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Food & Drink 2m read
3

A Foolproof Method for Perfectly Crispy Fish Skin

How do you buy your fish? For many of us, the default option is boneless, skinless fillets. They’re versatile, convenient, and fuss-free, which counts for a lot when you’re pulling together a quick weeknight dinner. But there are compelling reasons to choose fish with skin, as well. Not only is the skin full of protein, nutrients, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but it also provides a ton of flavor. It’s at its best when perfectly crisp, but getting it just right without it overcooking or sticking to the pan can be difficult. Here’s a simple hack, using a kitchen staple you probably already have, that delivers great results every time.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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How do you buy your fish? For many of us, the default option is boneless, skinless fillets. They’re versatile, convenient, and fuss-free, which counts for a lot when you’re pulling together a quick weeknight dinner. But there are compelling reasons to choose fish with skin, as well. Not only is the skin full of protein,…

The Parchment Paper Hack

Here’s the thing: If your pan isn’t hot enough, the proteins and collagen in the fish skin will bond to microscopic pores and fissures in the pan’s surface as it cooks. That makes the skin stick and tear, ruining its appearance. The kitchen team at ChefSteps, one of the companies that helped popularize sous vide cooking (among other things), came up with a brilliant hack using parchment paper to prevent fish skin from sticking. Here’s how it works.

Related: A Simple Trick for Getting the Garlic Smell Off Your Hands
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1. While your skillet heats, cut a piece of parchment paper slightly larger than your fish.

2. Place the piece of parchment paper in the pan and lightly drizzle it with vegetable oil.

3. Put the fish skin-side down on the parchment, and cook until it’s well seared and crisp underneath. (This is a good time to season the skinless side.)

4. Flip the fish once the skin side is crisp, and cook until done. (The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.)

With this method, you’ll get perfectly crispy salmon skin (or bass, or perch, or trout, or … well, you get the idea) every time. You can cook more than one piece of fish at a time using the parchment paper hack; just be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Two or three pieces are all you’ll want in a 9- or 10-inch skillet, so move up to a 12-inch skillet for four portions.

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Cleaning 3m read
5

How To Never Lose a Sock in the Dryer Ever Again

It never fails. You gather all the dirty clothes and put them in the washing machine. When the cycle is complete, you transfer the clothes to the dryer. As you sort and fold the laundry, you discover that at least one sock is without its mate. Every. Single. Time.

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It never fails. You gather all the dirty clothes and put them in the washing machine. When the cycle is complete, you transfer the clothes to the dryer. As you sort and fold the laundry, you discover that at least one sock is without its mate. Every. Single. Time.

The lost sock phenomenon affects approximately 10 out of 10 households. This isn’t official data, but anecdotal evidence gleaned from our laundry rooms suggests a near-100% accuracy rate. Granted, socks are small and easy to misplace — especially baby and toddler socks — so it makes sense that they might go missing from time to time. To avoid the frustration of constantly replacing socks, try this simple hack that will save you time and money.

A Trick To Keep Socks Together

Sure, you can tie rubber bands around pairs of socks or clip them together, but those methods aren’t foolproof. The best way to prevent socks from disappearing into the abyss of the washer or dryer is to launder them in mesh garment bags.

Related: Why You Should Have Two Different Laundry Hampers
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Mesh laundry bags come in a variety of sizes. The smallest size works best for one to three pairs of socks, while medium and large bags are great for washing a bunch of pairs together. Since they are made of mesh, water and detergent can flow through freely for a thorough cleaning. A well-designed zippered closure, often with a tuck-away tab, ensures the bag stays closed during the cycle and prevents clothes from getting tangled or snagged. While most mesh laundry bags are safe to use in the dryer, it’s important to check for plastic or rubber components that could melt in high heat. You can find high-quality mesh laundry bags with tons of five-star reviews for under $10 (a few of our favorites are linked above).

Bonus Tip

Mesh laundry bags can be used for much more than just socks. They’re great for organizing and protecting delicates, undergarments, hosiery, swimsuits, sneakers, pet collars and leashes, hair accessories, microfiber cloths, stuffed animals, and more.

If you can’t convince your family members to place both socks in the hamper together (instead of scattering them all over the house), well, you’re going to need another hack for that.

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Organizing 5m read
17

12 Things You Shouldn’t Store Near Your Cooktop

“I wish I had less kitchen space,” is a phrase uttered by no one, ever. Cabinet space is precious, and with cookware, cutting boards, tableware, utensils, storage containers, and small appliances competing for it, there’s never enough. Many of us try to make use of every last inch of kitchen real estate — even if that means storing items near the cooktop.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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“I wish I had less kitchen space,” is a phrase uttered by no one, ever. Cabinet space is precious, and with cookware, cutting boards, tableware, utensils, storage containers, and small appliances competing for it, there’s never enough. Many of us try to make use of every last inch of kitchen real estate — even if…

We’re here to explain why that’s a recipe for disaster. Not only do you risk damaging the items, but you also create a fire hazard. Here are 12 common items to avoid keeping by the stove, including on the countertop and in nearby cabinets.

1. Paper Towels

Whether you’re a messy cook or just want to keep your hands clean, you may be tempted to have paper towels nearby when cooking on the stovetop. But paper towels are made from paper pulp, and all paper products are considered flammable. This makes storage near the cooktop a serious fire hazard.

Credit: Brandon Cormier/ Unsplash

2. Cooking Oil

Keep your cooking oils in a cool, dark, dry place away from heat, air, or light exposure. This includes vegetable oils (such as extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, and sesame oil), as well as seed oils and nut oils.  The fluctuating temperatures near the stovetop will quickly turn cooking oil rancid, ruining the flavor.

Related: 5 Helpful Hacks for Maximizing Fridge Space

3. Cookbooks

Much like paper towels, cookbooks can easily catch fire in a matter of moments. Another potential downside to storing them by the stove? You risk food spatter getting all over the pages, making the recipes harder to read. This is why you should always keep cookbooks a few feet away, ideally on a separate countertop elsewhere in the kitchen. 

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4. Plastic Utensils

When using a plastic spoon to stir your sauce, avoid resting it too close to the stove. High heat can cause the plastic to warp or even melt, rendering the utensil useless. Melted plastic is also a major headache to clean up, and it may leave behind residue or cause minor damage to your surfaces. Silicone utensils are a safer alternative to plastic as they can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Canned Food

Given their shelf-stable nature, you may assume that canned foods can withstand some pretty adverse conditions. While this is true to a point, temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit may degrade the food inside, risking spoilage. Always keep cans in a cool, dark place, far away from the warmth you’d encounter in a cupboard above the stove, for instance.

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6. Dried Spices

Don’t be tempted by the convenience of keeping dried herbs and spices near the cooktop, as they’ll easily lose their potency when exposed to heat and humidity. While this won’t make you sick, it’ll negatively impact the flavor of your spices. Additionally, some spices, such as cinnamon, garlic powder, and chili flakes, contain volatile oils that make them more susceptible to burning.

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7. Fresh Fruit

Heat induces the release of ethylene gas in fresh fruit, which is a natural gas responsible for ripening. Storing fruit near the stovetop speeds up the ripening process, and your produce may go bad before you can enjoy it.

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8. Cleaning Products

Certain cleaning products are flammable and can release hazardous gases into the air if ignited. Even if you think a fire is unlikely, storing these products near high heat can make them less effective. So while you may like to clean up after you use the cooktop, keep those spray bottles far away until the stove cools down.

Related: An Easy Way To Remove Baked-On Food in Your Oven

9. Electronic Appliances

Store small appliances such as your toaster or blender as far away from the cooktop as room allows. High heat can melt wires, causing those appliances to fritz out, even if they’re new. For this same reason, you also should keep phones and laptops at a safe distance, even when using them to read a recipe, for example.

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10. Oven Mitts

While you may need them for handling hot cookware, fabric oven mitts are prone to catching on fire, especially near gas stoves with open flames. (The same goes for that dish towel draped over the oven door handle.) Instead, keep your oven mitts and dish towels in a drawer away from the heat, and remove them only when needed.

11. Cutting Boards

Storing wooden cutting boards and utensils — or anything else made from wood, for that matter — near the stove increases the risk of warping and splintering. Be extra cautious if you have a gas cooktop with an open flame, as you also risk the wood catching on fire.

Credit: Natalie Behn/ Unsplash+

12. Wine and Liquor

Maybe you’re making a pasta sauce that requires a splash of white wine or vodka. While it could be tempting to keep a bottle right there next to the stove, you’d be making a big mistake. Not only is alcohol highly flammable, but heat can degrade the liquid inside, causing it to become rancid.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, it offers a good starting point for items to avoid storing near the cooktop. If space allows, keep the area completely clear of any items. Or, if that’s not possible, consider storing those items elsewhere while you’re preparing dinner. This could help lessen the odds of your kitchen going up in smoke.

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Food & Drink 3m read
22

This Hack Prevents Natural Peanut Butter From Separating

There’s a lot to like about natural peanut butter, including that it’s minimally processed and typically contains just peanuts and salt (and sometimes, even the salt is left out). However, it has one major downside: oil separation. You know what we mean — that layer of oil sitting on top of the peanut butter when you open the jar. Well, it turns out there’s a relatively simple and low-effort way to avoid the problem. Here’s what you need to know.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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There’s a lot to like about natural peanut butter, including that it’s minimally processed and typically contains just peanuts and salt (and sometimes, even the salt is left out). However, it has one major downside: oil separation. You know what we mean — that layer of oil sitting on top of the peanut butter when you…

No More Oily Mess

There’s a perfectly logical, scientific reason why natural peanut butter separates: The oil in the ground peanuts is lighter than the solids, so over time it rises to the top. The deeper you dig into the jar, the less oil is left in the peanuts, making the peanut butter dry and unappetizing. This is exactly why mass-market brands use so many stabilizers and emulsifiers — to prevent oil separation and keep the peanut butter spreadable.

If you’re tired of sticking a knife or spoon into the jar to stir it until it cooperates, take note: You can actually use the oil’s tendency to rise to your advantage. Make a point of buying your next jar of natural peanut butter or other nut butter at least a week before you’ll need to use it, and store the jar upside down. The oil will travel from the top of the jar (which is now the bottom) to the bottom of the jar (which is now the top). Some oil will be left behind to moisten and lubricate the peanut solids. 

Related: 10 Chef-Approved Storage Hacks To Make Food Last Longer

When you right the jar and open it, the process will repeat itself in the opposite direction. The peanut butter will basically mix itself, requiring no effort on your part. 

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Tips To Keep Peanut Butter Spreadable

Depending on the extent of the peanut butter’s separation, you may need to repeat this process a few times before it’ll mix properly. Alternatively, you could scoop it out of the jar and use a food processor or stand mixer to thoroughly reincorporate the oil.

After the peanut butter is mixed and returned to the jar, flipping it upside down periodically will help prevent the oil from separating again. Keeping your jar in the fridge, which thickens the oil and slows the separation process, also helps. And if you don’t eat peanut butter regularly, this will keep it from going rancid before you finish the jar.

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Decorating 5m read
18

8 Clever Design Tips for a Cozy Space Without Clutter

Designing a cozy living space without adding too much stuff is a delicate balance. Achieving the perfect mix of warmth and simplicity is easier said than done, and efforts to do so often result in too much clutter. But don’t just settle for buying blanket after blanket and the cushiest armchair you can find — there are ways to transform your living space into an inviting escape while forgoing excess. Here are some actionable tips for creating a cozy, clutter-free space.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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Designing a cozy living space without adding too much stuff is a delicate balance. Achieving the perfect mix of warmth and simplicity is easier said than done, and efforts to do so often result in too much clutter. But don’t just settle for buying blanket after blanket and the cushiest armchair you can find —…

1. Put Lights on Dimmers

Installing dimmer switches allows you to create a warm, ambient glow while also reducing your energy consumption. It’s relatively easy to convert a standard light switch to a dimmer switch, and installation usually takes only 15 to 30 minutes. But that’s just the first step; you’ll also need dimmable bulbs, as not all lightbulbs have dimming capabilities. With the dimmer installed, you can adjust the levels to your liking to create a softer, soothing environment.

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2. Install 2000 K to 3000 K Lightbulbs

When shopping for lightbulbs, you may come across an unfamiliar numerical measurement ending in the letter “K.” This is what’s known as the Kelvin temperature scale, and you’ll likely see these numbers in the thousands. The higher the number (e.g., 5000 K, 6000 K), the harsher and whiter the color will be. Lightbulbs that measure between 2000 and 3000 Kelvin are ideal for creating cozy vibes, as they cast a soft, warm yellowish glow. (We’ve previously written about interior designers’ preference for 2700 Kelvin bulbs.) Best of all, they don’t take up extra space, as you can just swap them out for your old bulbs.

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3. Use Scent Diffusers

Smell is a powerful sense, and certain scents — such as lavender, bergamot, and sandalwood — are known to have calming effects. This isn’t just pseudoscience — according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, aromatherapy positively impacts the emotional center of the brain to put you at ease.

To make your space feel more relaxing, consider purchasing a plug-in scent diffuser, such as the Pura 4 or Aera Mini. These tiny devices won’t take up precious counter space but they will fill the air with your favorite fragrances. A more budget-friendly option is a compact reed diffuser, which should last anywhere from three to six months.

Credit: Mindaugas Norvilas/ Unsplash
Related: 6 Often-Overlooked Spaces in Your Home To Declutter Right Now

4. Opt for a Moody Color Scheme

Vibrant colors energize us, making them ideal for home offices or laundry rooms, but less comforting for bedrooms or TV rooms. Moodier shades, such as forest green, deep navy, and even burgundy can transform a ho-hum space into the coziest room in your house. When it comes to wallpaper, consider options with a deeper underlying color and motifs that bring you joy, whether you prefer a botanical pattern or something retro and geometric. While paint may be the easier and more cost-effective option, either treatment will create a warm and inviting atmosphere without adding any additional clutter to the room.

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5. Layer Varying Textures

Are your couch, curtains, and pillows all the same texture? Your room might be falling flat. Layering different textures adds warmth, depth, and visual interest — for example, you might pair a leather ottoman with a linen slipcovered sofa and a chunky knit throw blanket. You don’t need to buy more stuff; search other rooms of your house for textured items you could swap in. The more layers you incorporate — without going overboard — the more likely you are to feel like you’re in a warm space catered to your comfort.

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6. Purchase Blackout Curtains

Even the most expensive, high-quality window treatments may let in too much light for your liking, either from the sun or a surrounding city. If your idea of relaxation is total darkness, blackout fabric is the way to go. Installing blackout curtains can keep light levels low in a bedroom, media room, or home office. Consider upgrading to French return curtain rods, which curve back toward the wall, minimizing light infiltration from the sides.

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7. Highlight Historic Architecture

Too often, people cover or demolish their home’s historic features. Instead of getting rid of that history, incorporate those elements into your design. Natural wood beams or an exposed brick wall can make your home feel uniquely comfortable, not like just another cookie-cutter space.

Credit: Mike Higginson/ Shutterstock
Related: The Designer’s Secret to a Cohesive Color Palette

8. Showcase Your Personality

If you’re always chasing the latest design trends, your home may never feel like a reflection of you. Chances are, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable surrounded by colors and imagery that are evocative of your unique personality. Don’t leave your bookshelves bare; instead, fill them up with a colorful array of your favorite novels. After all, nothing is quite as relaxing as cozying up on the couch with a good book. If you’re an amateur artist, frame one of your drawings and hang it up, or display photos of happy memories such as a favorite vacation or a beloved family member. Just remember that coziness isn’t an objective science, and it may depend on the subjective features that put you at ease.

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Gardening 2m read
21

How To Turn Dead Roses Into Fragrant Potpourri

Don’t toss your dead Valentine’s Day roses — turn them into homemade potpourri instead. DIY potpourri is actually much easier than it seems (it’s similar to making dried orange slices for the holidays), and you can make it with both fresh and dried roses.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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Don’t toss your dead Valentine’s Day roses — turn them into homemade potpourri instead. DIY potpourri is actually much easier than it seems (it’s similar to making dried orange slices for the holidays), and you can make it with both fresh and dried roses.

How To Make DIY Potpourri

To create your homemade potpourri, start by separating all the rose petals from the flowers and adding them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and place the sheet in the oven for a few hours. The time it takes to “bake” these petals depends largely on how fresh the flowers are. We recommend starting with one hour and then checking on them every 30 to 45 minutes thereafter.

Baking the petals on low heat removes all of the moisture, preventing mold growth and creating that dried effect without having to air-dry the roses. You’ll know the petals are done when they’ve deepened in color, the edges have curled, and they feel crisp and brittle.

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Once the rose petals are dried, let them cool completely. Then, add a fragrant essential oil (or essential oil blend if you want a more customized scent) to cotton rounds and place them in a Ziploc bag with the petals for one week. This will allow the oils to permeate the petals, giving them that potent potpourri fragrance. After a week has passed, fill jars, sachets, or bowls with the petals and add them to your bathroom, entryway, drawers, or anywhere else that could use a nice aromatic pick-me-up.

Related: 3 Hacks To Keep Store-Bought Roses Fresh and Beautiful

For a store-bought look, add other dried items such as citrus slices (or peels), eucalyptus sprigs, whole cloves, and herbs. You can also place the mixture in a wooden potpourri bowl and wrap it in cellophane for a chic DIY gift idea.

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Decorating 2m read
12

Stop Your Home Decor From Slipping and Sliding

Decorating a space with your favorite pieces makes it truly yours, whether you’re displaying a luxury candle, a brass sculpture, or a thrifted vase. But if you have kids, pets, or are prone to clumsiness, home decor can easily be knocked over. The best-case scenario is that you pick it up and put it back in place. The worst-case scenario? It falls, breaks, and you not only have a mess to clean but also lose a beloved piece of decor. Luckily, there’s a home essential that can prevent this disaster from happening, and it costs less than $15.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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Decorating a space with your favorite pieces makes it truly yours, whether you’re displaying a luxury candle, a brass sculpture, or a thrifted vase. But if you have kids, pets, or are prone to clumsiness, home decor can easily be knocked over. The best-case scenario is that you pick it up and put it back…

Treat Your Home Decor Like Works of Art

Museum gel is a clear gel adhesive that holds items firmly in place. It’s typically used in museums to prevent fragile items from tipping over, but it can also be used in your home. This clear, nontoxic, reusable adhesive works well on most smooth, nonporous surfaces. Best of all, it doesn’t cause discoloration or leave behind a sticky residue, making it the ultimate home hack to prevent small or breakable items from moving.

Related: 5 Tips for Finding Home Decor Treasures at Thrift Stores

According to TikToker @sweetandtidy_, it’s especially useful for securing lightweight items such as candles or glassware since they’re fragile and can easily slide around.

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How To Use Museum Gel for Home Decor

To use museum gel, scoop out a small amount and roll it into a ball. Stick it to the bottom of the item you want to stabilize. (For larger or heavier items, you can add multiple dots of museum gel for extra security.) Next, place the item in its designated spot and press down firmly for five to 10 seconds. Finally, wait at least 30 minutes for the gel to bond before testing it.

(Not So) Sticky Situations

Beyond its use for home decor, museum gel is also fantastic for keeping your drawers in check — more specifically, the organizers that nest inside drawers. Whether it’s in your kitchen or home office desk, you can add museum gel to the bottom of drawer organizers to keep them from shifting when opening and closing the drawers.

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Food & Drink 2m read
23

De-Stem Herbs Effortlessly With This Kitchen Staple

Fresh herbs are wonderful to cook with (and sometimes to bake with), but they have a couple of shortcomings. One is that they’re sold in large bunches, so you have to find ways of keeping them fresh and storing the leftovers. A more immediate issue is that stripping the flavorful leaves from the tough stems is a pain. Sure, you can buy purpose-made herb strippers, but the best kitchen gadgets are the kind you already have. That’s why an herb-stemming hack using a plain ol’ box grater has repeatedly gone viral. Here’s how it works.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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Fresh herbs are wonderful to cook with (and sometimes to bake with), but they have a couple of shortcomings. One is that they’re sold in large bunches, so you have to find ways of keeping them fresh and storing the leftovers. A more immediate issue is that stripping the flavorful leaves from the tough stems…

The Box Grater Hack for Fresh Herbs

Commercial herb strippers are simple metal or plastic plates with different-sized holes in them. You insert the herb’s stem into a suitable-sized hole, pull it through, and the leaves remain. Conveniently, your box grater’s sides are also filled with holes, each with a sharp cutting edge to strip away the leaves.

So, how does it work? It’s pretty simple.

1. Choose the side of your grater with holes that match the size of the herb you’re stripping (large or medium for rosemary, small for thyme, etc.).

2. Insert the stem end of the herb through a hole, starting from the outside.

3.  Using your fingers, locate the stem inside the box grater  and gently pull it through the hole.

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If you’ve chosen the right-sized hole, the leaves will drop onto your work surface and you’ll be left with a mostly bare stem. This hack works best when the herb has a reasonably sturdy stem (oregano, parsley, basil) or a woody one (rosemary, thyme, sage). For herbs with large leaves or tender, easily broken stems (cilantro, dill, mint), you may find it easier to strip them by hand.

Related: This Chef-Approved Trick Keeps Herbs Fresher for Longer

Of course, you’ll still need to chop or mince the herbs in many cases, which brings us to another gadget you probably already have. A pizza cutter wheel makes short work of chopping leafy herbs; most are dishwasher-safe and easy on your wrist.

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Home Improvement 6m read
267

15 Items That Should Be in Every Junk Drawer

Despite their name, junk drawers contain some of the most useful tools in the home — assuming they’re organized properly. Too often, people utilize junk drawers just for storing loose change, spam mail, and other clutter. But these catch-all storage spaces are a great place to keep handy items that don’t have dedicated shelves of their own, such as small tools for various DIY projects. If you’re looking to stock up on solutions to life’s everyday problems, here are 15 items to keep in your junk drawer.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.
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Despite their name, junk drawers contain some of the most useful tools in the home — assuming they’re organized properly. Too often, people utilize junk drawers just for storing loose change, spam mail, and other clutter. But these catch-all storage spaces are a great place to keep handy items that don’t have dedicated shelves of…

1. Battery Tester

The best way to tell if there’s still life in old, loose batteries is to use a battery tester. This tiny device gauges whether the battery’s capacity is low or high. It works with a variety of household batteries including AAs, AAAs, and 9-volts. Best of all, battery testers don’t run on batteries.

Credit: RaffMaster/ Shutterstock

2. Stain-Removing Pen

Imagine you’re running out the door and suddenly notice a coffee stain on your shirt — how did that even get there? Rather than change into a whole new outfit, keep stain-remover pens in your junk drawer. These handy cleaning tools can help lighten or remove pesky stains in no time at all.

Related: Little Changes To Help You Save Money on Household Expenses

3. Furniture Sliders

Whenever you have the urge to rearrange the living room or clean under the bed, grab a set of furniture sliders from the junk drawer and put one under each leg. The discs make it easier to move furniture around without scratching the floor (or throwing out your back). Consider a set that includes plastic sliders for carpets as well as felt sliders for hard surfaces. Keep them on hand so you can redecorate to your heart’s content without assistance.

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4. Wood Markers

Let’s face it — wood easily gets scratched, whether due to everyday use or an overzealous toddler or pet. But you can keep wooden furniture and wall trim looking as good as new with a set of wood markers and wax sticks. Offered in a variety of colors, these pens are perfect for filling in surface-level scratches on any wooden item in the home.

5. Eyeglass Repair Kit

Whether you wear eyeglasses every day or sport a pair of shades now and then, it’s useful to keep an eyeglass repair kit in the junk drawer. Eyeglass screws loosen over time, affecting the comfort and fit of your specs. These kits contain tiny tools for tightening screws and other quick fixes.

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6. Pet Hair Remover

Our pets are perfect — or maybe 99% perfect, with the remaining 1% being all that annoying pet hair. If your pet is known to shed, head over to the junk drawer and grab a simple pet hair removal device. This metal tool easily lifts pet hair from upholstery or carpet — including area rugs, car mats, couches, and pet beds — without causing any damage.

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7. Screen Wipes

Grubby little fingerprints get all over our phones, computers, and TV screens. But with electronic wipes, you can remove greasy smudges in the blink of an eye. Place a pack in the junk drawer nearest your television room or home office so you always have some on hand.

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8. Goo Gone

When you remove a price sticker, it often leaves behind a stubborn, sticky residue. Goo Gone is the solution to a variety of messes; the solvent can be used to remove stickers, gum on your shoe, and even crayon marks on the walls. A small bottle will work wonders.

Related: Your Utensil Drawer Holds the Secret to Perfectly Hung Pictures

9. Painter’s Tape

Painter’s tape is one of the most versatile tools you can own, so it’s worth keeping a roll on standby. The best feature of painter’s tape is that it peels off cleanly without any sticky residue. This makes it perfect for painting walls, labeling containers, or bundling loose cables and cords.

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10. Staple-Free Stapler

There’s no reason to waste money on staples so long as you have a staple-free stapler by your side. This nifty gadget uses pressure to fasten as many as five sheets of paper together without piercing through them, meaning less waste and lower costs.

11. Hem Tape

Looking to shorten your curtains or take a few inches off your pant legs before heading out the door? Use hem tape, which holds fabric in place for one to two wears. This is an undeniably quicker and easier solution than busting out the old sewing machine.

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12. Superglue Packets

Superglue is truly super in its ability to hold things together. Unfortunately, large bottles often dry out before they’re used up. That’s why you should choose mini superglue packets, which are the perfect size for junk drawers and handy for DIY projects.

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13. Retractable Box Cutter

A retractable box cutter makes opening and breaking down packages quick and easy. They’re also useful for cutting carpet, trimming caulk, or opening stuck paint can lids. Just be sure to exercise caution when using a box cutter, as they’re extremely sharp.

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14. Cabinet Bumpers

Cabinet bumpers are fantastic for protecting your fixtures from damage, and they take up very little space in the junk drawer. These small, circular, stick-on pads affix to the back of any cabinet door, providing a protective cushion when closing.

Related: This Trick Takes the Hassle Out of Paint Touch-Ups

15. Reusable Zip Ties

From organizing charger cables to creating makeshift handles, zip ties are surprisingly versatile. Reusable zip ties are a fantastic alternative to single-use ones, and will serve you well for a long time to come.

Credit: TANAPAT LEK.JIW/ Shutterstock

If any of these products speak to you, it’s time to declutter your junk drawer and turn it into a useful storage space. You’ll be delighted to discover how much easier these items make everyday tasks around the house.

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An Easy Way To Safely Discard Cooking Oil

Picture this: You’ve just shallow fried a batch of golden, perfectly crispy schnitzel. With every last breadcrumb devoured, you’re left to contend with a greasy mess. But what should you do with all that cooking oil?

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Picture this: You’ve just shallow fried a batch of golden, perfectly crispy schnitzel. With every last breadcrumb devoured, you’re left to contend with a greasy mess. But what should you do with all that cooking oil?

If your first thought is to pour it down the drain, take a pause. There’s a safe and easy way to get rid of the remaining oil, and you only need one kitchen essential to do it: aluminum foil.

Oil and Plumbing Don’t Mix

While there are plenty of ways to dispose of cooking oil properly, whatever you do, don’t pour it down the sink or toilet. Although leftover cooking oil may be liquid when it’s hot or warm, it solidifies as it cools, which can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Over time, it can build up and cause blockages in your pipes. Not only can pouring oil down the drain harm your home, but it also can affect the local sewer system.

Related: 10 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
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Ditch Cooking Oil the Right Way

Once you’re done cooking, let the oil cool and tear off a piece of aluminum foil about the size of a sheet of paper. You can eyeball it and make the piece smaller or larger depending on how much cooking oil you’re looking to dispose of.

Then, clean out your kitchen sink and mold the aluminum foil into the shape of the drain. You can use your fist, a drinking glass, or a spoon to create a cuplike shape, being careful not to puncture the foil. Leave a few inches of excess foil on all sides to prevent drips and make disposal easier.

Pour the cooking oil from the pan into the foil pocket, allowing it to cool off even more until it hardens. Note that oils high in saturated fats solidify at room temperature, while oils high in unsaturated fats remain liquid. Carefully remove the foil from the sink, bunching the open ends tightly to secure the oil. Now you can simply toss the sealed foil packet into the trash.

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