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Cleaning your bathroom—especially scrubbing around the shower, toilet and sink—can be a dreaded, time-consuming task. But it doesn’t have to be. Using a cordless drill and drill brush attachment for hard-to-reach bathroom spots cuts down on the amount of time and effort you spend cleaning. More than that, you can get a deeper clean with a drill, brush attachments and basic household cleaning products than with a towel or hand-held scrubber....

If you love to deck the halls, tree and house with lights, chances are you equally dread packing them up after the holidays. The strings get tangled, bulbs break and they rarely ever fit back into their original package. These seven methods for storing Christmas lights can make the task easier, allowing you to keep your Christmas cheer during takedown and ensure your twinkle lights are ready when the holiday season rolls around again....

If you’ve never shopped for a toilet before, you might be surprised to learn there are different types. Here we’ll discuss the differences between the two most common types of toilets — one piece and two piece — and help you decide which to choose. What are the Differences? It’s simple: A two piece toilet has a separate tank and bowl, while a one piece is all connected. But there are other differences, too....

If you’re like most consumers, you rely on your appliances every day and rarely give them a second thought unless something goes wrong. According to the U.S. Energy Information Association, essentially all of American homes have refrigerators (99.5 percent), and almost as many have microwave ovens (96 percent). Factor in cooking surfaces, dishwashers and small appliances like toasters and blenders, and it’s no wonder that it’s nearly impossible to go a day without interacting with an appliance in one way or another....

pressdigital/Getty Images Whether they’re levied by a state, a city or a homeowners’ association, homeowner fines are here to stay. And sometimes they’re given out for some pretty crazy reasons. Here are 13 of the most surprising homeowners fines on the books. 1. Don’t Plant Too Many Roses in Santa Fe, California A flower-loving resident in Santa Fe, California, once drew a homeowners’ association fine for planting too many roses. The association claimed the rose bushes on his four-acre property exceeded the number allowed by the community’s architecture design rules....

Freezing temperatures and heavy snow or rain during the winter months force all of us, including our four-legged friends, inside. Just because winter weather makes outdoor play a challenge, doesn’t mean your dog has to sit around and lounge and eat all day. It’s important to keep dogs active during the winter, even if they can’t play outside. Dogs that remain inactive while inside are not using up all of their energy and can develop behavioral problems, says Dr....

Question: What are the working clearance requirements around the location of an electrical panel? Answer: Visualize your favorite refrigerator; the volume of space that would be needed by a refrigerator is about how much working clearance you need in front of an electrical panel. Here are the basics for a dwelling; both access to the working space, and the actually working space are required. The depth of the working space is 36 inches....

Decluttering is an important first step to keeping your home clean. But, it can feel overwhelming, especially if you have no idea how to declutter. We’ve collected several decluttering tips and strategies to keep you on track. via merchant Have a Place for Everything …and everything in its place, says the old adage. So aim only to keep what you can store tidily, and to quote decluttering goddess Marie Kondo, items that “spark joy....

On a recent family road trip, we got caught in a heavy afternoon storm. The sky darkened like night and the rain started coming down in sheets. I turned on our headlights to increase visibility as we crawled along this rural, two-lane highway. From afar, certain sets of oncoming headlights stood out brighter than others. It wasn’t until we pulled into a gas station and I saw other vehicles up close that I realized their brightness wasn’t due to just changing the headlight bulb....

Are you a nature lover? Then you probably enjoy a night under the stars, cooking over an open fire and cuddling up in a tent. If so, then it’s about time you became acquainted with the Swedish fire torch. Also referred to as a Swedish fire log or a Canadian candle, it’s a simple and efficient way to make a fire using just one log. It’s perfect for those who prefer a hands-off approach, since once it gets burning hot, it maintains its flame for several hours without you having to tend to it at all!...

If you’ve plugged in an extension cord, swapped out a light fixture or made a piece of toast, you’ve likely used a UL-listed product. You may have noticed the small UL mark printed on the label or stamped on the product itself. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories. For more than 100 years this organization has been developing safety standards, testing products for compliance and putting its mark on things we use every day....

Household mold is unsightly and a sign of excessive moisture and poor indoor air quality in your home. Some molds are harmless to most people, while others can be dangerous. Some species of Aspergillus mold are in the dangerous category. All indoor mold should be eliminated, but knowing the difference between harmless and harmful molds can help preserve your family’s health. Learn all about Aspergillus mold, how and why it grows and how to get rid of it....

Windshield wipers are vital pieces of safety equipment. But like many vehicle parts, we often forget they’re there until they stop working properly. If you’ve ever experienced the ear-splitting, high-pitched squeaking noise wipers sometimes make when they drag across your windshield, you know how annoying it can be. Luckily, the solutions are usually simple. Learn the four most common causes of squeaky windshield wipers so you’ll know what to do next time yours start making a ruckus....

You don’t normally think of the central California coast, where I live, as a place where pipes freeze. But it does happen from time to time, and it usually catches people (like me!) by surprise. Uninsulated irrigation lines are the most vulnerable because they’re exposed to the elements. The situation in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, where I flipped a small home several years ago, is different. Nighttime temperatures can drop to -30 degrees in the winter....

Communication is one of the key components in making sure customers and contractors are happy with the result of a project. Construction projects may change rapidly as progress is made, and hiccups are to be expected along the way. Consequently, communication between both parties is vital. Savvy construction professionals know that communicating effectively with customers and keeping them updated can prevent expensive mistakes, increase repeat business opportunities and lead to overall better financials for the company....

Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock The Dirt on Personal Insect Repellents We’ve all become more aware of diseases carried by ticks, mosquitos and other bug pests. Certain pesticides and repellents offer effective ways to protect you and your family. “Using insect repellent regularly is the first line of defense from bug bites and the insects, like mosquitoes and ticks, that may carry serious diseases,” says Kelly M. Semrau, senior vice president for global corporate affairs, communication and sustainability at SC Johnson....

Chances are you’ve got some steel wool in your cabinet of cleaning supplies. But did you know that the versatile scrubbing tool can also be used for pest control? When used correctly, steel wool can prevent rodents and other small pests from infiltrating your home through its nooks and crannies. Here’s how. Why Use Steel Wool for Pests? Steel wool is a great way to block the small holes pests use to enter your home....

What is Howard Feed-N-Wax? Traditionally, wood conditioner is a blend of oils and waxes that applies to wood surfaces to provide a hydrating finish. It offers a myriad of benefits, including preventing cracks and extending the life of wood-based furniture. Howard Feed-N-Wax is a one-step wood conditioner, hydrator, polisher and protector. Conditioner oils “feed” wood, offering hydration and color protection that bolsters the lifespan of traditional polyurethane wood finishes. It enhances the look of hardwoods across the spectrum, including walnut, oak, cherry and maple....

Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock Paint can help freshen up a room, whether you’re going for a new look or planning on putting your house on the market. But, before you grab that paint and roller, the Property Brothers have some tips they want you to know about. Learn 21 fun facts about your favorite HGTV celebrities. In a 2019 episode of the popular home improvement show, Property Brothers: Buying and Selling, the duo—Jonathan and Drew Scott—noted that there are two colors that should never be used to paint interior walls: Red and yellow....

Shutterstock/ Ungvar What You Need to Know About Attic Insulation Types Looking for the best attic insulation? That answer depends on your definition of “best.” The best performing way to insulate an attic doesn’t always align with the most cost-effective way. On This Page First, let’s discuss the most common types of insulation available for attics: fiberglass batts, cellulose, loose-fill fiberglass and spray foam. More options exist, but these four materials make up the vast majority of installations....