How to clean grout
Cleaning grout on a tile floor — or backsplash or wall — isn’t something most of us look forward to. But it’s a task that can transform a space! Why …
Journey to a Non-Toxic Home by Sarah UmmYusuf
There are days when I feel committed to banishing all toxins and unsustainable materials from our home. I’m sold on the merits. But then I need to pick that bug …
How to clean your hairbrushes and combs
I enjoy cleaning my hairbrushes and combs. It’s quick and easy, it makes your brushes and combs look like new, it’s good for your hair, and it gives you the …
Chocolate — How to store chocolate and a dozen ideas for using up leftover chocolate candy
What’s your favorite way to eat chocolate? Are you one of those who can’t get too much chocolate and fantasizes about a Death by Chocolate Cake, or do you prefer …
Quality clothing — How to tell if clothes are well made
We need new skills as we strive to throwaway less, simplify our lives, and be mindful about how we’re impacting the environment. These skills include things like mending and repairing, …
Buying used furniture — How to decide if you should purchase a piece of used furniture
My favorite pieces of furniture over the years have been those I “discovered” used, with plenty of miles on them before my adoption. A comfy, down-filled chair. An antique cabinet …
Polka dot plant care
The first time I met a polka dot plant, I wondered if it was real. I thought it looked like something a child might draw if you asked her to …
Peanut butter — How to choose and store peanut (and other nut) butters
How do you like your peanut butter — spread on bread, baked into cookies, or ahem, straight from the jar by the spoonful? Salted or unsalted? With or without a …
Wicker — How to clean and care for wicker items
Have any wicker in your home? Baskets, tables, indoor furniture or out? Maybe yours is a brand-new purchase, or maybe it’s been around since the seventies — wicker is long-lasting …
Taking care of your mask: How — and how often — to clean your mask
Until 2020 I had never given a thought to taking care of face masks. But, at a reader’s suggestion, they’re the first topic of my 2021 blog posts! Many of …