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VGstockstudio/Shutterstock Ever since mobile devices became the primary mode of contact for people, it seems no boundary exists to separate hand and phone. This includes the bathroom. Despite it being a most solitary endeavor, many are using it as an opportunity to multi task—checking and responding to emails, scrolling through friends’ photos on social media and even responding to texts or talking on the phone. But, according to research, this isn’t just objectionable behavior, it’s actually dangerous....

More and more, people are turning to pros to wash their cars. According to the International Carwash Association, 77 percent of drivers in 2019 reported they most frequently took their vehicle to a professional car wash, up from approximately 48 percent in 1994. A full professional interior car detailing can run from $75 to $150 or more. The price depends on where you live and the level of, well, detail....

For most jobs where you face a stubborn nut or bolt, a quality socket set should solve the problem. However, a few jobs require a little more torque. Things like removing your lawn mower blade so you can sharpen it, or taking the lug nuts off your car when you’re rotating your tires. After struggling to get two seized blades off my father-in-law’s lawn tractor, I called in reinforcements by buying the Craftsman Three-Piece Flex Handle Breaker Bar Set from a nearby home center....

Growing up, I fondly recall working with my uncle Mike in his basement workshop. Together, we (mostly he) built lots of small stuff like bird houses, tackle boxes and picture frames. Years later, when I left apartment living behind and bought a home, I was excited to have a garage and get back to building these sorts of things on my own. The first tool I purchased was a portable table saw....

Milwaukee Big Hawg Hole Cutter Milwaukee’s Big Hawg Hole Cutter is something to behold because of its speed and power. Big Hawg Hole Cutter Speed The Big Hawg Hole Cutter is 10 times faster than hole saws, according to Milwaukee. Big Hawg Hole Cutter Power Milwaukee says this hole saw will do 600 holes before it needs resharpening. It’ll go through nails, wood, cement board and stucco but it won’t go through metal....

Robert_schafer_photography/Getty Images Outfitted in black and orange, box elder bugs have the look of Halloween about them, but they’re no treat. We’ll share some tricks for getting rid of box elder bugs. But first, a little bit about these nuisance insects. Box elder bugs are seldom a major problem—they’re more of an annoyance because they tend to head indoors looking for shelter as winter approaches. They push into cracks and other openings and often congregate around windows on the southern or western side of a house, where it’s warmer....

The cabinets are likely the first thing people notice when entering your kitchen, so it’s important to keep them updated and looking good. Luckily, that doesn’t have to mean total replacement. I’ve seen homeowners choose much cheaper and less time-consuming ways to refresh their kitchen cabinets. Here are eight of those DIY options for updating kitchen cabinets. Replace Hardware Replacing outdated handles and hinges can dramatically change the look and style of your cabinets, with minimal work....

Sponsored by Amvic Building System Converting your basement into a comfortable living space provides more square footage for family activities and it increases the value of your home. In fact, according to some experts, converting your unfinished basement space can return up to 70 percent of your investment when it’s time to sell your home. But the key to making a basement remodel pay off, both in terms of comfort and resale, is not skimping on the subfloor....

Andrei Kholmov/Shutterstock As the differentiating component of disc brakes, brake rotors play a central role in stopping your car. Here’s what you should know about them. How Brake Rotors Work In a disc-brake system, rotors attach to the axle, usually sliding over the lugs that also secure the wheel to the hub. They provide a contact surface for the brake pads, which, under load, generates friction, converts kinetic energy to heat, and slows the vehicle....

tab1962/Getty Images You finally have your lawn just how you want it — green and lush and thriving. Then, all of a sudden, a bare spot appears. What to do? To find out why bare spots occur, and how to fix them to return your lawn to its splendor, we checked in with Joe Churchill, senior turf specialist with Reinders, Inc. to share his insights and tips. Why Are There Bare Spots In My Grass?...

From making a DIY phone stand to clearing out debris in your sink, zip ties can handle numerous small and large tasks in and around your home. Also known as cable ties, hose ties and tie wraps, zip ties are plastic fasteners that hold things together. They work simply by feeding the narrow end (or tail) through the head to form a ratchet. Once tightened, they generally they can’t be loosened....

If you’re looking to infuse some fun and flair into your space, look no further than these disco ball decor ideas. Decorating with disco balls gained momentum over the last few years but officially became trendy in 2021. Whether you want to add a splash of playfulness to your home or want to brighten up your space, incorporating one or more of these disco ball decor ideas can help you achieve that....

The point of an irrigation system is obvious: Plants need water, and people aren’t always around to provide it. I came to appreciate the value of an automated irrigation system during the CZU Lightning Complex wildfire that engulfed my neighborhood in August 2020. During the three-week evacuation period, no one was around except for a few brave souls who defied the evacuation orders to stamp out spot fires. Those folks likely saved our home and those on the entire lane....

Engine oil isn’t the only fluid in your car that needs to be checked and changed. Transmission fluid is another important one. You can check, top off and change your transmission fluid at home, but a transmission fluid flush is usually best left to the pros. Here’s why and how to check your transmission fluid. Why To Check Transmission Fluid Transmission fluid lubricates the parts in your transmission and helps to disburse heat....

Whether you’re doing it for the first time or the fifth time, moving into a new house or apartment is an exciting, stressful and emotional process. But before you can fling open the front door and start unpacking boxes, there’s an important task that almost every home requires — a thorough cleaning. Even if the previous owners or tenants left the home in good shape, most new homeowners or renters feel better giving their home their own deep cleaning — one that includes places the former occupants might have overlooked....

Every year, more than 40,000 children end up in the emergency room from sledding, skiing and other winter activity-related injuries. However, with a little planning and common sense, there’s no reason your children can’t enjoy outdoor play safely during the cold winter months. Know How Cold Is Too Cold Zvozdochka/Getty Images On This Page Keep an eye on the air temperature and don’t forget to take the wind chill into account....

KRPD/Shutterstock No matter how good your pillow protectors are, sooner or later you’re going to find yellow stains on your pillows. However careful we are about our personal hygiene, sweat (and yes, sometimes saliva!) inevitably ends up soaking through onto the pillow. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned dust mites, skin cells and potential bed bugs. When you see how disgusting those pillows look, you might be tempted to ditch them and buy new ones....

It’s no secret that solar power and other renewable resources have seen a spike in interest, as consumers begin to embrace the technology and local and national governments incentivize its growth. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the total capacity of residential installations in the U.S. has more than doubled since 2016, while the average installation price per watt has decreased 27 percent in that same period. If solar is on your radar but you’ve got questions about whether to take the plunge, read on for an overview of solar technology and whether it’s a sustainable strategy for the modern homeowner....

Danny E Hooks/Shutterstock Never heard of a valet key before? That’s OK because not all cars have them but if yours does, you might want to do something with the key. What is a Valet Key? A valet key is essentially a spare key that comes with a vehicle but there are some varieties to the valet key. Brands like BMW and Audi feature valet keys. Several sports cars also have smart technology valet keys....

Composite decking colors have come a long way. To keep up with design trends and provide customers more variety, decking manufacturers now offer a vast assortment of hues and grains. However, this range of choices can be confusing for homeowners struggling to find the perfect tone and texture for their deck. Settling on the “right” color is mainly a matter of personal taste. Here are a few suggestions for choosing composite decking that will enhance the beauty of your home and withstand the test of time, so you’ll enjoy it well into the future....