Etienne Jeanneret / Getty Images Sanding sealer is a base coat that seals wood pores beforepainting. Projects can be finished faster and with less effort because fewer coats of paint are required. Use sanding sealer when painting or coating cabinets, furniture, doors, and more. Etienne Jeanneret / Getty Images Sanding sealer improves the condition ofsubsequent coats of paintor clear finish by sealing the wood pores. Learn how to use sanding sealer, sanding sealer’s best applications, and where to avoid using it....

Even larger rodents, such assquirrels, can fit through surprisingly small gaps. These animal contortionists can easily fit through any unprotected ventilation holes in your roof eaves. The answer is to cover the holes with a bang out of metal mesh calledhardware cloth. The Spruce / Sarah Lee hardware cloth is fairly rigid mesh with heavy-gauge wire that is not easily damaged by animals. This will keep out pests without restricting airflow through the vent holes....

How Does Self-Clean On an Oven Work? The soil is reduced to ash that you remove when the cycle is complete. Learn how to use a self-cleaning oven with confidence using our easy steps below. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Some people and pets (especially birds) are extremely sensitive to the fumes released during a self-clean. This can include spice jars, trivets, towels, or oven mitts. Remove anything hanging from the oven doors, such as towels and mitts, as well....

The formation of runners is seen on all June-bearing strawberry varieties, and on mosteverbearingor day-neutral strawberries. you’re able to think of strawberry runners as baby strawberry plants. Over time, you may see new, young strawberry plants emerge next to your original plants. The Spruce / K. Dave These are the clones created by strawberry runners. Read on for how to successfully use strawberry runners to grow more strawberries. What Are Strawberry Runners?...

The compact, lightweight design makes it easy to tote around the house for those needs. Letting the stain pretreat will be more effective than using the Little Green as normal. Empty, clean, and rinse the collection tank. The Spruce The Little Green tools can be rinsed with clean water to remove dirt and debris. If the spray nozzle has any accumulated dirt, use a soft-bristled brush to remove it. Wipe the outside of the unit down with amicrofiber cloth....

What Is the Kitchen Triangle? Distances matterwith the kitchen triangle, too. When you add up the three legs of the triangle, they should not total more than 26 feet. Ivan Hunter/Getty Images Keep in mind that these are only recommendations. Supplementary sinks are not figured into the kitchen triangle. Stove and Oven With the kitchen triangle, the assumption is that this is a combined stove/oven. The assumption is that the cook will not be constantly ferrying items back and forth from it....

Looking to use it in your own home? What’s in the Pink Stuff Paste? The Pink Stuff Paste uses a variety of ingredients to get surfaces looking sparkling clean. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Use the Pink Stuff Paste to get your tiling looking good-as-new. Wipe them away with the Pink Stuff Paste. If you’re good to go, apply the paste with a soft cloth and gentle scrubbing motions. The Spruce / Ana Cadena...

Tomato cages are apractical, affordable option, especially when you’re growing just a few plants. Cages come in several shapes including square, triangular, cone-shaped, and rings. Vertical stakes extend at the bottom to anchor cages in the soil. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows A mature plant supported correctly should not fall over or collapse the cage. Plenty have a bushy growing habit with shorter, thicker vines to support multiple fruits. A cage four feet tall and two feet wide constructed with sturdy materials is usually adequate....

It can be used for everything fromunclogging drainstoremoving hard water stains from glasstocleaning luxury vinyl plank floors. Learn the benefits of using vinegar to soften clothes and towels. If your washer has an automatic fabric softener dispenser, fill it with vinegar before each load. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Why is Vinegar an Effective Fabric Softener? This leads toscratchy towels, trapped odors, anddingy colors. If the fabric feels stiff before washing, use a soft-bristle brush to break up the residue....

These appliances need cleaning after every use. A quick wipe-down daily will keep surfaces at their best. Skipstore-bought productsand use distilled white vinegar as a homemade stainless steel cleaner. The Spruce / Margot Cavin Warning When cleaning stainless steel, never use oven cleaner, scouring powders, or chlorine-based cleaners. These are harsh and abrasive and can permanently damage the steel. Also, avoid abrasive sponges, scrubbing pads, or steel wool, which can scratch stainless steel permanently....

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Wood fillercovers seams, cracks, ornail holesin wood. It extends the life of cabinets, shelves, trim, and anything else made of wood. Learn how to use wood filler properly to achieve a polished and flawless wood finish. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Before You Begin miriam-doerr / Getty Images Determine if the project requireswood putty or wood filler. Wood putty is stronger but requiresmineral spiritsoracetonefor clean-up....

To keep it in tip-top shape for everyone, you should vacuum it regularly. There arerobotic pool cleanersthat can do the work for you, butmanual vacuumsare often cheaper and more effective. Look for a model with a long pole as well. The Spruce / Tessa Cooper Check the filter because you may need to clean it out at the beginning of your vacuuming session. This will help move the debris down the drain....

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Work in a grid over the rug going slowly and overlapping each stroke. And, be sure to vacuum the flooring beneath the rug. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Remove small items from the carpet. Vacuum slowly to trap more soil. Stairs are the easiest to vacuum using a handheld vacuum or one with a hose and attachments. The Spruce / Sarah Crowley But using the right tool for the right job will vacuuming much more productive....