This inexpensive household staple has loads of uses. One surprising app is utilizing baking soda in laundry. Brie Goldman Can you put baking soda in the washing machine and not damage the unit? Credit:Brie Goldman Ahead, you’ll find eight ways to utilize baking soda in laundry. Pretreat Stains Baking soda can be used topretreat stainsprior to laundering. Gently rub the paste into the stain and allow it to work for 20-30 minutes prior to laundering....

Keep a box handy for one of our favorite recent culinary discoveries: using baking soda to tenderize meat. Ahead, well explain how to velvet meat with baking soda for a fast fix. it’s possible for you to velvet with a mix of egg whites, cornstarch, and oil. Credit:Jason Donnelly Before your next stir-fry, sizzlingplatter of fajitas, orskillet dinner, go through this to velvet sliced meat. For every 12 ounces of meat, use 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 12 cup of water....

Let family heirlooms mingle with thrift-store scores and a few new pieces to create the perfect vintage-inspired Christmas table. Marty Baldwin Its almost time to break out the good stuff forChristmas dinner. But dont worry about having perfectly matched place controls. Credit:Marty Baldwin Take inspiration from these table designs and re-create them with our best decorating tips. Gold edgings and flatware tie them all together like a bow on a package....

If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Take the guesswork out of choosing paint colors with these easy steps, using color swatches as your guide. Paint swatches can be overwhelming when you’re facing a giant selection at the store. Credit: Carson Downing Here are our expert, no-fail tricks topick the perfect paint colorusing swatches or paint chips. Keep an open mind; you never know which one will end up as your final pick....

Control weeds, grow healthier plants, and feed your lawn with nutrient-rich compost. Once you’ve purchased compost ormade your own at home, what is compost used for? This versatile garden amendment can enrich soil, improve plant health, smother weeds, and so much more. Credit:Getty Images / schulzie In the list below, find out how to use compost to achieve all these garden benefits. Getty Images / schulzie 1. Improve Soil One of the most common ways to use compost is as asoil amendment....

About the size of a tennis ball, dryer balls are a popular addition to anylaundry routine. Jacob Fox What Are Dryer Balls? Dryer balls soften clothes, reduce static cling, and speed up the drying process. Credit:Jacob Fox Because they are chemical-free and last many years, dryer balls are considered a green and economical alternative. Wool dryer balls are considered the mostenvironmentally-friendly option. They last a very long time and absorb moisture to reduce drying time and static....

Mount mirrors, shelving, and framed art with our guide to drywall anchors. Drywall anchors are designed specifically for hanging objects,like shelvingor light fixtures, from drywall ceilings or walls. Nails are too smooth to grip drywall, leading toheavy objectsfalling off walls. Credit: Boris Ipatov / Getty Images To avoid damaging drywall or the objects you’re trying to hang, invest in drywall anchors. you could also find self-drilling anchors that don’t require a pre-drilled hole....

The good news is that you might correct most nutrient deficiencies byadding fertilizerto your soil. The best fertilizers for plants depend on whether they are growing in your garden or in containers. Even if youve got rich soil, your plants can use up all the available nutrients over time. A granular fertilizer sprinkled near the base of a plant will slowly release nutrients to the roots below.Credit: schulzie/Getty Images Start bytesting your soilso you know what youre working with and what you better add for healthier plants....

Protect your veggies from frost with floating row covers so you might enjoy a longer harvest. Here’s what you gotta know to successfully install and use floating row covers. Choose the right covers. Credit:Edmund Barr Prepare your garden beds. Some row cover kits come with their own plastic hoops that can be sunk into the ground. Another option is to make your own hoops with flexible PVC tubing or upcycled hula hoops....

Weve got easy ways for you to add winter flowers to yourChristmas decorthat add festive cheer to the season. Of those winter floral purchases, 54 percent of consumers are buying fresh flowers for their homes. What are they buying? Credit: Marty Baldwin Its no surprise that red poinsettias top the list. Popular additions to floral displays include succulents and dried botanicals, along with local flowers and foliage. Don’t forget to add your own seasonal touches, such as mistletoe or seedpods from your backyard....

Avoid spindly seedlings and leggy houseplants by learning how to use grow lights to keep your indoor plants thriving. Here’s what you should probably know about setting up the best light systems for your houseplants and seedlings. Use Grow Lights for Seedlings Bright lighting is key to getting a jump start onspring transplants indoors. A mix of houseplants thrive under a grow light.Credit: Marty Baldwin Most rooms do not provide enough light to produce dense, healthy seedlings....

If you hit links we provide, we may receive compensation. Stay within your renovation budget with these IKEA furniture hacks to DIY your own built-in storage. But the readymade furnishings don’t always come with a custom look. Credit:Courtesy of LeeAnne Mullins Although somewhat time-consuming, this transformation is well worth the work. It comes in three colors: Birch veneer, black-brown, and white. There are also endless styles and sizes of the signature BILLY bookcase....

Butbefore you start installing fixtures, it’s important to considerwhat pop in of light you’ll need. Accent lighting highlights specific areas, and can serve as a decorative element. Often hung over an island or sink, kitchen pendant lights provide brilliance and make a design statement. Credit: Peter Molick Use our guide to kitchen pendant lighting to learn about the various styles available and how to use them. Pendants made of glass or chrome, for example, often exhibit sleek, modern style....