To start, give your patio furniture a scrub with some specialized cleaning solutions, followed by a rinse with the garden hose. Next, Scotchgard will protect upholstered pieces from sun and water, while wood conditioner will revive tables and chairs. Order covers for everything from sofas, to cushions, to umbrellas, so you’ll be ready long before the cold weather hits.
One of the biggest factors that can alter how well you sleep is your bedding, and your pillow is a major part of that. What goes into making a pillow seem hotel-quality all comes down to what makes you comfortable. When shopping for a pillow, I consider a few factors including pillow height, breathability, and cushioning. Plus, if you’re a bargain shopper like myself, price is definitely a factor. And the Snuggle-Pedic bamboo memory foam pillow is the bedding essential that truly shines above the rest in all four categories....
What Sprouts Cause Food Poisoning? In fact, the CDC includes raw alfalfa and bean sprouts among the foods most likely to cause food poisoning, and sprouts have been investigated as the source of past foodborne outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’s FoodSafety.gov., a contaminated sprout–caused outbreak occurred every year between 1995 and 2011. They were first recognized as a potential source of food poisoning during the mid-1990s and have caused several outbreaks since—30 between 1998 and 2011 alone....
To curate a list of only the best products, we spent hours researching top-performing options while comparing factors like ingredients, coverage, finish, and shade options. We also spoke with Kelsey Deenihan, bareMinerals global makeup artist ambassador, for expert advice on shopping for—and applying—concealer for dark circles. She notes that those with severe dark circles may want to prep their undereye area with a color-corrector. “The deeper purple your undereyes are, the more of an orange you’ll need to correct,” she says....
To help you find the best flannel sheets for your home, we tested 29 in our Lab, evaluating them on quality, texture, breathability, durability, value, and warmth. We also sought the advice of textile experts, including Ruthie Osswald, designer at Brooklinen, and Kristie Rhodes, Manager of Woven Product Development at Cotton Incorporated. Our top pick is the Coyuchi Cloud Brushed Organic Flannel Sheets for their soft texture, medium heft, and lack of shrinkage after washing....
In order to throw a stress-free and enjoyable party, there’s one element, in particular, that makes it truly memorable: an elegant yet simple table setting. Basic dinnerware, flatware, and glasses should set the stage for your party without letting it get too busy. While you could place giant floral arrangements and copious votive candles on the table, simple bud vases and a scented candle are a more affordable and intimate option....
So what makes a “good” hairbrush? “This answer really depends on hair type—it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer,” says Kenji Ishimoto, stylist at Salon Yoshiko at Bergdorf Goodman in New York. “There are so many great options and variations available at different price points.” To find the best hairbrushes, we considered the shape, size, bristle material, and recommended hair types for dozens of brushes on the market. We also received expert tips from Ishimoto on what to look for in a hairbrush....
One thing you’ll want to check out is vacuums. There are currently deals on pretty much any style of vacuum you can think of: upright, stick, handheld, and robot from all the major vacuum names, like Dyson, Bissell, Black + Decker, Shark, and more. We searched through the sales to pick out some of the best early vacuum deals to help make your early Black Friday shopping even easier. Best Vacuum Deals Overall Black + Decker Lithium Handheld Dustbuster, $25 (was $36); walmart....
“Try to focus on his hobbies, likes, and interests and go from there,” suggests Lindsay Roberts Schey, gift expert and founder of TheGiftInsider.com, an online gifting resource. But if he’s particularly hard to shop for, you can try what Schey calls “elevating his essentials.” “Think of the things he uses every day and go with a more design-friendly or updated version than what he currently has,” she says. “Does he have scattered receipts and change in an old box on his bedside table?...
To find the best water filter pitchers, we spent hours researching products and considering factors like materials, capacity, and filter quality to determine which ones are best for various households and hydration needs. For expert tips on shopping for water filter pitchers, we consulted Dr. Newsha Ajami, a hydrologist and the director of Urban Water Policy at Stanford University. “I really do encourage people not to use bottled water because there are so many more regulations in place to protect water that comes out of people’s taps versus what goes into bottled water," Ajami says....
To save some time and effort, I’ve tried to simplify, if not automate, as much of my cleaning routine as possible. Thankfully, my job as a shopping editor has led me to discover plenty of products that do much of the work for me and help me avoid some of the ickiest tasks. And while some are a bit of an investment, many of these quick and easy upgrades are under $30....
