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Food & Drink 3m read
0

The Secret Ingredient for Potluck-Winning Potato Salad

Potato salad is a beloved picnic and potluck standby, especially in the summer months. In the United States, it’s generally made from boiled potatoes, diced celery, onions, pickles, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing. It’s often served cold or at room temperature (but it should never be left out for more than two hours).

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.

Potato salad is a beloved picnic and potluck standby, especially in the summer months. In the United States, it’s generally made from boiled potatoes, diced celery, onions, pickles, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing. It’s often served cold or at room temperature (but it should never be left out for more…

The dish has many variations around the world: In Germany, Kartoffelsalat is served warm with a vinegar-based dressing, while in Japan, potesara is made with rich Kewpie mayonnaise and mashed potatoes. While a straightforward American potato salad is always welcome at a gathering, sometimes it needs an extra kick to stand out. That’s easily achievable with this ingredient, which you may already have in your refrigerator.

Brine On, You Crazy Diamond

The secret ingredient is pickle brine. Dill pickle brine works best, but sweet pickle brine is a milder alternative. Here’s what to do: First, boil your potatoes. While they’re still hot, gently smash them and sprinkle with 1 to 3 tablespoons of pickle brine per pound of potatoes, depending on its sharpness. From there, proceed as usual with the recipe — though you may want to make a few tweaks, which we’ll outline in the next section.

The pickle brine adds acidity, salt, and spice to your potato salad, seasoning the spuds from the inside out. It also balances the richness of the mayonnaise, brightening the flavor.

Tips and Cautions

Pickle brine is strongly flavored and highly acidic. If you’re using a recipe that calls for other acidic ingredients, such as distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, leave those out until you’ve tasted the potato salad.

Additionally, since pickle brine contains a lot of salt and a variety of spices, you may want to skip these ingredients when following the recipe. Taste the dish as you go — you can always add more seasonings, but you can’t take them out.

Finally, make sure you add the pickle brine while the potatoes are freshly boiled and very hot. Hot potatoes are highly absorbent, and adding the brine at this stage fully infuses them with flavor.

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Other Tips for the Best Potato Salad

Aside from a sprinkle of pickle brine, the key to an award-winning potato salad is to not overdress it. To achieve the right consistency — one that’s not too “gluggy” — start with the smallest amount of mayonnaise or other dressing. Coat the potatoes gently, then taste and add more if needed.

Related: Make Your Potatoes Last Longer With Only a Cardboard Box

Although potato salad is a simple dish, it’s best to measure your ingredients carefully, particularly if you’ve never made it before. It’s tempting to eyeball them, but save that for when you’re familiar with the recipe, and aim for precision, especially with the potatoes and dressing.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Angelika Heine/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 27, 2026 |
Allegra Ringo
Writer
Allegra Ringo is a California-based writer who has written for publications including Reductress, The Hard Times, VICE, and The Atlantic. She loves sparkling water and old Chihuahuas with hardly any teeth, like her dog Pistachio.
Allegra Ringo is a California-based writer who has written for publications including Reductress, The Hard Times, VICE, and The Atlantic. She loves sparkling water and old Chihuahuas with hardly any teeth, like her dog Pistachio.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Angelika Heine/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 27, 2026 |
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Food & Drink 3m read
0

You’re Reheating Pizza Wrong

There’s no question that Americans love pizza. The statistics are pretty staggering: On any given day, 13% of Americans eat pizza, according to the USDA. And in 2024, a whopping 87% of the population consumed frozen pizza. Between dining out, delivery, and freezer aisle options, Americans are often left with a whole lot of leftover pizza.

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.

There’s no question that Americans love pizza. The statistics are pretty staggering: On any given day, 13% of Americans eat pizza, according to the USDA. And in 2024, a whopping 87% of the population consumed frozen pizza. Between dining out, delivery, and freezer aisle options, Americans are often left with a whole lot of leftover…

The best pizza is always hot and fresh from the oven. But leftover slices can be pretty good too, if you know how to prepare them. Spoiler alert: Nuking pizza in the microwave won’t get you there. To really enjoy your morning-after slice, reheat it on the stovetop.

A Better Reheating Method

No matter how you slice it, microwaved pizza is just plain disappointing.

Microwaves don’t heat evenly, so some bites come out freezing cold while others are scalding hot. Even worse, the crust often goes soggy and the toppings dry to a crisp.

Related: Make Restaurant-Style Pizza in Your Own Oven

Reheating pizza on the stovetop yields much better results, and it takes only a few minutes. All you need is a skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Cast iron is best because it retains heat well, but any nonstick skillet will do the job. Place the skillet on a burner set to medium heat, then add a pizza slice or two — crust side down — once the cooking surface is warm. Let the pizza reheat, uncovered, for two to four minutes until the crust is crisp. If needed, gently press down with a spatula to flatten the slice so it makes full contact with the skillet.

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Cover and Steam

At this point, your slice is mostly warm, but the toppings aren’t fully reheated and the cheese isn’t melted. Half the pleasure of pizza is that gooey, melted cheese, so we’re not quite there yet. This is where the tight-fitting lid comes in.

Add a few drops of water — 1/2 teaspoon or so — to an empty spot in your skillet. Quickly secure the lid to trap the steam, leaving the skillet covered for another two to three minutes. That hot, moist air rapidly melts the cheese and warms the toppings, adding just enough moisture to keep the slice from drying out. As long as you’re careful not to get water directly on the crust, it’ll stay crisp despite the steam. The end result? Perfectly gooey cheese and an ultra-crispy crust, all in just a few minutes.

It may not be the best pizza you’ve ever eaten, but it will definitely be the best pizza you’ve ever reheated.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Karl Tapales—Moment/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 27, 2026 |
Fred Decker
Writer
Fred Decker is a trained chef and former restaurateur. Since closing his restaurants over a decade ago he has been a prolific freelance writer, publishing several thousand articles on dozens of high-volume websites including Taste Of Home, Hunker, Tasting Table, Week&, eHow, and GOBankingRates. He lives on a rural acreage shared with a big garden, chickens, rabbits, and grandkids.
Fred Decker is a trained chef and former restaurateur. Since closing his restaurants over a decade ago he has been a prolific freelance writer, publishing several thousand articles on dozens of high-volume websites including Taste Of Home, Hunker, Tasting Table, Week&, eHow, and GOBankingRates. He lives on a rural acreage shared with a big garden, chickens, rabbits, and grandkids.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Karl Tapales—Moment/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 27, 2026 |
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Gardening 4m read
0

The Low-Maintenance, Low-Water Garden Style You Haven’t Tried

Wouldn’t it be nice to gaze out the window at a beautifully manicured garden? Unfortunately, that isn’t realistic for many of us — whether because of busy schedules, drought-prone locations, or reluctance to face a sky-high water bill. But you can grow a garden without relying so much on water. It just needs to be the right kind of garden — and it might look a little different from what you have in mind.

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.

Wouldn’t it be nice to gaze out the window at a beautifully manicured garden? Unfortunately, that isn’t realistic for many of us — whether because of busy schedules, drought-prone locations, or reluctance to face a sky-high water bill. But you can grow a garden without relying so much on water. It just needs to be…

What’s Good About Gravel?

Have you ever seen a gravel-covered garden? People in drought-prone areas probably have — but you can add this ground cover to any yard, regardless of your location. Gravel gardens are a form of xeriscaping, a landscaping method that minimizes water use through careful design and plant selection.

Related: You’re Watering Your Garden Wrong (and Wasting Water)

Gravel can be a great alternative to traditional soil for drought-tolerant plants because it drains well and requires less watering. You’ll still need to weed a gravel garden, but the loose material makes weeds much easier to pull and keeps their roots from growing deep. It doesn’t require extra mulching — in fact, the gravel is the mulch — and it helps retain moisture in the soil underneath. However, since stone absorbs and radiates heat, stick to lighter-colored pea gravel or decomposed granite spread in a 2- to 3-inch layer, and create a 4- to 6-inch buffer around the bases of plants to prevent heat from scorching them.

How To Use Gravel in Your Garden

Before you start pouring truckloads of gravel into your yard, it’s worth clarifying which types of gardens will benefit most from xeriscaping. These include dry or drought-prone climates, steep slopes vulnerable to erosion, and large or low-maintenance yards.

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It’s also important to select drought-tolerant plants that don’t require much water and that thrive in the heat. You’ll find plenty of options, no matter your region. For example, if you’re in the American Southwest, popular perennials and succulents such as rosemary, lavender, crepe myrtle, hollyhocks, and agave are great choices. Northeastern yards can host shrubs such as common juniper and sweet fern alongside hardy perennials like yarrow and echinacea. Because these plants require lean soil and time to establish roots, you shouldn’t switch out a traditional garden for gravel overnight.

To get started, choose a sunny spot with good drainage, turn the soil, and remove any weeds. Next, lay down a landscape fabric like LAVEVE Weed Barrier and cut holes where each plant will go. Dig your holes and mix in a little compost from a local nursery, manure from a nearby farm, or a delivered option like Charlie’s Compost. Set your plants firmly in place, then cover the surface with about 2 to 3 inches of gravel, taking heed of the advice we outlined in the section above.

Don’t forget to water your gravel garden — just because it’s drought-tolerant doesn’t mean it never needs to drink. Gravel gardens benefit greatly from methods like drip irrigation, which delivers an even amount of water deep into the soil. Contact a local landscaping company if this sounds like the right fit, or pick up a DIY drip kit online or at your local hardware store.

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Food & Drink 3m read
0

3 Tips for Spotting the Sweetest Corn at the Grocery Store

It’s hard to imagine any summertime activity, whether it’s a trip to the county fair or a backyard barbecue, that doesn’t involve corn on the cob. When corn is at its peak, its sweetness and juiciness rival a good watermelon as the definitive taste of summer.

It’s hard to imagine any summertime activity, whether it’s a trip to the county fair or a backyard barbecue, that doesn’t involve corn on the cob. When corn is at its peak, its sweetness and juiciness rival a good watermelon as the definitive taste of summer.

Farmers will tell you that if you want the very best corn, “bring the pot to a boil, then go out and pick a few ears.” Sadly, we don’t all have enough outdoor space to grow our own. But these three tips will help you choose the freshest corn at any supermarket, roadside stand, or farmers market.

1. Inspect the Corn Husks

The corn husks, the outer wrappers that hide and protect the ear, are the first thing you should inspect. You’ll know in an instant whether the corn you’re looking at is past its prime because the husks will have started to yellow and dry out — a clear sign of aging.

Related: 3 Tips for Picking the Perfect Watermelon

The kernels inside don’t lose moisture as quickly as the outer husks, which act as a natural barrier to slow evaporation. But here’s the catch: The sugars that give corn its sweetness begin converting into tasteless starch the moment it’s picked. In heirloom varieties of sweet corn, an ear that’s been off the stalk for 24 hours has already lost half its sugar — and its sweetness. Fortunately, modern hybrids have been developed to slow this conversion process and retain their flavor for several days, especially when refrigerated.

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2. Check Out the Silk

If the husks are still green, moist, supple, and tightly wrapped around the ear, the corn is likely fresh. But is it fully mature and ready to deliver the best possible flavor? To answer that question, examine the tassel and the strands of “silk” that make it up.

As an ear ripens, the exposed portion of the silk turns from yellow-green to yellow to brown. If you pull back the very tip of the husk, the silk inside should remain a pale yellow-green. If the ends are brown and the inside portions are pale, the corn is both mature and fresh.

3. Heft the Ear

One of the most useful rules for selecting produce is that it should feel heavy for its size. That applies to corn, too, because heavy ears are filled to the brim with plump, moist kernels. Pick up a few ears, and you’ll quickly find that some feel heavier and fuller than others. Those are the ones you want.

While holding an ear, run a finger along the husk to feel the rows of kernels underneath. Imperfectly pollinated ears will sometimes have sparse rows or gaps where kernels are missing. A quick finger-check will catch those, so you get full value for your dollar.

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Featured Image Credit:  © SimpleImages—Moment/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 27, 2026 |
Fred Decker
Writer
Fred Decker is a trained chef and former restaurateur. Since closing his restaurants over a decade ago he has been a prolific freelance writer, publishing several thousand articles on dozens of high-volume websites including Taste Of Home, Hunker, Tasting Table, Week&, eHow, and GOBankingRates. He lives on a rural acreage shared with a big garden, chickens, rabbits, and grandkids.
Fred Decker is a trained chef and former restaurateur. Since closing his restaurants over a decade ago he has been a prolific freelance writer, publishing several thousand articles on dozens of high-volume websites including Taste Of Home, Hunker, Tasting Table, Week&, eHow, and GOBankingRates. He lives on a rural acreage shared with a big garden, chickens, rabbits, and grandkids.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © SimpleImages—Moment/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 27, 2026 |
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Decorating 3m read
450

This One Design Decision Can Make Your Entire House Feel Larger

If you’re stumped on how to make a small home feel larger without removing any walls, simply look down. The flooring, and how it transitions from room to room, plays a key role in how spacious a home feels, no matter how many square feet it covers.

If you’re stumped on how to make a small home feel larger without removing any walls, simply look down. The flooring, and how it transitions from room to room, plays a key role in how spacious a home feels, no matter how many square feet it covers.

Imagine tile in the kitchen, laminate in the entryway, hardwood in the living room, and carpet in the bedroom, with metal threshold strips dividing each flooring type. Every division signals to your eye that one room is ending and another is beginning. String enough of those segments together and even a generous floor plan starts to feel chopped up and cramped.

The fix is simple, though not always budget-friendly: Run one flooring material straight through the connected rooms, with no strips, seams, or visual stop signs. Replacing your flooring isn’t a quick weekend project, but it’s a transformative renovation that will hopefully last for years to come. The payoff shows up every time you walk through the house.

Related: 8 Renovation Decisions People End Up Regretting

How One Flooring Choice Tricks the Eye

Visual flow is key. It works because your brain uses flooring as a cue for signaling where one space ends and another begins. When the surface stays consistent from the entryway into the kitchen and the living room, nothing interrupts the flow. Even a series of small spaces starts to feel expansive since it’s processed by the brain as one continuous zone rather than separate ones.

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Where To Start

A full-home flooring overhaul isn’t realistic for most budgets, so begin with the sightline your eye crosses most often. The path from the entryway through the main living area is a good starting point, or if your kitchen and living room are open to each other, prioritize matching those two first.

Match the Undertone

Can’t match the floor material from room to room? Try to at least coordinate the undertones and finish between adjacent rooms. A warm walnut next to a cool gray oak still reads as a break, even if they’re both technically wood floors. Restaining to match is a far easier and cheaper fix than ripping everything up.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Clay Banks/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Megan McCarty
Writer
Megan McCarty is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers the fun stuff: design, travel, wellness, beauty, and fashion. She has written for publications including Domino, The Spruce, MyDomaine, Bustle, and Rue Magazine. Her life rules include, but are not limited to, zipper when merging, contribute to your IRA, and do the nice thing.
Megan McCarty is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers the fun stuff: design, travel, wellness, beauty, and fashion. She has written for publications including Domino, The Spruce, MyDomaine, Bustle, and Rue Magazine. Her life rules include, but are not limited to, zipper when merging, contribute to your IRA, and do the nice thing.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Clay Banks/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
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Organizing 3m read
340

Organize Your Pantry Like a Grocery Store To Save Space

We all have that one area of the home that easily falls into disarray. For some, it’s the entryway — those shoes seem to multiply on their own — while for others, it’s the kitchen pantry. With so many food categories, high-turnover inventory, and the constant need to declutter, this space gets disorganized quickly.

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.

We all have that one area of the home that easily falls into disarray. For some, it’s the entryway — those shoes seem to multiply on their own — while for others, it’s the kitchen pantry. With so many food categories, high-turnover inventory, and the constant need to declutter, this space gets disorganized quickly.

But if there’s one place to take notes from when it comes to food organization, it’s the grocery store. Here’s how you can apply the same methods to your own pantry to save space and reduce food waste.

Give Your Pantry a Grocery Store Makeover

Between cooking and snacking, quick trips to the pantry can lead to a whole lot of chaos. Grocery stores have stockers on staff to keep their shelves organized, but you don’t need to hire help to implement some of their best retail strategies.

Related: These Pantry Items Are Probably Past Their Prime

In a subreddit dedicated to organizing, Reddit user @Violet_Crown shared the idea to sort food in a pantry “like you would find it in the grocery store.” It’s a genius way to think about organization — when you’re doing your weekly food shop, you usually know where to find what you need since similar items are grouped together. Applying this same approach to your pantry is a foolproof way to make items easier to find and ensure nothing gets forgotten. Not only does this cut down on food waste, but it also prevents you from buying duplicates of items you already own.

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How To Organize Your Pantry Like a Grocery Store

Giving your pantry the grocery store treatment is simple. Use clear acrylic bins, wire baskets, turntables, and shelf dividers to group like items with like. Keep pasta and grains together, baking essentials together, canned goods together, and so on. Clustering categories means you won’t waste time digging through a cluttered shelf. In their post, @Violet_Crown also recommends grouping smaller items in baskets, cooking oils and condiments on turntables, and canned goods with shelf dividers “for best use of vertical space.”

Other grocery store tricks you can use to your advantage include keeping frequently used items at eye level, moving older products to the front so you can use them before they expire, and storing heavy items on lower shelves to make them easier to retrieve.

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Cleaning 3m read
153

The Laundry Mistake That Makes Stains Permanent

Dealing with stains is one of the most stress-inducing parts of laundry day. While there are some powerful commercial stain removers out there, as well as tips and tricks for lifting stubborn spots, one common mistake can completely ruin your efforts and make the stain a permanent fixture on your garment. If you’re not careful, a stain that survives the wash can become nearly impossible to remove once you do this.

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.

Dealing with stains is one of the most stress-inducing parts of laundry day. While there are some powerful commercial stain removers out there, as well as tips and tricks for lifting stubborn spots, one common mistake can completely ruin your efforts and make the stain a permanent fixture on your garment. If you’re not careful,…

The Heat Factor

While it might seem like heat would loosen a stain and pull it away from the garment, it actually has the opposite effect. High temperatures “cook” a stain into the fabric by changing its chemical structure, causing it to permanently embed itself into the fibers. This applies to most types of stains, including those from proteins, plants, tannins, chemicals, starches, and sugars. (The only stains you should treat with heat are grease, cooking oil, and wax.)

Related: 6 Outdated Laundry Habits To Quit Immediately

This is why stain removal instructions often recommend washing the garment in cold water instead of hot. Similarly, you should avoid the dryer at all costs when trying to remove a stain. Before transferring the clothing item from the washing machine to the dryer, ensure the stain has been fully removed. To be on the safe side, you may want to air-dry the item, as damp clothing is darker and may disguise a stain that has faded but not fully lifted.

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How To Remove Stains

When removing stains from clothing or other textiles, start by spot treating the fabric with your preferred stain remover (we swear by this cheap stain-remover bar). Use your fingertips, a laundry stain brush, or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently work the stain remover into the fibers. Wait the recommended amount of time, then do one of the following: Either turn the garment inside out and thoroughly rinse the area with cool water (to prevent the stain from spreading), or toss it into the washing machine with your regular detergent on a cold-water cycle.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s best to let the garment air-dry after laundering, and then inspect for surviving stains. If the stain isn’t completely gone, skip the dryer and start the treatment over again.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Maskot/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Jessie Quinn
Writer
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle journalist with words published in PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Byrdie, and more. She has a Bachelor's Degree in fashion journalism from Academy of Art University and her work spans across many categories, including style, beauty, home, health, crafts, and more.
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle journalist with words published in PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Byrdie, and more. She has a Bachelor's Degree in fashion journalism from Academy of Art University and her work spans across many categories, including style, beauty, home, health, crafts, and more.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Maskot/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
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Food & Drink 3m read
16

Why You Should Leave Half Your Muffin Pan Empty

Do your homemade muffins fall flat, both literally and figuratively, never turning out quite as good as those from a bakery? There’s something elusive about pulling off the texture and height of professionally baked muffins at home, even though the ingredients and directions are usually pretty straightforward. But a simple trick can help you achieve bakery-style muffin tops and a light, fluffy texture. Here’s how to guarantee expert-level results when whipping up your next batch.

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.

Do your homemade muffins fall flat, both literally and figuratively, never turning out quite as good as those from a bakery? There’s something elusive about pulling off the texture and height of professionally baked muffins at home, even though the ingredients and directions are usually pretty straightforward. But a simple trick can help you achieve…

Much Ado About Muffins

This hack changes how heat circulates inside the oven and the amount of room the muffins have to expand.

Instead of filling every cup in the muffin pan with batter, fill every other cup, leaving half of them empty. For bakery-style domes, fill the muffin cups 3/4 of the way, or nearly to the top, with batter. This method allows heat to circulate more evenly around each muffin and the batter to spread naturally without coming into contact with neighbors. The end result is a batch of muffins that rise much higher than they would otherwise. They’ll also bake faster and more uniformly, giving you a crispier top and a perfectly done center.

Related: The Baking Trick for Perfectly Flat Cake Layers

The only downside is that this process takes more time because it requires baking multiple batches. But the wait is worth it: This resting time actually benefits the muffin batter. Letting it sit for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature — or overnight in the refrigerator — further improves the texture and rise of the finished product because it gives the flour more time to thicken and hydrate. (For this reason, you should make sure your first batch has at least 15 minutes to sit, too.)

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Other Tips for Bakery-Level Muffins

One often-overlooked method is to set the oven temperature high for the first few minutes of baking, then lower it for the remainder. A good rule of thumb is to start the muffins at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, then lower to 350 degrees Fahrenheit after five to seven minutes. Continue baking at this lower temperature for the rest of the recommended time, or approximately 15 to 18 minutes. The initial burst of heat helps solidify the tops, while the lower temperature ensures the centers cook evenly.

Sprinkling extra-coarse sugar on top of your muffins is another pro move. The sugar crystallizes under the heat, giving the tops a nice crunch and an extra hint of sweetness.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Aneta Voborilova/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Allegra Ringo
Writer
Allegra Ringo is a California-based writer who has written for publications including Reductress, The Hard Times, VICE, and The Atlantic. She loves sparkling water and old Chihuahuas with hardly any teeth, like her dog Pistachio.
Allegra Ringo is a California-based writer who has written for publications including Reductress, The Hard Times, VICE, and The Atlantic. She loves sparkling water and old Chihuahuas with hardly any teeth, like her dog Pistachio.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Aneta Voborilova/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
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Home Improvement 3m read
485

Your Doorstop Has a Brilliant Second Use

The primary purpose of a doorstop is right there in its name: It stops the door, or more specifically the doorknob, from damaging the drywall. While doorstops come in many varieties, spring stoppers are the most common and the type we’ll be focusing on today. These coils have a secondary purpose you might not be aware of, and it’s just as useful, albeit in a different way. Let’s examine how to get the most out of any spring-loaded doorstop.

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.

The primary purpose of a doorstop is right there in its name: It stops the door, or more specifically the doorknob, from damaging the drywall. While doorstops come in many varieties, spring stoppers are the most common and the type we’ll be focusing on today. These coils have a secondary purpose you might not be…

A Proper Way To Prop the Door Open

The hack in question applies to spring-loaded doorstops mounted to baseboards — those bendy, metallic coils with a rubber or silicone cap. As it turns out, these tiny mechanisms can help prop the door open when you’re bringing groceries into the house or letting in a cool breeze — here’s how to do it.

Related: How To Silence a Squeaky Door Hinge

Begin by bending the doorstop down until the rubber cap touches the floor (you can do this with your foot to avoid squatting). Push the door as close to the wall as possible and wedge the stopper underneath it, using the rubber cap to hold it in place. The tension from the spring, plus the friction of the rubber cap, should keep your door propped open. When it’s time to shut the door, bend the doorstop down further to release. Here’s a video of this hack in action if you’re a visual learner.

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This is a great trick that’s more convenient than having someone hold the door open or jamming a makeshift wedge underneath it. If all of the doorstop components are in good condition, the door should stay open for as long as you need it to.

Other Door-Propping Solutions

The main drawback to this hack is that it works only when a spring doorstop is attached to an adjacent baseboard. This means you’re out of luck if the stopper is installed on the floor, hinges, or back of the door. If this describes your situation, it may be in your best interest to buy magnetic doorstops. These two-in-one products are sleek, easy to install without any drilling, and stop doors from slamming just as well as they hold doors open.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Kiwi Anne/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 16, 2026 |
Bennett Kleinman
Staff Writer
Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio, covering topics for several brands including House Outlook and Better Report. He previously contributed to television programs such as "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Impractical Jokers," and digital publications like The Onion. Bennett is also a devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio, covering topics for several brands including House Outlook and Better Report. He previously contributed to television programs such as "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Impractical Jokers," and digital publications like The Onion. Bennett is also a devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Kiwi Anne/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 16, 2026 |
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Food & Drink 4m read
21,684

The Secret Knife Sharpener Already Hiding in Your Cupboard

Our early human ancestors began using sharp tools around 2.6 million years ago. They later developed the craft of “flintknapping,” which involved using a rock to break off pieces of flint to fashion tools for digging or cutting. Eventually, humans moved on to whetstones, which we still use today to sharpen the edges of blades, including kitchen knives. Fortunately, if you don’t have a whetstone on hand but need a sharper blade for more precise cuts, you don’t have to resort to using a rock. Instead, just take a peek under your coffee mug.

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.

Our early human ancestors began using sharp tools around 2.6 million years ago. They later developed the craft of “flintknapping,” which involved using a rock to break off pieces of flint to fashion tools for digging or cutting. Eventually, humans moved on to whetstones, which we still use today to sharpen the edges of blades,…

Knife Sharpening in a Pinch

Don’t have a knife sharpener in your kitchen? Don’t be so sure. You likely have a small sharpening stone, or several, hiding beneath drinkware you use every day.

Many ceramic dishes — including coffee mugs — are crafted with a raised, unglazed ring around the bottom to prevent them from sticking to the shelves of the kiln during firing. These “foot rings” also eliminate wobbling and provide thermal insulation, keeping the food or drink warm for longer and creating a buffer between the heat and the countertop.

This often-overlooked detail can function as a makeshift knife sharpener in a pinch because nearly all unglazed ceramics have a higher hardness rating than hardened steel. (We’ll explain how to confirm that your ceramic is indeed harder than steel in the next section.)

To identify a foot ring, flip over a ceramic coffee mug, plate, or bowl and look for the thin, unglazed circle. It’s not glossy, but rather grainy and abrasive. Use your thumb to feel for the grittier texture compared to the shiny surface of the rest of your dish. A coffee mug works best for this hack, although you can also use a dinner plate.

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How To Get Clean Cuts With a Coffee Mug

To sharpen your knife this way, turn your ceramic coffee mug upside down and rest it on a flat, sturdy surface. You may want to place a damp cloth underneath it for added stability. Holding the knife by the handle, position the cutting edge of the blade at a 15- to 20-degree angle against the unglazed ring. Applying light pressure, smoothly sweep the blade across the ring, working from the heel to the tip while maintaining the angle. If you notice a dark gray or black smudge mark, this proves that the ceramic is harder than your knife and will successfully sharpen it.

Related: This Cheap Pantry Staple Will Make Your Stained Coffee Mugs Sparkle Again

Run the knife blade along the foot ring 10 to 15 times on one side, then do the same number of strokes on the other to keep the edge centered. (This method sharpens and hones your blade simultaneously.) Finally, clean and dry your knife to get rid of any metal shavings.

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Tips and Cautions

Don’t rely on this trick for all of your knife-sharpening needs. If you’re staying at an Airbnb with dull, cheap IKEA knives, go right ahead, but avoid using it to sharpen your nice, expensive cutlery. It’s best to use a chef’s knife (or something smaller) and stick to standard steel materials, such as carbon steel or stainless steel. Don’t attempt this hack with ceramic, super steel, Damascus steel, or titanium knives.

Whetstones, such as this one from Sharp Premium, are constructed with varying grit sizes to ensure the sharpest blade and the safest process, for both you and your knife. These can be used with premium knives but require some skill and practice. For extra-safe sharpening, tools like the KITCHELLENCE Three-Stage Knife Sharpener come with a cut-resistant glove. Pull-through manual sharpeners such as this one are generally not recommended for high-quality knives, but if you have an inexpensive set, they can promote cleaner cuts and safer usage.

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