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Decorating 3m read
120

3 Designer Rules for Making a Space Feel Cozy

A white room can feel like a blank canvas — or like you’ve just moved in and haven’t unpacked your personality yet. The good news is that warming up a boring, builder-grade space doesn’t require a major overhaul. According to TikTok creator and interior designer Lily Walters, if a room feels cold, it’s probably because everything inside it is “flat, new, and matching.”

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.

A white room can feel like a blank canvas — or like you’ve just moved in and haven’t unpacked your personality yet. The good news is that warming up a boring, builder-grade space doesn’t require a major overhaul. According to TikTok creator and interior designer Lily Walters, if a room feels cold, it’s probably because…

You can’t achieve coziness with a single beige throw blanket. Real warmth, as she explained in a recent video, comes from layering texture, mood-setting lighting, and pieces with personal meaning. Here’s how to bring those elements to life.

Layer Accent Lighting

White walls can quickly veer into feeling like a cold doctor’s office, especially when paired with harsh overhead lighting. Instead, build a warmer atmosphere with varied accent lighting. Mix a table lamp with wall sconces, a floor lamp, and even candles to create a soft, layered glow. (If your fixtures are on dimmers — allowing you to customize the light to pair with the mood and sunlight — even better.) Always choose bulbs rated at 2700 Kelvin; that’s the designer-approved sweet spot for warmth.

Make It Touchable With Texture

“Texture is what makes a space feel touchable,” Walters shared. It invites you to sit and stay awhile (unlike, say, your grandma’s plastic-covered couch). The trick is not being afraid to mix materials to add depth. Hang linen window coverings adjacent to a jute rug, add ceramic art pieces atop a wooden side table, or toss velvet throw pillows on a leather couch.

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Contrasting with confidence is key. In her TikTok, the Denver-based interior designer suggested playing up contrast by pairing “shiny next to matte, old next to new, rough next to smooth.”

Related: 8 Clever Design Tips for a Cozy Space Without Clutter

Add Meaningful Pieces

Warmth isn’t just visual; it’s also emotional. Layer in meaningful objects that come with a story, such as a framed photo of your childhood dog, a ceramic bowl from a local maker, or artwork you brought home from your honeymoon in Rome. Any piece of decor — the weirder, the better — that makes guests pause and ask, “Where did you get that?” will make a space feel unmistakably yours. These small, personal touches create a one-of-a-kind warmth that no big-box accessory can match.

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Featured Image Credit:  xavierarnau/ iStock | Updated  Dec 8, 2025 |
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:  xavierarnau/ iStock | Updated  Dec 8, 2025 |
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Cleaning 2m read
1,105

The Right Way To Get Stains Out of Marble

Marble countertops are a staple of luxury design, and for good reason. Whether in a bathroom or a kitchen, they bring a timeless, opulent look to any space. Due to its porous nature, however, marble is susceptible to stains, which is less than ideal considering how expensive it can be. Maybe it’s a spill of your morning coffee or post-dinner wine. Either way, the last thing you want to deal with is an unsightly stain. Accidents happen, though, and messes — especially in the kitchen — are inevitable. Thankfully, three items you likely already own can help remove the stains they leave behind. With a little patience and even fewer materials, your marble will be stain-free in no time.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Marble countertops are a staple of luxury design, and for good reason. Whether in a bathroom or a kitchen, they bring a timeless, opulent look to any space. Due to its porous nature, however, marble is susceptible to stains, which is less than ideal considering how expensive it can be. Maybe it’s a spill of…

What You’ll Need

• Baking soda

• Plastic wrap

• Water

Related: Regrettable Cleaning Decisions That Damage Your Home

How To Get Stains Out of Marble

When you see a stain on your marble, don’t panic — all you need is baking soda, water, and plastic wrap. Create a poultice by mixing 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water, then evenly cover the stain with the paste and seal it with plastic wrap. Wait about 24 hours (or 48 hours for more stubborn stains). Finally, remove the plastic, wipe away the dried poultice, and the stain should be gone. Cleanup is easy using a cloth dampened with warm water and a pH-neutral dish soap.

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How To Prevent Stains on Marble

There are a few ways to prevent stains on marble. First, seal the marble regularly. You can tackle this project yourself using a penetrating sealer formulated for natural stone. Apply a generous, even coat, allow it to penetrate the marble for the recommended time, and then wipe away the excess with a clean microfiber cloth. This creates a protective layer that both deters stains and makes cleanup simpler. While a good rule of thumb is to reseal marble every six to 12 months, you should refer to the product label for the manufacturer’s recommendation. Second, clean spills immediately after they happen. Allowing liquids to sit gives them more time to sink in and permanently stain the surface. Third, try to use coasters, placemats, and cutting boards to protect marble surfaces when preparing food or setting down drinks.

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Gardening 3m read
364

Place Your Humidifier Here for Healthier Plants

Most houseplants originate from the tropics, where the air is thick with heat and humidity. The air inside our homes, however, is quite the opposite — temperate and dry, especially in the winter. If you want your greenery to flourish, consider bringing a humidifier into the mix. It’s the easiest way to mimic the moisture-rich conditions of a greenhouse (or rainforest). A basic humidifier will keep your plants happy and thriving, but success hinges on finding the perfect position.

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.

Most houseplants originate from the tropics, where the air is thick with heat and humidity. The air inside our homes, however, is quite the opposite — temperate and dry, especially in the winter. If you want your greenery to flourish, consider bringing a humidifier into the mix. It’s the easiest way to mimic the moisture-rich…

How To Turn Any Room Into a Greenhouse

You wouldn’t want to turn your spare bedroom into a literal greenhouse, but you can easily recreate the humid microclimate of one using a humidifier. To get this right, you need to nail the timing and placement. Humidifiers should be run in the morning for around five hours to create the most humid conditions possible without overwhelming your plants. The sunlight coming through your windows will encourage any excess moisture to evaporate, reducing the risk of fungus growing on the stems and leaves. Setting your device to 50% to 60% humidity is the sweet spot for keeping plants healthy and hydrated.

Related: 20 Essential Hacks Every Plant Parent Needs To Know

The next thing to consider is where to put your humidifier. The best way to mimic the sticky air of a greenhouse is to place your humidifier in the center of the room, away from walls and windows, and 2 to 4 feet from your plants. Aim the stream of steam toward the air near the plants, never shooting it directly at them. You can raise the humidifier to plant height or keep it just below, as the mist will rise and circulate through the space. Opt for cool-mist over warm-mist humidifiers — the latter could potentially cause fungal disease or stress your plants with excess warmth.

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Plants That Thrive in Humidity

Certain plants will do better in humid conditions than others, and knowing what your plant needs is key to giving it the best quality of life. Generally, plants that love humidity include ferns, spider plants, peace lilies, monsteras, and many palm varieties. If you’re unsure what your plant needs, check online, consult your local plant store, or research the natural conditions it thrives in in the wild. For example, since ferns live near the ground in dense, low-light forests, they’ll appreciate less sun and more humidity indoors.

You won’t need to create hot and sticky conditions for plants that do perfectly fine in dry settings. If you have cacti, succulents, aloe vera, snake plants, and certain pothos varieties, simply keep them on a regular watering schedule and give them plenty of access to sunlight.

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Home Improvement 3m read
393

Stabilize Wobbly Furniture With These Easy Fixes

Realizing your chair or table is wobbly is maddening — especially if you’re in the middle of a meal. But this pesky problem doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy a whole new furniture set. There are easy fixes for wobbly furniture legs, and most of them are free or ultra-cheap.

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.

Realizing your chair or table is wobbly is maddening — especially if you’re in the middle of a meal. But this pesky problem doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy a whole new furniture set. There are easy fixes for wobbly furniture legs, and most of them are free or ultra-cheap.

A quick note before you begin: First, check to make sure your floor isn’t uneven. You can do this by moving the furniture around (if possible) and checking if it still feels unstable after being relocated. If moving the furniture does fix the issue, the culprit is most likely your floor, and you’ll need to contact a flooring professional. If you determine that the issue is the furniture itself and not the floor, here are three easy ways to wrangle the wobble.

1. Tighten the Hardware

Loose hardware is one of the most overlooked furniture issues, and yet it’s one of the most easily fixed. Check the screws on your furniture legs — do any of them feel loose? If the wobble is slight, you can most likely tighten the screws using a screwdriver. If the wobble is more pronounced, however, you may need to bust out the cordless drill and use a drill bit and epoxy to secure the screws.

2. Add Furniture Pads

Furniture pads do double duty: They save your floors from scratches and they provide some much-needed stability to wobbly furniture legs. Ideally, you want pads on all of your furniture’s legs to protect your floor. But if scratching isn’t an issue, you can add a furniture pad to only the wobbly leg. You can also try adding pads to all nonwobbly legs, and two to three pads to the wobbly leg. Experiment with different numbers of pads to determine which combination yields the most stable results.

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Related: 3 Ways To Make Sticky Drawers Slide Again

3. Use a Slice of Cork

Opt for this easy hack if you have extra wine corks lying around. Gently lift the wobbly leg until the whole piece of furniture is level. Now, measure the distance between the bottom of the wobbly leg and the floor. (If the gap is too small to measure, estimate the thickness with your fingers.) Next, use a utility knife or similar sharp knife to slice off a thin cork disc that is the same thickness as the gap you measured. Use wood glue or hot glue to attach the cork disc to the bottom of the furniture leg. Note: While both natural and synthetic corks work for this fix, a natural cork will degrade faster.

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Cleaning 3m read
0

The One Habit That Saves Your Washer From Mold

Given that washing machines exist to make other objects clean, it makes sense that you’d want to keep them clean as well. That’s easier said than done, however, since there’s no such thing as a “washing machine washer.” Though these time-saving appliances are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to cleanliness, they do carry some risks, namely mold and unpleasant odors. The good news is that the fix is surprisingly easy.

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.

Given that washing machines exist to make other objects clean, it makes sense that you’d want to keep them clean as well. That’s easier said than done, however, since there’s no such thing as a “washing machine washer.” Though these time-saving appliances are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to cleanliness, they do carry some risks,…

When Is a Door Not a Door?

Washing machines spend the vast majority of their existence closed, which prevents airflow. As moisture develops inside, this enclosed space turns into a humid, dank environment perfect for growing mold. The problem is only compounded when you forget to take your clothes out as soon as you hear that instantly recognizable beep and they develop a musty scent after sitting for too long. To prevent all that unpleasantness, simply leave the door ajar between uses. If the open door gets in the way, aim to keep it unlatched for at least for a few hours after finishing each load.

Deep Clean

That’s not all you can do, of course. If you have a front-load washing machine, which is particularly susceptible to mold, you should pull out the detergent drawer and dry the rubber gasket with a microfiber towel after each use. For a deeper clean, mix 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 cup water, and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and coat the entire gasket, allowing it to sit for a few minutes. Then, use an old toothbrush to scrub any stubborn or tight spots, wiping away the grime as you go. Remember to rinse the gasket with clean water afterward to prevent potential damage to the rubber.

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Related: The Only Laundry Setting You Need

Cleaning a top-load washing machine requires less elbow grease. Select the hottest water setting and the longest cycle (or largest load size). If available, use your machine’s “Clean Tub” cycle. As the water runs, add 4 cups of distilled white vinegar to the drum. Allow the machine to agitate briefly to mix in the vinegar, then stop the cycle. Let the vinegar soak for five minutes. Then, add 1/2 cup of baking soda and allow the agitator to resume. Stop the cycle again, and let the entire mixture soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Resume and complete the wash cycle.

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Food & Drink 2m read
0

Is Your Baking Powder Still Good? Here’s How To Tell

If your cakes are mysteriously flat or your muffins refuse to rise, the culprit might not be your technique — it could be your leavener. Even if your baking powder box isn’t past its expiration date, it can still lose its rising power. As it turns out, baking powder begins to degrade once it’s opened, due to humidity, heat, and poor sealing.

If your cakes are mysteriously flat or your muffins refuse to rise, the culprit might not be your technique — it could be your leavener. Even if your baking powder box isn’t past its expiration date, it can still lose its rising power. As it turns out, baking powder begins to degrade once it’s opened, due…

A Simple, Foolproof Test You Can Do in Seconds

1. Scoop 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder into a small, heat-safe bowl.

2. Pour in 1/4 cup of boiling water.

3. Watch for the reaction: If it fizzles and bubbles energetically, the powder is still active and safe to use. If the reaction is muted or nonexistent, the powder is “dead” and should be discarded.

Related: Get Room-Temperature Eggs in Minutes With This Baking Hack

Why This Matters

Baking powder is what helps your cakes, quick breads, pancakes, and muffins rise, resulting in a light and fluffy texture. When it’s inactive, the result is heavy, dense, or flat baked goods. You might find yourself wondering why your recipe failed, even after you followed it precisely. Many home bakers overlook this step and assume they made a mistake rather than checking an ingredient that’s lost its punch.

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Storage and Longevity Tips

• Once opened, keep your baking powder in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture are its enemies.

• Close the lid tightly after each use to minimize moisture entry. You can also place the container in an airtight food storage bag to ensure freshness.

• If you don’t bake often, test the powder before you start mixing up that special batch.

• If the “use by” date hasn’t passed, but you still see minimal fizz in the test, toss the container and buy a fresh one.

By making the fizz test part of your prep routine, you’ll add one more layer of quality control to your baking. A little effort now means no surprises later. No flat cakes, no disappointment — just beautiful rising and light textures every time.

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Featured Image Credit:  Rachel Husband/ Alamy Stock Photo | Updated  Dec 2, 2025 |
Jill Layton
Writer
Jill Layton started writing professionally when she realized her emails and texts were kinda funny. She’s an affiliate shopping writer and lifestyle contributor for Scary Mommy, Bustle, Mic, and Best Products. She’s the mom of two alarmingly witty kids and the world’s most perfect dog.
Jill Layton started writing professionally when she realized her emails and texts were kinda funny. She’s an affiliate shopping writer and lifestyle contributor for Scary Mommy, Bustle, Mic, and Best Products. She’s the mom of two alarmingly witty kids and the world’s most perfect dog.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  Rachel Husband/ Alamy Stock Photo | Updated  Dec 2, 2025 |
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Gardening 3m read
0

3 Signs Your Plant Needs a Bigger Pot

When people become parents, they often start looking for a bigger living space. A similar phenomenon occurs among “plant parents”: A time will come when our cherished plants become rootbound, requiring us to repot them into larger living spaces.

When people become parents, they often start looking for a bigger living space. A similar phenomenon occurs among “plant parents”: A time will come when our cherished plants become rootbound, requiring us to repot them into larger living spaces.

Periodic repotting is standard practice when you have indoor plants, so learning how to do it (and, more importantly, when) is crucial to long-term plant health and success. Here are three unmistakable signs that your plant needs a larger pot.

1. Your Plant Stops Growing

While some plants grow slowly, and others quickly, you should consistently see new growth as time passes. If a once-vigorous plant slows down dramatically, or if its new growth looks small or sickly compared to what you’ve seen in the past, it’s probably time to repot.

Related: 20 Essential Hacks Every Plant Parent Needs To Know

2. Your Plant’s Water Needs Increase

Watering is essential for every plant, even desert succulents, though overwatering is always a risk when you’re a houseplant novice. (Don’t worry, you can often save them.) Getting to know your plants’ specific watering needs and watering only when necessary is an important step on your growing journey. Yet, even after you’ve mastered their quirks, you may find that some plants suddenly need more frequent waterings. That shift is a telltale sign that their root growth has taken up most of the pot’s available space.

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3. The Soil in Your Pot Is Crusty and White on Top

Over time, you’ll start to see crusty deposits building up at the top of the soil. These deposits are salts, introduced through your tap water or your choice of fertilizer. They’re a sign that the soil needs renewing, often because your plant’s roots are taking up so much of the pot. In this case, when you’re potting up your plant, be sure to scoop out as much of the old soil as possible (without damaging the roots) and replace it with fresh soil.

When Not To Pot Up Your Plants

There are a few times when it’s not appropriate to repot your plant. Some plants, for example, do best when they are slightly rootbound. Also, some species can become too large for your space if continually repotted. For those plants, your better option is to periodically prune the roots, replenish the container with new soil, and place the plant back into the same pot. If your plant is already top-heavy, instead of potting up, consider switching to a heavier or wider pot (for more stability) that holds the same quantity of soil.

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Featured Image Credit:  Ella Murphy/ Unsplash | Updated  Dec 2, 2025 |
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:  Ella Murphy/ Unsplash | Updated  Dec 2, 2025 |
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Food & Drink 3m read
0

You Don’t Need To Cook Chicken as Long as You Think

There are some foods that people tend to approach with an extra degree of caution, and chicken — despite being so popular — is one of them. There’s a good reason for that: Most of the chicken in our food supply comes from large factory farms, where conditions are prime for the spread of common pathogens, such as salmonella or listeria. In fact, in October 2025, shortly before this article was written, nearly 5 million pounds of chicken products were recalled for potential listeria contamination.

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 are some foods that people tend to approach with an extra degree of caution, and chicken — despite being so popular — is one of them. There’s a good reason for that: Most of the chicken in our food supply comes from large factory farms, where conditions are prime for the spread of common…

While you might choose to ignore official temperature recommendations if you prefer a medium-rare steak or a soft egg, most of us are happy to accept the guidance on chicken. The USDA specifies that chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but you may not need to cook your poultry as long as you think to guarantee food safety. Here’s why.

Cooking Chicken to a Safe Temperature

Here’s the thing about the USDA’s official temperature recommendations: They’re conservative by design, focusing on a temperature that will kill bacteria instantly. However, according to the USDA’s own guidance for commercial food producers, a lower temperature held for a longer time works just as well. For example, maintaining a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit for exactly 52 seconds gives the same result. The problem is that food manufacturers have the resources to be that precise, and home cooks like us don’t. The good news is that we don’t have to.

Related: Want Tender, Juicy Chicken? Try This Easy Trick

That’s thanks to something called “carryover cooking.” When you remove a whole chicken (or a piece of chicken) from your stove, oven, or grill, a lot of heat is already trapped inside. This heat means the cooking process will continue, and the interior temperature will continue to rise. The bigger the cut, the more carryover cooking you’ll see. A whole chicken retains more heat than a leg quarter, which retains more heat than a boneless breast.

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A Meat Thermometer Is Essential for Food Safety

So relax a little, and allow time for carryover cooking when preparing chicken. For a whole bird, you can safely pull it from the oven when the temperature hits 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit. For smaller cuts, 155 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit is a safe range. The only way to know for sure, however, is with an accurate meat thermometer. Check the temperature in a couple of places before you take the chicken off the heat, and then leave the thermometer in place while the meat rests for five to 10 minutes before serving. As long as the internal temperature stays at 155 degrees Fahrenheit or above (in the lowest-temperature part) for at least a minute or two, you’re golden.

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Featured Image Credit:  Annie Spratt/ Unsplash+ | Updated  Dec 2, 2025 |
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:  Annie Spratt/ Unsplash+ | Updated  Dec 2, 2025 |
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Cleaning 3m read
0

The Easiest Way To Stop Trash Can Odors

Persistent garbage odors can linger in the bin even after you’ve taken the bag to the curb. If you’re battling bad scents coming from your trash can, try this simple hack that gets rid of them in just a few 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.

Persistent garbage odors can linger in the bin even after you’ve taken the bag to the curb. If you’re battling bad scents coming from your trash can, try this simple hack that gets rid of them in just a few hours.

DIY Trash Can Deodorizer

Looking for an easy way to keep trash can odors at bay? You can make your own odor-absorbing sachets using a few simple items you likely have in your kitchen. The key ingredient in this hack is baking soda, which naturally eliminates odors by reacting with odor-causing acids and trapping smelly molecules on the spot. Just pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda into a disposable coffee filter (the basket-shaped ones work best), then seal it shut with a rubber band or clip to secure the contents.

Related: A Quick Fix for Lingering Cooking Smells

We like to make a few of these at a time and drop one or two into the bottom of the can, right under the trash liner or bag. If you notice your baking soda sachet isn’t as effective after a few weeks or months, just toss it and drop in a fresh one to keep your trash can — and your entire kitchen — smelling fresh.

More Ways To Reduce Trash Smells

Baking soda isn’t the only household ingredient that can quickly zap odors. Coffee grounds are another inexpensive way to reduce bad smells quickly. You can easily make the same deodorizing pouches using coffee grounds instead of baking soda and place them anywhere odors linger. We even like to drop these in our sneakers during the humid summer months to prevent stinky soles.

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What else works? Try making an odor neutralizer with crushed, activated charcoal, or whip up a deodorizing spray using equal parts distilled white vinegar and water to spritz the inside of your trash can before adding a new bag.

A final tip: Keeping food waste separate from everyday trash will significantly reduce trash can odors. Compost bins and biodegradable bags are a great way to turn food scraps into fertilizer, but if you don’t have room, just toss your waste in a plastic bag and keep it in the freezer until you can move it to an outside garbage bin.

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Organizing 2m read
0

Organize Any Drawer So Essentials Are Easy To Find

Never underestimate the power of a well-organized drawer. Being the precious storage real estate that they are, drawers are meant to keep everything you need neatly organized, but that only happens with a solid system in place.

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.

Never underestimate the power of a well-organized drawer. Being the precious storage real estate that they are, drawers are meant to keep everything you need neatly organized, but that only happens with a solid system in place.

In reality, many of us have ventured into junk drawer territory. We all have at least one drawer (if not several) where we’ve adopted a “throw and go” mentality. This might be convenient in the moment, but it becomes a bit of a nightmare when you can’t find what you’re looking for. Thankfully, there’s a simple, helpful, and ultimately better way to organize your drawers, and you’ll be surprised you didn’t think of it sooner. 

The Best Way To Organize Drawers

A good drawer organization system relies not on what you use to store items, but on where you place them. The key is to position your most-used items front and center. By front-loading your drawers with the things you need the most, you always know exactly where to find them.

By default, lower-priority items can be stored in the back of the drawer. Take a nightstand, for example. If you’re in the habit of taking vitamins or applying lotion before bed, those items should be placed at the very front of the drawer for easy access.

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Taking It a Step Further

If you find that this front-loading system works well for you, then it’s time to level up your organization game. You can do this by investing in a set of drawer organizers to quickly whip any drawer into shape.

Related: Don’t Shop for Drawer Organizers Without Doing This First

Alternatively, you can use adjustable drawer dividers. When placed horizontally, these dividers can separate the front of the drawer from the back. When positioned vertically, they can divide the drawer into smaller, specialized compartments.

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