There are many parts to care for in robot vacuums. Luckily, maintenance is easy and all you really need is a good routine to stay on top of it. Most robot vacuums come with a handy cleaning tool that is part blade, part comb, and part brush. Pair that with a microfiber cloth and you’re ready to work. Read on for how to clean a robot vacuum and all its various parts, how often, and which items might need replacing....

The good news is that there are a number of methods for cleaning the messes left behind from Yuletide greenery. But there also are some common pitfalls to avoid, as well as oddball tricks that can help take the frustration out of this seasonal chore. Ahead, we’ve rounded up 12 tips that make cleaning sap and needles a cinch. How to Remove Sap 1. Use Oils to Remove Sap from Skin There are many ways to remove sap from just about any surface it gets on, but the critical thing to consider is what will be safe for the item in question....

With the right tools and techniques, however, learning how to clean suede shoes isn’t difficult. You can find a variety of suede cleaning products at footwear stores and major retailers, but simple household items often provide the best way to clean suede shoes. We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process below, as well as offer tips for removing common stains on suede footwear. These cleaning strategies make it easy to restore the soft, spotless appearance of your suede shoes and boots....

Before you can begin building a paver patio set in sand, be sure to take your site measurements with you when you’re ready to order the paving. Your dealer will help you convert those measurements to gravel, sand, and paving quantities. Remember to buy extra pavers to cover breakage and mistakes, and to store in case a paver or two needs replacing in the future. Take your site measurements when you’re ready to order the paving....

So what is flash freezing? In the food industry—or on fast-paced cooking TV shows—this term means freezing foods at extremely low temperatures with circulating air. (It’s also sometimes called “blast freezing.”) This quick-chill method keeps ice crystals small, which prevents moisture loss in the food when it thaws. For the home cook, however, the definition is different: Flash freezing refers to the practice of freezing individual pieces of food, usually spread out on a baking sheet to keep them from fusing together, then packing them in airtight containers for longer storage....

Walls framed with steel are built in place, one piece at a time. The primary fastener is a sheet metal screw; the primary tools are a drill/driver and metal snips. To frame a wall with metal studs, expect to spend about 2 to 3 hours for a 12-foot wall. You’ll need to plan the wall location and measure the height of the wall in several spots before you begin. Fastening Metal Framing Metal framing requires a variety of specific screws....

Monstera Must-Know Care Tips Monsteras might look intimidating to the new houseplant aficionado, but they’re actually pretty low maintenance plants. Regardless of skill level, any plant lover can grow this enticing plant in their home. Light These native tropical plants need lots of light. Aim to give your monstera around 5-8 hours of indirect but bright light. If you own a variegated variety of monstera, the plant will need more light to develop the colors in their leaves....

Growing Olive Trees Indoors vs. Outdoors Olive trees are evergreens native to the Mediterranean region. “There are numerous varieties," says Ray Greenstreet II, owner of Greenstreet Gardens in Virginia, “but olive trees can be divided into two categories: olive trees that you can harvest, and ornamental olive trees that do not produce any fruits.” Both types of olive trees prefer warmer environments and are sensitive to freezing temperatures. Because of this, growing olive trees outdoors can be a bit tricky in places with cold winters....

When to Make Cuttings Most stem cuttings can be rooted anytime the plants are actively growing. Coleus and geranium, for example, grow year-round (except where winters are freezing). Take cuttings from these annuals whenever you want to make more of them. Woody plants, which can be a little trickier to root, are best harvested at specific times in their growing cycle. There are several different types of woody plant cuttings, but the steps for rooting the stems are all the same....

The first step in growing juicy and delicious watermelons is to choose what type you want to grow. There are three main kinds: Early season, main season, and seedless watermelons. Within those categories, you can choose flesh that’s red, pink, yellow, or orange. An early-season watermelon is sometimes called an icebox melon because it grows to a petite size that easily fits on a refrigerator shelf. It takes the shortest amount of time to mature, about 70 to 75 days....

A common tip is to look for salad bags that are deflated. The theory goes that bagged lettuce and salad greens are initially sold with the air sucked out of them, and that as they decompose, the greens emit gas (true, they do emit carbon dioxide), puffing up the bag. While this might have been true once, modern salad bags are breathable thanks to modified atmospheric packaging (MAP), so that method won’t work to spot older bagged greens....

This simple sewing project for a DIY utensil holder turns two squares of fabric or cloth napkins into a wrap ideal for keeping your utensils clean. It can be easily washed after carrying your used forks and spoons home. It’s also an easy way to transport knives safely. This sewing project isn’t just for picnics and potlucks; use your handmade holder in the kitchen, craft room, or garden. Simply resize the pockets based on the utensils you need to store....

How to Make a Christmas Dried Citrus Wreath Supplies Needed 18-inch round florists foam wreath14 large citrus fruits (we used grapefruits, oranges, and Cara Cara oranges)8 small citrus fruits (we used lemons and limes)Fine glitterStraight pinsThick satin ribbonScissors Step-by-Step Directions With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own dried orange wreath. Customize your pretty Christmas wreath with your favorite fruits. Step 1: Slice Citrus Fruit Use a serrated knife to cut your small fruits into ⅛-inch-thick slices; cut larger fruit into ¼-inch-thick slices....

Get more inspiration for easy kid’s costumes! What You’ll Need Brown hooded sweatshirt (with zipper)Brown sweatpantsFelt: light brown and dark brownWhite kitchen spongeBrown craft paint and paintbrushCraft foam: black and whiteDisappearing-ink fabric penHot-glue gun and glue sticksBlack permanent marker and ruler How to Make It Enlarge and trace the patterns onto paper and cut out. To make the body: Cut one belly and the reverse from light brown felt. If you’re using a pullover sweatshirt without a zipper, you can trace both pieces and cut them out as one single piece....

How to Make Cheesecake To get you through the basics, we’ll be using our classic cheesecake recipe as a guide. But you’ll be able to apply these helpful steps and tips to any recipe. Step 1: Use a Springform Pan Step 2: Let Ingredients Stand Let any chilled ingredients stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. At this temperature, you’ll get more volume from the eggs, and the cream cheese will be softened enough to blend well with the other ingredients....

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings with Noodle-Like Dumplings The first question to answer as you learn how to make chicken and dumplings is which kind of dumplings you want to make. Speaking broadly, there are two basic categories of dumplings for chicken and dumplings: puffy, biscuit-like dumplings and flat, noodle-like dumplings. Here we’ll show you how to make chicken dumplings that are puffy and biscuit-like. If you want to learn how to make chicken dumplings with the noodle-like variety, follow our recipe for Classic Chicken and Dumplings....

How to Make New Year’s Poppers We’ll show you how to create your own confetti poppers using upcycled toilet paper tubes. Customize your poppers with sequins, metallic confetti, or glitter for a little extra sparkle. What You Need Extra-fine crepe paper or tissue paperSequins (optional)Toilet paper tubesCracker snaps Ribbon Adhesive dots Scissors Step 1: Prep Materials If desired, make your own confetti by cutting some of your crepe paper into tiny squares....

How to Make Twisted Taper Candles Supplies Needed Wide-mouth Mason jarCandy thermometerSolid-color paraffin wax taper candlesWaxed paperRolling pin Step-by-Step Directions You should be able to create a full set of twisted candles in under 30 minutes. If you have leftover candles, try making these dip-dyed tapers. Step 1: Prep Candles Fill a heat-resistant container, like a wide-mouth Mason jar, with 100°F water. We used a candy thermometer ($6, Walmart) to measure....

We did our research and found the absolute best roach killers available to buy to keep your home free from these nasty creepy-crawlies. We also spoke to Judy Black, VP of Quality Assurance and Technical Services at top pest control services company, Orkin, LLC, about what factors to consider when looking for the best roach killer. “The best strategy for the control of household cockroaches is to use baits,” Black tells BHG....

1. Keep your disposal smelling fresh Few things are quite as offputting as a smelly garbage disposal. To remedy that, use one of our favorite kitchen sink cleaning hacks: lemon ice cubes. To make them, simply fill an ice cube tray with lemon wedges, rock salt, and water. Once frozen, pop the cubes down the drain and run your garbage disposal until the ice is gone. Rock salt scrubs the blades while ice helps knock off any gunk and grime....