Should You Cook Salmon Skin Side Up or Down? Here's What Chefs Recommend

We settle the big debate. Mizina/Getty Images Salmon has a bad reputation for being difficult to cook well. The short answer: Skin side downno matter how you’re cooking it. Photo:Mizina/Getty Images “That provides a crisped layer in contrast to the seared flesh side.” Other dry-heat methods you may want to use for salmon include grilling, baking, and broiling. “This would have the best side up and ready for presentation. Or go ahead and sear the salmon on both sides before you finish cooking it in the oven....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 135 words · Elizabeth Arroyo

Should You Drink Coffee Before Bed? The Answer Might Surprise You

A dietitians insight on coffee as a nighttime drink. For many,coffeeisntjust reserved for mornings, but also savored at night. Some people find that coffee settles their stomachthe bitter flavor signaling the end of the meal. JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images An evening coffee is a beloved tradition, but is it a healthy, sustainable habit? JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images What Are the Risks of Drinking Coffee at Night? For those prone tosleep issuesand/or anxiety, drinking coffee at night could pose problems....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 155 words · Amanda Rios

Should You Ever Buy Used Appliances? Here's What Industry Pros Say

There’s is quite a bit to consider. So, you might be considering buying used ones to save money. After all, many of us buyused furnitureand clothing. Photo:sl-f/Getty Images Heres what the experts think. Used appliances are generally much cheaper than new ones, making them a budget-friendly option, she explains. Environmental Friendliness Purchasing previously owned appliances is also better for the environment. This helps reduce waste and lowers the demand for new manufacturing, contributing to sustainability, Givili says....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 173 words · Maria Cain

Should You Get a Marble or Quartz Countertop? Here's What Designers Say

Consider these deciding factors before choosing your countertop material. Courtesy of James Pearse Connelly Renovating a kitchencan be a daunting task. There are so many decisions. Photo:Courtesy of James Pearse Connelly What kind of cabinets should you buy? Even minor things like hardware can feel like a major decision. But perhaps the biggest one is choosing a countertopand two common options are marble and quartz. So, how do you decide?...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 201 words · Lisa Wong

Should You Let People Wear Shoes In Your House? We Asked a Microbiologist

You mayclean your house like a pro, but keeping it clean when others visit can be challenging. Is it rude to ask? Here’s what you’re gonna wanna know about shoes in the house. What Contaminants Do Shoes Bring Into Your House? “Think about the cycle of transmission,” she says. “Do you have kids crawling around, or do you sit on the floor yourself?” If you’re like most people, you want to stay one step ahead during cold and flu season....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 438 words · Barry Burgess

Should You Loan Money to Family and Friends? Here's When It's OK to Say "No"

Then check outtheir advice on a variety of social quandariesincluding friends who don’t repay their loansbelow. Want their advice on how to deal with a sticky social situation? When Loved Ones Ask for Loans KRISTEN ASKS:My friend works very hard as a teacher. Photo:Getty Images Her husband has a couple of side jobs that dont bring in any real income to support their family. As a result, they owe me moneybut I see them going out to dinner and shopping....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 422 words · Gabriela Collins

Should You Paint Your Ceiling and Walls the Same Color?

Here are the pros and cons, according to interior designers. What paint color should I choose? The experts say there are many pros to painting the walls and ceiling the same hue. Photo: Getty Images If you want maximum drama in the space, a high-contrast finish on the ceiling can help. Stacey recommends a lacquer finish to make the ceiling really shine. Since shinier paint finishes show off texture and imperfections, it is best left to smooth plaster ceilings....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 409 words · Patrick Wood

Should You Put Rocks at the Bottom of a Planter? A Horticulturist Weighs In

Turns out, rocks in pots really dont rock. Should You Put Rocks at the Bottom of a Planter? This will help with drainage naturally. Photo:JulieAlexK/Getty Images you might also use two potsstack one with a hole inside of one without. If you just really love rocks (it’s possible!

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 48 words · Kristie Jackson

Should You Tip Your Tailor? Here's What Experts Say

Tipping your tailor is an unwritten fashion rule. Helin Loik-Tomson/Getty Images Having your clothing tailored is one of those services thats absolutely necessary, but often underrated. Broken zipper on your jeans? Photo:Helin Loik-Tomson/Getty Images Athrifted dressthat doesnt fit quite right? A treasured favorite badly in need of repair? Tailors come in clutch for all the above scenarios and so many more. This begs the question: How much should you tip your tailor, and is a tip even required?...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 196 words · Kelly Williams

Should You Use Almond Meal or Almond Flour? Here’s How These Ingredients Differ

Learn how to choose the right ingredient for your recipe. Both almond meal and almond flour are made from (you guessed it! )almonds, but theyre processed differently, which determines how they behave in recipes. Photo:Aniko Hobel/Getty Images Keep reading for an analysis of almond meal vs. almond flour. What Is Almond Meal? Almond meal is made from whole, skin-on almonds, which means that its speckled with brown almond skin. The almonds are then blitzed to form a rustic flour with a relatively coarse texture....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 174 words · Collin Howe

Should You Use Coffee Grounds for Plants? There Are Pros and Cons

Reusing coffee grounds on plants may help fertilize your garden, but only when applied indirectly. Key Takeaways Many creative ways are shared online for using spent coffee grounds tofertilize plants. However, DIY garden remedies and anecdotal recommendations are not always grounded in fact. Are Coffee Grounds Good for Houseplants? Studies have shown both positive and negative impacts of using coffee grounds on plants. The effects of using coffee grounds on plants also vary depending on their use....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 471 words · Robin Dixon

Should You Use the Hand Dryer or Paper Towels in a Public Restroom? Here’s What Microbiologists Say

The answer is not so straightforward. Are Hand Dryers or Paper Towels Better? We have tohandit to air dryersspecifically high-speed versions, like the Dyson Airblade and Excel Xlerator. Photo:spukkato / Getty Images Germ-wise, paper towels and dryers are basically tied. Overall, there was less contamination with paper towels, but we found that the difference wasnt significant. When you consider the environmental impact, however, high-speed dryers win. Heres the rub: Not all dryers work that fast....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 95 words · Adrienne Garner

Should You Wash Bed Sheets in Hot Water?

Or will hot temperatures ruin your bedding? Brizmaker/Getty Images Key Takeaways Your bedding can get pretty gross, pretty fast. to help keep them clean. Photo:Brizmaker/Getty Images But the answer to cleaner sheets isn’t necessarily running them on sanitize every time you wash them. (Spoiler alert: You likely don’t need to use the hot water wash every time!) What Temperature Should You Use for Washing Your Sheets? The short answer:Check the care label!...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 118 words · Cheryl Brown