The Rare Hoya Australis Is the Perfect Addition to Your Houseplant Collection

Keep the plant out of direct sunlight, which can burn its leaves. With sufficient light, however, new growth will take on a red tinge before it matures. Soil Planthoya australisin a well-drained potting mix. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Note that cultivars or subspecies with thicker leaves may need less frequent watering. Cut back on wateringhoya australisin winter. Fertilizer Feedhoya australiswith a balanced liquidhouseplant fertilizerdiluted to half strength during the growing season....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 458 words · Kelly Wilson

The Right Fridge Temperature Keeps Food Fresh and Utility Bills Low—Here's the Sweet Spot

What Temperature Should a Refrigerator Be? The temperature your refrigerator should be at is between 35 and 40F.There’s some science behind this ideal range. Food & Drug Administration(FDA) recommends keeping your fridge temp at 40F or below. Vandervelden / Getty Images Pathogenic bacteria can start to grow at temperatures between 40 and 140F. You could consume pathogenic bacteria and not even know it. But the colder isn’t necessarily the better....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 445 words · Karen Sanchez

The Right Temperature to Wash White Clothes in the Washing Machine

Wash whites in hot water between 90 and 130F for the best results. Using lower washer water temperatures is beneficial because they can save on utility costs and keep colors bright. Most stains will respond to spot treatment with anenzyme-based stain removerapplied about 15 minutes before washing. The Spruce / Michele Lee This gives the stain remover time to begin breaking apart the stain molecules so they can be washed away....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 168 words · Manuel Green

The Right Time to Apply Winter Fertilizer on Your Lawn, Explained

Applying a winter fertilizer tocool-season grassis the last step in a year-round regimen to keep your lawn looking good. Different states have their own laws about when you’re able to and cannot fertilize your lawn. Washington, D.C., for example, prohibits fertilizing your lawn between November 15 and March 1. The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala What Is Winter Fertilizer? Fall is the prime season to feed for cool-season turf grass. It’s a time for your lawn to strengthen its root system and store nutrients....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 266 words · Brandon Roberts

The Right Time to Plant a Clover Lawn Is Later Than You Think, According to Gardeners

But when should you plant? That all depends on your hardiness zone and the current condition of your lawn. We talked to an expert who shares care tips and the right time to plant a clover lawn. Getty Images / Konoplytska When Is the Right Time to Plant a Clover Lawn? In cold, snowy areas, wait until spring when temperatures are consistently over 60F. A healthy lawn with few weeds is ideal for overseeding....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 258 words · Tamara Hensley

The Right Way to Clean Vinyl Records Without Damaging Them

Fingerprints, dust, and dirt can get in the grooves, causing skips, clicks, and crackles. Gunk in the grooves can cause the needle to jump and scratch the surface. Be sure to dry clean any dust or dirt particles before wet cleaning. The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham Do not wet clean a record on a turntable because you might damage the player’s components. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Remove Surface Dust Dry clean the record with a carbon-fiber or velvet vinyl brush to remove dust....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 273 words · Levi Mendoza

The Right Way to Fertilize Your Garden and Vegetable Plants

Most gardeners find that they need to supplement garden soil with fertilizer. Take the time to have your garden soil analyzed. Read on to learn more about fertilizing veggies and how to best fertilize your garden. egiss / Getty Images After working it in, gently water the soil, so the nutrients will begin to break down. This is early spring forlettuceand leafy greens; midsummer forcorn,squash,tomatoes, andpotatoes. Tip Vegetables growing in clay soil will need less fertilizer than those in soil that’s sandy....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 242 words · Michele Randall

The Room-by-Room Cleaning You Should Do Every Week, According to a Pro Cleaner

Then there are the things in each area of your home that you should clean weekly. These tasks don’t all have to be done in a single day. You could vacuum one day and clean the bathroom another. PrathanChorruangsak / Getty Images Find a routine that works for you, your family, and your lifestyle. We asked a cleaning expert to share what you should clean weekly. Want more cleaning and organizing tips?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 226 words · Renee Williams

The Small Kitchen Paint Colors Designers Swear By for Even the Tiniest Spaces

Check out these designer recommendations for small kitchen paint colors to spark your imagination. Shades of Pink Pluck Kitchens Brighten asmall galley kitchenwith shades of pink for a vibrant tonal look. Want more design inspiration? deVol Kitchens “I love this color because it’s a good creamy neutral and it reflects light so well.” Green Design byBlessed Little Bungalow/Marc Mauldin Photography Inc. Paint your kitchen cabinets greento transform a smaller space....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 622 words · Joseph Smith

The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board

All too often, plants are misidentified, and care guides arent as in-depth as they should be. Who Is on the Board? Our Gardening Review Board is comprised of accredited Master Gardeners and landscapers with decades of education and hands-on experience. The Spruce / Alison Czinkota Debra LaGattuta Debra is a Master Gardener who received her official title in 2015. She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent. She worked to develop the Riverbanks Botanical Garden that opened in 1995....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 152 words · Matthew Foley

The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board

That’s why we launched The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board. Who Is on the Board? In 1988, Richard became New York City’s youngest licensed plumber at 25 years old. The Spruce / Alison Czinkota He currently works for Par Plumbing & Heating, one of New York’s largest union plumbing construction companies. His commercial projects include store build-outs, commercial bath projects, and automotive dealership projects. He is currently a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 130 words · Roger Mcdonald

The Spruce's Cleaning and Organizing Review Board

Thats why we launched The Spruce Cleaning and Organizing Review Board. Who Is on the Board? Becky Rapinchuk Becky is a cleaning expert and member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board. The Spruce She knows how to clean quickly and effectivelyand wants you to know her secrets to a clean house. Melissa Homer Brandon Pleshek Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up! is a seasoned veteran of the cleaning industry with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential cleaning....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 173 words · Colton Lucas

The Surprising Home Decor Designers Always Buy at Costco (and You Should Too)

If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation. Costco is also great for picking up quality items on a budgetand these interior designers agree. We spoke to two designers to find out what they always buy at Costco. Vasyl Cheipesh / Getty Images “These are great for pantries, living rooms, or kids' rooms.” Want more of our favorite products? Candles Scented candles help to set the tone in every room....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 213 words · Dawn Graham