Home and Garden

Flies dive-bombing your dinner, mosquitoes turning your ankles into an all-you-can-eat buffet, a rogue cockroach making you rethink walking barefoot… pests aren’t just annoying, they can be downright gross and sometimes dangerous. But here’s the thing — you don’t have to spray your house with harsh chemicals to win the battle. You can whip up a few simple, surprisingly effective fixes with stuff you probably already have in your pantry. And bonus? They’re cheap, safe, and won’t make your kitchen smell like a science lab. I’ve got three go-to recipes for you: a homemade mosquito trap, a bay leaf and …

You know that musty smell in a bathroom or basement? That’s mold saying, “Hey, thanks for the invite — I’m moving in.” The thing about mold is, it’s not picky. Give it a little moisture, a cozy surface to cling to, and a bit of time, and boom — it’s settling in like an uninvited houseguest. Trouble is, half the time we’re the ones making it feel at home without even realizing. So, let’s go through some of the most common ways we accidentally help mold along — and how to shut the door on it for good. 1. Closing …

If you’re like me, you probably think you’re doing all the right things to keep your home clean and cozy. But here’s the surprising truth — sometimes our everyday habits, the ones we hardly think about, are like rolling out a red carpet for bugs, rodents, and other uninvited guests. Pests don’t just wander in because they’re bored. They’re looking for food, water, and shelter — and we often give them all three without even realizing it. The good news? Most of these habits are super easy to fix once you know what to watch for. Let’s go through some …

I’ll be the first to admit — I love the smell of fresh laundry. There’s just something about pulling a warm towel out of the dryer that makes me feel like I’ve got my life together. But somewhere along the way, many of us (myself included) decided clean meant wash it constantly. Here’s the problem: over-washing is like inviting trouble in for tea. It wears out your stuff faster, wastes water and energy, and sometimes even makes things less healthy — dry skin, dull hair, you name it. And honestly? It’s just more work for us. So let’s put the …

If I’m being honest, I used to think watering more = loving my plants more. Spoiler: it does not. I’ve overwatered enough plants to know that sometimes the kindest thing you can do is… leave them alone. Thing is, roots need oxygen too. Constantly soggy soil is like making your plant wear wet socks 24/7—not comfy, not healthy, and a fast track to root rot. Some plants just aren’t thirsty that often, and when you get to know them, you’ll see they’re way happier with less attention from the watering can. Let’s talk about the ones most of us smother …

Dryer sheets aren’t just for keeping your laundry soft and static-free. Those little scented squares? They’re like tiny multitasking ninjas hiding in your laundry room. The fabric softener coating, the pleasant fragrance, the anti-static magic—it all adds up to more uses than most people realize. So before you toss one in the dryer and forget about it, here are ten ways you can put dryer sheets to work all over your home. 1. Keep Your Gym Bag From Smelling Like… a Gym BagSweaty clothes, sneakers, and a zipped-up bag—it’s a recipe for that unmistakable “I just came from the gym” …

Here’s the thing about toilets—they’re really only built for two things: human waste and toilet paper. That’s it. Everything else? That’s where trouble starts. The problem is, flushing can feel like the easiest solution. Out of sight, out of mind. But in reality, certain items will hang around in your pipes, collect friends along the way, and eventually cause a clog big enough to make you call a plumber (and possibly apologize to your wallet). So, let’s talk about the usual suspects—the stuff people flush all the time that ends up causing headaches, repairs, and even environmental damage. 1. “Flushable” …

Let’s be honest—no matter how fancy the party or how laid-back the get-together, tortilla chips are always on the table. Whether we’re watching the big game, throwing a last-minute backyard BBQ, or just settling into the couch with a good queso and bad reality TV, those crispy triangles of joy are basically non-negotiable. But not all tortilla chips are created equal. Some shatter beautifully into dip-ready shards. Others feel like you’re chewing on cardboard shingles. We took on the delicious (and slightly salty) task of crunching our way through some of the most common brands out there so you don’t …

You know how some folks get carried away with tomato plants every spring? That’s me with mint. Now, we all know the usual suspects—peppermint, spearmint… maybe even that lanky store-bought mint that wilts before you get home from the grocery store. But there’s a whole mint universe out there beyond what most of us grew up with. And let me tell you, it’s weird, it’s wonderful, and yes, I’m a little obsessed. So if your garden could use a bit of charm, some good smells, or just something new to fuss over this season, let’s talk mint. Here are 9 …

Because nothing says “summer” like a crisp white shirt that actually looks white You know how it goes. The sun’s out, the air’s warm, and suddenly it’s white linen season again. There’s just something about white clothes in the summer—easy, breezy, and oh-so-fresh. But let’s be honest… pulling last year’s white tee out of the closet only to find it looking more “eggshell sadness” than “brilliant white”? Yeah, not the vibe. And don’t even get me started on the risk of wearing white around, well, anything. Coffee drips. Popsicle splashes. A rogue splash of salad dressing. One moment you’re glowing …