A vault toilet is a non-flush waterless toilet system installed in remote locations that don’t have access to a municipal sewer system. A vault toilet is a type of pit toilet where human waste deposits underground. You may have run into vaulted toilets at forest service campgrounds. Most park services use privacy vault toilets. These...

Garage floor drains are a plumbing workhorse. They collect water, snow melt, salt, oil, dirt, sand, and anything washed off the garage floor. They are usually taken for granted–until they plug up. Keeping your floor drain running helps keep the floor clean and saves on concrete repairs. Types Of Garage Floor Drains Any type of...

Turning on the kitchen light at night to watch a couple of cockroaches skitter away under the stove is depressing. Because where there are two, there are more and you have a fight on your hands. Roaches are in your house because they want food, water, and shelter. Cockroaches are one of the most common...

Decluttering is a natural impulse at the start of the new year, but even if you declutter on a regular basis, there are bound to be areas you overlooked. When it comes to decluttering, most of us focus on obvious areas such as closets, garages, and overflowing junk drawers. But some of the most impactful...

Decluttering is often a New Year’s Resolution. Some people find just the thought of decluttering overwhelming. So the job is deferred over and over again. One 2025 trend is decluttering with a purpose–even with an attitude. Determine that you are going to get it done this year. Here are some helpful suggestions for 2025. Start...

You need to find studs in the wall when hanging pictures, shelving, mirrors, wall-mount TVs, and other heavy objects. Otherwise, there is a good chance that they fall off or the fastener pulls out of the drywall. Not everyone has a stud finder and some people can’t figure out how to use one. There are...

Winter viruses are in full swing, which means if your house has been hit hard by sickness, disinfecting has become part of your daily routine. While killing germs on hard surfaces, like countertops, door knobs, and tables, is easy, you might be struggling with removing germs from your hardwood floors. You can disinfect your hardwood...

Having a robot vacuum zooming around your house and effortlessly keeping it clean is a great idea but: Will it replace your upright or canister vac? Does it eliminate the need for regular vacuuming? Will it clean all types of floors? How much does a robot vacuum cost? Robot vacuums have improved a great deal...

Garden trends often become huge over time as ideas, styles, and designs gain acceptance. Climate change, diseases, and food supply make people reassess gardening and how to get the most out of their yards and gardens. Whether you want to produce more and better food, reduce work and costs, or just improve your garden’s look–there...

Lack of water. Too much water. Watering at the wrong time. Watering leaves, not roots. These, and more watering mistakes can ruin your garden and make all your hard work a failure. Watering plants is likely the single most important maintenance job a gardener does. Outdoor watering accounts for about 30% of the average household’s...

Your mortgage, property tax, and homeowner’s insurance aren’t the only ongoing costs you’ll incur when you leap into homeownership. Aside from regular maintenance and repairs, you’ll also be responsible for electric, gas, and water bills.  Depending on the size of your home, you may be in for a real surprise during hot summers or frigid...

When I moved into my current house about ten years ago, the water heater was too small for my family’s needs. As a family of five, only a couple of us could take showers without waiting at least an hour for the water to heat back up. Since I didn’t want to waste our precious...

If you’ve hung around TikTok for any length of time, you’ve seen a slew of cleaning hacks, everything from dangerous chemical mixing or the air fryer cleaning “hack” to more innocuous air conditioner cleaning tips.  While we’re left underwhelmed by many of the viral TikTok cleaning methods, the “Closing Shift” is one we can get...

Every seller wants their home to appeal to the greatest number of possible buyers. Consider these house projects to skip or complete before listing your home for sale to maximize the impact of your time and resources. Certain projects will significantly improve the appeal of your home without costing too much. These will help you...

Selling a home is stressful, but you can make it less so by thoughtfully considering which projects to finish and which to let go before you sell. Some jobs should be completed before the “For Sale” sign goes up in the yard, but not all home projects are worth the time, effort, and money. In...

Indoor plants improve the look and feel of your home. They also add oxygen and help provide a peaceful environment. Unfortunately, some of them attract pests that never seem to leave. Know which plants to avoid if you don’t want bug infestations. Common Indoor Plant Pests Most pests are imported when you buy plants or...

Birds love chimneys. A chimney provides birds with a high perch to spot food or danger. It is a warm and safe place in the winter and a good spot–from a bird’s point of view–to build nests and raise young. Birds in your chimney are noisy, dirty, and dangerous. Risks Of Birds In Your Chimney...

It would be very convenient if one cleaner were effective for all cleaning chores. That cleaner hasn’t been invented yet. Different surfaces require specific types of cleaners to do the job properly and to avoid damaging the finish. Countertops are the focus of your kitchen. They are the most wiped surface in the house. They...

With the New Year comes lofty goal setting, which, for many, includes whipping their house into organizational shape. January is one of the best times to declutter your belongings and reorganize, allowing you to start the year with a clean house and a clear mind. If you’re unsure whether decluttering should be on your bucket...

As the calendar turns to January once again, it is time to carefully store our holiday finery and get organized for the coming year. Whether you want to streamline your daily routines, reduce stress, or just enjoy a cleaner and more orderly environment, organizing your home can have a transformative effect on your life. This...

Since the toilet comes into contact with some of the grossest substances in a house, cleaning it on a regular basis is a necessity. Using a disinfecting toilet bowl cleaner to wipe out germs is the norm when it comes to the bowl and exterior, but what about the toilet tank?  The toilet tank is...

Your home is your castle and safe space but be aware that enemies within might be compromising your health. Especially in winter when the house is closed up against the cold outside. You may suffer some of these symptoms if your house is making you sick. Depending on how sensitive or health-compromised a person is,...

One of my biggest pet peeves is wiping down my kitchen counters only to cover them in crumbs when I lift and wipe under my toaster. When this happens, I know I’m past the point of needing to clean the crumb tray. If you’ve never cleaned your toaster before, the steps are easy, and the...

If your wallpaper looks drab or you are tired of the design and colors, painting over it may be an option. Removing old wallpaper can damage the drywall beneath it–making a paint job an attractive choice. Painting with patience and avoiding these mistakes can produce a long-lasting finished paint job without the hassle of removing...

Hardwood floors can improve the look of your home and increase its resale value. But while hardwoods are known for being durable and long-lasting, they aren’t indestructible. If you’ve noticed damage to your wood floors but can’t pinpoint the culprit, it may be one of these ten things. 1. PVC and Latex Rug Pads A...

Brown stains on your wallpaper look ugly and may be a sign of worse underlying problems. Wiping the stains with dish soap and water several times makes the stain less noticeable. You need a weak bleach solution (one part bleach, two parts water) to remove stains entirely. Be aware that you might remove the color...

Smell is one of the most powerful senses, with a strong influence on mood and perception. Pleasant smells make your home feel fresher and more inviting, but other scents can have the opposite effect. Choosing the right fragrances for your home requires thoughtful planning, as does avoiding certain smells. This is especially crucial when hosting...

Unless you are signed up for an average monthly payment plan, your energy bills can be a surprise–even a shock. Every little bit you can save on heating costs lowers those bills. Use these tips and tricks to save money without being uncomfortable. Get An Energy Audit An energy audit tells you where the house...

Acetone is a versatile compound that can be used for much more than just nail polish removal. Its chemical properties make it a valuable tool in a variety of applications, from household cleaning to rejuvenation. Its ability to dissolve, clean, and evaporate quickly makes it a useful secret weapon in your household cleaning arsenal. Discover...

Most exterior renovation projects slow down or halt completely in the winter. Freezing temperatures, snow, wet or frozen soil, and limited daylight make winter renovations slow, dangerous, and difficult. The quality of work often suffers. It is much more efficient to plan your renovations during winter months and be ready to start work when the...

The festive season–especially Christmas–usually brings out the best food, smells, friends, and decorations. Some of the plants used to decorate are extremely poisonous and should be handled with care to prevent small children and pets from getting sick. Just like poisonous potted plants you should not grow, some of the most decorative festive plants are...

It’s a question I’ve often grappled with—should you heat your basement in the winter? On the one hand, heating bills are already sky high when temps are frigid, but on the other hand, will not heating the basement lead to a catastrophe, like a burst water pipe? I dug into the best expert tips and...

Cats–especially kittens–can be adorable, funny, and beneficial–eliminating mice, rats, and squirrels. They are also incredibly annoying when they poop, urinate, and dig up seeds and plants in your garden and flowerbeds. Try one or more of these ideas to keep your gardens feline-free. Reasons To Keep Cats Out Cats may remove the odd rodent from...

Bleach is often the first choice to disinfect surfaces and remove tough stains. It is very effective but the absolute wrong choice for some cleaning jobs. Do not use bleach to clean any of these items. Children’s Furniture and Toys Bleach is a great disinfectant but toxic if ingested. It is also linked to skin...

Snow makes for a beautiful sight but can lead to trouble, especially when it’s tracked in on your hardwood floors. Wood and water don’t mix. Neither does the salt used to melt snow and ice. Too much snow on the floor can lead to your hardwoods or laminate floors warping and, sometimes, causing mold or...

Once you decide to do a major renovation, it’s time to choose styles and designs. Make sure your choices look as good in 20 years as today. (Teal bathrooms were a fad that lasted about 6 months.) When renovating, always ask yourself, “Will I still like this in 20 years? Will it still look stylish?...

Yellow stains appearing on your white pillows are disheartening. They are unsightly. They also may have health implications. Your head rests on the stained pillow and your mouth, nose, and eyes are in close contact with the stains. Causes Of Yellow Stains On Pillows Pillows usually turn yellow from a combination of factors–often related to...

White vinegar is often considered the best, most inexpensive, and environmentally safe cleaner in your house. While this is true in many instances, there are some cleaning jobs where vinegar can damage surfaces and fail to clean well. Do not use vinegar to clean these items. Unsealed Grout The acid nature of vinegar can wear...