The Worst—and Best—Time to Water Your Plants, According to Pros

To give your plants the best shot at surviving, check that to time your watering just right. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images Some of us, no matter what we do, cannot keep a plant alive. Even if it’s hardy and forgiving, it still ends up withering. Photo:Peter Dazeley/Getty Images One possibility: You may be watering it all wrong. Overwatering can lead to root rot, fungal infections, and yellow leaves. Underwatering can cause browning, stunted growth, and wilting....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 169 words · Marilyn Goodwin

The ‘Seasonal Swap’ Method Is the Best Way to Declutter Your Closet—and Simplify Your Mornings

Get ready for the most functional closet of your life. Or maybe its just that youfancy yourself a minimalist. What is the Seasonal Swap Method for Closets? Photo:Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images Aseasonal closetis a wardrobe setup that rotates your clothing based on the time of year. The idea is that you only keep in-season items accessible while off-season garments are tucked away in elsewhere. Pretty genius, right? Take Inventory Between Each Season Before swapping out clothes, evaluate each item....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 124 words · Suzanne Clark

The “Boundary Method" of Organizing Is Perfect for Anyone Overwhelmed by Clutter

It turns out, setting boundaries for your home can be a very good thing. Brizmaker/Getty Images If theres one word that sums up a common approach to decluttering, its tomorrow. What Is the Boundary Method? Photo:Brizmaker/Getty Images Your environment is directly connected to how you feel and how productive you are. It takes more time to actually live when you have to dig to find things. The so-called boundary is anything that is being used to contain the things within it....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 348 words · Mr. Isaac Miller MD

There Are Millions of Amazon Black Friday Deals, but These 15 Are the Best—Starting at $13

If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation. Including the Bissell Little Green machine, Apple AirPods, and Dyson cordless vacuums. With so many options to choose from, it can feel difficult knowing where to start. Photo:Real Simple / Madison Woiten And its compact design makes it a breeze to store in small spaces. Be sure to snag the vacuum while its more than $100 off. Oneshopper wrotethat the mask has a luxuriously thick texture that hydrates and soothes their lips....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 403 words · Cynthia Grant PhD

There's a Big Difference Between Sanitizing and Disinfecting—Here's When to Do Each

Let’s break it down. They’re even used interchangeably. But there is a big difference between sanitizing and disinfecting. Photo:Anna Blazhuk/Getty Images Sanitizing is a little gentler since disinfecting often involves strong chemicals. Disinfecting is for the big messes, particularly those involving bodily fluids, blood, and the like. In household prefs, you’ddisinfect a toiletor sinks; disinfection is also used regularly in medical contexts. Bathroom-specific cleaners with bleach are designed to disinfect when left on surfaces for the recommended period of time....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 94 words · Jennifer Mcclain

There's a Right Way to Store Your Cheese—Here's How

Keep your fromage fresh for as long as possible. This guide details how to properly wrap and store different varieties of cheese. Use a fresh piece of plastic wrap or wax paper to rewrap the cheese after each use. Cara Cormack Here are some other specifics based on punch in. Some types include Parmigiano-Reggiano and aged Gouda. A block of hard, aged cheese should last three to four weeks. Once opened, shredded hard cheeses can last up to a month in the fridge....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 194 words · Jeremy Green

There's No Such Thing as Hypoallergenic Skin Care—Here's What to Look for Instead

Does this marketing term hold any merit? Ekaterina Klishevnik/Getty Images The skin care community throws around a lot of buzzwords. Weve gotsluggingand sandwiching andskin cyclingall part of the greater beauty zeitgeist. Photo:Ekaterina Klishevnik/Getty Images What Is Hypoallergenic Skin Care? We often see it on product labels geared toward those withsensitive skin types. It could still contain irritating ingredients and theres still a chance it could trigger certain allergies. “Look for products with a short ingredient list....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 109 words · Keith Young

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May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 23 words · Linda Ford

These $4 Socks Keep My Feet Comfortable When I’m Standing for Hours in Heeled Boots

If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation. They have a thick, cushioned footbed that keeps me comfortable all day. Real Simple Heres my hot take: Socks are anunderrated gift. Photo:Real Simple The blend is also very similar to the more expensive pairs I own. And you know those socks that move around all the time in your shoe? The tab is also a favorite detail of many shoppers....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 167 words · Cynthia Ramos

These '90s Kitchen Design Trends Are Officially Back (and Better Than Ever)

We love the ’90s again! “The ’90s popularized the idea of thekitchen islandas a functional centerpiece,” Morris says. Even today, such a setup is quite popular. Photo:Photo by Anice Hoachlander / Design by Tracy Morris Say yes to rich,wooden cabinetry, which was everywhere in kitchens 30 years ago. She adds, “I love how people are embracing natural finishes again.” Up for a little something extra? Anice Hoachlander / Design by Tracy Morris...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 100 words · Alex Washington

These 'Hidden Gems' Cities Offer the Best Housing Deals (for Now), According to Opendoor

One region of the country in particular is a real estate treasure trove. From sunny suburbs to blossoming neighborhoods, these locations have captured home buyers attention across the country. According to the National Association of Realtors, over 4 million existing homes were purchased throughout 2024. Photo:Stewart Cohen/Getty Images ZIPs were ranked by total homes that went into contract within 90 days of listing in 2024. These neighborhoods are characterized by smaller populations, simple lifestyles, and availability of move-in-ready homes....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 88 words · Amanda Myers

These 'Shockingly Good' Sheets Are as Soft as Those From a 'Fancy Hotel'—and Start at Just $17

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation. Theyll keep you cool in warm weather, too. Thankfully, you dont have to shell out more than $30 on an upgrade. Photo:Real Simple / Wayfair Nows your chance to score a complete set in every bed size for up to 55 percent off. Several Wayfair customers agree the set is shockingly good considering the price. Wayfair Wayfair Wayfair Wayfair

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 69 words · Robin Becker

These 10 Actually Comfortable Bras Are on Sale at Amazon Today for Up to 54% Off

If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation. After trying literally dozens of bras, I somehow found this one. This is perfect,wrote one five-star 34DDD reviewerwho added that the wireless style actually holds. Photo:Real Simple / Marcus Millán Choose from up to 18 colors in sizes XS to 3XL. It fits perfectly as expected. Shop it in sizes 32A to 38D in up to eight neutral colors. Amazon...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 146 words · Jillian Velasquez