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Half the pain of laundry day — besides that heaping pile of clothes waiting for your attention – is all of the rules and guidelines you need to memorize to get it right: Separate lights and darks, turn denim inside out, don’t use fabric softener on certain types of fabrics… and let’s not even talk about the advanced degree you need to decode all of those laundry symbols. But there’s one more small tip you should commit to memory — and that’s regularly cleaning your dryer vent. No, we’re not talking about clearing the lint trap, which is the internal component where fuzz builds up, after every cycle. We’re talking about the tubing that exhausts the hot air and lint out of the machine. Ensuring the dryer vent is clear not only makes your machine run so much more efficiently, but it can also spare you a serious hazard: a dryer fire. “If the dryer vent is clogged or even partially blocked, airflow is impeded and the wet air gets trapped, making clothes take way longer to dry,” says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. “A clogged or blocked dryer vent is also a fire hazard, since lint is extremely flammable, and fires can easily start if it builds up too much.” Even a clog at the vent outlet — whether from leaves, debris or a birds’ nest — on the outside of your house can impede and slow down drying or create a fire hazard. A clear vent also helps reduce the overall energy required to dry your clothes, which can lower your electricity bill over time. It can even extend the life of the appliance, saving you money on repairs or replacements in the long-run.So how often should you give your dryer vent a good clean? “It’s a good idea to have the entire vent professionally cleaned yearly,” says Forté. “It’s also important to keep the area around the back of the dryer and into the duct as clean as possible on a regular basis.” Bill Oxford//Getty ImagesIf you suspect your dryer may not be working at full capacity, there are some signs that you may have a venting issue. The most obvious? If your dryer is taking longer than usual to dry clothes or the temperature inside the dryer seams weak, it’s a strong indicator that airflow may be restricted. Unusual sounds — like the motor working harder than normal — could also signal a blockage in the vent, as can excessive moisture or lint build-up around the venting — inside or out. When in doubt, check to make sure air comes through when you start the dryer, says Forté. Take a peek outside, too. When you start the dryer, you should feel and/or see hot air blowing out from where your dryer vent exits (typically a small hood with a flap or cover). If you notice anything unusual, ring a professional vent cleaning service or a dryer repair technician for help. WE BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THISBrigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more. More

1PaintAnna Efetova//Getty ImagesWhile it’s not necessarily unsafe to store paint in the garage, high or low temperatures can affect the quality. “Paint shouldn’t go there, because temperature swings can degrade it,” says Dan DiClerico, Director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab in the Institute.2Firewoodaire images//Getty ImagesThe garage might seem like a good place to keep firewood safe from wet weather, but it can actually bring pests into your home if you don’t thoroughly check it beforehand. Plus, without proper ventilation, mold and mildew could form on your firewood.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below3GasolineGKV//Getty ImagesWhen stored in the garage, gasoline and propane tanks can become a potential fire hazard. “Gasoline is best kept in an outdoor shed. That’s because garages often have equipment with pilot lights, like a water heater. Vapors from stored fuel could react with the open flame and cause an explosion,” says DiClerico. RELATED: The Best Sheds for Every Backyard and Budget4ElectronicsOleksandra Vinogradova//Getty ImagesElectronics should not be stored in a space that gets super cold in the winter or extremely hot in the summer. Because garages are not temperature controlled, they are not a safe space to store any sort of electronics.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below5GarbageNickyLloyd//Getty ImagesIf you keep your garbage in your garage, you could be attracting pests and critters without even knowing. Your trash is a rodent and insect magnet, especially when not properly sealed. DiClerico especially warns against keeping garbage in your garage if you park your car inside: “Mice are known to nest under car hoods, especially in colder months, when the engine keeps them warm.”6Books and PaperOlena Ruban//Getty ImagesPaper is affected by excess moisture, so if your garage experiences high humidity, it’s best to keep all books and important papers inside the house. Not only could pages begin to curl, but they could also become moldy over time. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Pet Foodda bali//Getty ImagesPet food doesn’t only attract your dogs or cats — it can also attract critters from outside. Keep pet food in the kitchen with the rest of your food to avoid welcoming in any pests. 8Clothes and Other LinensAleksandr Zubkov//Getty ImagesAvoid storing clothing, bedding, towels or any other fabrics in the garage. Insects like moths can actually eat through clothing, and humidity can cause mold to grow. Plus, you don’t want any musty odors transferring onto your linens anyway.RELATED: The Best Closet Organization IdeasAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below9Photos and ArtGary Yeowell//Getty ImagesSince most physical photos or pieces of artwork are one of a kind, you’ll want to find a safe space for them. Like paper, photos and other artwork are susceptible to damage from pests and mildew.10All Foodcemagraphics//Getty ImagesAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below11Oily RagsSaevichMikalai//Getty ImagesRefrain from leaving any oily rags in the garage — they could catch fire, according to DiClerico. “After working on the car in the garage or doing a DIY project that involves an oil-based wood finish, you might be tempted to leave behind a pile of oily rags. Don’t! The oxidation process can result in temperatures that are high enough for the oil to spontaneously combust, causing the risk of serious fire,” he says. Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates. Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More

A new mattress topper is a great way to upgrade your bed — but there’s nothing worse than the feel of it shifting and sliding with every movement. It’s frustrating, uncomfortable and likely to disrupt your much-needed sleep. But why do mattress toppers slide, and how can you stop it from happening? I asked our bedding experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab for their take. Turns out, investing in the best mattress topper for your mattress is important. The lab tested 54 different mattress toppers — one of the considerations being how well the topper stayed in place. They evaluated materials, looked for anti-slip bottoms, focused on the presence of straps and more.”Slipping is the number one complaint from our consumer testers when it comes to mattress toppers,” says Grace Wu, product reviews analyst at the Textiles Lab.Why your mattress topper won’t stay in place:You don’t have a headboard or footboard. If your bed frame lacks a headboard or footboard, the mattress topper is more likely to slip or slide off the top or bottom of the bed. “Sometimes putting the bed against the wall can help,” says Wu. The topper lacks straps.Some mattress toppers have straps to keep it secure. Straps are wrapped around each corner of the mattress — some are adjustable, and others made from elastic to fit different mattress depths. “Many of the toppers that won in the Good Housekeeping Bedding Awards this year have corner straps and a few have textured undersides, which can help with friction,” says Wu.More on Top-Tested Mattress ToppersThe material is slippery. A lack of friction between your mattress topper and the mattress can cause the topper to slide as you toss and turn. “Generally, the smoother and silkier the material, the more it’s going to slide, due to the lack of friction,” says Wu. Materials like Tencel lyocell and rayon are known for their cooling effects, but they tend to feel very slick. “If the material itself is marketed as smooth, I’d look for textured surfaces — that’s a great way to get the benefits of the smooth material without as much sliding.”Your sheets aren’t tight.”Make sure your setup is as snug and secure as possible,” says Wu. Your sheets, mattress pad and mattress must all work together to guarantee a secure hold. To find the right fitted sheet, take a close look at the depth of your sheets compared to the overall height of your mattress with the topper. You’re tossing and turning.Sometimes, tossing and turning is inevitable, but if your mattress topper and sheets are as secure as possible, you’ll limit any effects. Shop Award-Winning Mattress Toppers:Nolah Mattress TopperTEMPUR-ToppersNow 20% OffThe Coop Retreat Mattress TopperAlyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries. More

With more than 600 warehouses in the U.S. and $250 billion in sales last year, chances are you or someone you know is an avid Costco shopper. I’ve been a member for years and visit my local warehouse about every other month for items like kids’ snacks, produce, dishwasher detergent, organizing products and other home staples. In addition to saving on food and household essentials, I’m always thrilled that a Costco run results in less grocery shopping for weeks at a time. But the downside? Once I’m home with a trunk full of stuff, sometimes it feels like I’m playing a game of Jenga, trying to fit it all into our small pantry or garage. That’s why when I heard about the “Costco closet” trend, my interest was piqued. Related StoryWhat is a Costco closet? ​A “Costco closet” refers to a storage space dedicated to accommodate bulk purchases, particularly from warehouse retailers like Sam’s Club and Costco. This type of closet typically features lots of shelving and deeper storage to easily store and display large quantities of items. ​Shira Gill, organizing expert and author of LifeStyled, said the rise of Costco closets is about being proactive. Homeowners want to be prepared in case disaster strikes: “In recent years, the drive to maximize storage space has taken on an even more urgent tone. With the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing frequency of climate-related events, and a growing emphasis on emergency preparedness, many people are rethinking how they organize their homes. The Costco closet trend isn’t just about efficient storage on a budget — it’s also a practical strategy for safeguarding families by keeping essential food and emergency supplies within reach.”Professional organizer Stephanie Treantos of Lemonaid Solutions agrees, noting that this closet trend is in part due to the uncertainty of the economy. “It gives people a sense of security,” Treantos explains. “My clients joke about having their ‘Doomsday Closet,’ but with everything going on, it’s nice to know that if the world were to shut down again, they have extra things on hand to get them through any period of time.”How to create your own Costco closet A realtor once introduced Good Housekeeping Editor-in-Chief Jane Francisco to the Costco closet concept. While touring homes in the New York City area, one special property featured the perfect example, which she describes in her recent newsletter, GH Jane: From Lab to Life (sign up for the newsletter here!): “In the finished basement, there was a walk-in pantry-sized closet with deep, tall shelves. But this wasn’t just any closet — it was STOCKED. We’re talking a year’s supply of paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, giant bottles of mayo, tuna cans, ketchup, cereal boxes and laundry detergent… basically everything you’d need if the apocalypse hit tomorrow.”She didn’t buy the property, but she loved the idea so much that she recreated the Costco closet in the house she did buy. She created a bulk medicine cabinet with an IKEA Billy bookcase and some More

Sometimes, you just don’t have the space you need for a large, lavish garden. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy fresh plants from your yard come spring.Square foot gardens are perfect for smaller yards — you can plant herbs, fruits and vegetables side by side, getting the absolute most out of your space. While there are some rules you should follow when building a square foot garden, they’re relatively simple to manage. “Once established, square foot gardens tend to require less weeding and watering. By planting everything close together, plants will help retain more moisture and crowd out weeds,” says Teri Valenzuela, natural science manager at Sunday.Whether you’ve never heard of square foot gardening or are already in the process of building one, we’ve created an expert guide that’s easy to follow.What Is a Square Foot Garden? Photo by Cathy Scola//Getty ImagesSquare foot gardening was invented by backyard gardener, retired engineer and efficiency expert Mel Bartholomew. Typically set up in a small garden bed divided into 1-foot squares, they make for a neat and efficient backyard kitchen garden. The amount of seeds per square depends on the size of the plant, and you can plant different veggies or herbs in each one. The Pros and Cons of Square Foot GardeningIf you’ve always wanted to grow your own veggies but could never imagine how that would look in your current space, square foot gardening might just be the perfect solution. “The benefit to square foot gardening is really the organization of it all. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by a garden when plants are starting to fill in and really take over a space, but having a proper map laid out before planting will help you know that you’ve allocated a good amount of room so each plant gets the room it needs to thrive,” says gardening pro Brian Brigantti of Red Leaf Ranch. vgajic//Getty ImagesOther benefits include:High yields: More seeds in a smaller space = more veggies to enjoy! It’s that simple. A quick start: Setting up one raised bed is a lot simpler than planning a whole garden. There’s only one grid to focus on, and you can place it anywhere. Less maintenance: Once you’ve arranged your square foot garden, you’ll only have to complete a few tasks per day to keep your plants alive and thriving. However, you’ll want to consider:Expensive set up: Raised beds can be expensive to set up, especially considering the soil you might have to buy. However, if you’re able to stick with the soil you already have on the ground, you could save some money. Cramped beds: Lots of seeds in one place could lead to a cramped garden bed. Be sure to experiment with the amount of seeds you plant and be ready to adapt based on your results. Depth: Some gardeners find that a 6-inch depth doesn’t cut it. If you’re able to go deeper, try a 12-inch base instead so your roots have room to grow. How to Set up a Square Foot GardenBefore you plan out which plants to grow in your square foot garden, it’s important to consider your set up. Make sure to choose a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, according to Brigantti.duckycards//Getty Images”Set up a 4×4 foot raised bed, divide it into 1-foot squares and fill it with good-quality raised bed soil. Plan each plant’s grid placement according to its mature size, spacing and sunlight direction. Then, remember to water, feed and weed throughout its establishment period and into the growing season,” says Valenzuela.Related StoryWhen dividing your garden bed into 16 squares, make sure each one is at least six inches deep for the best results. It’s also important to pick the best soil. “The key to good garden soil is to keep it light, well-draining and rich in nutrients. You want to fill your bed very well — I usually leave 2-3 inches off the top to add a layer of mulch. For veggies, I’d recommend straw or hay. Mulch will help retain moisture within your soil,” says Brigantti. Then comes the fun part — planting your favorite fruits and veggies! Before you do that, you’ll want to get a better understanding of all the guidelines and best practices. The Rules of Square Foot Gardening Your square foot gardening cheat code is 1-4-9-16. Here’s what that means:One extra-large plant per 1-foot squareFour large plants per 1-foot squareNine medium plants per 1-foot square 16 small plants per 1-foot squareGetty ImagesSo what types of veggies and herbs are considered extra large and which are considered small? Valenzuela and Brigantti give a few examples of each size. XL: Tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplants, cauliflower, cabbageL: Lettuce, Swiss chard, corn, potatoesM: Beets, spinach, carrots, beansS: Chives, radishesTip: It’s worth noting that these are loose suggestions. “Herbs and peppers are usually one plant or two per square. Some prefer one, others prefer two — it’s up to you (and your plant!),” says Valenzuela. Do your research and read over the seed packets before you plant. The success of your square foot garden will also depend on where you place each of these plants within the raised bed.”Plant based on the direction of sunlight and mature plant height. Place taller plants, like tomatoes, toward the back or northern side so they don’t cast shade on the rest, medium-height plants in the middle and smaller or flowering plants at the front and along the edges,” says Valenzuela.What to Plant in a Square Foot GardenWhen deciding what to plant in your square foot garden, consider what fruits, veggies and herbs you and your family enjoy most. Whether you make your own tomato sauce, serve broccoli alongside dinner or simply want to try growing something new, your square foot garden is a great place to start. Here are some expert-recommended choices:Leafy greensEggplantHerbsTomatoesPeppersBeansBroccoliMarigoldsCarrotsCauliflower Onions”The best types of plants for square foot gardening would be the more compact, non-vining plants, as they’ll stay relatively true to their spacing requirements. Vining plants can get unruly very quickly and make it difficult to manage the proper spacing you had in mind with the grid you put in place,” says Brigantti. Related StoriesLaura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.  More

1Fuchsia (Fuchsia Magellanica)Federica Grassi//Getty ImagesFuchsia isn’t only attractive to the human eye — hummingbirds love these flowers, too! With a bright, tubular shape, fuchsia is the ideal flower type for a hummingbird’s thin beak. Plus, these flowers produce lots of nectar, which is exactly what hummingbirds are on the hunt for throughout the season. Hardiness Zone: Zones 6-9Sunlight: Morning sun, afternoon shadeSHOP FUCHSIA2Cardinal Flower (Lobelia Cardinalis)laroy lindsey//Getty ImagesLike the bird with the same name, cardinal flowers are a gorgeous red, which just happens to be a hummingbird’s favorite color. They’re also not lacking in shape, either. Their tubular flowers allow hummingbirds easy access to their abundant nectar. Hardiness Zone: Zones 3-9Sunlight: Full sun to partial shadeSHOP CARDINAL FLOWERAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below3Foxglove (Digitalis)Kilito Chan//Getty ImagesFoxglove comes in a variety of bright colors that are visually appealing to hummingbirds. Think shades of purple, pink and red. Because their blooms hang open, hummingbirds are easily able to feed off the available nectar using their thin beaks. Hardiness Zone: Zones 4-9Sunlight: Direct sunlight SHOP FOXGLOVE4Columbine (Aquilegia)Katrin Ray ShumakovCertain varieties of columbines bloom in multiple colors. Their contrasting shades are attractive, especially to pollinators like hummingbirds. Hardiness Zone: Zones 3-9Sunlight: Full sun to partial shadeSHOP COLUMBINEAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below5Trumpet Vine (Campsis Radicans)Little Hand Images//Getty ImagesAs their name suggests, these flowers resemble the horn of a trumpet. Their bright orange color and long tubular flowers make them the perfect food source for hummingbirds on the hunt.Hardiness Zone: Zones 4-9Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP TRUMPET VINE6Pink Azalea (Rhododendron Periclymenoides)ooyoo//Getty ImagesAzaleas are a backyard favorite, and for good reason. They’re colorful, versatile and low-maintenance. Luckily, their pink and red funnel-shaped flowers are loved by hummingbirds too. Hardiness Zone: Zones 5-9Sunlight: Morning sun, afternoon shadeSHOP AZALEASAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below7Impatiensstrathroy//Getty ImagesAlthough not tubular, impatiens still provide hummingbirds with a reliable source of nectar. Their bright color definitely doesn’t hurt, either. Hardiness Zone: Zones 10-11Sunlight: Partial shade, indirect sunlightSHOP IMPATIENS8Red Begonia (Begonia Interspecific)by IAISI//Getty ImagesThis flower fits the bill for many reasons — it’s red, holds plenty of nectar and has an ideal structure for feeding. Hummingbirds can easily hover on top, sucking the nectar from the gorgeous blooms. Hardiness Zone: Zones 9-11Sunlight: Partial shadeSHOP BEGONIASAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below9HibiscusDouglas Peebles//Getty ImagesHibiscus flowers add an exotic touch to any backyard garden, and hummingbirds definitely notice. Their eye-catching blooms keep these birds fed all season long. Hardiness Zone: Zones 10-12Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP HIBISCUS10ZinniaSteve Terrill//Getty ImagesZinnias, known for their annual growth and low-maintenance nature, are particularly intriguing to pollinators like hummingbirds. The best part? They thrive in direct sunlight with minimal care! Hardiness Zone: Zones 2-11Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP ZINNIASAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below11Purple Lupine (Lupinus Polyphyllus)TorriPhoto//Getty ImagesThanks to their tall purple blooms, this flower adds character to any garden. They’re known for attracting hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Keep in mind that they’re also deer-resistant. Hardiness Zone: Zones 4-9Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP PURPLE LUPINE12Morning Glory (Ipomoea)frederic gombert / 500px//Getty ImagesUsually grown on fences and walls, morning glory vines are pretty easy to maintain, even in dryer conditions. These bright blue flowers grow on top of the vines, attracting hummingbirds with their tubular shape. Hardiness Zone: Zones 2-11Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP MORNING GLORYAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below13Orange Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias Tuberosa)John_Brueske//Getty ImagesOnce established, orange butterfly milkweed is a pretty low maintenance (and vibrant!) addition to an outdoor space. Their bright orange color stands out amongst other plants. Plus, there are plenty of flowers for hummingbirds to feed from since they grow in clusters. Hardiness Zone: Zones 3-9Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP ORANGE BUTTERFLY MILKWEED14LantanaMoelyn Photos//Getty ImagesKnown for their versatility, lantana flowers bloom from spring all the way to fall, making them a consistent source of nectar for hummingbirds. Hardiness Zone: Zones 9-11Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP LANTANA Advertisement – Continue Reading Below15Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera Sempervirens)Sharon Talson//Getty ImagesCoral honeysuckles bloom in clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers, making them a unique, charming addition to a colorful spring garden. Hummingbirds love to squeeze their long, thin beaks into these skinny openings for easy nectar access. Hardiness Zone: Zones 4-9Sunlight: Full sun to partial shadeSHOP CORAL HONEYSUCKLE16Petuniakynny//Getty ImagesOften seen in hanging flower baskets, petunias are popular for their long-lasting, colorful blooms. Available in all sorts of vibrant shades — pink, purple, red, blue, white and yellow — petunias are eye candy for humans and hummingbirds alike. Hardiness Zone: Zones 9-11Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP PETUNIAAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below17Hollyhocks (Alcea)Jacky Parker Photography//Getty ImagesLooking for a taller plant to balance out your garden? Hollyhocks grow up to 6-8 feet, adding vertical height to any outdoor space. These pollinator-friendly flowers bloom in pink, red, yellow, purple, blue, white and black. Hardiness Zone: Zones 3-9Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP HOLLYHOCKS18Russian Sage (Salvia Yangii)Photos by R A Kearton//Getty ImagesAdd some texture to your garden with Russian sage, a drought-tolerant plant that provides a lively lavender border for your yard. Plus, the abundant flowers all over the plant provide a reliable nectar source for hummingbirds from mid-summer all the way to fall. Hardiness Zone: Zones 4-9Sunlight: Direct sunlightSHOP RUSSIAN SAGELaura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates. Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More

I’ve lost track of the many times I’ve frantically rummaged through kitchen drawers or peered inside cabinets for a specific kitchen utensil while my dinner was burning on the stove. I’ve tried a number of drawer organizers and shelf dividers, but when it comes to organizing kitchen utensils, I just can’t seem to get it right.Whether it’s cooking, organizing or hosting, there is one person I always turn to for home-related advice: Martha Stewart. It’s no surprise that she has a tip for this exact kitchen organization issue.Stewart has a lot of utensils, from whisks to strainers to wooden spoons and beyond. She recently organized her prep kitchen in her Bedford, New York, property from top to bottom, sharing her tips along the way. Here’s how to organize your kitchen utensils just like Martha Stewart — and it only takes three steps!Sort utensils by type.First, sort all of your kitchen utensils by type (wooden spoons, strainers, tongs, whisks, serving spoons, etc.). Once you have piles of each, you’re ready to move onto the next step. Анатолий Тушенцов//Getty ImagesGet rid of anything that’s broken.Go through your various piles, and get rid of any broken or damaged utensils. Consolidating your collection will make it easier to find what you really need while cooking. Declutter the KitchenUse crocks to organize.Martha Stewart’s key organizational tool for sorting utensils? Crocks! Stewart suggests putting each type of utensil in its own crock, organized by size. For example, larger or taller spatulas would be towards the outside or back of the crock, while smaller or shorter ones would be towards the middle or front for easy access. If you don’t have as many kitchen utensils as Martha Stewart (I certainly do not), don’t worry — you can still use this trick. Once you get to the last step, organize all your utensils together in size order so you still have easy access. You can also try sorting your utensils into just a few different crocks by material type with wooden, silicone or rubber and metal all in separate canisters. Shop Kitchen Utensil OrganizersRelated StoriesLaura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.  More

I grew up with two cats at home, and if I had to pick one negative from the whole 15-year experience, it would be the constant fur all over my clothes. Like many pet owners, I would have to lint roll everything, which always seemed a bit wasteful. Now, there are plenty of reusable tools that work well on all sorts of fabrics. When it comes to removing cat fur or hair off of clothes in particular, there are a few tools that reign supreme, according to our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. Below are a few methods you can try, plus how to prevent cat hair buildup in the first place. How to Remove Cat Hair From Clothes OXO Good Grips Furlifter Pet Garment Brush Hair RemoverNow 12% OffWhile you can definitely still use a typical lint roller to get rid of cat hair, there are more sustainable tools out there. One of the GHI’s go-to products is the OXO Furlifter Pet Garment Brush Hair Remover. During Lab tests, the product actually left surfaces clean after one quick swipe. Plus, the base holds multiple passes of pet hair before it has to be emptied and cleaned, making it a quick and efficient solution for cat parents on the go. Amazon customers love the pet hair remover, too — it has more than 7,000 five-star ratings. Here’s one positive review: “I had a cat before — but not a long-haired one — and WOW! My new little guy has a lot of fur! And it is EVERYWHERE. This brush works better than anything else I’ve found to get it all off of my clothes so I don’t look like a crazy person. It is simple to use and gets the job done. 5 stars!”TIP: When shopping for any pet hair removal tools, opt for ones without metal teeth. These tend to snag on fabrics, causing thread pulls or other damage. If your clothes tend to make their way into the wash with lingering cat hair, try out Bounce Pet Hair Dryer Sheets. The Home Care & Cleaning Lab tested these by loading a sweater with a heavy amount of faux pet hair into the dryer with one of the sheets. The results? A sweater almost completely free of fur. Related StoryHow to Prevent Cat Hair BuildupWhile a home with pets will never be free of fur, there is one thing you can do to help prevent intense buildup on clothes. Hint: It starts by tackling the problem at the source.CHOLTICHA KRANJUMNONG//Getty ImagesMake it a habit to brush your cat more often, catching any loose hair or fur before it ends up on your clothes (or anywhere else for that matter). You can even schedule it into your evening cuddling sessions so you don’t forget! Related StoriesLaura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.  More