How to Properly Clean Your Flat Iron

Learn three ways to properly clean a flat iron. Tip you could use the same cleaning supplies and instructions to clean a curling iron. Warning Always unplug the iron or any electric hair-styling tool before cleaning. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Do not attempt to clean a flat iron until it is cool to the touch. It can be slightly warm but never hot. The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to cut through the buildup....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 122 words · Kyle Francis

How to Properly Clean Your Window Blinds

Learn how to properly clean your window blinds to get rid of accumulated dirt, dust, and dinginess. How Often Should You Clean Window Blinds? Vacuum metal, wood, or plastic blinds weekly to reduce the build-up of dust and dirt. The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa Do a deeper clean every two months to remove all layers of debris. You’ll want to create a smooth, flat surface that is easy to vacuum....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 224 words · Paul Frank

How to Properly Make a Bed

If you use a bed skirt and it needs to be laundered, remove and replace it. If the mattress looks dirty, take the time to thoroughlyclean it. Put on the Bottom Sheet A bottom sheet goes on first when making a bed. The Spruce / Lucianna McIntosh If your bottom sheet is flat, createhospital corners. Tuck in the sheet snugly at the foot of the bed. Tuck in the bottom edge of the angle, and continue tucking along the entire side of the bed....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 250 words · Megan Rodriguez

How to Properly Measure a Sofa

The Spruce / Adriana Sanchez Every time youbuy a new sofa, measure it before handing over the cash. You should also measure the space where you plan to put it. If you are buying online, know all these dimensions before you buy. The Spruce / Adriana Sanchez There are four measurements that matter: length, depth, height, and diagonal depth. The diagonal depth is a diagonal measurement from the back of the frame to the front of the arm....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 256 words · Jerome Anderson

How to Properly Mow a Lawn to Keep Your Yard Looking Sharp

There are benefits to proper mowing beyond mere appearance. Learn how tomow your lawnproperly to keep your yard looking sharp and your grass in optimal health. When Is the Best Time to Mow Your Lawn? The Spruce / Almar Creative A cloudy day with no rain forecasted is theideal day to mow the lawn. In terms of time of day, mid-morning is the best time to mow. It allows you to avoid the two things you don’t want when mowing: moisture and heat....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 409 words · Jasmine Davis

How to Properly Plant Marigold Seeds for Spring

No wonder marigolds are a favorite flower to plant with kids, either at home or in school projects. When to Sow Marigold Seeds As tropical or semi-tropical plants, marigolds dont like the cold. The vibrant yellow or orange flowers attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Marigolds also attract beneficial insects such as lacewings, ladybeetles, and parasitic wasps. Planting marigoldshelps to suppress root-knot nematodes and some fungi, bacteria, insects, and viruses....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 324 words · Sierra Franklin

How to Properly Prune a Butterfly Bush

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Properly pruning yourbutterfly bush(Buddleiaspp. )keeps this rapidly growing shrub compact and tidy and improves flowering. Strictly speaking, you do not have to cut back your butterfly bush at all. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault As ornamental shrubs go, butterfly bush is very forgiving and pruning improves the plant’s vigor and appearance. Autumn pruning in warmer climates has less risk of creating potential for winter damage....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 383 words · Cody Morris

How to Properly Set Your Toilet Flange Height

The Spruce / Kevin Norris What Is a Toilet Flange? It can be cast iron, brass, or PVC. The material will vary based on the age of your house and where you live. The Spruce / Kevin Norris What Is the Correct Height for a Toilet Flange? The correct height for a toilet flange is about 1/4 inch above the floor, which should be finished. This height will work with pretty much any bang out of wax ring, allowing a good seal....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 430 words · Maria Jones

How to Protect Your Laundry From Athlete's Foot

In mild cases, this could be all that you need. Reading and following the instructions for these detergents is crucial, since their formulas are so strong. Incorrect use can damage your clothing and linens. The Spruce / Jesi Lee Disinfect Items Regularly Disinfect gym bags andbackpacksregularly. Allow to air dry completely before using it again. You should alsoclean and disinfect shoesafter each wearing, if possible. The Spruce / J. R. Bee...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 149 words · Joseph Norman

How to Protect Your Tomato Plants from Cool Weather

How much cold can tomatoes tolerate? Tomatoes are notoriously cold-sensitive, so it helps to know what to do with the plants when temperatures drop. Learn how to protect your tomato plants when the cold weather moves in. Elizabeth Hollar / Getty Images How Cold Can Tomatoes Tolerate? If you start the seeds too early it will still be too cold to move them outdoors. It’s best to start tomatoes from seeds six to eight weeks before your areas last projected frost date....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 255 words · Hunter Miller

How to Prune a Crepe Myrtle Tree the Right Way, Straight From a Pro

Most varieties produce beautiful blooms starting in spring or mid-summer and can flower for up to three months. When to Prune Crepe Myrtle The end of winter is a good time to prune crepe myrtle. In most climates, this allows you to shape your tree before new growth starts to appear. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows you could also prune during early spring. It also avoids winter injury, which can occur during an extended deep freeze....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 224 words · Donald Gaines

How to Prune a Fiddle-Leaf Fig to Keep It Happy, Healthy, and Strong

Pruning it will also help it grow fuller and bushier. Look for any signs of damage or disease, such asbrown spots,yellowing, or reddening leaves. You’ll want to cut these away to allow the plant to focus its resources on healthy leaves. AnanR2107 / Getty Images Examine the height of your fiddle-leaf fig. If there’s not, you’ll want to trim away an upper section of the plant. You don’t want remove more than 10 leaves from your fiddle-leaf fig at a time....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 220 words · Mark Barrett

How to Prune a Peace Lily So It Looks Its Best

They’re a very low maintenance plant but they do benefit from regular pruning. These stems only produce one bract so once they fade they can be removed. You don’t have to wait until the plant shows signs of yellowing or fading to prune the leaves. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Pruning will also help the plant to generate new growth. Wear gloves to avoid spreading any bacteria. But they may need to becleanedto spruce up their appearance....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 220 words · Scott West