By Nafeesah Allen From BHG.com Outdoor umbrellas pull double duty to keep us dry from rain and shaded from the sun. However, dirt, tree sap and bird droppings can accumulate over time, and your colorful umbrella shading the patio table or deck can be one of the last things to get a good power wash….

By Kimberly Cataudella From The News & Observer (Raleigh) With the right pesticide and some intervention tricks, you can get ants out of your home—and make them stay out—this spring and summer. The News & Observer spoke with Sydney Crawley, a North Carolina State professor and extension specialist with expertise in insect and vertebrate pests, to learn…

You know that ultra-fresh, citrus-kissed scent that greets you when you walk into the lobby of a luxury hotel? Do you ever wish your home could smell like that and start looking into how to make your house smell good? You may fantasize about your home having a signature scent that makes it feel like…

For some of us, there are few spring joys that are as soul-satisfying as a healthy, lush green lawn. Or a pristine patio with clean furniture and accessories. You may have noticed in the past that a beautifully maintained healthy lawn does not come without considerable cost, effort and care. And outdoor living areas don’t…

Home organization and cleaning experts explain that there are many ways to make your cleaning products stretch further and last longer. The trick is adopting these strategies the next time you do a deep clean. 1. Focus on the Highest-Trafficked Areas When you’re worried about germs, it can be second nature to want to scrub…

In the time between your morning and nighttime routines, your bathroom sink gathers all sorts of gross buildup. Blobs of toothpaste, makeup spills, soapy residue, hard water spots and more can collect on the surface throughout the day, creating some serious grime that can’t simply be rinsed away when you wash your hands. A daily…

Recently, I wrote a column about how to get ceramic tile grout clean. I received quite a few thank-you notes via the “Ask Tim” page at AsktheBuilder.com. It’s always gratifying to hear from you that I helped you save time and money. Pam, who hails from Kenosha, Wisconsin, reached out to me after reading that…

Dear Mary: I used to buy a packet of “blue jeans softener” in a store that has since gone out of business. Added to the first washing, it would make a pair of new jeans feel like they had been stone-washed. I can no longer find anything like this. Do you have a suggestion for…

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi Whether preparing your home for guests over the holidays or simply performing a deep clean on general principle, don’t overlook these two cleaning tasks. Dryer vents and exhaust fans tend to get skipped, sometimes for years at a time, which can cause both inefficiency and fire risks….

When it comes time to spiff up your home, it’s easy to run through your normal cleaning routine without thinking twice about it. Although it can feel like second nature, some common cleaning habits could actually do more harm than good. Plus, leaving behind bacteria, dust and grime only creates more work for you in…