Here’s why you may want to try a no-mow lawn and give your mower a break. Attract Pollinators Keep the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in mindwhen selecting plants for your no mow lawn. Truth is, pollinators are essential for many crops. Credit: Matthew Benson Pick nectar-rich plants (and don’t worry aboutletting the dandelions grow!) so their are plenty of flowers around to provide vital food. Since many models run on gas, the exhaust releases many of the same pollutants that cars do....

Mistletoe has some unique characteristics and history that go way beyond smooching under the sprigs during the holidays. But theres more to mistletoe than just its romantic associations. This plant has a unique way of growing and an intriguing history. Credit:Coolpicture / Getty Images See how well you know this fascinating plant thats long been an essential part of theChristmas tradition. There are different types of mistletoe. Their small flowers turn into white berries that birds like to eat....

Discover the symbolism behind hydrangeas, little-known facts, and why you should never eat the colorful blooms. From wedding bouquets to flower beds, hydrangeas are everywhere. One glance and its easy to see why we all love the candy-colored flowers of hydrangeas so much. Credit: Kritsada Panichgul The giant clusters of flowers grace landscapes around the world. There areover 75 different kinds of hydrangeas, with more gorgeous varieties coming out every year....

Get a head start on holiday prep by getting rid of these items before the winter season. Decluttering before winter sets in has its advantages. For one, youll be able toenjoy the holiday seasonwith less clutter and chaos. Credit:Erik Johnson Finding the room for gifts youll receive will be easier, as will hosting guests forholiday dinnersand parties. If you get started now, you’ll be ready for the holiday season with a sense of calm....

Don’t buy a new refrigerator unless you have to. Here’s when to replace your refrigerator instead of repairing it. Here are some telltale signs that it’s time to replace your refrigerator. Credit:Tria Giovan Strange or New Sounds Refrigerators make noise, even brand-new ones. However, new or strange sounds coming from your refrigerator often indicate an underlying problem within the appliance. Even a noticeable increase in the fridge’s normal sounds could indicate a fault....

Keep bacteria at bay and give this space a much-needed makeover by cleaning or tossing these items. Marty Baldwin No matter how well it’s organized,your makeup drawercan get messy pretty quickly. Hectic mornings can lead to dropped palettes, spilled foundation, and trails of translucent powder. Credit:Marty Baldwin Plus, brushes and blenders easily collect dust and germs if you don’t clean them often enough. The above scenario is all too familiar to me, especially during busier seasons....

The humble lemon is a staple of household cleaning, but skip it when it comes to these items. BHG / Margot Cavin 1. Bleach Chlorine bleach creates a chemical reaction thatcreates toxic chlorine gas when mixedwith acids. Credit:BHG / Margot Cavin You may have heardnot to mix bleach with vinegar, and the same rule holds true for lemon juice. Never mix chlorine bleach or products that contain chlorine bleach with lemon juice, ever, under any circumstances....

Streamline your space before things get busy for the holiday season. Decluttering your homecan help alleviate stress, boost productivity, and promote organization. But trying to do one annualspring organizing sessioncan be overwhelming. Credit:Jason Donnelly Jason Donnelly 1. Get rid of uniforms or sports attire that dont fit or are damaged beyond repair. Involve the kids by going through their stationery and craft supplies. Credit:Nathan Schroder And consider streamlining that pile of old backpacks and lunch boxes down to one favorite choice per child....

Salt has a number of household uses, from soaking up stains to scrubbing stuck-on kitchen messes. If youre looking for anatural cleaning remedy, reach for your spice cabinet. What Types of Salt Should You Clean With? PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES / MICHELLE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY. Stay away from pricier salts that are best for using in smaller quantities while cooking. After all, most cleaning jobs will require anywhere from half-a-cup to a full cup of salt....

Dean Schoeppner Rainwater can be a useful resource. But sometimes, a lot ofrain can impact yardswith standing water, floods, and drainage issues. Check for Pooling Water After a rain, walk around your property to check for any drainage issues. Credit:Dean Schoeppner One way to fix pooling water is tomake a rain gardento catch and filter runoff. Rain runoff can be redirectedtoward a rain gardenwith drainage pipes, depressed pathways, or sloped areas....

Take note of these guidelines next time you’re gonna wanna rent a storage unit. NoDerog / Getty Images Leasing a self-storage unit can be a smart storage solution in many instances. If you’re considering renting a storage unit, there are a few guidelines to be aware of. Credit:NoDerog / Getty Images Likegarages,attics, andbasements, there are items you should not keep in a storage unit. Do You Need a Climate-Controlled Unit? Before signing a lease, decide if you need a climate-controlled storage unit....

Keep these items looking like new by keeping them far away from your dryer. But not all items can withstand the heat and tumbling of a dryer cycle. Instead, you should alwaysair-dry these types of itemson anindoor drying rackor a classic outdoor clothesline. Credit: Aleksandr Zubkov / Getty Images Silk Silk is a delicate fiber you shouldnever put in a dryer. Instead, air-dry silk items after removing them from the washing machine orhand-washingthem....

If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Heres what to use instead. So yeah, a pool can be quite the money-guzzler. Credit:Leslie’s Pool Supplies Using glassware in or near a pool is a really, really bad idea, Toedter says. Bigger issues such as having to drain the entire poolyikes! Its a costly, time-consuming process. Credit:Amazon Glass is simply not worth the risk! You wouldnt plug in a hair dryer near the pool, would you?...