Bagged potting mixes for containers arent dirt cheap. Heres how to prep used soil to produce again next season. But thislightweight mix of compost, peat, perlite, and other materialsdoesnt last forever. Credit: Guido Mieth/Getty Images Can You Reuse Potting Soil? Heres How Its generally fine to reusehigh-quality potting soilif whatever you were growing in it was healthy. But can you reuse potting soil thats been home to pests? First, remove roots, grubs, leaves, and other debris from the old potting soil....

Freezing temperatures can ruin your paint. Here’s what to look out for and how to fix it. Does this mean you should move your paint out of the garage during winter months? Credit:Brie Goldman However, Benjamin Moore recommends storage between 60F and 80F. If temperatures drop below freezing (32F), latex orwater-based paintswill freeze. Dark, cool, and dry (not cold) conditions are ideal. To create an airtight seal, wrap a layer of plastic on top of the paint canister....

Can you substitute butter for shortening in a pinch? OurBetter Homes & GardensTest Kitchen has tested hundreds of recipes usingbaking ingredient substitutionslike this. BHG / Ana Cadena What Is Shortening? Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena Technically, shortening is any pop in of fat used for baking that is solid at room temperature. The shortening available at grocery stores is usually made ofhydrogenated vegetable oils. Can You Replace Shortening with Butter? Credit:BHG / Ana Cadena...

Experts offer must-know considerations for taking your homes appliances when moving to a new home. Jacob Fox When it comes to buying a new home, packing might be the biggest headache. Typically, features such aslight fixturesmust remain behind in a home unless otherwise negotiated. Credit:Jacob Fox Does the same go for your fridge and dishwasher? Explore the answers as experts weigh in on whether you should take your appliances when you move....

Find out whether tiling over existing tile is a good idea. Some DIYers skip the tile removal step entirely, choosing toinstall new tilesover existing tiles. Use this guide to decide whether you should tile over tile. Credit:Getty Images / nycshooter Can You Tile Over Tile? Should You Tile Over Tile? In most cases, tiling over tile is a bad idea. While it may take less time initially, there is a high chance of problems in the future....

No kitchen would be complete without aluminum foil and, more often than not, parchment paper. But what if youve run out of parchment and have a cake to bake or vegetables to roast? Can aluminum foil be used as a one-to-one substitute for parchment? Credit: nndanko / Getty Images Are there any instances in which you absolutely need parchment paper? What is the difference between aluminum foil and parchment paper? Aluminum foil isof coursemade from aluminum....

Its neutral flavor makes it the perfect substitute for any oil in your favorite sweet and savory recipes. Cooking oils are a must-have ingredient for making everything fromhomemade salad dressingtoshowstopping cakes. It comes from the samevibrantly green stone fruitthat you use as your favoritetoast topperor to makeguacamole. Credit: Westend61/Getty Images That means avocado oil has many of the same health benefits as the whole fruit does. What Is Avocado Oil? According to theCalifornia Avocado Commission, avocados geta good washingbefore they are de-pitted and de-skinned....

Memory foam is washable but needs special care to remove stains, odors, and allergens. Your vacuum can help here. All pillows made with synthetic, down, or feathershould be cleaned regularly. Credit: Annie Schlechter But can you wash memory foam pillows? The answer is yesand no. However, a vacuum cleaner can be used to clean a memory foam pillow quickly and with ease. There aremethods for stain removaland deep cleaning that are safe for memory foam pillows....

Determining the best temperature for your house isnt a one-size-fits-all task. Instead, it should be based on a variety of factors. Heres how to make the most of your thermostat, wherever you live. Credit:Getty Images / Grace Cary If you have a programmable thermostat, set the temperature lower to a comfortable level before heading home. This way, you’re able to balance your comfort with cost savings. Winter Thermostat controls:In winter, a temperature of 68F is typically comfortable enough for when youre home....

Ooey, gooey, sticky, and sweet: Candy is a much-beloved treat. If you’ve never tackled making your own candy, it’s easier than you might think. Explore Desserts & Baking

Kids love decorating these holiday cookies with crushed red candy and bright white frosting. Candy cane sugar cookies are afestive treatthat perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday season. For extra holiday flair, they can be adorned with sprinkles orcrushed peppermint candies, adding flavor and sparkle. In a large mixing bowl beat butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally....

Learn all about canning apples from our step-by-step guide. Going to the apple orchard to pick fresh apples is a must for anyone’sfall bucket list. No need to let those apples go to waste. It’s time to can apples. How to Can Apples The best varieties for canning apples arecrisp, not mealy. You may never need the canned aisles of the grocery store again. Test Kitchen Tip: Once peeled and cut, apples begin to discolor....

Never let a single green bean from your garden go to waste. Canning tomatoesisnt the only thing it’s possible for you to do to preserve summers best flavors. Pressure-canning green beans might seem intimidating, but our step-by-step guide below makes it easy. Credit:BHG / Crystal Hughes Have your canner checked annually. Rubber gaskets can start to leak, and gauges need to be calibrated. Measure 12 cups of beans and place them in a 4- to 6-quart kettle or pot....