Good Housekeeping Ideas, Tips & Guides

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We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Cooler temperatures and calm breezes help keep evaporation to a minimum. It also keeps the turf cooler during the hottest parts of the day, which means less stress on the grass. If it’s not convenient to water in the morning, late afternoon is the next best time. Waiting to water until too late in the evening keeps lawns wet overnight, which can make the grass susceptible to diseases like fungus.

Christmas lights are the crown jewel of outdoor Christmas décor. Adorning your roof, stair rails, shrubs and trees with colorful bulbs transforms a dreary winter block into a festive spectacle. While the basics of wired lights has remained the same, advancements in smart technology and programmable lights, options of LED and solar-powered displays, and even Christmas projectors that require less setup have changed the holiday decoration game in recent years, making putting on a festive light show easier than ever.

Before the garden, there was my father. And then, all of a sudden, there wasn’t: He was alive, and then he was dying and then he was dead, the cancer spreading quickly over the course of 18 months.

One of nature's most unique plants, the monkey puzzle tree (also known as araucaria araucana) is a bit of a mystery. Due to their unusual, thorny branches, it's a great option for plant lovers looking to add a dose of flair to their space. «There isn't a tree out there like the monkey puzzle, especially compared to native choices within the United States,» says Tamara Hogan, resident plant expert at Fast Growing Trees, an online nursery. «Its blade-like leaves and branch structure are unlike any other conifer trees. It's also an evergreen that can handle some cooler, humid environments since the southern areas of Chile is where this tree comes from.» Another benefit of growing one? You can live with a monkey puzzle tree for a long time. It can grow up to 90 feet tall and survive for thousands of years if it isn't cut down. However, since a monkey puzzle tree is so rare, many people aren't sure how to make one thrive indoors or outdoors. To help you out, we've consulted with experts at Fast Growing Trees to share everything you need to know about caring for a monkey puzzle tree.

If your collection of outdoor power tools doesn't include a pressure washer, your home's exterior isn't as spiffy as it could be — and you're definitely working harder than you need to at whatever cleaning tasks you're tackling by hand.

Plants can be highly sensitive to their environmental surroundings, and it's always unfortunate when you go to water your plant only to find that treasured plant in your bedroom has drooped and fallen (certainly not speaking from experience). Humidifiers, however, can help keep your plants hydrated.

Learning through pretend play is essential to a child's development — and a playhouse can encourage kids of all ages to take their imaginations to the next level. Playhouses can broaden creativity, build physicality and motivate socialization, all under the guise of playground-like play.

If you like watching birds, there's no need to trek out into the woods with binoculars to try to spot one: A bird feeder in front of a window just might be the answer. There's a variety of styles to fit different houses or apartments and to attract various types of birds.

Not only do they provide a cozy spot for lounging, hanging egg chairs add a whimsical touch to any space — whether that be on a porch, in the backyard or used as non-traditional seating inside the house. Picture a natural rattan design in the corner of a minimalist bedroom layout, a statement wicker chair in the corner of your fall porch or a weatherproof style hanging poolside. Whether your aesthetic leans modern or boho, we've rounded up the best hanging egg chairs you're guaranteed to love.

Homemade pesto is not only delicious, but easy to make. While you can always buy some at your local supermarket, using minimal ingredients to make your own is worth every minute of your time because it's delicious. Basil is a popular herb that can be grown indoors all year round, with sweet basil being one of the most common. If you're looking to take your recipe up a notch, here'show to grow basil at home as well as how to harvest it for cooking.

Popular for their large, heart-shaped leaves, Monstera plants are easy-to-grow evergreens that are also known as «split-leaf philodendrons.» Due to their size — with a rate of growing about one to two feet per year — they're easy to spot in any part of your room, making them a great statement piece or focal point.

There are plenty of reasons to become a houseplant parent. Plants foster wellbeing, they help remove toxins from the air and they feed into our nurturing instincts. Plus, they look great, especially when you pair them with the right planter. That's why we're sharing thebest indoor plant pots to keep your plant babies vibrant and full of life.

Britain is known for introducing us the best of the best — think Princess Diana, Harry Potter and fish and chips. Now we can thank the UK for bringing us a fantastic sun safety idea: the 3-hour-gardening rule.

With summer in full swing, it's the best time to appreciate the outdoors — whether it be lounging by the pool, hosting a small garden party or enjoying meals in the backyard. You may prefer a peaceful retreat for yourself, a simple setup for outdoor dining with family or a spacious gathering spot for friends. No matter how sunny or shady, woodsy or open, large or small your backyard is, we've rounded up creative backyard decor ideas to inspire your dreamy space.

If some of the best indoor houseplants have taken over your interiors, seemingly sprawling across bookshelves, side tables and kitchen countertops, you're not alone. Sales of leafy green flora have soared over the past couple of years as many spend more time indoors; they've been a hit on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where there are more than 9 million posts tagged #HousePlants. While the greenery brightens up your space and certainly looks cute, experts believe your indoor plants may be good for your health, too.

Much like children, houseplants need food, light and constant attention to grow. So, it's only natural you'd want to name your plants (right?). Fortunately, you can use our list of cool, funny and cute plant names to spark your «baby's» new title. We've gathered unique ideas for your leafiest and greenest plants and succulents, from the spider palm and snake plant to the peace lily and rubber tree.

Flowers are thoughtful gifts for just about anyone in your life — family, friends, coworkers and, of course, your significant other. But just as various rose colors have different meanings, so do many other blooms. That's why it's important to know the wide range offlower meanings so you pick the right one for any occasion.

You spend a lot of time in your bedroom, so it's important to design a space that ensures you get a good night's rest. One of the easiest (and most affordable!) ways to transform your bedroom into a peaceful sanctuary is with indoor plants — not only do they look beautiful, houseplants can actually help improve your health, mood and sleep quality, too.

Manifesting good health, wealth and luck? One way to welcome that positive energy into your home is through feng shui. All spaces need living energy, says feng shui expert Susan Chan, and feng shui plants are an easy, natural way to bring in vibrant chi, or vital energy. Placing these plants with set intentions can help invite certain energies inside your home, whether that's attracting love by finding a plant with heart-shaped leaves or tapping good luck and fortune by displaying an upward-growing money tree.

If you've ever had sweet potato fries, sweet potato kale frittata or any other sweet potato dish, you know just how delicious the root vegetable can be. While they may be sweet, they're also packed with minerals, fiber and phytonutrients, making them a healthy and delicious addition to your dinner menu. And believe it or not, they're also incredibly easy to grow on your own! If you're interested in learning the process, read the below guide onhow to grow sweet potatoes.We even share how to plant and harvest them, along with a simple way to grow them in containers.

It's never too early to plan ahead when it comes to your garden. And as fall approaches, you may find yourself wondering what blooms will enhance your collection. While there are an array of eye-catching florals for the autumn season, including balloon flowers, dahlias, sunflowers and cosmos, you can't overlook the beauty that comes with chrysanthemums. These fall-blooming beauties come in multiple colors — from red, white and orange to yellow, pink and burgundy — so you're sure to find a shade that matches your personal style. Whether you're interested in a casual environment or more extravagent look, we're sharing how to grow mums (and how to care for them).

Known for its lance-shaped leaves with jagged edges, aloe vera is a popular houseplant for many reasons: It's one of the best air-purifying plants (great for the bedroom, bathroom or kitchen) and has an array of dermatologist-approved benefits like helping to reduce acne and wrinkles, healing wounds or easing irritation from sunburns.

Even though most flowers bloom during the spring months, that doesn’t mean that your fall garden has to be left behind. In fact, there are plenty of fall flowers, vegetables and evergreen shrubs that are perfect for planting during autumn! From growing mums to incorporating popular perennial flowers and plants into the mix, we are offering some helpful tips and ideas for what to plant in September.

Flowers don't just make you happy — they can make you healthier, too, says Gwenn Fried, manager of Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation. «Nature has a huge impact on health and wellness,» she says. «We know that people's cortisol levels go down in a calm, green environment.» Our list of gorgeoussummer flowers will help you create the perfect flower garden on a balcony, backyard or front porch. Expect tall delphiniums, vibrant marigolds and various perennial flowers such as asters, daisies, daylilies. Some blooms on the list, like bacopas and salvias, make greatground cover plants for their ability to fill in shady spots (like in between tree roots). Others are eye-catching additions to pots — take sunflowers and peonies, for example. Whether you're a beginner or an expert gardener, you can enjoy the plant care process by following our gardening guide for tips. What's more, we even include the best ways to keep your summer flowers thriving. We share everything from their preferred level of sunlight to the best soil types (many prefer well-drained).