BUILD
PAINT
CLEAN
MAINTAIN
USE
DESIGN
INSTALL
CHOOSE
GROW
Solved! The Best Ways to Remove Lingering Smoke Smells
Q: I recently inherited a beautiful armchair from my grandparents. Unfortunately, they were heavy smokers, and the smell has permeated the chair. Is there any hope for my heirloom, or is smoke smell removal just ...
How To: Paint a Ceiling
Painting is perhaps the easiest of DIY home upgrades, but tackling the ceiling can be a daunting endeavor, particularly since it requires a bit of elevation and contortion. Here are some pointers on prep and tech...
How To: Grout Tile
Maybe I'm the only person (at least over the age of three) who gets a kick out of making a mess, but I would still argue that grouting is the best part of a tiling job—and not just because you get to smear mud al...
Solved! Here's Exactly When You Should Aerate the Lawn
Q: I recently moved down south from the Northeast and want to keep my new lawn healthy. When is the best time to aerate the lawn?A: Punching holes into the soil with an aerator, a tool that has either solid spike...
How To: Paint a Bathtub
The focal point of a full bath is often its tub, which ought to be pristine and gleaming. If yours is pitted, chipped, or scratched—or sporting an old-fashioned color that no longer suits your style—you can spare...
How To: Clean an Area Rug
For many of us, area rugs are a significant investment in decor. They warm up and add color to our rooms. They provide soft places for game playing, movie watching, and slumber partying. But in order for rugs to ...
How To: Clean Paint Brushes
An investment in high-quality paint brushes is wasted if they are not properly cleaned and stored after use. Indeed, rushing through the end of a paint job can leave you with flecks of paint in your brushes—which...
The Best Snow Blowers for Clearing Driveways
When there's snow on the ground waiting to be shoveled, it's always tempting to consider buying a snow blower to make driveway clearing less of a chore. Before you invest, just take a moment to learn about the ke...
Solved! What to Do When Your Dishwasher Isn't Cleaning
Q: My dishwasher is only two years old, and until recently, it’s done a great job. For the past month or so, it’s been a different story. Even if I run a load on the longest cycle, I end up with streaks on the gl...
How To: Clean Stainless Steel
Gleaming and shiny, stainless steel brings a bright and polished air to any kitchen. Keeping that brilliant sheen, however, takes a little bit of work—and some very specific cleaning products. Fortunately, this c...
