We feed ourselves, our kids and our pets. But think before you feed your garbage disposal. While eggs, potatoes, celery and peaches are pretty tasty and loaded with nutrition, their skins and shells are also loaded with fiber that will upset your garbage disposal. Get in the habit of peeling fruits and vegetables into a…

While a home inspection is a necessary part of the home buying process, it can also tell you a lot about the structure you are considering living in. Inspectors are trained to see details and spot potential issues. For the best inspection, look deeper. Check for Cosmetic Fixes While some people use cosmetics to feel…

Many people search for electrical safety tips when they are looking for ways to fix a broken appliance themselves. While it’s commendable to look for ways to be frugal, a better tip is to have a professional repair your washer, refrigerator or other major appliance. Hiring someone to take on this particular project is a…

In a small kitchen or bathroom, every inch of space counts. If you’ve got a couple of inches, you can create a whole new storage space for these smaller rooms. Install a sliding drawer between counters. Drawers that are 18-30 inches wide work best for pull-out cabinets, giving you enough space to store items without…

A few small maintenance jobs can keep you free of expensive refrigerator repair bills. These jobs take no more than five minutes each, but can save you a lot of time and money. Complete them twice a year for best results, but, the more often you do them, the better. Add these to yourrefrigerator maintenance…

A popular design trend that takes you back to your roots (literally) is bringing the outdoors in. Many of today’s designers and homeowners believe the great outdoors can revive a home’s energy and make it look and feel fresh. There’s no better way to relax after a long, hard day than reconnecting with nature right…

When you want to give a room a makeover, changing up the walls is an obvious option. You may want to paint the walls a new color, but having wallpaper already in place might make you hesitate. Removing wallpaper can take time, so should you just paint over the paper instead? While it may save…

Many homeowners complain about leaky faucets. This is a common problem that often has an easy fix. Usually a faucet leaks because the components wear out. If you want to replace your worn out washers, seals and O-Rings, here is how. With a compression faucet, follow these steps: Remove decorative cap and remove the handle…

You’ve heard the sage advice to “keep grounded,” right? Well that goes for your house as well as for you. It’s shocking to realize how many homes are not properly grounded. It’s a good bet that much of this problem ties back to amateur electricians or undertrained appliance installers. Some of the rest may involve…

Cooking is truly about creating a beautiful work of art, from colorful ingredients to stylish serving pieces. Don’t hide these gorgeous items behind a pantry door. Display your kitchen essentials in clear glass jars and arrange them according to color and height for a fabulous focal point in your kitchen. Opt for see-through cabinets with…

Even the smallest air leak in your home can make a big difference to your energy bill. It’s important to check for drafts in your home and to fix them as soon as possible. Sealing up cracks and keeping out drafts will keep your home more efficient. Check the electrical outlets in your home for…

If you recently updated a sink or bath fixture, you probably wondered what to do with the manual and spare parts included with your purchase. While these items often wind up in junk drawers, you may need them later. Instead of devoting space in your workbench or other storage containers for these items that you…

Does your ceiling have a small plastic barrier to separate the attic insulation from the drywall? Here’s how to find and fix a leak in this area. Step 1 Move aside the insulation. Look for any stains indicating water flow on the plastic barrier. Step 2 If you can’t spot any water stains on the…

A warm fire can be relaxing and cozy on a cold winter night. But if you live in warmer weather or are worried about the upkeep, you can upgrade your fireplace into a stylish storage area. Clean it out and seal everything up before you start, and pick a paint color that complements your room…

Are you tired of sorting through a mess of different sizes of cookie sheets, baking pans, and cutting boards in your kitchen? Storing these items in messy stacks is not only cumbersome and a waste of storage space; it’s also a good way to damage their surfaces. Instead of potentially damaging expensive cookware such as…

Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. Wise budgeting is a must and there are many home buying tips you should consider. Don’t just think about how much you must put down; you also need to plan for closing costs. Make It Go Hand-in-Hand With the Down Payment Depending on the…

One of the best home organization tips is to make good use of the vertical space in your kitchen. Here are a couple of quick tips to make the most out of a busy space. Re-imagine the Refrigerator Your refrigerator is common ground for every member of your household, so store more than just photos…

If you can’t seem to keep lightbulbs in your lamps and fixtures for more than a few months or even weeks, it may be time to stop berating the bulb manufacturer and look for the real cause of the issue. There are a number of reasons bulbs burn out quickly, including bad wiring on the…

The HVAC system is near the top of every home maintenance tips list out there. In warm summer months, it’s a necessity for the A/C to deliver cold air into the home. Make sure the A/C can drain properly to perform efficiently and to avoid draining water from wreaking havoc inside your home. Make sure…