She has 20 years of experience in the industry. Which Pests Don’t Like Garlic? This one ingredient has quite a lot of pest-repelling power. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Shannon Harlow-Ellis ofMosquito Joelists a bunch of critters who don’t enjoy the scent or taste of garlic. The main reason why these insects and bugs steer clear comes down to the smell. Garlic has a strong odor that masks the scents that attract pests to plants....

Plants raised under agrow lightas seedlings grow stronger and more vigorous than those that were grown without. Here’s what you gotta know to start seeds using grow lights. Why Use Grow Lights for Seed Starting? The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Full-spectrum grow lights provide the same colors that mimic daylight, perfect for starting your plants. Grow lights come in a variety of sizes, types, and styles. Incandescent grow lights are available but less energy-efficient than LED grow lights or fluorescent bulbs....

It’s sold commercially in a granular, powdered, or pellet form for use in home gardens. Some horticulturists believe, however, that there are more efficient and scientifically-proven solutions that are more beneficial. What Is Gypsum Used For Globally? The Spruce / Jacob Fox Gypsum is the most commonly utilized sulfate mineral mined across the world. Another common usage for gypsum is for soil conditioning and fertilizing on an industrial or large-scale agricultural level....

The Spruce / Sarah Lee HE Laundry Detergent vs. Before HE washers, standard washers used nearly 40 gallons of water during a load of laundry. Traditional detergent produces lots of suds, which require an equally large amount of water to wash away. Heed the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep your washing machine working longer. The Spruce / Sarah Lee What Happens If You Use Regular Detergent in an HE Washer? Can You Use HE Detergent in a Standard Washer?...

Single-dose laundry detergent pods cost more to use per load than liquid or powder detergent. For anaverage-sized load of laundry (around 12 pounds), one detergent pod is all you need. If the pod is placed on top of a load of clothes, it may not dissolve properly. The Spruce This can result in streaks and spotting from deposits of detergent left on the wet clothes. Do Laundry Pods Dissolve in Cold Water?...

It usually doesn’t kill plants, but it can weaken them and lead to poor growth and yield. Keeping your plants healthy will help minimize damage, but sometimes you need the aid of a fungicide. However, that doesn’t mean you have to use chemicals. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault For powdery mildew, try a milk spray. But it’s still uncertain as to exactly how milk works against the fungus. The protein is in the milk fat, though researchers have experimented with both whole and skim milk....

On a design level, mirrors can make your home feel brighter and more spacious. When using the method of minor additions, it’s also essential to bring in your intentions. Here are five tips for using mirrors for feng shui. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto you’re able to use mirrors to reflect and double anything you want to amplify. This represents growth and expansion in your career. A popular feng shui adjustment is to reflect your stove burners with a mirror....

It is used medicinally, in the cosmetics industry, and as an organicinsecticidespray. Organic gardeners love that the oil is safe to use, and it will not harm humans or animals. you could buy commercial neem oil solutions, but they may be less potent than homemade versions. The Spruce / Adriana Sanchez What Is Neem Oil? The active ingredient in the oil is azadirachtin, which repels and kills pests. When and Where to Use Neem Oil Neem oil is safe for the environment....

Learn the right way to use paint thinner and improve painting project cleanup. Learn how to use paint thinner effectively for your projects. Always work in a well-ventilated space to avoid the build-up of dangerous fumes. Ole_CNX / Getty Images Paint thinner is flammable, so do not work near any flame or heat source. Store paint thinner and used rags in a fireproof container. Clean Paintbrushes and Paint Rollers Place the brushes and rollers into the container with the paint thinner....

It makes assembly smoother, and can prevent pipes from sticking when you want todisassemble the joint. What Is Plumber’s (Teflon) Tape? This way, it won’t unravel while making up the joint. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Clean the Pipe Clean the male threads at the end of the pipe with a clean rag. Keep the Tape Tight Maintain tension on the tape so it wraps snugly around the pipe. Work away from the end of the pipe, overlapping the tape as you go....

Polymeric sand blends fine sand with additives to lock pavers in place. The Spruce / Jacob Fox Polymeric sand is a mixture of fine sand combined with other additives. Learn how to use polymeric sand to secure pavers into a surface. The Spruce / Jacob Fox wipe the Surface of the Pavers Do not skip this important step. Use aleaf bloweror broom to clean excess sand off the top of the pavers to avoid staining....

Powder laundry detergent can be used in any bang out of washing machine andwater temperature. The main difference between powder and liquid detergents is how they are formulated and packaged. Theactive cleaning ingredientsin liquid detergents are suspended in water, so the detergent disperses easier in the washer water. The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija Powder detergents must be dissolved in the washer water to clean effectively. Learn how to use powder detergent in your laundry correctly for cleaning clothes and stain removal....

What Is Rooting Hormone? Rooting hormone products are chemicals that stimulate root growth, typically on plant cuttings. These synthetic commercial products mimic auxin, which is a natural plant hormone that stimulates root growth. The Spruce / Cielito Vivas Rooting hormone comes in powder, liquid, or gel form. You don’t need to use rooting hormone for cuttings. Most gardeners use rooting hormone primarily on ornamental plants and topropagate succulents. The Spruce / Cielito Vivas...