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Cleaning 3m read
1,203

The Nighttime Reset That Makes Mornings 10x Easier

In retail and restaurant businesses, there’s usually a to-do list designated for the closing shift. At the end of the day, you check off small tasks, whether it’s clearing out the clothing return rack or wiping down the tables. These chores help reset the space for the next day, ensuring everything runs smoothly. If you skip or forget a task, that leaves more work for the opening shift. But stay at the job long enough, and it becomes second nature to go through the closing routine without having to look at the list. This is the logic behind the “closing shift” method for your home, too.

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.

In retail and restaurant businesses, there’s usually a to-do list designated for the closing shift. At the end of the day, you check off small tasks, whether it’s clearing out the clothing return rack or wiping down the tables. These chores help reset the space for the next day, ensuring everything runs smoothly. If you…

What Is the “Closing Shift” Cleaning Method?

The “closing shift” method applies the same mentality to cleaning your home. By setting aside time each night to tackle a few household tasks, you avoid the exhausting need for frequent deep cleans. And as with retail or restaurant jobs, you get to start the day with a clean and tidy space, making your morning routine less stressful.

How To Create a Closing Shift Checklist

A successful closing shift cleaning routine prioritizes easy, simple tasks that allow you to wake up to a tidier home. Write the checklist on a notepad or dry erase board and set aside just 10 to 15 minutes to complete your chores. Get family members or roommates involved so you can divide and conquer.

The duties you include in your nightly closing shift are entirely up to you, but we’ve come up with a few ideas to help get you started: In the kitchen, clean the leftover dirty dishes in the sink or put them in the dishwasher and run a cycle. Wipe down the countertops and put away any stray items that have accumulated on them. In the living room, rearrange throw pillows and blankets, and return misplaced belongings to their proper homes.

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In the bathroom, wipe down frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, faucets, and toilet handles. If it’s been a few days, swap out the hand towels. In the bedroom, toss dirty clothes into the laundry hamper, lay out your outfit for the next day, or declutter your nightstand.

Related: 15 Things To Declutter From Your Kitchen Right Now

Regardless of the tasks you choose, making sure they’re quick and easy to complete will help you keep up with your own version of a closing shift.

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Food & Drink 3m read
570

3 Hacks for Better Veggies on the Grill

Chefs and home cooks are constantly finding new ways to expand their vegetable-cooking repertoires. Tossing produce on the grill — whether it be asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, or corn on the cob — is one of the best ways to add nutrients and smoky flavor to summer meals.

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.

Chefs and home cooks are constantly finding new ways to expand their vegetable-cooking repertoires. Tossing produce on the grill — whether it be asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, or corn on the cob — is one of the best ways to add nutrients and smoky flavor to summer meals.

Not so long ago, vegetables were used mainly as spacers between chunks of meat on grilled kebabs. But with the right preparation, they can become the main event, rather than an overlooked side. If you want to elevate your own grilled vegetable game, here are three hacks to get you started.

1. Perforate That Foil

Many vegetables are skinny enough to fall through your grill’s grates, or need to be cut that small to cook quickly. A perforated grill basket will keep your vegetables secure while letting in smoke and creating some char.

If you don’t have a dedicated basket, grilling in foil is the next best thing. In a tightly sealed foil pouch, vegetables cook in their own steam. This is perfectly fine, but it’s not really grilling. For a grill basket effect, make a few small slashes in the foil pouch so heat enters and steam escapes. This way, your vegetables will actually taste grilled.

2. Dial Up the Flavors

Grilling blogs are filled with suggestions for improving the taste of your steaks, chops, and chicken pieces with marinades and dry rubs. So why not use those same techniques on your vegetables?

Marinades, flavored oils, and dry spices cling perfectly to produce like corn on the cob, or broccoli and cauliflower florets. For other types of vegetables, consider poking holes with the tip of a paring knife to let marinades enter, or brushing or misting them with oil to help spices and herbs cling. You could also brush veggies with a sticky sauce, or serve them with a flavorful dip.

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

3. Learn To Master Controlled Heat

Not all grilled vegetables are suitable for quick cooking over high heat. For sturdier vegetables or thicker cuts — think center-cut cabbage or cauliflower steaks — low heat works better.

Set up your grill with a hot side (burners on or coals mounded) and a cool side (burners off or no coals), and grill slow-cooking veggies on the cool side with the lid down. Once they’re tender, move them to the hot side for a final sear to caramelize and enhance their flavor. It’s the vegetable version of steak’s reverse-sear.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Cavan Images/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 7, 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:  © Cavan Images/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 7, 2026 |
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Home Improvement 3m read
718

The Dollar Bill Test Your Oven Is Probably Failing

What if we told you that a single dollar bill could put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket? No, we aren’t talking about investing that dollar in the stock market, but rather using its physical form to test if kitchen appliance seals are leaking.

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.

What if we told you that a single dollar bill could put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket? No, we aren’t talking about investing that dollar in the stock market, but rather using its physical form to test if kitchen appliance seals are leaking.

A compromised oven gasket, for example, can result in higher energy bills than necessary. But that’s not the only kitchen appliance that might be draining your bank account, as a drafty fridge or freezer may be another culprit. The “dollar bill test” is a useful diagnostic to determine if there’s an issue with an appliance’s door seal — here’s how it works.

Related: How To Test Your Oven’s Temperature Accuracy

Testing the Seal

Most ovens have a rubber gasket (a type of seal) around the inside of the door, which prevents heat from escaping and helps maintain a consistent cooking temperature. Over time, the seal can harden, crack, or lose its shape, allowing heat to seep out. When this happens, the oven has to work harder to compensate, wasting energy and driving up bills.

To test whether your oven’s seal is working properly, grab a $1 bill — or any banknote you have lying around. Open the oven door and place the dollar bill so that half of it is inside the oven and half of it sticks out. Close the door, then try to pull the dollar out; if it slides out without any resistance, you probably have a worn-out gasket. But if you have to pull hard to get it out, the gasket probably still has some life left.

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Continue to work your way around the entire oven door to test the gasket. Even if the seal is intact in one corner, it may be failing in another. If you find a problem, you should buy and install a replacement gasket. Universal oven gaskets are cheap and easy to install in just a few minutes, and you’ll recoup the cost pretty quickly by saving on your energy bills.

Don’t Forget the Fridge and Freezer

You can also use the dollar bill test to determine if your refrigerator and freezer are properly sealed. The process is the same: Close the door on a dollar bill and check if it pulls out easily. Since the fridge and freezer are running at all hours of the day, a leaky gasket may be inflating your energy bill with each passing minute, which makes it worth replacing ASAP.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Pixel-Shot/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 7, 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:  © Pixel-Shot/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 7, 2026 |
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Decorating 2m read
314

The Best Matchstick Alternative Is Hiding in Your Pantry

Safety is the most important consideration when lighting a candle. While matches may be the quickest way to ignite the wick, they can burn your fingers if you don’t act fast. Lighters — especially wand lighters — are a great alternative but aren’t always effective when lighting a hard-to-reach wick. The solution to this problem is hiding somewhere you’d probably never expect: your pantry.

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.

Safety is the most important consideration when lighting a candle. While matches may be the quickest way to ignite the wick, they can burn your fingers if you don’t act fast. Lighters — especially wand lighters — are a great alternative but aren’t always effective when lighting a hard-to-reach wick. The solution to this problem…

Spaghetti as a Matchstick Alternative

If a candle wick is hard to reach with a match or lighter, you can use a dried spaghetti noodle to light it. Spaghetti noodles are almost as thin as a match, and they ignite quickly and burn steadily. This is because they are low in moisture and contain combustible starches.

Related: The One Thing You Must Do Before Lighting a Candle

Simply touch the tip of the noodle to a flame source, then use it to light the candle wick. The length of a spaghetti noodle makes it great not just for deep-seated and hard-to-reach candles (looking at you, hurricanes), but also for lighting birthday candles in one go, since it burns much longer than a traditional matchstick.

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In Case of Emergency

Dried spaghetti noodles are also worth adding to your home’s emergency kit. Beyond lighting candles during a power outage, they can be used to safely ignite a gas stove burner or get a fire going in your fireplace. To create a DIY fire starter, bundle 10 to 15 dried spaghetti noodles with a piece of string. Carefully ignite one end of the bundle and place it directly under your tinder. The flames should spread as the spaghetti slowly burns. While this isn’t the most effective fire starter — dryer lint and petroleum jelly-soaked cotton balls are much better options — it might work in a pinch.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Iryna/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 7, 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:  © Iryna/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 7, 2026 |
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Cleaning 3m read
1,557

Stop Using the Quick Wash Cycle for This Type of Laundry

The advent and evolution of washing machines has revolutionized housework by saving us valuable time. But many machines have an even bigger time-saver built right into their settings: the quick wash cycle. It can save you hours on washing — and a bit of money on your water bill — but its effectiveness depends on what you toss inside the drum.

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 advent and evolution of washing machines has revolutionized housework by saving us valuable time. But many machines have an even bigger time-saver built right into their settings: the quick wash cycle. It can save you hours on washing — and a bit of money on your water bill — but its effectiveness depends on what…

Why Quick Wash Doesn’t Work for Heavily Soiled Clothing

The quick wash cycle shouldn’t be used for every load of laundry because it isn’t designed to clean heavily soiled clothes as thoroughly as longer cycles. It uses less water, often at a colder temperature, and features a shorter soak time. If you have set-in stains or odors you need to remove, it’s best to launder these items on a longer setting.

The quick wash cycle also agitates clothing less due to its shorter running time. This makes it ineffective for cleaning bulky items, which require more time for water and detergent to penetrate their thick fabrics. The quick wash cycle uses faster spin speeds to extract more water, but this can damage delicate or embellished fabrics and cause wrinkling or pilling.

Related: 6 Outdated Laundry Habits To Quit Immediately

What Can I Safely Clean Using Quick Wash?

The quick wash cycle is best used to clean small, lightly soiled loads — think items you wear only around the house, the sweatshirt you throw on occasionally to keep warm in the evenings, or hand towels from the guest bathroom. Sticking to small loads is key. Because of the reduced water, agitation, and time, a quick wash cycle can’t thoroughly clean large loads and may leave detergent residue behind.

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How To Clean Clothes Quickly

If you are going to quickly wash something that could use a little more care, you can pretreat stains and odors to make the cycle more successful. OxiClean Max Force stain remover spray is enzyme-based and can be applied to stains up to seven days before laundering. To combat stubborn odors, use a product like OxiClean Odor Blasters as a presoak before washing.

You can also purchase low-sudsing or fast-dissolving laundry detergents that are recommended for shorter cycles. Heritage Park makes several detergents formulated for quick wash cycles, and ARM & HAMMER Power Sheets are designed to fully dissolve in two to five minutes, regardless of the water temperature.

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Home Improvement 3m read
378

Prevent Pooling Water on Mugs in the Dishwasher

Aside from the wheel and the printing press, the dishwasher may be humankind’s most wondrous invention. But for all its time-saving benefits, this appliance has one major drawback: the little water puddles that form inside the curved bottoms of cups and other concave dishware. However, there’s an easy way to overcome this problem, and all you have to do is make a slight adjustment to the appliance itself.

Aside from the wheel and the printing press, the dishwasher may be humankind’s most wondrous invention. But for all its time-saving benefits, this appliance has one major drawback: the little water puddles that form inside the curved bottoms of cups and other concave dishware. However, there’s an easy way to overcome this problem, and all…

What’s the Angle?

Water pools in the bottoms of cups and other dishes when the dishwasher rack is completely flat. But if you were to tilt the top rack, the water would stream off, leaving your dishes puddle-free. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to do just that.

Many modern dishwashers allow you to adjust the height of the top rack to fit taller items, such as wine glasses and water bottles. Conveniently, this feature doubles as an effective way to create a slope for drainage. While you can lower or raise the entire top rack to keep it flat, some models let you adjust just one side to form an angle.

Related: 11 Household Items You Can Clean in the Dishwasher

On most dishwashers with this capability, there are adjustment levers on either side of the top rack. If you press those levers inward, it unlocks the rack and allows you to adjust its height.

Move the entire top rack into the highest position that still accommodates your tallest dishware. Then, press just one of the levers and lower that side to create the slope needed for water to drain.

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No Adjustment Levers? No Problem

If your dishwasher lacks this capability, you can prevent puddles by positioning your items on a slant. In most dishwasher models, the outer edges of the top rack feature a gentle slope specifically designed to hold glasses and mugs. For other items, use the tines to your advantage so they rest on an angle, rather than lying flat.

Another tip is to avoid unloading the dishes immediately after the wash cycle finishes. Instead, open up the door so steam can escape and condensation can start to evaporate. While this won’t necessarily help with large puddles of water, it gives smaller amounts more time to evaporate before you empty the dishwasher hours later.

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Featured Image Credit:  © elenavolf/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 7, 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:  © elenavolf/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 7, 2026 |
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Food & Drink 3m read
8,831

Why Chefs Put Vinegar in Their Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are one of the most basic dishes imaginable, and one of the first things many of us learn how to cook. Preparing them is much easier than flipping an omelette, or trying to nail a perfect poached egg. There are various ways to make scrambled eggs, from stirring them directly in the pan to whisking them in a bowl first — with or without a splash of milk or cream. But many chefs add an ingredient to their scrambled eggs that you wouldn’t expect: vinegar. Here’s why you should sprinkle a few drops of this acidic additive into 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.

Scrambled eggs are one of the most basic dishes imaginable, and one of the first things many of us learn how to cook. Preparing them is much easier than flipping an omelette, or trying to nail a perfect poached egg. There are various ways to make scrambled eggs, from stirring them directly in the pan…

It’s All About the Acidity

If you like to bake, you’ve likely whipped eggs at some point to create an airy sponge cake or to top a pie with a mountain of white meringue. When you do, the recipe often prompts you to add a few drops of lemon juice or a pinch of cream of tartar (powdered tartaric acid) to the mixing bowl. The acidity helps the protein molecules in the egg whites unwind, or denature, making it easier to whip them into a light, fluffy consistency. (Bringing the eggs to room temperature speeds up this process as well.)

Related: Are You Cracking Eggs the Right Way?

The same principle comes into play when you use vinegar in your scrambled eggs. A few drops — approximately 1 teaspoon for every two to four eggs — of apple cider vinegar or a mild wine vinegar helps loosen the proteins as you whisk, making the cooked eggs fluffier and softer on your palate. (If you hate rubbery scrambled eggs, this is the tip you’ve been waiting for.) Vinegar gives the finished eggs a creamy texture, but without the added calories and saturated fat that come from cream. Any acidic ingredient will do the trick, including lemon or lime juice, or a smidge of buttermilk or plain yogurt.

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There’s a Bonus Benefit

There’s a second reason you might want to add some acidity to your scrambled eggs, apart from improving texture. Eggs are naturally rich due to their fatty yolks, and even more so when cooked with cream or cheese. When they’re fully cooked, adding a few drops of bright acidity helps liven up your scrambled eggs, making them even tastier.

Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to cooked eggs does wonders for them, while a sprinkle of finely grated zest elevates the dish even further. Salsa works similarly — think of huevos rancheros — or you can update the same basic idea by using kimchi instead. However you go about it, it will revolutionize your breakfasts and brunches.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Karolina Grabowska/unsplash.com | Updated  Jun 30, 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:  © Karolina Grabowska/unsplash.com | Updated  Jun 30, 2026 |
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Decorating 3m read
680

How To Make Cheap Art Look Expensive Without Spending a Dime

You don’t need an original Slim Aarons photograph to make your home’s art feel special. In fact, one of the easiest ways to elevate an everyday piece — whether it’s a thrift store find, a framed print, or a family photo — costs nothing at all. It comes down to placement and light.

You don’t need an original Slim Aarons photograph to make your home’s art feel special. In fact, one of the easiest ways to elevate an everyday piece — whether it’s a thrift store find, a framed print, or a family photo — costs nothing at all. It comes down to placement and light.

Museums and galleries have used this trick since the late 19th century, when light bulbs were first introduced. Today, their walls are rigged with carefully aimed track lighting, transforming even a seemingly unremarkable piece into a captivating focal point. You can replicate this effect at home simply by being deliberate about where you hang things.

Related: The Wall Art Choice That Makes Small Spaces Feel Bigger

How To Light Cheap Art So It Looks Expensive

Most people choose art placement based on empty wall space, but designers tend to work the other way around, considering how a piece will be seen throughout the day and after sundown. When art hangs in a poorly lit corner, colors look duller, details disappear, and the piece recedes into the background.

Move it into the path of an existing light source — a table lamp, sconce, or floor lamp — and the opposite happens. The frame catches the light, colors appear richer, and even a $20 print can feel like it was hung by a gallery curator.

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How To Find Your Best Hanging Spots

Start by turning on every lamp and overhead light in the room, then switch them off one at a time while watching the walls. Notice which lights cast a warm pool of light and where. Those are your prime hanging spots. A lamp on a console or side table makes the wall directly above it a natural place for art. A sconce creates a ready-made frame. A floor lamp angled toward a corner can turn that space into a focal point.

One more thing worth testing is how the room looks after dark. A picture that appears perfectly positioned at noon may feel camouflaged after dark, so if you spend most of your time in a room during the evening, conduct your placement test at night. Once you’ve found your spot, hang the artwork so its center sits at eye level — generally 57 to 60 inches from the floor — within the light’s range.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Franco Debartolo/Unspalsh.com | Updated  Jun 30, 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:  © Franco Debartolo/Unspalsh.com | Updated  Jun 30, 2026 |
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Gardening 3m read
1,316

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

When you picture someone watering their garden, they’re probably standing among their beds with a garden hose in hand. Watering this way is pretty straightforward, but it’s also time-consuming, so many people opt for a sprinkler system instead. Truthfully, neither of these methods is great for your plants. (There’s a reason it’s called a lawn sprinkler, after all.) Not only is watering from above not the best way to hydrate your delicate plants, but it’s also needlessly wasteful. Here’s what you should be doing instead, and why.

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.

When you picture someone watering their garden, they’re probably standing among their beds with a garden hose in hand. Watering this way is pretty straightforward, but it’s also time-consuming, so many people opt for a sprinkler system instead. Truthfully, neither of these methods is great for your plants. (There’s a reason it’s called a lawn…

Water the Roots, Not the Leaves

The fact of the matter is that plants drink through their roots, not their leaves, so your watering should take place at the soil level. If you sprinkle water from above like rainfall, it makes the leaves wet and you lose much of that moisture to evaporation. And if you’re not careful with the hose, a direct stream of water can physically damage fragile plants and fruit. Watering at ground level, on the other hand, sends the water directly into the soil, where it’s immediately accessible to your plants’ roots.

Your best bet is to use drip irrigation, which, for home gardeners, typically means a soaker hose. The water seeps into the soil slowly — even when it’s baked-dry — rather than running along the surface and draining away. If you water for long enough, moisture sinks deep into the soil where it encourages root growth. Down there, water is protected from the hot sun and won’t evaporate as quickly. Adding a layer of mulch provides an extra shield against heat and drought.

Wet Leaves Make Unhealthy Plants

Aside from hydrating your plants more effectively and saving on your water bill, soil-level drip irrigation makes for healthier plants. Moisture on the leaves creates a nurturing environment for bacteria and mold spores, especially in closely packed beds or humid climates. Consequently, watering plants from above raises the risk of disease in your garden.

There’s also a modest risk of sunlight refracting through water droplets and scorching fuzzy or hairy leaves, causing burn spots.

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Related: The Easiest Way To Help Plants Survive a Heat Wave

More Watering Tips

• Water deeply, but occasionally. A thorough watering once a week is better than light waterings every couple of days, because it encourages deep root growth.

• Water in the evening or early morning. That gives the water plenty of time to soak in and minimizes evaporation from the hot midday sun. 

• If you live in an especially dry climate or somewhere water is expensive, consider using an olla every 2 to 3 feet throughout your garden beds to keep the soil moist.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Evgeny Shaplov—iStock/Getty Images | Updated  Jun 30, 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:  © Evgeny Shaplov—iStock/Getty Images | Updated  Jun 30, 2026 |
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Cleaning 3m read
10,307

The Best Stain Remover Is in Your Bathroom Cabinet

There’s no headache like the one caused by a stubborn stain on your favorite T-shirt. Stains are frustrating not only because most of them refuse to budge, but also because they require specialized removal methods depending on the culprit. If you’ve found yourself face-to-face with a stain that won’t lift, no matter how hard you scrub, your medicine cabinet might hold the solution.

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 headache like the one caused by a stubborn stain on your favorite T-shirt. Stains are frustrating not only because most of them refuse to budge, but also because they require specialized removal methods depending on the culprit. If you’ve found yourself face-to-face with a stain that won’t lift, no matter how hard you…

A Powerful (and Affordable) Stain Remover

You might think to reach for baking soda and vinegar, but as it turns out, hydrogen peroxide is one of the best stain removers for protein- and plant-based blemishes. A bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide costs under $5 and can be used to treat all kinds of pesky stains, including blood, sweat, urine, vomit, tea, grass, and tomato sauce.

Peroxide can also erase stubborn stains from wine and coffee, and it even works on mold, mildew, and mineral deposits (including the unsightly ring that always forms in your toilet bowl), so you can replace expensive bathroom cleaners with it.

In addition to its stain-removing capabilities, hydrogen peroxide is deodorizing. Use it to remove the B.O. stench from athletic gear, treat musty-smelling towels, or get odors out of pet bedding.

Hydrogen Peroxide Tips and Tricks

Keep in mind that 3% hydrogen peroxide is a mild oxidizer, so you should always use it with caution. By stealing electrons from other molecules, hydrogen peroxide deftly destroys viruses and bacteria, but it also breaks down dye pigments. This causes certain fabrics treated with the chemical to fade or change color. It should therefore not be used on colorful or delicate fabrics (silk and wool particularly), leather, wood finishes, natural stone, grout, or metal. However, durable, dye-stable fabrics such as cotton, linen, and synthetic blends tend to hold up well to the treatment.

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Before applying hydrogen peroxide to a stain, conduct a 15-minute spot test on a hidden area of the fabric or surface. Once you’ve confirmed that it’s OK to proceed, spray or dab 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the stain, wait five to 10 minutes, then rinse the item in cold water before laundering as usual.

Related: 6 Outdated Laundry Habits To Quit Immediately

While you can safely mix hydrogen peroxide with dish soap and baking soda to concoct a powerful DIY stain remover, combining it with vinegar creates peracetic acid, which can cause serious health issues and even result in fire or explosion. Similarly, you should never mix it with bleach or ammonia; the former causes a dangerous chemical reaction, while the latter produces toxic fumes.

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Featured Image Credit:  © Maliflower73/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jun 30, 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:  © Maliflower73/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jun 30, 2026 |