Place charcoal in a perforated plastic bag and stash the bag your fridge or drawers to banish odors. Read more »
remove aggressive vines on the outside of your house
Remove aggressive vines, which hold moisture against walls and wreak havoc on wood clapboards, slowing their ability to dry out after a rain and causing rot. — 12 Easy DIY Fall Fix-Ups Read more »
stance to take for raking leaves
Take a scissor stance, one foot forward and one behind. Use the rake to pull forward from behind or in from the side. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your back upright Read more »
stack and season firewood, essential homeowner skills
Properly season firewood by stacking logs outdoors in a sunny spot, away from wood structures, to keep insects from migrating. — 56 Essential Survival Skills for Homeowners Read more »
leave cut pieces in place until your are finished carving pumpkin
Leave the cut shapes wedged in place until you are finished cutting all the lines. This will provide added support until you're done carving Read more »
look for the biggest bulbs to plant for the largest blooms
At the nursery, look for the biggest bulbs of your chosen variety—they'll give you the largest blooms. — Plant Bulbs Now for Future Blooms Read more »
low-voc paints dry fast, fix mistakes quickly
Low-VOC paints dry faster than the older latex formulations, so it's critical that you fix mistakes quickly. — Decoding the New Low-VOC Paints Read more »
place double sinks at least 36 in apart
In the master bath, place double sinks 36 inches apart or more, measured drain to drain, so that you'll have elbow room. — Read This Before You Redo a Bath Read more »
gravel patios, use landscape fabric between base and gravel
For gravel patios, Roger Cook suggests adding landscape fabric between the packed base and gravel on top, so materials don't intermingle. — Building Blocks for a Perfect Patio Read more »
clean grill grates
Dry-scrub crud from grates, burners, and inside surfaces with a nonscratch sponge or a nylon brush, then wash surfaces with dish soap and water. Read more »