Is this task critical or optional? Critical. The sink is the kitchen’s second dirtiest spot (after the sponge). Without weekly scrub-downs, a plaquelike biofilm—containing germs from raw meat and more (eww)—can form and contaminate whatever touches it, says microbiologist Philip Tierno Jr. Critical or optional? Technically the dirt and grime are far enough out of reach that they’re generally not a significant health hazard (also, you know, out of sight, out of mind), which makes this optional....

While you’re there, you’ll be prompted to check the product categories that interest you and that’s it! Shoppers can select one or all of the following departments: Food and beverage, women’s beauty, men’s grooming, cat food and supplies, dog food and supplies, baby products, sports nutrition, health and wellness, feminine care, household essentials, and office supplies. And there’s no obligation to review or purchase items. RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner Serum, $98; amazon....

A quality air purifier is one way to improve air quality in your home. However, you should keep a three-pronged approach in mind: Filter the air, introduce fresh air, and manage humidity, experts say. Here are 12 ideas for improving indoor air quality, whether you or someone in your home has allergies or environmental conditions outdoors are causing poor air quality inside. The first step to better air quality is to remove anything from your home that is causing your indoor air quality to degrade, says Peter Mann, founder and CEO of Oransi, a North Carolina–based air purification company....

Note that the flavors may not be identical to true seafood, if you’re used to that, but the textures are remarkably similar. Instead, these seafood-based dishes can come together without any use of animal products, which is better for the planet. Here’s how. How to Make Plant-Based Ceviche Ceviche, a Peruvian dish that’s often made with a white fish marinated in citrus juice, plus crunchy veggies like cucumber and onions, plus avocado and tomato, can be made fish-free....

Unfortunately, those flimsy plastic boxes and lids aren’t just ready to rain down from your cupboard and smite you, avalanche-style; they’re also not airtight, meaning they’re ineffective at keeping your food fresh for as long as possible. (And important safety reminder: Many takeout containers are neither microwave nor dishwasher safe, which means harmful BPA could leach from the plastic into your food if you choose to aggressively heat them regardless)....

“Primer is so personal for whatever skin type I am addressing,” says makeup artist Paige Pelfrey. “Makeup Forever makes a huge range of primers that are incredible and can be completely customizable to your needs—whether you’re in need of color correcting redness or filling in pores, they have one for all skin types.” When Pelfrey is working on a client with no major skin concerns—just looking for a glowy boost—her go-to is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($44; sephora....

Part of understanding your mortgage means understanding that the term of your mortgage only outlines how long you have to pay it off. If you want to reduce that mortgage debt more quickly—thus increasing your home equity, eliminating housing costs, and making room in your budget for paying off other debts or working toward other goals—you can always take steps to pay off your mortgage early. If you’re financially secure (meaning you’re free of high-interest debt, you’re investing in your retirement, and you have an emergency savings account that will cover 6 to 12 months’ worth of vital living expenses), paying off your mortgage early makes sense—yes, even though interest payments are tax-deductible....

When food and mealtime become a point of stress, kids pick up on that and may push back against any form of pressure. In fact, studies have shown that higher levels of picky eating are associated with increased restrictions and more demands from parents, even if the intention of the parents is to encourage their children to eat more nutritious foods. While it might be hard, the most effective solutions are to be patient through these phases, and to continue to offer your child a variety of foods....

Here’s everything you need to know to make a safe plan of action and clean your home. The First 48 Hours Are Critical “Once you’ve determined your home is safe, you’ll want to clean up and dry your home quickly after the storm or flood ends, ideally within a 24-to-48-hour window,” says Rothbard. “Ensuring your home is dried out within 1-2 days maximum is critical in lowering the risk of long-lasting damage and preventing harmful mold....

For a variety of reasons, this concept is much easier to grasp on a map than it is when it comes to our personal relationships. Most of the time, (unfortunately) there aren’t literal, physical barriers between ourselves and other people. And even when there are (think: office cubicles or a large geographical distance), these boundaries don’t always work, and you can find that other people are crossing the line in some way....

Aside from the terrarium itself, you don’t have to buy anything special to assemble or tend to it. A few standard gardening tools will do. Here’s a guide to the ultimate in low-maintenance plants to include in a terrarium, plus how to make your own simple mini tabletop garden. Best Plants for Open and Closed Terrariums A single plant: You don’t need to expend a lot of effort to put together an eye-catching terrarium....

“Marketers, advertisers, and retailers all use psychology to get you to spend your money,” says Joyce Marter, psychotherapist and author of The Financial Mindset Fix, a book about approaching money in a mindful way. Marter says pausing and reflecting on what is driving you to make a purchase, or whether something is going to cost you more in the long run, is one way to find a deal that will actually save money—and a way to prevent impulse buying....

Though trips for retirees are indeed common—with at least 25 percent of those 65 and older leaving the country annually—sometimes, finances play a factor. That’s why it’s smart to not only start thinking about where you’ll go when you travel in retirement but also how you’ll pay for it. And, of course, how to save on costs. We spoke with money and travel experts to map your retirement world tour, geographically and financially....

“Many people think they need to utilize professional dry cleaning for down and other fluffy items, but it’s usually fine to wash and dry them,” says Laura Goodman, senior scientist and fabric care expert at Procter & Gamble. Follow Goodman’s top cleaning and care tips for winter gear to save a little money, spare yourself a trip to the dry cleaners, and keep your belongings good as new. “Always check the care label for drying instructions before you start to make sure that your fabrics can be machine dried, and at what temperature,” she says....

We asked industry leaders in job hunting and career advancement for their resume writing tips to make your resume stand out without going overboard. Prepare to pick up some comfortable work shoes and one of the best backpacks for work—you’re going to be heading to a new office before you know it. Impressing the robots Did you know that 80 percent of resumes are rejected within 11 seconds? That startling statistic comes from Amy Klimek, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at ZipRecruiter, and it proves that your resume needs to be able to pass the robot test....

IKEA may be a Swedish company, but it has adopted the American tradition of Black Friday deals. IKEA does Cyber Monday deals, too, so there’s no need to have the Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday debate if you’re planning to celebrate the shopping holiday with a trip to the blue superstore. Like other stores, IKEA offers sales and deals leading up to and beyond Black Friday and Cyber Monday; unlike some other stores, they’re pretty specific deals, which IKEA announces annually....

Infused with new flavor, however, vodka can be made far more compelling. How to Get Started Infusing Vodka Infusing vodka is a little different from infusing other spirits. Because of its neutrality, vodka is open, a clean slate, an empty canvas. When you add flavors, you don’t have to think about how they would combine with flavors already in the spirit, as you do for tequila or bourbon. The process of infusing is exactly the same....

In fact, the opportunities for these social media celebrities and talented content producers have multiplied exponentially amid the COVID pandemic thanks to millions of people being stuck at home and forced to find most entertainment online. A recent Forbes article noted that the influencer marketing industry is expected to grow to a staggering $13.8 billion in 2021. That’s a gigantic increase from the $9.7 billion that the industry was worth in 2020....