Home and Garden World

Cast iron is protected by seasoning—a hard, slick layer formed when oil is heated and bonds to the metal. Good cleaning is less about “never touch it” and more about removing food + drying thoroughly + restoring a whisper-thin oil film. That practical approach is consistent across the Lodge Cast Iron cleaning guide,Lodge’s...

Garlic is one of the easiest “plant it once, harvest it later” crops: you typically plant individual cloves in fall, let them overwinter, then harvest full bulbs in early to mid-summer. (University of Minnesota Extension) That long, cool growing season matters—garlic needs a cold period (vernalization) to trigger proper bulbing and...

Carpenter bees are large, mostly solitary bees that tunnel into wood to create nesting galleries. They don’t eat wood, but repeated tunneling (especially in the same boards year after year) can weaken trim, fascia, decks, pergolas, and outdoor furniture over time, as explained by University of Kentucky Entomology and University of...

Cockroaches aren’t just unpleasant—they can worsen asthma and allergies, and their droppings and body parts are common indoor triggers for people who are sensitive. (EPA)The most reliable way to eliminate them is Integrated Pest Management (IPM): inspect, remove what they need to survive, block where they hide and travel, then use...

French press coffee is a full-immersion brew: grounds steep directly in hot water, then a mesh filter separates the liquid from the grounds when you plunge. The method is widely known for producing a bold, full-bodied cup, because the coffee stays in contact with water for several minutes and paper filtration isn’t used. This is...

Regularly cleaning your washing machine helps remove detergent residue, mold, bacteria, and mineral buildup that can cause odors and reduce performance. With a few household supplies and about an hour, you can keep your washer running efficiently and your laundry smelling fresh. Why Cleaning Your Washing Machine Matters Over time,...