Some home improvements can be expensive, such as adding central air conditioning or remodeling an entire room of your house. But some lower-cost projects can add value for less money. Here are some simple, affordable home improvement projects to try this summer that won’t break the bank. 1. Pressure-wash outdoor areas. Winter weather can leave all sorts of dirt and grime on your home’s exterior and other outdoor areas. Take advantage of the warmer weather to give your home a high-powered cleaning....

To find the best dryer balls, we evaluated the most popular options on their materials, effectiveness, size, and value. We also spoke to two experts—Adam Morris, engineer and founder of Appliances Made Simple, and Taylor Barefoot, cleaning expert, editor-in-chief, and founder of Snug Sensations—for tips on how to maximize the usage of dryer balls and what to look for when buying them. With plenty of appliance knowledge, particularly with dryers, Morris says that “dryer balls are a great solution to cut drying time and save money on your energy bill....

Many kitchen trash cans nowadays have sleek finishes and minimalist designs to perfectly blend into any kitchen decor style. Whether you like to keep your recycling and compost bins separate, or have one kitchen trash can that can house any and all waste, there are many options available to suit any need. Craig Hoareau, owner of A Tidy Mind, a professional organizing and decluttering services company, suggests choosing a kitchen trash can that suits both the size of the kitchen and your lifestyle....

So, is beer as bad for your teeth as a margarita or champagne? Here are the best and worst alcoholic beverage offenders when it comes to our pearly whites, plus a few easy tricks to fight back. How Alcohol Impacts Your Teeth According to Evelyn Lucas-Perry, DDS, MPH, a dentist at Aspen Dental, drinking is one surprisingly serious way we may be accelerating our oral and dental health issues, such as staining and dryness....

ProductWorks 24-Inch Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, $29 (was $35) Santa’s Naturals Mini Christmas Candles Bundle, $27 Eambrite Warm White LED Birch Tree Set, $31 (was $34) National Tree Company Pre-lit Artificial Mini Christmas Tree, $29 (was $45) Calloway Mills 105022436 Yule Doormat, $20 Johouse Natural Pine Cones, $9 (was $10) WreathDream Artificial Christmas Wreath, $36 Tophouse Artificial Eucalyptus Garland Pack, $23 National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Garland, $49 (was $65) Enido Flickering Flameless Candles Set, $20 with coupon (was $21)...

I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of storing my pantry essentials on a turntable sooner, but once I did, I gave in…and bought six. Now I rely on lazy Susans in my pantry, spice cabinet, and under my sink. Long gone are the days of losing unopened spices to the depths of my dark cabinets where they live in solitude until someone reaches far back enough to grab them....

To buy: $65, amazon.com Restorative sleep has less to do with the amount of time spent asleep and more to do with the quality of your slumber. It’s a deep sleep that gives your body and mind time to rest and repair, helping you to feel refreshed the next day, according to the American Psychological Association. And it can impact your energy, mood, memory, and overall health. I knew that I spent much of the night tossing and turning, so my doctor suggested a series of improvements: decreasing my caffeine consumption, managing stress through exercise and journaling, and creating a relaxing nighttime routine (sans devices)....

Reader question: My skin is really dry—what would you recommend as a cleanser and moisturizer? - Sue de Battista If years’ worth of dermatologist and esthetician visits (and being a beauty editor) have taught me one thing, it’s this: Dry skin is ridiculously complicated. While it’s certainly not the rocket variety, there is a science to keeping skin hydrated. That’s because having dry skin usually means a lot of different things: (A) redness, (B) flakiness, (C) dullness, or (D) all of the above....

That’s why a diverse collection of nectar-rich plants is key for rolling out the welcome mat for these busy little pollinators. Here’s what you need to know about selecting the best annuals, perennials, vines, and shrubs, plus a few other tips for attracting hummingbirds. Best Plants for Hummingbirds Look for varieties that have tubular, scentless, brightly colored (often red, orange, or blue) flowers to grow, so it’s easy for the birds to hover and sip nectar....

The Birkenstock Boston Genuine Shearling Lined Clogs feature a leather upper and a real shearling lining to add warmth to the shoes for chilly fall and winter days. Plus, the cork and latex footbed forms to the shape of your foot and has arch support to add comfort to the slip-on shoes—plus the synthetic sole keeps you steady as you walk.You can also ensure that your shoes fit perfectly by adjusting the buckle closure....

Even if you consistently vacuumed and mopped your floors all throughout winter, you might be surprised how much dirt and grime is still lingering in your space. And trust us, you’ll see the horrifying results after you lift up the Bissell steam mop’s cleaning pad. The Bissell floor cleaner uses 1,500 watts of power along with three steam settings to remove many types of messes, including pet accidents, dried juice spills, and dirty tile grout....

The brand claims the lotion is “clinically proven” to instantly repair tight, dry skin and keep it hydrated for up to 24 hours. The secret behind its deeply nourishing formula is an advanced ceramide complex that penetrates beyond the surface to strategically target the source of dryness and repair skin from within. It replenishes naturally present ceramide levels that may have been depleted due to aging or environmental causes, strengthening your skin cells to serve as a protective barrier that maintains moisture....

What You’ll Need If you’ve been scrolling through your TikTok feed lately, you may have come across the viral “Cilantro Hack” that helps you quickly and easily pick the leaves off of the stems using a cheese grater. Recently, TikTok user @jeenie.weenie posted her mind-blowing results of this viral food hack trend and you’ll definitely want to try it too. Spoiler alert: it actually works. And even better news, you can use this method with just about any other leafy herbs like dill, mint, and parsley too....

What puts this L’Oréal cream truly at the top of its class is its collagen formula that diminishes fine lines and revitalizes the skin after just a few uses, according to multiple reviewers. The hero ingredient is designed to give you a more youthful and plump appearance that makes the skin bounce back. It’s no wonder people call it a “miracle in a jar.” In fact, shoppers have shared that they started to see positive results in a matter of just days....

This clever storage container is the one kitchen essential you didn’t know you needed. The plastic container has a perforated basket inside that promotes airflow and prevents mold. Since the basket is slightly elevated from the bottom of the container, your fruit won’t smoosh to the bottom and harbor moisture like it does with the clamshell ones from the store. And because Oxo is known for its nifty dual-purpose designs, this basket also doubles as a colander for easy washing and minimal cleanup....

How Do You Increase Your Credit Limit? You’ll need to call your credit card company to start the (pretty simple) process and pose your request: Can you increase my credit limit? Here’s how to do it successfully. Prep the info they need They’ll need some numbers from you to make the decision, so make sure you have everything they need on hand. “They’ll likely want to know your current annual income, employment status, and potentially outstanding debts or payment obligations, like how much you pay for housing each month,” says Colleen McCreary, chief people officer at Credit Karma....

Caring for your skin is necessary for both your overall health and diminishing signs of aging, but with so many new products and wild beauty trends popping up everywhere, finding a simple skincare routine, let alone sticking to it, seems near impossible. Even if you’re committed to keeping your skincare routine simple, there are still a few rules to follow. We spoke to a few experts to figure out exactly what you need to do—at the very least—to take care of your skin....

In a survey by Thumbtack, an online home management platform where you can find local service providers, an overwhelming 90% of homeowners said they plan to complete at least one home improvement task over the next year. “According to our data, seasonal lighting installations are up 46% year over year already, and fireplace and chimney repairs and cleanings are up 186% over the past three months alone,” says David Steckel, home expert at Thumbtack....

Taking picture-perfect food photos is actually surprisingly simple. We tapped professional food photographer Andrew Scrivani—check out his insanely gorgeous Instagram here—for his go-to guidelines for photographing food. When setting up for a photograph, what are the key things for the average home cook/photo enthusiast to consider? First, make sure you have the necessary light available to make the image you want to make. Many kitchens are dark or lit with the wrong color temperature for food, so you need to consider that....

Nanaso Paper Soap Sheets are biodegradable sheets made with plant extracts that lather up for safe and effective hand-washing. If you’ve ever needed a quick cleaning session during activities like hiking, camping, and of course, traveling on a road trip or by plane, these are great to consider. The best part is that they’re so easy to use. Simply open the soap holder, grab a single paper sheet, place it in your hand, and run it under warm water....