A study revealed that more than 95 percent of handbags harbor some kind of bacteria. If that wasn’t bad enough, viruses can live on handbag surfaces for hours or even days at a time. The good news is that regularly cleaning your handbag can help keep pathogens at bay. Here’s how to do it. Clean Out Your Handbag Those old tissues and tubes of lipstick are probably only adding to the germ count....
As the name suggests, a pressure washer blasts away dirt and grime with water dispersed at high pressure. Most consumer pressure washers spray cold water, generally from a garden hose. But a hot water pressure washer raises the water temperature to increase its cleaning power. The rationale is straightforward: Hot water is more effective than cold at tackling grease, oils and stubborn stains. It’s also better at fighting germs and bacteria, and in general requires less detergent to clean surfaces....
My first car was a 1964 Volkswagen Beetle. Because it was inexpensive and there was little to lose, I decided to exercise my creativity and paint it myself. It took about two months for the paint to start peeling, and for me to understand the value of durable auto finishes applied with a spray gun. These days, a wrap is an even better option for updating your car’s appearance. It’s durable and actually helps protect the body from chips, dents and minor damage....
StepanPopov/shutterstock November is National Adoption Awareness Month, an opportunity to have an open dialog about the intricacies of adoption, share knowledge, and raise awareness about children in the foster care system who are waiting to be adopted. The adoption process is made easier if you have a helpful agency and social worker. One of the most stressful parts of adoption is getting ready for the home study. The home study is when a social worker comes to your home to learn more about your family, examine the home and make sure your documentation is in order....
Building a new home can be constructive and destructive at the same time. Trees have to be cut down. Boulders have to be moved. Earth has to be excavated. And if you’re building a second home or a vacation home in a remote area, you might feel a twinge of guilt about the environmental impact your new build will have. But there are ways to repurpose the natural materials your new build disturbs, and plenty of green motives for doing so — and by “green,” we mean ecological and cost-saving!...
On This Page Is There a Cost Involved? What is a Sidewalk Bridge? Ring Floodlight Cam (2019); Ring Spotlight Cam Wired (2019); Ring Spotlight Cam Mount (2019); Echo (3rd gen and newer); Echo Dot (3rd gen and newer); Echo Dot for Kids (3rd gen and newer); Echo Dot with Clock (3rd gen and newer); Echo Plus (all generations); Echo Show (2nd gen); Echo Show 5, 8, 10 (all generations); Echo Spot; Echo Studio; Echo Input; Echo Flex....
The name “murder hornet” strikes fear into the heart of, well, everyone, but the honeybee population has to most fear from this new stinging threat. The Asian murder hornet was spotted in Washington state late last year, and there’s a possibility it could spread to other states if it’s not quickly contained. Here’s what you need to know. What Are Murder Hornets? The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), is a two-inch-long insect native to the mountainous areas of east and southeast Asia....
ArchMan/Shutterstock Finding the perfect gift for the DIYer in your life can take time. It requires thought, patience and that “ah-ha moment” when the light bulb turns on and you think of just what will suit them. But Christmas comes quickly, and so it’s important you don’t wait too long. Exactly how much time do you have? We’ve got you covered as your one-stop shop for the shipping deadlines from a variety of stores and services....
Q: Is the tool capable of calculating square footage? Everyone has struggled with a tape measure at some point. Often it happens high up on a ladder when you’re trying to measure an unusually wide span. And sometimes you discover too late that the tape measure you brought isn’t long enough. Decades ago, Leica, an industry leader in cameras and optics technology, developed a laser distance measurer that was uncomfortably large and expensive....
We remodeled our kitchen two years ago, replacing our old gas stove and its clunky, hard-to-wash cast-iron burners with a new one with a sleek glass top. While our new top is much easier to clean, some foods can still be a challenge to remove, especially if I let the mess sit for a while. So when this recent TikTok video picked up steam, I paid attention. It demonstrates a simple cleaning method for glass stove tops utilizing two common household products....
Imagine an undisturbed forest floor. Below a canopy of giant trees, a matrix of fallen leaves and dead tree trunks slowly decomposes. Over the centuries, that organic matter breaks down and enters the soil, supporting a rich web of life under the surface. “There are billions of organisms in one ounce of soil,” says Kathy Glassey, director of renewable services at Monster Tree Service. “When there’s abundant nutrition from organic matter, those organisms are thrilled because all of their needs are met, and they can then provide everything the trees need in return....
Spring has sprung, and if you’re thinking about setting up a brand new garden, here are some tips to get you started on the right foot. To determine your plant choices, consider how much sun you have Spend some time watching the sun patterns in your yard. How many hours per day does the site you have in mind receive full sun? Then research the plants you intend to use and match their needs with the available sun in your yard....
Does it seem like the picture on your television is getting hard to see? Before you call the optometrist, you might want to check the television screen first. Like every other surface in your home, dust builds up on screens, along with germs and fingerprints, making it hard to see your favorite show. But not to worry, cleaning your screen isn’t difficult. Just follow the steps below to clean it up without scratching it, and the next time to sit down for a little Saturday night binge watching, you’ll see things much clearer....
Why Clean a Keyboard? Cleaning a keyboard isn’t just about good hygiene. It will also help keep it working like it’s supposed to. Dirty keyboards can start to develop problems, like keys that stick or stop working entirely. Without proper maintenance, your keyboard could need to be replaced a lot sooner than it should. Best Cleaning Products for Keyboards A handful of products make regular keyboard cleaning a breeze. Here are some of our favorites....
Watrinya R/Shutterstock Clean the Inside of a Washing Machine You would think that a machine meant to wash something would stay clean itself, right? Unfortunately, that logic is false. A washing machine can certainly clean your clothes well, but if you don’t regularly clean a washing machine, you could be facing some serious mildew issues. On This Page When you think about it, needing to clean a washing machine makes perfect sense....
Leaving water in your RV water heater long-term can damage the unit. It can also be dangerous to your health, because stagnant water can develop harmful bacteria and foul odors. If your tank will be sitting for more than two weeks, it’s best to completely drain it until it’s time to use it again. If you’re a full-time RVer, make sure to add this to your yearly RV maintenance routine....
Redwood/Shutterstock Coyotes are typically classified as a pest species because of their predation (the killing by one living organism of another for food) habits. They prey on sheep, chickens and pose a threat to pets and people. It may seem strange to see this wild canine in your yard, but with a loss of habitat, as well as a decline in their main competitor, the wolf, it’s becoming more and more common to see coyotes in residential areas....
A poured concrete patio can transform your backyard. If you’re considering taking on this project, your success depends on preparation. Start by reading this guide. About Concrete Patios Durable, attractive, long-lasting and easy to keep clean — these are the advantages of a concrete patio. Unlike paving bricks or patio slabs, a poured concrete patio greatly reduces gaps and cracks that can lead to weed growth and ant infestations. On This Page...
Headed out on a camping trip this summer? The warmer weather means getting back to nature and exploring peaceful forests and terrains. But if the idea of sleeping on the hard ground or wrestling with an air mattress pump at the end of a long day is less than appealing, we’ve got you covered. The answer? The Ivation EZ-Bed Air Mattress. This self-inflating mattress saves valuable pack space since you won’t need a pump....
pixinoo/getty images Summer construction season is undoubtedly upon us. For many construction pros, the end of spring means longer hours, more than enough hard work, and a-few-too-many heat waves to go along with it. It is hard to drive down a city block in the summer and not see some form of construction. More work means more jobsites, which means more places for potential thieves to target. Thieves are drawn to the potential resale value of construction tools and equipment, treating jobsites with lax security as potential treasure troves....
