Dethatching a lawn is an easy DIY project, because it can be accomplished with a simple rake. Below, we outline everything you gotta know before dethatching your lawn and how to get started. What Is Dethatching? The Spruce / David Karoki Dethatching is the removal of thick thatch on a lawn. Then, water the lawn to relieve it from the stress of dethatching. Core aeration is best performed immediately after dethatching but before overseeding and amendment/feeding....

This loft space, once a dark and uninspiring office, underwent a remarkable transformation. This extensive renovation not only brightened the space but also provided a blank canvas for her artistic expression. Want more design inspiration? The Spruce / Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Photo by Twig Lips “The ability to customize the color and dim is so important to me. I dont want to feel like Im in a fluorescent-lit office!...

Because the compost is contained in a bin, its a neater and cleaner way to compost. Read on to learn how to use a compost bin and the types of compost bins. The Spruce / David Beaulieu What Is a Compost Bin? The Spruce / David Beaulieu They are all enclosed to minimize odors and keep out insects and rodents. Benefits of Composting Composting suitable organic materials cuts the amount of biowaste in landfills....

Ive always thought that the way to claim a space is to design anddecorate it from top to bottom. Having a home with a cohesive style would be a sign that I had finally manifested. They were shared spaces, happy homes, but I didnt feel like I could claim them as mine. Jenny Hughes In my first apartment I lived on the other side of a curtain strung up across the living room....

Emely / Getty Images When considering dimensions for a raised bed, planting depth is essential. Determining how deep a raised garden bed should be depends on what you’re growing and your preferences. To determine the correct depth, consider the issue from two perspectives: the plants' and yours. Emely / Getty Images Here’s how to figure out how deep your raised garden bed should be. Thus, it is essential to get the depth right....

But sometimes, McGee likes to keep it a little bit old-fashioned. This is especially important if youre not sure what you want you just know what you love. Then, you could use what you find to create your mood boards. Lucy Call for Studio McGee In my book, there is an entire section devoted to my design process, McGee says. Mood boards help me narrow all the imagery I love into a cohesive direction for the homes we design....

Unfortunately, all of these are frequent, unwelcome visitors for many homeowners. This begs the question: how do hotels keep their glass shower doors so impeccably clean? We talked with three housekeeping and hospitality experts to uncover tips and tricks from the pros. Kendall Wilkinson Design Baking soda provides a mild abrasive, which is especially helpful for tricky stains. Use the same tools for your shower’s metal hardware as well. “Water stains are almost impossible to remove once set because they etch the glass,” Firestone-White says....

The Spruce / Jacob Fox Air plants are tropical plantsthat thrive without needing soil to grow in. There are a number of varieties of air plants including tillandsia, xerographica, and aeriums. Below, we’re sharing how to water air plants so they thrive and look their best. The Spruce / Jacob Fox confirm the nozzle is turned to a light mist setting. Use rainwater or unchlorinated water if possible. A good rule of thumb is to water your air plant every week to ten days....

Keep fall’s favorite flower blooming abundantly all season long. Choose Healthy Mums They key to buying healthy mums is twofold. First, you want to go early in the season. XiFotos / Getty Images The healthiest, most abundant flowers will likely get scooped up first. Second, you don’t want to pick the plant with the most flowers on it. Instead, you want to choose the plant that’s full of buds ready to burst....

But how does a garbage disposal work? Garbage disposals typically last between eight to 15 years. To get the longest lifespan of this appliance, use it as directed by the manufacturer. Tay Jnr / Getty Images Keep your garbage disposal running great by taking good care of it. Cut the fruit up into wedges, place them in the disposal, and run it. When a garbage disposal is humming, it means the blades are not turning....

What Is a Wall Switch? In this case, the switch may require a neutral wire connection along with the hot wire connections. Each wire is important to keep the voltage and electrical flow stable. Jeffrey Hamilton / Stockbyte / Getty Images Older switches are mechanical and wear out as the springs lose their resiliency. Modern switches are quieter and don’t make the old clicking sound. Finally, some wall switches now use microcircuitry rather than a physical mechanism to control the flow of electricity....

But how does dry cleaning work and what does it really do to your clothing? Read on to learn more about the process and follow a garment’s journey from start to finish. What Is Dry Cleaning? The Spruce / Michele Lee Dry cleaning launders clothes and fabrics using a chemical solvent containing little or no water. Some clothes can’t be washed in water. For example, non-washable wools will shrink or lose their shape in water....

Learn the key plumbing differences to successfully install double sink plumbing. (Though it’s possible for you to also use a combined swing tee trap.) This configuration directs the flow of waste from both sinks into a single drainage line. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Beyond this major difference in the plumbing configuration, single-basin and double-basin sinks follow the same basic installation process. Intermediate-level DIYers should feel comfortable tackling this installation process with the straightforward steps below....