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We all know that mattresses don’t come cheap, so it makes sense to do all you can to properly maintain and care for them. Mattress protectors to the rescue! But with all the choices out there, how do you know which mattress protector is right for you? To help sort this out, we spoke with fabric expert Jennifer Porter, a designer and sewn goods manufacturer at Satsuma Designs LLC. She shared her expertise and some insider tips about mattress protectors....

sturti/Getty Images Late last week the U.S. House of Representatives approved the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 (H.R. 447), a piece of legislation intended to increase apprenticeship programs in the U.S. and provide more wide-spread access to these programs. The act would invest more than $3.5 billion over five years into the national registered apprenticeship system, creating nearly one million new apprenticeship opportunities. “This bill would update programs created under the original National Apprenticeship Act for the twenty-first century, promoting greater diversity in apprenticeships and boosting women’s participation, which right now is only at 10 percent,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said in a statement....

About three years ago, I built myself a rain barrel from a 55-gallon plastic pickle container. I set it up on concrete blocks about 2 ft. off the ground and placed it directly underneath a sawed-off downspout on my garage so the water flows directly into the barrel. It works OK, but I’m a little under-whelmed with my rain barrel for two reasons: Even though I set it up on blocks, there’s not enough water pressure to send the water through the spigot at anything more than a trickle....

Reinforce Your Roof A properly constructed roof in areas subject to high winds has trusses attached to walls with hurricane tiedowns, properly nailed sheathing, and heavy-duty shingles. These are usually accomplished during a complete re- roofing. (Consult your local code officials for details.) However, even if you’re not planning a total re-roofing, there are do-it-yourself measures that will help keep the water out and the roof intact. Reinforce the Trusses 1....

Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock There once was a time when granite countertops were the ultimate luxury kitchen must-have. Today, homeowners have endless choices when it comes to countertops, from butcher block to marble, soapstone and quartz, and yes, concrete. Concrete countertops can give your kitchen an industrial look that works well in both ultra modern and farmhouse country kitchens alike. Learn More About Best Modern Cabinet Hardware Here are 13 countertop choices that aren’t granite!...

The summer after I moved into my home 13 years ago, I invested in a bunch of tree trimming tools and maintenance equipment. The double city lot I purchased included 14 mature trees that were in terrible shape. Several trees needed to be pruned or trimmed, and six had to come down due to disease, rot or overcrowding. I bought a bow saw, pole saw, pruners, loppers and a gas chain saw....

A dip in a hot tub is the perfect way to end the day on a relaxing note. Here’s what to know about hot tubs, if you’re considering one for your yard. Should You Get a Hot Tub? There are pros and cons to owning a hot tub. On This Page Pros include: Great way to unwind; Fun way to entertain friends; Unlike having a pool, in most parts of the country a hot tub can be enjoyed year-round....

Each year, home growers wonder when to start a garden. The first signs of spring trigger excitement for the new growing season, but it can be weeks or months before it’s time to begin. Planting too early can spell disaster, but so can planting too late. The window of opportunity varies based on your region and plants. Here, Angelo Randaci, master gardener and horticulture expert at Earth’s Ally, and Erinn Witz, co-founder and writer at SeedsandSpades....

Since the 1970s, most vehicles have been designed to crumple under impact, absorbing as much energy as possible in an accident. The reason is safety. More force absorbed means less collateral damage and a greater chance the passengers will be unharmed. Trouble is, this design philosophy means many parts of modern vehicles are much more fragile than they once were. This is especially true of front and rear bumpers. Usually made of thin molded plastic color-matched to the surrounding steel body panels, bumpers are notorious for denting with even the lightest of impacts....

Jovana Kuzmanovic/ Have you ever seen a many-legged creature scurrying so fast across the ground that you take a second look to make sure you actually saw it? If so, there is a chance you encountered a centipede. This critter is a common household pest, seeking out a moist environment and solid food source in the comforts of your home. While not overly dangerous to people, a centipede might not be a welcomed guest....

Most people have heard of feng shui, or at least read something about it. Some feng shui books are tough reads, dense and academic in tone. Joan Kaufman, a certified interior designer and founder of Interior Planning & Design Inc., describes it more plainly: A philosophy that explores the person-place connection. “That’s what we start with,” she says. “How do you experience your space? How does it affect you? It does impact you, drastically....

A soak in a hot tub can feel oh-so-good after a long day. But the benefits go well beyond simple relaxation. Here are five proven hot tub health benefits to keep in mind if you’re thinking about buying a hot tub. Hot Tubs Improve Your Cardiovascular System A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health revealed that warm water immersion is good for your heart and entire cardiovascular system....

When you’re buying or selling a home, it helps to have an ally. Hiring a home inspector can help you avoid surprises at the closing table. I talked to Chris Meis of Honest Home Inspection to learn the most common issues he finds and what advice he has for buyers and sellers alike, including a list of essential home inspection tools. Meet the Expert: After careers in construction, automotive mechanics and cabinetry, Chris Meis found a profession where he can apply and share all his knowledge....

Professional painters know that a quality primer can be a real problem-solver—the secret to a perfect finish even when the underlying surface is decidedly less than perfect. As an undercoat, primer prepares the surface, promotes paint adhesion and serves as a foundation that will make paint look better and last longer. The pros have been trusting KILZ brand primer products for more than 40 years, and since the introduction of the KILZ® Original stain-blocking formula, KILZ brand has introduced a number of primer products designed to address some of the toughest challenges a homeowner is likely to face....

The engineers behind Slanty, a British-produced toilet, offer an innovative angle on toilet design. The internal parts function like a standard toilet, but its seat profile is far from standard. Rather than the traditional horizontal toilet seat, the top of the Slanty tilts down at an angle, changing the user’s body position. Depending on whom you ask, this is a sanitary upgrade or a degrading piece of corporate micromanaging. Let’s look at how a Slanty toilet works, along with the potential benefits and pitfalls....

George Sheldon/Shutterstock Amish Barn Raising Community events are a great way to raise money, create camaraderie, and learn more about the people you coexist with within a school, work environment, neighborhood, religious sect, and more. They become weekly, monthly or even annual traditions to create structure and make the event more meaningful. For the Amish, one of these events is barn raising. Barn raising is a type tradition the Amish refer to as “frolics....

There are multiple reasons why cars leak oil. Losing too much oil too quickly can seriously damage your engine, so it’s vital to deal with this problem ASAP. What Can Cause an Oil Leak? The main reasons for oil leaks are failed engine gaskets and worn O-rings and seals that shrink and harden due to age, heat and pressure. That produces the perfect environment for an oil leak. The oil pan drain plug, oil filter or rocker (valve) cover gaskets are the most likely culprits, so let’s look at these and other possible reasons why a car might be leaking oil....

Kitchen islands are a beautiful and functional addition to any home space. Incredibly versatile, they add precious storage space, counter prep room and often extra seating. In a variety of stones and colors, kitchen islands are also extremely customizable for your personal interior design. Unfortunately, installing one can rack up a huge bill, from the furniture commission itself to expensive contracting fees. In response, crafty DIYers have innovated different hacks to achieve the benefits of the coveted kitchen feature....

Essential for New Homeowners Buying your first home is no easy feat—and if the experience overwhelmed you, know that you’re not alone. A recent study revealed that 44 percent of first-time home buyers felt nervous during the entire process. Fortunately, there are many ways to make life as a new homeowner less stressful. Locate the Gas and Water Shut-off Valves For a new homeowner, a burst pipe or the smell of gas in the house can cause a panic....

Like many gardeners, I learned how to plant flowers at an early age. My dad let us pick out a few annuals each year. Then he would spade up a spot for them, hand us a trowel, and let us dig and plant. Maybe he went back later when we were off playing and re-planted some of those flowers. All we knew was, they grew. And it was always a pretty spot in the garden....