Aurelia Butler

From color schemes to wall ideas, here’s how to decorate with this versatile hue. More

ProClean Active Scent Boost Liquid Laundry Detergent

Persil
walmart.com

$11.97

Nobody enjoys cleaning the bathroom. Or taking out the garbage. But doing the laundry? It’s a ritualistic type of task that, for some of us, is so calming or gratifying that it’s almost a form of self-care. “The smell of freshly laundered clothes can be very comforting,” says Carolyn Forte, Director of the Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Not to mention how satisfying it is to successfully remove stains. Laundry is one of those chores with very clear rewards.”Wondering what, exactly, makes these humans tick—and if you are one of them? We asked Forte, along with experts at Persil (the Europe-based manufacturer of several top-rated laundry detergents, including Persil ProClean Stain Fighter Discs and Persil ProClean Odor Fighter Liquid Laundry Detergent), to give us the dirt on traits that laundry lovers share.They use detergent with a great (and long-lasting) scent.Smell is considered the most powerful of the senses, given its intense connection to emotion and memories. It’s no surprise, then, that a favorite fresh-scented detergent can be the reason you look forward to tossing in a load or two. Some formulas even offer a scent that lasts longer than those in standard detergents; Persil ProClean + Active Scent Boost, for example, has an aroma with green citrus notes that stays active for up to 100 days, according to the company. They’ve mastered all the laundry tricksKnow what the permanent press cycle is for? Laundry lovers do, and they actually run that slower spin cycle for their wrinkle-prone garments. The best way to tackle blood stains? Easy—flush with cold water (not warm!), then pre-treat with a top liquid detergent, like Persil ProClean Original, and let sit for five minutes before washing. Most “normal” people throw their laundry into the machine (maybe separating it into lights and darks), add any old detergent, hit start, and get on with their lives, but laundry enthusiasts pride themselves on their machine-washing wisdom.
This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

They pair washing and folding with a reward In the business world, rewards are regularly used to improve employee motivation and productivity. Turns out, what’s good for the boardroom works in the laundry room too. That might mean watching a guilty-pleasure Netflix series while you fold or timing your takeout delivery to arrive as you’re putting the last of the clothes away. Anything to tack on a little bonus for your efforts. Their laundry room is an organized oasisAnyone who has ever described laundry as a “peaceful” activity does not have a laundry room brimming with clutter. Instead, it’s a thoughtfully laid out place of order: easily portable baskets, cleared surface for folding, wall-mounted drying rack that’s tucked away when not in use, and maybe even a pullout shelf for quick access to detergent, dryer sheets, and stain removers.

Julie Soefer

They get the most out of their machinesIf you’re a true laundry buff, you know the value of a top-notch washer and dryer, and you’re diligent about maintenance. That means wiping the washer down after each use to get rid of mold-inducing moisture (an absolute must with front loaders!) and running the self-clean cycle at least once a month. You probably also clean the dryer lint screen every time and remove lint and other debris from the duct at least once a year, to keep the hot air flowing and reduce the risk of fire. They have set laundry timesWhether it’s Saturday morning or certain weeknights after dinner, laundry is built into the rhythm of the household. When you tackle this task as part of a regular routine, it becomes second nature (almost like brushing your teeth), instead of feeling like a chore that’s always sneaking up on you.

Getty

They eliminate blockersLaundry lovers know how to get rid of the things that can make washing, folding, and putting clothes away seem onerous. For example, skipping the supersize detergent boxes and bottles in favor of more manageable containers or even single-use pacs, like Persil ProClean Discs, or replacing a dresser with shallow drawers that make it difficult to squeeze anything in. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Refresh your garden with kale, garlic, tulips and more! More

Welcome, crafters! You’ve come to the right place. If you’re passionate about everything from learning new knitting patterns to experimenting with macramé, we’re here to teach you everything you need to know (and more) about your favorite fiber arts (did we mention they make great gifts?). Visit this page throughout the year to see what videos and patterns we’ll create next!How to join Stitch Club:Simply follow along with us! Watch our latest video to get the tutorial, and browse below for a description of this month’s project and supply list. To download the full patterns, join GH+, our exclusive membership club that also unlocks exclusive content, product testing opportunities, deals, a 12-month print subscription to Good Housekeeping and more. Then, follow the GH+ sign-up directions in your email (such as creating a MYLO account) and return to this page for full access!PROJECT OF THE MONTH: GRANNY SQUARES! First project and video coming soon! Check back shortly.Want more? See our collaborations with Yarnspirations.
Beginner Stitch Club Tutorials

Stitch Club Project Library

Crochet Basket Tutorial For Beginners

WATCH NOW

How to Make a Chunky Crochet Pillow Cover Part 1

WATCH NOW

How to Make a Chunky Crochet Pillow Cover Part 2

WATCH NOW

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Your kitchen is one of the most-used and most visible spots in your home, so even the smallest, quickest, and least expensive upgrades can have a big payoff.

BJ’s Wholesale Club

Need ideas for some spruce-ups to tackle? Here are four DIYs that are a cinch to pull off—plus, expert advice to help your bigger, pro-led projects run smoothly. (Hint: Enlist a major retailer that stands by its pros and its products, like BJ’s Wholesale Club.)

Undercounter Water Filtration System

Brondell
bjs.com

$89.99

Swap out your faucet.Updating this fixture to a striking, sculptural-looking one makes your kitchen feel instantly more high-end, and it’s a lot easier than you might think. First, shut off the valves under your sink to turn off the water, says Jeff Crippen, a BJ’s home improvement expert. Next, screw on the hot and cold water supply lines, and disconnect the faucet from the countertop. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the new faucet and connect it to the water lines, and then test it by turning on the water to make sure there’s no leaking. (Extra credit: Install a water filtration system too, and no need to ever buy bottled water again.) Give your backsplash a redo.“A new backsplash dramatically changes the look of a kitchen,” says Crippen, and self-adhesive metal makes this update a breeze. All you have to do is cut the metal tiles to the right size for your wall space, and then use the pre-applied adhesive to set them in place.

Electric LED Motion Sensor Lights

Feit

$129.99

Change up your lighting.It’s one of the simplest, and most often overlooked, updates, but lighting improvements can have a huge effect in a kitchen. (If you can hang a picture on a wall, you can do this.) Install LED lights under your cabinets to make it easier to prep and cook—all it takes is double-side tape or small screws!—or swap your regular bulbs with ambiance-adding vintage-style ones or smart bulbs you can control wirelessly from your phone. Refresh the hardware.Knobs and pulls are the type of thing you don’t really notice—until you’ve got beautifully sleek ones, and then they make the whole room. “It’s so simple and takes only a moment to unscrew a knob or pull, and install a new one,” says Crippen. Plus, it’s super cost-effective; many home stores carry a range of styles starting at about $12 each. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Courtesy of BJ’s Wholesale Club

And if you want a bigger update…Nail down a licensed contractor. If you’re spending the money on home improvement, “you want to ensure you’re using a reputable pro that’s properly licensed, background-checked, insured and bonded,” says Crippen. “When you book a project with BJ’s Wholesale Club, you get not only a contractor who will stand behind the work but a company that will too.” In fact, as part of its Member Pledge, BJ’s surveys every customer once their project is finished to check on the contractor’s performance, and if you’re not satisfied, they’ll address the issue. Pick projects with benefits.It’s a good idea to prioritize kitchen updates that will up your home’s resale value or offer some other type of return (like reducing your energy bills), according to Crippen. New windows, for example, “not only add beauty but can greatly impact the energy-efficiency of your home, lowering your bills, and can increase UV protection to keep your furniture from prematurely fading,” he says. New flooring is a good move too, especially if the type in the kitchen is currently different from the flooring in the rest of the house—unifying it can make your whole home feel larger. And while a full kitchen remodel “is typically not cost-effective since it generally won’t return its value,” Crippen adds, “refacing cabinets, changing the countertops, and updating appliances are all smart ways to transform the look of a kitchen.” Get an expert opinion on appliances.The most common mistake people make when updating their kitchen is choosing the wrong-size appliances, says Crippen. “It’s important to make sure the ones you pick will fit in the space your old appliances occupied.” An expert can make sure you measure accurately, and that you’re aware of any other improvements you’ll need to make. “For example, if your new stove has a built-in indoor grill, you’ll likely need to put in a vent hood.” What’s more, if you order your appliances from BJ’s Wholesale Club, you can save money too: Members get up to 20 percent off major appliances from Whirlpool, with free delivery and installation included.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

Just a few days after making headlines for supporting Olympic gold gymnast Simone Biles, Drew Barrymore is back in the news with an exciting launch: FLOWER Home Paint. The new line, which is available exclusively at Walmart.com, includes 27 indoor paint colors, ranging from Bold Blue and Bubblegum Pink to subdued neutrals like Ivory Linen and Sweet Creme.

Bold Blue Interior Paint

Drew Barrymore Flower Home
walmart.com

$39.00

The chic paint hues retail for $39 per gallon and feature cans made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. The special, low-odor paint formula also includes a primer, helping to reduce the number of coats needed to finish a room. Each shade in the line reflects Drew’s passion for crafting stylish interiors. “Color is everything! The right shade of paint can take a wall from blah to bold or a room from feeling like an afterthought to completely amazing,” says Drew.If you’re stumped on where to begin with painting and selecting the best color for a room, Drew has a few tried-and-true pointers:

Drew Barrymore’s FLOWER Home Paint collection, exclusively for Walmart.com, includes 27 colors.
Courtesy

Have fun. “From the softest neutrals to the boldest brights, all the colors in the FLOWER Home Paint collection are designed to work beautifully inside your home, so experiment with whatever inspires you.”Go with your mood.”There’s no such thing as a perfect color — it’s whatever color is perfect for you. Choose what makes you happy, and you’ll always love your space.”Always mix and match. “Play with paint and paper … It’s so much fun to mix and match colors and patterns to bring a room to life.”Shop the full paint collection here.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

These make your home smell good all the time. More