Home and Garden

By Arianne Cohen Modern dishwashers have come a long way, but sometimes problems still pop up. Below, get savvy solutions from contributing editor Arianne Cohen, author of Help, It’s Broken! A Fix-It Bible for the Repair-Impaired, to the most common ...

By Arianne Cohen Modern dishwashers have come a lo...

You swore on January 1 that this was the year you’d have a spic-and-span home. If the dust bunnies have already staged a comeback, don’t throw in the (dish)towel just yet. Our expert-tested tools, tips and shortcuts will help you wrangle in messes—gi...

You swore on January 1 that this was the year you’...

According to Energy Star, the average American family washes about 400 loads of laundry a year. And by the U.S. Department of Energy’s estimations, about 17 percent of your electric bill is the sum of all the appliances in your house, with your refri...

According to Energy Star, the average American fam...

In The Kitchen Circle Your Way Around: Always begin on the right side of your stove, then move clockwise around the room. The stove is typically the dirtiest part of the kitchen, so ending with it keeps you from spreading dirt and grease. (First, so...

In The Kitchen Circle Your Way Around: Always beg...

Kitchen floors quickly grow filthy from all the foot traffic, dropped food and spilled liquids. Several convenient but effective options are available for cleaning them. Ammonia How to use: Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia, 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent ...

Kitchen floors quickly grow filthy from all the fo...

By : Darlena Cunha Even a seemingly spotless kitchen might be teeming with bacteria and germs, often in places you would never even imagine them to be. These microbes spread easily, making their way from cutting boards, drawer knobs and countertops t...

By : Darlena Cunha Even a seemingly spotless kitch...

The best place to store ... Meat, poultry: Put anywhere inside the fridge except the door, unless your deli bin has a temperature control. If so, set it on the coldest level and stash items there.Fruit: Stick these in a drawer, separate from vegetabl...

The best place to store ... Meat, poultry: Put any...

A messy car is a secret shame: Only your sworn-to-silence family knows about those fossilized french fries between the seats, the upholstery furred with dog hair, the sloshed-latte stickiness on the dashboard. That is, until you suddenly realize you'...

A messy car is a secret shame: Only your sworn-to-...

1. Clogged drains dragging you down? Pour a mix of 1/4 cup ammonia and 1 quart boiling water into bathroom and kitchen drains every few months to dissolve grease and loosen clumps before they become a problem.2. Here's a slick way to ward off pesky s...

1. Clogged drains dragging you down? Pour a mix of...

1. Burn it off. Why do today what can wait until tomorrow? Don't tackle burned-on bits right after cooking. Sizzle them off when you preheat for the next cookout. 2. Foil that gunk. Cook food on aluminum foil — punch holes to let flavor-boosting smok...

1. Burn it off. Why do today what can wait until t...

To keep precious memories on instant recall, first collect all the snaps that have been tossed into drawers or piled up in stacks. Then do a serious sorting-out job, ditching all but the best, and store the rest in archival-quality boxes and albums. ...

To keep precious memories on instant recall, first...

The Good Way Gather a few thick, soft cloths and silver polish. Always follow your product's label directions, but typically, you'll start by putting a small amount of polish onto the cloth, dampened if necessary. Rub the polish onto one utensil at a...

The Good Way Gather a few thick, soft cloths and s...

Biggest Challenges 1. Splatters on the burners and knobs2. Charred spills on the oven's bottom3. Greasy window in the door Fastest Fixes 1. Clean the cooktop. Full disclosure: While you won't be doing backbreaking work, there will be some grime and y...

Biggest Challenges 1. Splatters on the burners and...

Dilemma: To hand-wash or dry-clean your delicatesShould you take the plunge? Maybe, but do so at your own risk. Manufacturers are required to list only one safe cleaning method on the label, so while dry cleaning may give the best results, you may ha...

Dilemma: To hand-wash or dry-clean your delicatesS...

Biggest Challenges 1. Dusty board-mounted valances2. Grayed delicate sheers3. Stains on fabric shades Tools You'll Use Handheld vacuum Step stool Garment steamer or steam iron Washer and dryer Sticky lint roller and/or soft brush Sudsy water or foam ...

Biggest Challenges 1. Dusty board-mounted valances...

Biggest Challenges 1. Grungy ceiling-fan blades2. Dusty portable fans3. Clogged air conditioner filters and vents Tools You'll Use Old tablecloth or sheet Extendable duster and step stool Microfiber cloth Sudsy water or blow-dryer Vacuum with dusting...

Biggest Challenges 1. Grungy ceiling-fan blades2. ...

Bedbugs have been staging a comeback in recent years. Thanks in part to the ban on DDT, the use of less toxic (but less effective) pesticides, and the rise in international travel, these relentless, resilient, reddish-brown pests are quickly becoming...

Bedbugs have been staging a comeback in recent yea...

You don't need a news report to tell you that the cost of food is up­: You notice it on every grocery trip, and feel a guilty twinge when tossing something that's gone bad. Here, tips to manage your food inventory — and waste (and spend!) less.1. Cle...

You don't need a news report to tell you that the ...

Should You DIY Your Move? Moving yourself will most certainly cost less than hiring a moving company, but before you go it alone, consider: How big the move is Taking a teen off to college or even moving into a first or second apartment is a much dif...

Should You DIY Your Move? Moving yourself will mos...

Ah, the wonders of technology — from word processing to Web searching, computers have forever changed how we get things done. Less awe-inspiring: when software takes forever to load and cables and cords put a choke hold on your desk. Read on for simp...

Ah, the wonders of technology — from word processi...

The more you sort, the cleaner your clothes will be. First, read the care labels. Then sort clothing by washing method, color and type of fabric. Turn clothing items inside out to prevent fading and reduce pilling. Wash bulky items (like bed linens) ...

The more you sort, the cleaner your clothes will b...