you follow some important etiquette guidelines....

The right solution for you depends on your home and your taste. You may find that a combination of ideas works best. Paint the Brick Painting the brick is the most extreme solution for a dark brick exterior, but it brightens the look. It’s a good option when you don’t like the brick color at all. Neutral paint colors ranging from white to taupe tend to look best. Before painting your exterior brick, drive your neighborhood to make sure your home will still fit....

What Is a Berm? A berm is simply a rounded mound of soil (and, sometimes, fill) built upon an otherwise level patch of land to improve the design of a property. The fact that a berm is rounded is what distinguishes it from a raised bed. The latter has a flat surface and a rectangular shape. Supplies to Build a Berm Flexible garden hoseFlourSpade, shovelSteel rakeTamping toolWheelbarrowFill, such as rubble or gravel (optional)Clayey soil (optional)TopsoilMulchEdging material (optional)Boulders (optional)Plants...

As professional cleaners know, steaming is faster than ironing and will not scorch or damage most fabrics. However, if you desire sharp creases and crisp, starched shirts, a clothes steamer cannot produce those results and you will need an iron and ironing board. As a laundry expert and consultant, I have tested many types of clothes steamers and can guide you as you decide what type of clothes steamer to buy....