Home & Garden

Water Heater Problems & Troubleshooting Basic knowledge protects your home and your wallet It’s one of the best things about living in modern times: hot water whenever you want it. But it comes with risks. Ignored or mistreated, a water heater can harm you and your home. Water heater anatomy A water heater is basically … Read moreWater Heater Problems & Troubleshooting

Understand your heating system Basic knowledge for smarter decisions When an HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) system breaks down, most homeowners are at the mercy of the repair technician because they know nothing about the system. And that’s a shame, because the basics are easy to understand. Most homes have “forced-air” systems; air is heated … Read moreHeating systems explained

How to Make Art out of Pressed Flowers Step 1: Go to your garden on a sunny day around the early afternoon, after the dew has evaporated but before the blooms begin to close or the stems to droop. Choose the flowers you’d like to press, and snip them at the base. The flatter the … Read moreHow to Make Art out of Pressed Flowers

Step 1: Clean up. Sure, you’re an exceedingly interesting person, but the only reason mice (those moochers!) will want to visit you is for the free food. If you don’t offer them any, they’ll be less likely to shack up with you. So, leave no crumb behind. Wipe off your countertop and sweep your kitchen … Read moreHow to Rid Your House of Mice

On clothes Step 1: Take your dank clothes outside and brush off any black fuzz you might see. Step 2: Make a paste of lemon juice and salt and spread on the spotted area. Step 3: Leave your clothes in the sun for several hours. If you have a clothesline, hang them up. Otherwise, lay … Read moreHow to Kill Mildew

How to Make (and Can) strawberry Jam Step 1: Pick your own berries. You’ll need about 4У pints’ worth (or 9 cups) for every batch of jam you make. It’s okay if a few of them are underripe. They’ll help your jam set. Step 2: Gather your supplies and other ingredients. You’ll need: 2 large … Read moreHow to Make (and Can) strawberry Jam

How to Can Your Own Fruits and Veggies Step 1: Round up your supplies. You’ll need: a water-bath canner (basically a giant pot); two more big pots (one for jars, one for produce); a wire jar-rack (which prevents jar rattling and breakage); a jar-lifter (or some tongs); and enough 1-quart Ball jars, gum-sealed lids, and … Read moreHow to Can Your Own Fruits and Veggies

Step 1: Select your seeds. Chives, cilantro, dill, oregano, basil, lemon verbena, marjoram, plus all the Scarborough Fair types (parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme) will thrive on a sunny windowsill. Step 2: Sow your seeds. Grab as many tiny flowerpots (or even two-ounce plastic cups with drainage holes poked in the bottom) as you have … Read moreHow to Start a Windowsill Herb Garden

How to Repel Furry Friends from Your Garden Step 1: Identify your uninvited guests. Stake out your garden by sitting very still within eyeshot (camouflage not necessary but totally fun and fashionable) or farther away with a pair of binoculars. Then, check again at night, using the beam of a flashlight to illuminate your patch. … Read moreHow to Repel Furry Friends from Your Garden