Home Ideas

From the dining room to the bedroom, small home upgrades can make a tremendous difference to those living with a disability. One in seven adults has a mobility impairment — and two in five adults over the age of 65, according to the CDC. Pottery Barn is reimagining its best-selling home collections to be more accessible to those with mobility challenges. On Friday, the home brand launched its new Accessible Home Collection, which features thoughtfully designed furniture for those living with disabilities or injuries, as well as the aging-in-place community. Often times, compliant home products like grab bars, adjustable beds or wheelchair-accessible desks stand out in otherwise well-designed interiors. With this launch, Pottery Barn seeks to offer comfortable and safe design that doesn’t compromise great style or limit the choice of colors, sizes or styles.

Comfortable and classic, the Irving Power Lift Recliner features multiple reclining positions and lifts to assist with sitting and standing. 
Pottery Barn

With 30 luxe leathers, there’s a style for every interior.
Pottery Barn

The 150-piece collection includes modern bathroom vanities with compliant counter heights, open-style desks with accessible shelving, wheelchair-accessible dining tables and pivot mirrors in seven sleek finishes. There’s also a swivel nightstand, smart adjustable beds and accessories like desk lamps, sconces and hooks that fit contract-grade specifications.

With a driftwood-inspired finish and refined marble countertop, the Sausalito Vanity has been reinvented for easy wheelchair access.
Pottery Barn

Now wheelchair accessible, the Pacific Desk features a sleek open shelving style that keeps essentials within reach.
Pottery Barn

In order to develop products that meet the specific requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the retailer consulted with industry experts including Lisa Cini, founder and CEO of Mosaic Design Studio and leading authority on design for senior living environments.The team also tapped into its internal employee network, Disability Education and Advocacy Network (DEAN), which is led by people with disabilities who are experts in the fields of inclusive disability education and advocacy.

Sleek grab bars blend seamlessly with pre-existing bathroom hardware.
Pottery Barn

Making mealtime easy for all, the Rae Dining Table features a decorative metal base and a marble top.
Pottery Barn

“For the collection, [DEAN] served as a key resource in making sure the products we were developing made sense and would work for them,” says Pottery Barn President Marta Benson. “They even provided us with other product ideas that we plan to bring to life in future collections.”According to Pottery Barn, the brand plans to continue expanding its accessible line in the future. “We strongly believe that accessible design is good design,” Benson tells Good Housekeeping. “It’s something that will continue to influence our design team each season moving forward.”You can shop Pottery Barn’s full accessible collection, including bathroom and bedroom products, at PotteryBarn.com.

Shop Pottery Barn’s Accessible Home Collection

Wells Power Lift Recliner

potterybarn.com

$2,499.00

Kensington Pivot Mirror

potterybarn.com

$349.00

Dillon L-Shaped Desk

potterybarn.com

$1,698.00

Linden Grab Bar

potterybarn.com

$89.00 More

When it comes to transforming a room, the power of a well-made rug is unmatched. And while you may yearn to stay on-trend when it comes to choosing a rug of your own — especially for the living room — you may find the options to be pricey, or at-times, an unfit match for the area. “Rugs make a living room space feel cozy and comfortable,” says Jasmine Roth, a designer and host on HGTV’s Help I Wrecked My House. “They anchor a room and give it definition, especially in an open concept floor plan.” That’s why choosing the right rug size is so important for the overall aesthetic and feel of a room. To help you choose the perfect rug size for your living room, we’re sharing Roth’s best tips and tricks, along with some ideas you can incorporate into your home.Common Mistakes When Picking a Living Room Rug

August Oliver

“My own living area might be the coziest spot in my house,” Roth says. “It serves as not only a place to play with our two-year-old daughter but also where we can relax after a long day and kick up our feet.” When it comes to choosing rugs, here are some mistakes Roth tries to avoid: Picking a rug that is too small. “I see this all the time — the rug is great, but it’s too small and thus makes the room feel disjointed,” Roth says. She recommends scrapping the rug altogether versus choosing a rug that’s too small.The rug is the same color as the couch…and the chairs, and the walls, and the throw blankets. “Yes, there is such thing as too many neutral colors, and often it’s the boring and blah rug that takes a neutral color palette too far,” Roth explains. The rug is the same texture as the furniture. “A rug is an opportunity to add a different texture, and if it’s too similar to the texture of the rest of the furniture, it’s just going to make the room feel boring,” Roth says. The rug pattern is too bold and busy. “While you don’t want everything to be the exact same tone or color, you also don’t want a rug that’s just too much,” Roth says. “I recommend using a rug with muted tones and bold throw pillows or doing the opposite and using a bold rug and neutral throw pillows.” Decorating your living room with a strong- patterned rug and loud throw pillows might end up feeling overwhelming.Tips for Choosing the Perfect RugWhen pinpointing a rug for the living room, there are a few things to consider. “Probably the most important thing is the room as a whole, from the floor where the rug will be all the way to the ceiling,” Roth says. “I love pairing a rug with a beautiful ceiling light fixture to tie the entire design together and draw the eye all the way from the base of the room to the top.” Here are the three rules she follows: The rug should be large enough that the entire front of the couch is on it.With few exceptions, the rug should be big enough that at least two legs of all other furniture in the room are on the rug.If all the furniture in the room is entirely on the rug, the rug is probably too big.How to Layer Rugs

Tim Lenz

“Layering rugs is one of my favorite designer secrets,” Roth says. “I love adding color or changing out my rugs seasonally, but I can’t spend the money to switch all of my rugs every time I get a wild hair.” That’s why she finds layering rugs to be the perfect solution. Roth purchased a large natural fiber rug (this is her favorite from Amazon) and then layered a smaller, more expensive rug on top. “The smaller rug should be about 1 ft smaller on each side to make the layered rug look work,” she explains. Color coordination: When it comes to color, you want your rugs to be tonal or complementary. Find different shades of the same color and layer them based on your preferred look.Choose the right size: Layering rugs always looks better when you use different sizes. Find one large one then add smaller ones on top to serve as accents. Experiment with angles: Try out different ways to style your rugs. If you’re layering with different shapes, have the first one laid down straight, then move the smaller ones around until you find a position that works best.Living Room Rug Ideas “Living in Southern California, many of the rugs that are trendy in the spring and summer seasons are actually popular year-round for us, which has made me an expert in these types of rugs,” Roth says. “I have primarily natural textured rugs in my house and the occasional vintage or bold, colorful rug.”Natural fiber rugs are one of Roth’s favorites (think sisal and jute). They’re ideal options for the warmer months because they don’t show dirt or stains. And while she loves the colors of spring and summer rugs, Roth suggests using a larger neutral-colored carpet as a base and small colorful addition on top. “There are also outdoor rugs that I love to recommend be used indoors because they are so easy to clean with soap and water,” Roth says. Chevron Rug

Rachel Whiting

Eye-catching chevron rugs can become the statement piece of the living room. This means letting the rug become your daring feature, while the rest of the area complements its pattern.

SHOP CHEVRON RUGS

Chevron Machine Woven Area Rug

Wade Logan
wayfair.com

$259.99

Chindi Chevron Rug

rugs.com

$112.00

Indoor / Outdoor Blue Area Rug

allmodern.com

$139.00

Colorful Chevron Area Rug

Zipcode Design
wayfair.com

$234.99

Striped Rug

One Kings Lane

Stripes are a classic for a reason. It works for a range of design styles, whether you’re going for a modern, farmhouse or even traditional feel.

Shop Striped Rugs

Striped Machine Woven Rug

Hashtag Home
wayfair.com

$113.99

Cream Striped Area Rug

Latitude Run
wayfair.com

$163.99

Blue Indoor/ Outdoor Rug

Safavieh
amazon.com

$50.80

Green Indoor / Outdoor Rug

Sand & Stable
wayfair.com

$28.99

Abstract

Jessica Delaney

Try this pattern when you’re feeling bold. Because they come in an array of colors and unique forms, they’re fun to use and can easily give a living room personality.

Shop Abstract Rugs

Modern Abstract Area Rug

Safavieh
amazon.com

$112.04

Multi-colored Abstract Rug

Wrought Studio
wayfair.com

$20.99

Navy and White Abstract Rug

Orren Ellis
wayfair.com

$133.25

Contemporary Textured Wave Shag Rug

overstock.com

$172.12

Geometric

August Oliver

Everyone is drawn to different shapes. That’s what makes geometric rugs so appealing. They can feature an unlimited number of curves and lines (even squiggles). Don’t forget trying out stars, hexagons and circles.
Shop Geometric Rugs

Handmade Tufted Wool Rug

AllModern
wayfair.com

$39.99

Green Handmade Tufted Wool Rug

Mercury Row
wayfair.com

$569.99

Ivory Geometric Area Rug

Mercer41
wayfair.com

$399.99

Shag Area Rug

Mercury Row
wayfair.com

$78.99

So when working on upgrading your common area, don’t underestimate the beauty that comes with the right rug. And for budget-friendly tips, check out this roundup of elegant living room design schemes that’ll inspire your dream space.

Mariah Thomas
Assistant Editor
Mariah Thomas is an Assistant Editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers home decorating ideas, gift guides and DIY projects.

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As an actress, model and author, you may know Garcelle Beauvais for her iconic role as Francesca on the 1996 sitcom, The Jamie Fox Show. You’ve likely even seen her co-hosting on The Real or as the main character on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. As Beauvais continues to dive into different parts of the industry, she’s officially entered the world of home decor with her first-ever home collection for HSN, Garcelle at Home. Featuring vibrant designs, bold textures and tropical prints, the collection is in partnership with HSN’s Design Development and Global Sourcing (DDGS) team and is exclusively available on More

Ekaterina Budinovskaya/ Getty Images

If you’re looking to create a more relaxing place to sleep, try designing your bedroom around feng shui principles. Feng shui is an ancient Chinese concept that showcases how the objects in your space can positively or negatively impact the flow of positive energy, known as qi or chi, and how certain factors and placements affect your well-being.According to feng shui experts Reiko Gomez of Reiko Design and and Anjie Cho of Anjie Cho Architect, the bed is an important place in your home. “The bedroom represents intimacy, romance, privacy, rest and well-being,” Gomez says. “Bed placement can have a large impact on your quality of sleep, as well as your overall health.” That’s why starting off with proper feng shui bed placement is a great way to introduce yourself to this practice — and we’re sharing exactly how you can incorporate it into your bedroom design.Tips for Proper Feng Shui Bed PlacementBased on feng shui, the bed is where you mostly spend your time in a passive energetic state. It’s a place for your body to rest and regenerate. “Metaphorically speaking, the bed represents you,” Cho says. “It’s a part of your home that can support you and literally holds you up to rest.” To continue feeling that sense of security and well-being, proper placement is essential. While some may feel the effects immediately, it might come later for others. And according to Cho, it’s sometimes based on if you’re ready to take command of your life. Here are a few tips our experts shared.The commanding position: Move your bed in a position where you can see the door while laying in bed (so that you’re “in command” of the room). You don’t want to be directly in line with the door, but more diagonal or in a kitty corner from the door. “You want to be able to see opportunities coming to you,” Cho says. ” You want to move through life with your eyes open rather than your eyes shut and then physiologically when you’re sleeping.”Keep under the bed clear. Clutter under the bed prevents qi from flowing around you as you rest. If you absolutely have to keep something underneath, Cho says pillows, blankets or other sleep-related items are ideal. Letters from an ex, divorce papers or anything that’s emotionally charged will only make you susceptible to negative energy. Declutter the space: Clearing clutter from a room can be beneficial to your mental health. Think calm thoughts, happier emotions and the feeling of more control over your area and life. When it comes to feng shui, you don’t want anything that will lead to stuck energy in your surroundings. Add blackout window coverings: “Too much light can impact deep sleep,” Gomez says. When it comes to the bedroom, warm-colored lighting combined with dim lights may enhance the feel of the space. Ensure good air flow: This will support sound sleep. You can do this by keeping the front door clean or displaying your favorite piece of artwork or furniture by the entrance.Use a feng shui crystal ball: This feng shui tool is great to use if you’re unable to place your bed in the commanding position. Hang one from the ceiling on a red string halfway between the door and the bed. “Because it’s faceted energetically, it takes any kind of chi or energy that’s coming in through the front door and disperses it,” Cho says. She recommends purchasing one that’s at least 40 millimeters in diameter. Aim for symmetry: For a classic and balanced layout, center your bed on the wall with bedside tables and lamps on both sides. “It represents a stable, harmonious relationship — either an existing relationship, or one that will come in the near future,” Gomez says.Consider a canopy bed: “Canopy beds have been around forever and they create a cocoon-like sleeping alcove which feels deeply restful,” Gomez explains. The fabric draped between the beams and the bed protects you as you sleep.”Feng Shui Tip: Gomez recommends having a feng shui expert tell you the best direction to sleep based on your birthday. “I’ve helped many clients improve their sleep by determining their best sleep directions, and then rearranging the bedroom so they are sleeping in one of those directions.”

Feng Shui Bed Essentials

Twin Celita Canopy Bed

Mercer41
wayfair.com

$339.99

Sage Green Bed Canopy Curtains

Warm Home Designs
amazon.com

$25.99

$18.49 (29% off)

White Headboard

George Oliver
wayfair.com

$205.69

Feng Shui Crystal Balls

Amlong Crystal
amazon.com

$16.99

Common Mistakes With Feng Shui Bed Placement

Jean Allsopp

When you’re first starting out, you may find yourself falling into many of the mistakes people make when designing a feng shui-inspired bedroom. While feng shui designs can help to decrease your stress, this doesn’t mean that the factors you find relaxing match up with its principles. Here are a few misconceptions: Sleeping directly under a window: “Some people think this is good for air circulation; however, it can lead to a feeling of vulnerability,” Gomez says. “It is best to have a solid wall behind you where you sleep.”Sleeping under beams: “Beams break the flow of qi energy and can disrupt sleep, or even lead to health issues,” Gomez says. To overcome this issue, Cho recommends putting a piece of fabric over the beam to stop the feeling of pressure. Hanging a mirror directly across from the bed: Mirrors are seen as energy bouncers, where your chi becomes unbalanced, causing restlessness and worry as you rest. The headboard should be off the bed: “You want the head of your bed against the wall because you want that support,” Cho says. “A headboard can represent the connection between partners and ideally you want to have a headboard that’s solid without perforations.” Looking for more ways to incorporate feng shui principles into your home? Check out our guides to the best feng shui living room tips and the best feng shui plants.

Mariah Thomas
Assistant Editor
Mariah Thomas is an Assistant Editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers home decorating ideas, gift guides and DIY projects.

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If you’re new to the world of plants and caring for them, the idea of repotting may make you anxious — especially when it comes to keeping your indoor shrubs alive during the transfer. Although there are an array of houseplants you can buy that are almost impossible to kill, including air plants, yuca plants, spider plants and aloe, there might come a time when a new planter or pot is needed. That’s why we’re sharing an easy step-by-step guide on how to repot plants. Some plants outgrow their planters as time passes. Typically, you should be repotting your plant babies every 12 to 18 months. But if your greenery is a slow-growing plant, like a cactus, every two to four years may suffice. So follow along as we show you the best tips and tricks to keeping your vegetation safe during and after the process, and check out some of these cat-friendly and air purifying options. What You’ll Need to Repot Your Plants It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to repot your plant. However, if you find that the roots overflow and need space, a bigger planter might be necessary. Here’s what you should have on hand to get started. Your current plant (or new plant if you want to change your room’s look)Your planter: If you’re using an older one, make sure to clean it out before starting the repotting process.Fresh potting mix: Fresh soil that’s packed with nutrients is essential to keeping your houseplant thriving. Lava rocks: If your planter doesn’t have drainage holes, purchase lava rocks to help.Gloves: These will not only keep your hands clean, but will help with any irritating plants such as Ficus elastica.A watering can: If you don’t want to use your sink faucet, consider a watering can or water bottle. A potting tarp to keep your space clean. Newspaper will also suffice.
Shop Repotting Plant Essentials

Grant Planter

plants
thesill.com

$42.00

Watering Can

WhaleLife
amazon.com

$15.99

$13.59 (15% off)

Potting Tarp

plants
thesill.com

$36.00

Gloves

HANDLANDY
amazon.com

$18.30

Cavan Images/ Getty Images

How to Pinpoint When Your Plant Needs to Be Repotted It’s important to know the type of plant you have and to how to care for it. Knowing this will give you an idea of how often it should be repotted. Here are some general signs that might relate to your succulent, herb or shrub. Accumulation of nutrients: If you notice any residue on the soil’s surface, there may be a buildup of minerals and nutrients. This prevents water from penetrating the roots. Overgrowth of roots: Take notice if the roots are growing through the drainage holes of your planter. Also check to see if the roots are pushing the plant out of the pot.The plant is too big: This is one of the easier signs to catch. If the foliage becomes too thick to the point where your planter is hidden, it’s time to make a change. This also applies if the plant is about to tip over. Compacted soil: Soil compaction occurs when the soil particles are pressed together. This prevents water from getting to the roots (and you’ll notice how the liquid just sits on top instead of soaking in.)
Shop Indoor Plants

Aloe Vera Succulent

CTS Air Plants
amazon.com

$11.95

$9.95 (17% off)

Fiddle Leaf Fig

plants
thesill.com

$42.00

Golden Pothos

What’s Included
urbanstems.com

$13.00

Ocean Spider Plant

California Tropicals
amazon.com

$22.99

Bogdan Kurylo/Getty Images

Here’s How to Repot Your Plants Remove the plant from its old planter: You have to be gentle during this process. Hold the plant by its leaves or stems and turn it sideways. Tap the bottom of your vessel until the plant slides out. If your greenery is struggling to slide out, gently tug on the base of the stems. Loosen the plant’s roots: If any of the roots are long, feel free to prune them, while making sure to leave the thicker ones at the base. Check to see if the roots are growing in circles around the plant’s base before carefully unbinding them for a trim. Get rid of old potting mix: As your plant baby grows, it removes the nutrients in its soil. Remove one-third or more of your old potting mix to have space for a fresh layer. Add new potting mix: Pour your new potting soil into the planter and pat it down to remove any air pockets. Adding lava rocks to the bottom will help drain the water if your pot doesn’t have drainage holes. Add your plant: Now it’s time to place your new or old plant into your pot! Make sure your plant is centered before setting it on top of the new layer of potting mix. Secure your botany with more potting mix around it.Tip: Don’t add too much soil to your pot, as your roots won’t have space to breathe.
Shop Planters

Set of 2 Stoneware Planter Pots

D’vine Dev
amazon.com

$39.99

$28.99 (28% off)

Hobnail Patterned Planter

POTEY
amazon.com

$25.99

Blue and White Planter

POTEY
amazon.com

$28.99

Faces Ceramic Planter

Gohearin
amazon.com

$36.99

Terrazzo Archie Planter

Planters
thesill.com

$42.00

Small Ceramic Color Block Planter

AC Decor
amazon.com

$15.99

Ecopots Round Pot

Bloomscape
bloomscape.com

$25.00

Ceramic Planter Pot

D’vine Dev
amazon.com

$23.99

Mariah Thomas
Assistant Editor
Mariah Thomas is an Assistant Editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers home decorating ideas, gift guides and DIY projects.

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

Okay, here’s the dirty truth: Laundry day can be intimidating. Whether you’re a parent who feels like the wash-dry-fold cycle never ends or an on-the-go millennial who’s trying their best at adulting, dealing with dirty clothes can be a real drag.And while we can’t call upon a laundry fairy to handle all those overstuffed hampers (short of pointing you toward the local full-service laundromat), we can help make the process more enjoyable no matter what stage of life you’re in. Behold, a list of dependable tips and tricks for making this particular chore a little less daunting.If you’re an overwhelmed parent…Employ a bag to keep track of socks. You know those teeny, tiny, pretty-much-made-to-be-lost baby socks? Keep ‘em contained—along with the rest of your family’s footwear—in those mesh bags designed for delicates. Stash one in each person’s basket and never again wonder: Where do all the socks go?Use this secret weapon for life’s messiest moments.

Beecher LaFrance

One of the many Persil ProClean products that have earned the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal is Persil ProClean Original Scent Liquid Laundry Detergent. Meant for everyday use in all types of washing machines, it not only brightens, whitens, and lifts daily grime from your duds, it’s formulated to handle even the toughest of dirt, grass, and what-the-heck-is-that stains.If you’re always on-the-go… Deal with delicates using this handy kitchen gadget.

Beecher LaFrance

Salad spinners—they’re not just for produce. They can also be clutch when it comes to cleaning bras and other hand wash-only items. (Yes, we’d recommend getting a separate one for this purpose.) Simply soak your pieces in the bowl with a few inches of water and a touch of detergent for five minutes, spin, then rinse the garments under running water. Once the dirty water is dumped out, repeat the spin cycle to wring out excess water for a quicker air dry.If you’re living with someone for the first time…Keep track of do-not-dry items.Just because you’ve decided you and your partner have committed to cohabitation doesn’t mean you’ve mastered each other’s wardrobe preferences. Stash sticky notes on your washing machine to cement which pieces shouldn’t go in the dryer. This way, you’ll never have to explain why you accidentally shrunk their formerly favorite sweater.Make the process foolproof.

Beecher LaFrance

Consider Persil ProClean Original Scent Laundry Discs the ultimate softball for laundry newbies. Pre-measured with a quartet formula focused on stain removal, sealing in freshness, fiber care, and deep cleaning, it works with whites or colors and in all water temps. Simply toss in, add clothes, and let it get to work.If you’re striving to overcome your naturally messy tendencies… Deal with detergent drips.Listen, it can feel pretty much impossible to pour detergent into the washer without it dripping down the cap. Keep it clean by tossing the top of the detergent in with your clothes. Just be sure to fish it out before the load hits the dryer.Use this smooth move to deal with wrinkles.

Beecher LaFrance

No iron? Not a problem. Even if you left your freshly laundered clothes in the dryer (again), you’re just a few painless minutes away from wrinkle-free attire. Toss damp/wet towel in with your rumpled pieces and let the machine run for roughly 10 minutes. As the wet item dries, it creates a steamy situation that will zap out any creases.If you’re a perfectionist who’d never mix whites with colors…Avoid creases with an unexpected toy.Drying racks and hangers are great for sweaters and other items that can’t take the heat of the dryer, but the creases they can leave behind are so not smooth. Sidestep that particular wrinkle by slicing open a pool noodle and sliding it onto the rack or hanger for padded protection.Try this tool to have your shirts looking retail perfect.

Beecher LaFrance

Why, yes, your dresser can look like the inside of your go-to clothing store. For less than the cost of a few morning coffees, you can score a handy shirt-folding board. Not only will it make the most time-consuming part of the laundry process a cinch, but it will completely streamline your shelves.

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It’s never too early to plan ahead when it comes to your garden. And as fall approaches, you may find yourself wondering what blooms will enhance your collection. While there are an array of eye-catching florals for the autumn season, including balloon flowers, dahlias, sunflowers and cosmos, you can’t overlook the beauty that comes with chrysanthemums. These fall-blooming beauties come in multiple colors — from red, white and orange to yellow, pink and burgundy — so you’re sure to find a shade that matches your personal style. Whether you’re interested in a casual environment or more extravagent look, we’re sharing how to grow mums (and how to care for them).And if you’re looking for more green thumb tips, check out our guides on how to grow basil, aloe vera, spider plants, pumpkin plants and other healthy succulents. This content is imported from poll. 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.Chrysanthemums 101:ananaline//Getty ImagesIn late summer when other plants call it quits, mums hit their stride. Like poinsettias, they’re photoperiodic, meaning they rely on specific amounts of light to send the signal that it’s time to start putting on a show.On average, garden mums will not start to set buds until the nights last about 10 hours long. Blooms follow in six to 10 weeks. Cool temperatures don’t bother mums, either. In fact, chilly weather intensifies colors and keeps blossoms looking fresh until a hard, killing frost drops the curtain on the gardening year. If you choose early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties, you will enjoy a full seven weeks of bloom — a brilliant last act for any landscape.When selecting varieties, there’s wide range of types to pick from: decorative, daisy and low-growing cushion mums, as well as early-blooming anemones, quills and spiders. The new European-style Prophets Series — from Greenhouse Grower, an Ohio-based wholesale breeder and nursery — boasts more than 100 blossoms per plant. These sturdy-stemmed, ball-shaped beauties were inspired by varieties beloved in Belgium, where All Saints’ Day is celebrated each November first with lavish mum displays. When to plant mums:Kirkikis//Getty ImagesThough technically perennials, mums are often grown as annuals. If you live where winter can be frigid (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 6), go with early-blooming varieties — they’re more likely to come back in subsequent years. Those of you who live south of Zone 6 can push the envelope, opting for varieties that need more time to reach their full potential. When winter looms, apply a mulch of crisscrossed evergreen boughs to help plants make it through the cold weather ahead.Several years ago, horticulturists at the University of Minnesota developed a new chrysanthemum hybrid described by perennial breeder Neil Anderson, Ph.D., as a “hardy shrub mum.” Dubbed the My Favorite Series, the robust plants were touted as reliably perennial as far north as zone 3b. They have been hard to find the past couple of years but returned to the market this year under a new name, the Mammoth Series. True to their new designation, these oversize mums can measure 2 to 3 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet across by their third season, with a massive canopy of flowers — up to 5,000 per plant. Monarch butterflies adore these shrubby wonders.Finally, to further increase the odds that your chrysanthemums will survive winter, consider planting them in spring as opposed to late summer, to give root systems ample time to become established.How to grow and care for mums: Zen Rial//Getty ImagesSoil: While mums thrive in just about any soil type, they do benefit from generous helpings of homemade compost. Dig in a spadeful at planting time and top-dress with more. Soil must be well drained or the plants will rot.Sunshine: Mums planted in full sun bloom more profusely than those in partial shade. An optimal site receives six to eight hours of direct light.Water: Shallow-rooted mums dry out quickly. Be sure to water consistently, especially during dry spells and in fall, when plants are storing up energy for winter survival.Pinching Back: If you don’t like the leggy look (who does?), remove the tips of stems early in the season to encourage branching. Repeat the process every two weeks until mid-July. Mums purchased as annuals in late summer do not require this treatment. Taking cuttings from mums:MonochromProfi//Getty ImagesCreating new plants from your favorite mums is easy, says Galen Goss, executive director of the National Chrysanthemum Society. Simply snip off a 4-inch stem with leaves on it and put it in a pot filled with a soilless medium, such as vermiculite. Keep it moist and outdoors in a bright spot. After a couple of weeks, repot the cutting (which has sprouted roots) to a small container filled with potting soil. Fertilize once a week. Two to three weeks later, transplant it to the garden and keep fertilizing. You’ll enjoy flowers that very autumn! Types of mums:For stopping traffic: The spider mum Senkyo Kenshin stands 3½ feet tall. You’ll find that it blooms about 27 reddish-bronze blossoms per plant.For brilliant color: Jessica has joyful, bright yellow blossoms. This midseason decorative mum is from the Prophets Series.For double duty: An old favorite, French Vanilla has 3½ inch white flowers. Grow in a mixed border or cutting garden.For cold climates: Minnautumn is an extremely cold-hardy mum. It’s only 15 inches tall with vivid orange-red flowers.For the vase: Carousel is a purple quill mum that can measure up to 4 inches across. Other mum gardening tips: Use shorter cushion mums to carpet a slope. Foot-tall mounds of lush foliage make an attractive ground cover until late summer, when colorful flower heads steal the show.Start a nursery bed where you can grow your own mums from cuttings. In late summer, transfer the ready-to-bloom plants into the garden to take the place of tired-looking annuals.When a killing frost is predicted, pot up your mums and bring them indoors to adorn the Thanksgiving table.Plant taller varieties for use as cut flowers. After cutting, split the stem ends so they can take up water more efficiently.This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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. More

If it’s been a while since you last ran your oven’s self-cleaning cycle, take a peek inside. You’ll likely see burnt-on sauce or greasy drips hanging out in the bottom from recipes long forgotten. Not only is oven grime a fire hazard, it also influences how your food cooks and tastes. To prevent buildup, Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, recommends deep cleaning your oven two to three times a year. But if you really want to stay on top of things, wipe it down once a month or when you notice it’s starting to look dirty.For a full deep clean, follow these steps to make your oven look — and cook — as good as new. Looking to deep clean more of your kitchen appliances next? Check out our guides to how to clean stainless steel and how to clean your dishwasher.What You’ll Need: Step-by-Step Instructions for Cleaning Your Oven1. Remove the wire racks Remove the racks from inside the oven before cleaning the interior, especially if you have a self-cleaning oven. The self-clean cycle works by setting the temperature inside the oven incredibly high (some ovens go as high as 900° F!) to burn off any leftover food and grease. While your oven’s racks are meant to withstand high cooking temps, these elevated temperatures are too much for the racks and can cause irreparable damage to them.2. Remove any loose food bits from inside your ovenAfter you’ve removed the wire racks, use a wet rag or sponge to remove any loose bits of food and grease that are in the oven. 3. Run the self-cleaning cycle or apply the oven cleaner if your oven doesn’t have a self-clean cycleIf you’re using an oven’s self-cleaning cycle, great news: You don’t have to do anything during this step. Just make sure to open several nearby windows in your home and run your kitchen exhaust fan, if you have one, throughout the entire cycle to minimize odors and smoke build-up. If you can’t remember the last time you ran a self-clean cycle, the odors released will likely be pretty unpleasant, but you shouldn’t leave your home until the self-clean cycle is completely finished.For ovens without a self-cleaning cycle, follow the directions on the label of the oven cleaner of your choice. Many of them should sit for some time to loosen stuck-on debris and grease. You should never spray an oven cleaner onto your oven while the self-cleaning cycle is running. Pro Tip: Running the self-clean cycle once every four months will minimize the unpleasantness of using the function. The odor and smoke that many find uncomfortable about self-cleaning ovens is produced by the burning bits of food and grease, but with more regular cleaning, less of this debris is accumulated making for an easier, odorless self-clean experience.4. Wash wire racks in the sink While the oven is self-cleaning or the oven cleaner is sitting inside working its magic, wash your racks in the sink in warm, soapy water. For stubborn gunk and grime, scrub the racks with a scrub sponge or scouring pad. Then, rinse them and let them air dry until you’re ready to load them back into the oven. If racks are especially dirty, soak them overnight in a cleaner like Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner.5. Clean up debris or oven cleaner inside the ovenAfter the self-cleaning cycle is over and the oven is completely cooled down, use a wet sponge or cloth to remove the ashy food bits at the bottom of the oven. If using an oven cleaner, now is the time to wipe it away with a wet sponge and rinse the interior with water. 6. Replace the wire racks and clean the glass window Finally, place the racks back inside the oven and clean the glass window, inside and out, using a degreasing multipurpose cleaner or glass cleaner and microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish. Remove any stuck-on grease splatters with a non-scratch scrub sponge. “You should never disassemble the oven door to clean between the glass layers,” says Forté. “This should only be done by an authorized technician to help prevent damaging the glass or the door or voiding your oven’s warranty.”Can I clean my oven with baking soda? Many others recommend using a baking soda paste to clean your oven’s interior, but we don’t. It’s messy and requires more scrubbing and rinsing, plus who wants to spend two days cleaning their oven? Baking soda is mildly abrasive and a great spot cleaner for your oven, but not something we recommend cleaning your entire oven with. Likewise for other DIY cleaners like baking soda with vinegar or lemons in an oven-safe tub of water. While these might be effective cleaners and we understand the hesitation to use oven cleaners because of the fear of fumes and strong odors, it is simply much easier to use an oven’s self-cleaning function or a cleaner formulated specifically to clean the burnt-on foods left behind in ovens. And oven cleaners on the market today are very different from products of the past. Many are formulated for reduced fumes or to be fume-free.How to keep an oven tidy between deep cleaningsJust because you now know how to effectively clean your oven doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try preventing a mess in the first place. As a general rule of thumb, cover pans with lids or aluminum foil to prevent splatters and place baking sheets on the bottom racks when baking pies and casseroles to catch anything that might bubble over. As soon as you suspect a spill, carefully sprinkle table salt on it while it’s still warm to absorb it and wipe it up with a damp sponge or cloth once the oven is cool.

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Amanda Garrity
Editor
Amanda Garrity has over seven years of experience writing lifestyle content, including almost five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion.

Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping Institute
Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab Analyst
Jodhaira Rodriguez is a test analyst in the Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute who graduated from Hofstra Unversity with a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science before going on to work as an analyst in an environmental lab.

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