Cleaning

3m read

19,245

How To Keep Flies and Maggots Away From Trash Cans

If you already hate taking out the trash, battling a swarm of flies and maggots only makes the chore more grueling. Fortunately, the power of scent can repel just as easily as it attracts. Essential oils — highly concentrated liquids extracted from plants — are more than just aromatic additions to cosmetics and cleaning products. They can also be used to treat problematic household pests.

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.

If you already hate taking out the trash, battling a swarm of flies and maggots only makes the chore more grueling. Fortunately, the power of scent can repel just as easily as it attracts. Essential oils — highly concentrated liquids extracted from plants — are more than just aromatic additions to cosmetics and cleaning products. They can…

A Minty Fresh Solution

To keep flies and their larvae away from your trash cans, you need two items that you might already have on hand: cotton balls and peppermint essential oil.

On your next collection day, deep-clean your empty trash can by hosing it out and using a long-handled brush to scrub the interior with boiling water and dish soap. Dump the sudsy water, give the can a final rinse, and leave the lid open to air-dry. After that, place several peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls at the bottom of the can before closing the lid. (You can use this trick for both outdoor cans and your kitchen trash.)

Why does this work? Peppermint oil is rich in menthol and menthone. While many people find the scent refreshing, it overwhelms a fly’s olfactory system. By masking the scent of the trash and disrupting the flies’ sensory receptors, the oil makes it difficult for these winged pests to find their way to the bin. Beyond flies and maggots, peppermint oil also deters ants, moths, mosquitoes, spiders, cockroaches, aphids, and wasps. For best results, replace these “peppermint bombs” once a week.

Other Fixes for a Bug-Free Bin

No peppermint oil? No problem. Storing your bins in the shade is one of the easiest ways to slow down the decomposition that attracts pests in the first place. Flies are drawn to the gases and acids produced by decaying organic matter, which they can detect from up to 4 miles away. Eliminate that odor, and the flies will find somewhere else to land.

If you’re dealing with existing flies and maggots, there are alternatives to peppermint oil that you might already have on hand. Diatomaceous earth, which kills crawling bugs by dehydrating them from the inside out, is a popular choice. While less effective for adult flies, sprinkling diatomaceous earth in and around your bins will stop maggots from maturing. Pouring a generous layer of table salt into the bottom of your cans can also dry out and kill larvae.

Additionally, washing your cans with a mixture of warm water, dish soap, and vinegar helps remove the sticky residue that attracts flies. A diluted bleach solution is an even stronger sanitizing method, but never mix it with vinegar or ammonia, as this creates toxic fumes. For a more fragrant deterrent, toss in some citrus rinds like lemon or grapefruit — just be sure to remove them before they start to decompose. Fresh bay leaves have also been known to discourage infestations.

Cleaning

2m read

80

Stop Struggling To Clean Behind Your Toilet

We all appreciate a pristine bathroom, but the effort to get it that way is something most of us would rather avoid. It’s often the messiest room in the house, filled with nooks and crannies that collect dust and grime. Not surprisingly, the toilet is a major pain point — especially that awkward, seemingly unreachable space behind it. That’s where this cleaning hack comes in.

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 appreciate a pristine bathroom, but the effort to get it that way is something most of us would rather avoid. It’s often the messiest room in the house, filled with nooks and crannies that collect dust and grime. Not surprisingly, the toilet is a major pain point — especially that awkward, seemingly unreachable…

A Stress-Free Way To Clean Behind Your Toilet

If you’ve ever hit a wall (literally) while attempting to clean behind the toilet, you know that regular brushes are simply too cumbersome. Tackling this tight space requires a narrow scrub brush with a slim profile and elongated bristles.

The brush is useful on its own for light cleanings, but if the area behind your toilet needs some extra love, reach for a roll of paper towels. Wrap a sheet of paper towel around the bristles and spray it with your go-to cleaner before sliding the brush behind the toilet base and tank. This method picks up any dust or grime that may have been lurking in those overlooked areas. When you’re done, simply toss the paper towel. The extra layer also keeps your brush in good shape and ready for more cleanings to come.

One Pack, Endless Cleaning Uses

Since these narrow scrub brushes typically come in a multipack, you can use them for different cleaning tasks without worrying about cross-contamination. Designate one specifically for the toilet area and another for scrubbing around faucets and sink drains. The remaining brushes are ideal for cleaning window and sliding door tracks, the dryer’s lint trap compartment, and the rubber gasket around your dishwasher.

Home Improvement

3m read

6,735

The No-Cost Trick for Silencing Slamming Cabinets

Imagine you’re trying to sneak a late-night snack from the pantry, only to have the cabinet door slam shut, waking up everyone in the house. It’s a loud, jarring experience we’d all like to avoid. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to mute those cacophonous cabinets, and all you need is a common crafting tool you likely already have tucked away in a drawer. Here’s how to silence the slamming without spending a penny more.

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.

Imagine you’re trying to sneak a late-night snack from the pantry, only to have the cabinet door slam shut, waking up everyone in the house. It’s a loud, jarring experience we’d all like to avoid. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to mute those cacophonous cabinets, and all you need is a common crafting tool you…

A Solution That Sticks

Most people reach for adhesive bumper pads to keep their cabinets from slamming. And while these pads aren’t prohibitively expensive, the cost adds up — especially if you have a lot of cabinets. They also tend to peel off and eventually need replacing. Instead, a hot glue gun offers a more permanent, highly effective fix that takes mere seconds and requires very little effort.

Begin by plugging in the glue gun and letting it warm up. Once it’s ready, apply a tiny, pea-sized dot of glue to the inside corner of the cabinet door where it makes contact with the wooden frame. Use a light touch, as too much glue can run down toward the floor. Let it dry for at least 30 minutes before testing it — you don’t want to risk gluing the cabinet shut.

Once the glue dries, it acts as a soft, durable buffer similar to a rubber bumper. Because the glue is relatively clear, it won’t be an eyesore. Besides muting loud sounds, these glue dots are easy to peel off and replace if needed.

How To Protect Your Cabinet’s Finish

If you’re worried about applying hot glue directly to your wood cabinets, there’s a simple way to add an extra layer of protection. While damage is unlikely, you can place a small piece of painter’s tape on the inside of the door and apply the glue directly to the tape. You’ll get the same noise-dampening buffer without any risk to the finish. Plus, the tape is easy to peel off and replace later.

Gardening

3m read

472

How To Make Lawn Mowing Easier on Your Joints

It doesn’t take long for a freshly cut lawn to look shaggy again, making mowing a permanent line item on your weekend to-do list. But even with an eagerness to get the grass in tip-top shape, it can be a surprisingly painful experience. If you’re like me and struggle with wrist pain, the task can be daunting. Luckily, I discovered a few simple ways to make mowing more comfortable while still using the machine safely.

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.

It doesn’t take long for a freshly cut lawn to look shaggy again, making mowing a permanent line item on your weekend to-do list. But even with an eagerness to get the grass in tip-top shape, it can be a surprisingly painful experience. If you’re like me and struggle with wrist pain, the task can…

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article suggested using a claw clip to hold a lawn mower’s safety lever in place. However, this could bypass an important safety feature. The article has been updated to remove that recommendation.

Hack Your Handlebar Setup

I know I’m not alone in dealing with wrist pain after mowing. The motor’s vibration and a constant, tight grip are usually the culprits, and for me, it was the latter. After experimenting with different ways to reduce strain, I adopted these small ergonomic adjustments that made a big difference.

Research on lawn mower ergonomics supports several of the changes I ended up making. A 2015 study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that steering handles angled between 45 and 70 degrees, with a rotation of 48 to 78 degrees, offer the most ergonomic benefits. If your machine has a straight handlebar, you can get close to these targets by simply moving your hands to the angled corners — assuming you can still hold the safety lever. This shifts your wrists into a neutral, slightly rotated position that improves overall comfort.

What helped my wrist pain the most was practicing a loose, neutral grip — I avoid squeezing the handle too tightly and keep my hands in alignment with my forearms. (Tip: Adjusting the handlebar to belly-button height will help you maintain this posture.) I learned to propel the mower with my core and legs instead of putting unnecessary pressure on my wrists. Wearing impact-resistant work gloves has also reduced strain from the machine’s vibrations.

Stretching my wrists, hands, and tendons before mowing — and taking frequent breaks during the process — has further alleviated the pain. Switching to a lightweight electric mower or, even better, a self-propelled model, can make the chore more comfortable. But if you’re not in the market for a new machine right now, adding foam handle grips can help take some of the pressure off your wrists. If the pain persists after adopting these habits, talk to your doctor about other joint support options.

Food & Drink

3m read

22,078

3 Must-Try Grilling Hacks for the Juiciest Burgers of Your Life

The snow has melted, the flowers are blooming, and every other video that comes across your feed features somebody brandishing tongs in a billow of smoke. Grilling season has officially arrived. While social media is full of trendy burger-grilling tips, few actually deliver on their promises. To help you start the season off right — and make the best burgers of your life — here are three chef-approved, science-based hacks that actually work.

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 snow has melted, the flowers are blooming, and every other video that comes across your feed features somebody brandishing tongs in a billow of smoke. Grilling season has officially arrived. While social media is full of trendy burger-grilling tips, few actually deliver on their promises. To help you start the season off right —…

1. Upsize Your Patties

To be blunt, one of the primary reasons burgers end up dry and unappealing is that people overcook them “just to be safe.” While investing in a high-quality grilling thermometer will fix that issue, you can give yourself an edge without spending a single dollar on technology.

Instead, step up from the standard 4-ounce patty to a 5-ounce version. That 25% increase in size buys you extra time, ensuring a few minutes of distraction won’t leave you serving charred, dry meat. You don’t have to share your secret — just let your guests enjoy the bigger, juicier burgers and think you’re an especially generous host.

2. Dial Up the Fat Content

Chefs typically advise using beef that’s no more than 80% lean, though many people — reasonably concerned about saturated fat — prefer leaner options. However, much of that excess fat renders out on the grill, resulting in a much smaller nutritional trade-off than you might expect. The fat that remains moistens the patty and enhances the overall flavor.

Additionally, fattier cuts such as chuck, brisket, or short rib pack the intense, beefy flavor needed to elevate a basic hamburger to a gourmet experience. You’ll pay a slight premium to have a butcher grind a custom mix for you — rather than choosing from what’s available in the display case — but the superior quality makes it a worthwhile investment.

3. Stay Cool

Starting with chilled patties is one of the simplest grilling hacks, yet it’s arguably the most important. First, it promotes food safety. Second, it results in a much juicier finish.

Similar to keeping the fat in your pie crust chilled, this prevents the fat in the meat from melting and draining too quickly — a goal the viral ice cube hack attempts, however clumsily, to achieve. Keeping the meat cold preserves the loose structure of the patty, which is what traps the juices. Additionally, the heat the grill uses to melt the cold fat is heat that’s not evaporating the moisture from your burger.

Cleaning

2m read

21,379

The Surprising Reason To Put Flour in Your Kitchen Sink

The floors are swept and mopped, the dishes are put away, and perhaps you even felt ambitious enough to organize your food storage containers. You certainly deserve a break, but before you sit down, take a moment to show some love to an often-overlooked area: your kitchen sink. Don’t worry — you won’t need anything from the cleaning closet. Just peek into your pantry for a simple, effective DIY hack.

The floors are swept and mopped, the dishes are put away, and perhaps you even felt ambitious enough to organize your food storage containers. You certainly deserve a break, but before you sit down, take a moment to show some love to an often-overlooked area: your kitchen sink. Don’t worry — you won’t need anything…

The Polishing Staple From Your Pantry

We love this hack because it makes a stainless steel sink sparkle in seconds for just pennies. The secret ingredient is all-purpose flour — the same variety you likely have in your cupboard. If you’re short on supplies, check your local community food pantry, as flour is a frequently donated staple.

The key to success is starting with a completely dry sink. Add a handful of flour to the basin and buff it into the metal with a soft towel, focusing on particularly gunky areas like around the drain.

Because flour is micro-abrasive, it lifts away tiny bits of grime that soap often misses, leaving your sink looking brand-new. Just remember to wipe out the flour before you rinse to keep your pipes clear.

Alternatives for a Sparkling Sink

A streak-free finish starts with a quality microfiber cloth — not a paper towel. Microfiber picks up dust and debris without damaging surfaces or leaving streaks — a must for large, visible surfaces like your sink.

For an easy DIY polish, a 50/50 mix of olive oil and vinegar works wonders. Add the solution to a spray bottle and spritz a thin layer onto the stainless steel. Always wipe with the grain of the metal to effectively remove fingerprints and smudges. If you prefer a ready-made product, Zep Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish is a budget-friendly favorite among cleaning pros, while Weiman offers an excellent nonaerosol formula.

Home Improvement

3m read

26,381

The Dishwasher Setting That’s Costing You Money

To anyone managing a busy household, helpful shortcuts are always welcome when tidying up. But there’s one common dishwasher shortcut that costs you more money than you may realize.

On the surface, this standard setting seems appealing, but it actually wastes water and your hard-earned cash. Before you run another load of dirty dishes, here’s what to know about this widely used, yet surprisingly troublesome feature.

Quick Yet Costly

Many modern dishwashers have several settings to choose from, such as a normal cycle that takes 90 to 150 minutes and a quick-wash alternative that takes less than half that time. Given the brevity of the quick-wash cycle, you might assume it uses less water and energy. Surprisingly, that’s not the case.

Quick-wash cycles aim to achieve the same amount of cleanliness in a fraction of the time, which requires more water and heat to effectively power wash the dirty dishes. If you thought saving time meant saving money, think again.

For this reason, we recommend using the normal setting to keep your dishes clean while keeping costs low. The time savings simply aren’t worth it, especially since you can let the dishwasher run in the background while tackling other chores.

Other Costly Dishwasher Mistakes

Another common dishwasher mistake that leads to higher utility bills is using too much detergent. You may think that more soap leads to a deeper clean, but it can actually create excess foam that weakens water pressure. This can prevent dishes from getting clean, forcing you to run a second cycle.

Also, be careful not to overload the dishwasher. Overcrowding physically prevents water and soap from reaching every surface, leaving you with a load of half-cleaned dishware.

Lastly, stop rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. This redundant step wastes water and hinders performance. Modern units use soil sensors to measure how dirty the water is, and prerinsing tricks the machine into running a shorter, cooler cycle that might not fully sanitize your dishes. However, you should still scrape large food scraps into the trash to avoid clogs and drainage issues.

Food & Drink

2m read

11,182

How To Make Brown Rice in Half the Time

Brown rice has been a staple food in many cultures for centuries. With its earthy yet neutral taste, it serves as both a side dish and the foundation for grain bowls, stuffed peppers, and hearty salads. It’s also highly nutritious, retaining more intact nutrients than its heavily processed counterpart, white rice. The one downside is the cook time. In this department, white rice has a significant edge, requiring roughly 20 minutes compared to the 40 minutes needed for brown rice. However, a handy trick significantly shortens the process, making brown rice just as fast to prepare as white rice. It simply requires a bit of planning ahead.

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.

Brown rice has been a staple food in many cultures for centuries. With its earthy yet neutral taste, it serves as both a side dish and the foundation for grain bowls, stuffed peppers, and hearty salads. It’s also highly nutritious, retaining more intact nutrients than its heavily processed counterpart, white rice. The one downside is…

The Case for Soaking Brown Rice

Here’s how to do it: At least six hours before you plan to cook your brown rice (you can also do this the night before), soak the rice in a two-to-one water-to-rice ratio in a covered pot inside the refrigerator. When it’s time to cook it, bring the water to a boil, cover it, then turn the heat down to low or medium-low, and simmer for about 20 minutes — the cook time usually reserved for white rice. Continue until the water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy and tender. This trick works because it softens the rice’s tough outer bran layer.

Bonus Hack: Store Dry Brown Rice in the Refrigerator or Freezer

It may seem natural to put any dry good in the pantry, but brown rice contains natural oils that white rice lacks. These oils, found in the bran and germ, can cause the rice to spoil more quickly than you might expect. To extend its shelf life, place it in an airtight container — such as a jar, food storage container, or gallon freezer bag — and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. The consistently cold environment keeps the grains fresh significantly longer than a room-temperature pantry. When stored properly in the freezer, brown rice can last up to 16 months.

Cleaning

2m read

49,070

You’re Cleaning Your Toilet Wrong

There’s no sugarcoating it: Toilets are among the germiest places in any home. Regular cleaning is essential, but far too many of us are doing it wrong. It’s not so much a matter of frequency or the specific cleaning supplies you use, but rather the overlooked areas that can be even dirtier than the bowl itself. So, are you cleaning your toilet the wrong way? Let’s find out.

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 sugarcoating it: Toilets are among the germiest places in any home. Regular cleaning is essential, but far too many of us are doing it wrong. It’s not so much a matter of frequency or the specific cleaning supplies you use, but rather the overlooked areas that can be even dirtier than the bowl…

It All Hinges on This

Given that the bowl comes into direct contact with waste, you might assume it’s the dirtiest part of the toilet. But there’s another area that’s neglected during most cleans, leaving it riddled with grime and hidden bacteria. We’re referring to the toilet seat hinges, whose tight crevices trap gunk that routine cleanings miss.

This isn’t just a case of “out of sight, out of mind” — letting bacteria sit unabated can lead to unsanitary buildup. To stay ahead of it, you should completely remove the toilet seat twice a month for a more thorough cleaning. While removing the seat may sound cumbersome, it’s a breeze if you install a model designed for quick removal. Once it’s off, you can easily tackle that hidden gunk.

Additional Tips

Cleaning a toilet involves more than just throwing disinfectant into the bowl and hoping for the best. You must also wipe down the entire exterior, including the base, the tank, and the surrounding floor, where bacteria often hide in plain sight.

Before reaching for a spray, use a dry paper towel to remove any hair or debris. This prevents a sticky mess once cleaning solutions are applied. Lastly, always clean from top to bottom. If you start at the base, gravity will just pull grime onto your freshly cleaned surfaces, and you’ll have to start all over again.

Food & Drink

2m read

47,617

This Clever Trick Hides Appliance Cords in Plain Sight

We all know how precious kitchen counter space can be. This coveted area is used daily for everything from brewing your morning coffee to chopping up ingredients for dinner, so keeping things orderly is essential. But once you add small appliances to the mix, it’s easy for the space to become cluttered. One way to manage a messy-looking counter is to keep appliance cords in check — and we have a hack to help.

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 know how precious kitchen counter space can be. This coveted area is used daily for everything from brewing your morning coffee to chopping up ingredients for dinner, so keeping things orderly is essential. But once you add small appliances to the mix, it’s easy for the space to become cluttered. One way to…

Combat Counter Clutter

Many things can clutter a kitchen counter, but appliance cords are one of the biggest culprits. While they’re unavoidable for most small appliances, they don’t have to stay in disarray when not in use. All you need to get them under control is a set of self-adhesive hooks.

Self-adhesive hooks are typically used for decor or hanging storage, but they also offer a clever way to manage appliance cords. First, grab two hooks and find a clear spot on the back of your appliance. Attach one hook facing upward, then place the second hook a few inches below it, facing downward. By lining the hooks up vertically and pointing them in opposite directions, you’re giving the cord something to grab onto so it stays snug and doesn’t unravel.

Be sure to follow application instructions carefully to ensure the adhesive lasts. Once the hooks are secure, wrap the cord around them — think of the mechanism that secures the cord on a vacuum.

This cord organizer setup allows you to keep cables wrapped and concealed, leaving your counters looking clutter-free. When you’re ready to use the appliance, simply unravel the cord and plug it in.

This hack is an efficient way to manage small appliance cords. Plus, since adhesive hooks typically come in bulk packs, you’ll have plenty of pairs to tackle every appliance on your counter.

A Minty Fresh Solution

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1. Upsize Your Patties

2. Dial Up the Fat Content

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Quick Yet Costly

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