Like any piece of decor, your indoor plant can get dusty and dirty too. Use these tips to help all your plants look their best. To help your houseplants stay healthy and thrive, you know they need a few basics. A small paintbrush works well for cleaning the fuzzy leaves of African violets.Credit: Dean Schoeppner Giving themregular wateringsand the right amount of light is essential, of course. But did you know that houseplants also benefit from a thorough cleaning once in a while?...

And inside your range hood, a filter helps keep air safe and clean. Range hood filters trap grease and dirt to keep the range hood operating correctly. Good news: it’s not a time-consuming chore. Credit: wertinio/Adobe Stock How Do I Know If I Need to Clean the Filter? When was the last time you cleaned your range hood filter? Turn your range hood on and hold a piece of newspaper or notebook paper up to the filter....

A messy bedroom can add to everyday stress, cause anxiety, and eveninterfere with your quality of sleep. Use this deep-cleaning checklist to create a schedule that works for you. If you don’t already have a small wastebasket in your room, we recommend getting one. Credit:Brie Williams So, throw away any trash around the room first, then empty the wastebasket. Keep extra trash bags in the bottom of your wastebasket. For anorganized bedroom closet, ensure to hang blouses and sweaters facing the same direction on slim space-saving hangers....

Some people believe learning how to compost is too complicated, it smells bad, and it’s messy. This guide explains everything you should probably know about how to compost successfully. Types of Composting Part of learning how to compost is understanding the different methods of composting. Credit: Marty Baldwin Cold Composting This is the simplest form of composting. Over the course of a year or so, the material will decompose without you having to do anything....

Need to connect a new drain, vent, or supply line? Look no further than a tee fitting. We’ll show you how to install one. To do so, shut off the water to existing supply pipes anddrain the lines. Flush all the toilets and caution others not to use the drains. After opening a drain line, verify no one uses a sink or faucet that drains into it. Seal any open drain lines with a rag to block fumes....

Japanese beetles also will destroy fruits and vegetables, and their larvae can damage lawns. Here’s how you canevict any of these pesky bugsin your garden and reduce the damage they cause. What Do Japanese Beetles Look Like? Credit: Denny Schrock Before you battle with Japanese beetles, confirm you recognize the enemy. Several look-alike beetles also have shiny metallic bodies but don’t have white spots. They are often actively feeding in the morning and late evening....

Convert your favorite layer cake recipe into a cupcake recipe with these five easy steps from our Test Kitchen. In fact, the preparation is the exact same. Add the sugar and mix to cream together. Credit:BHG/Cara Cormack Be sure not to overbeat (you’ll know you have if the butter starts to separate). Next, add the eggs and flavorings, likevanilla extract, and beat them into the butter-sugar mixture. In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking powder)....

Become a better cook with the Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen. From small tasks like boiling potatoes to advanced skills like spatchcocking chicken, we’ve got you covered. Explore Recipes & Cooking

The air fryer isnt just for snacks! The air fryer isnt just for frying anymore. This handy kitchen appliance has taken over kitchens everywhere, and with good reason! Credit:Getty Images/brebca We’re also sharing our favorite recipes for air-fried steak including pasta dishes, salads, and more. Preheat the air fryer to 400 F degrees. Allow it to sit and reach room temperature before cooking. How Long Does It Take to Cook a Steak in the Air Fryer?...

Ace the art of the perfectly roasted, juicy whole chicken with simple step-by-step instructions from our Test Kitchen. Roasting a chicken should not be limited to special occasions and entertaining. A roast chicken is easy to make, but seems impressive. Credit:BHG/Cara Cormack Styling-Alice Ostan Simply pat your chicken dry with paper towels, and throw them away immediately. Or try the lemon-herb or spice rub variations in ourroast chicken recipe. Cooking times vary by weight....

Artichokes are the edible immature flowers of a cultivated thistle. The ways to cook artichokes almost outnumber the delicious leaves each artichoke produces. Wash the Artichokes Wash artichokes just before you’re ready to use them. Credit:Grant Webster If you wash artichokes before storing them, the moisture could cause them to spoil more rapidly. Slice Off the Stem End Cut off and discard the end of the stem. Remove Outer Leaves Peel off the outer leaves closest to the stem....

Learn how to cook asparagus that’s tender and crispjust like your favorite restaurant serves it. And, yes, you could make this vegetable in the microwave. Asparagus is one of the best vegetables it’s possible for you to make at home. Credit: Jason Donnelly Look for firm, bright-green spears with compact, closed tips that aren’t mushy. Spear size ranges from fat to pencil-thin, with thickness indicating the vegetable’s age. Fortunately, there’s no wrong answerit’s all about personal preference....

Countless recipes, including savory sandwiches and sweetchocolate layer cakes, can be improved by bacon. it’s possible for you to’t go wrongas long as you know how to cook bacon perfectly. (In other words, it’s not limp, soggy, dry, or overly chewy). Credit:BHG / Abbey Littlejohn We’ll also dish on how to select and store your pork for the best results. It’s a great option to cook bacon quickly, and you’ll only need one pan....