Home Ideas

Weighted blankets have grown in popularity in the last few years, with some claiming benefits like easing anxiety and improving sleep. These blankets can be filled with glass beads, down-alternative material, cotton or other materials to add weight to the blanket. The added weight is distributed evenly throughout the blanket, which puts gentle pressure on your body; some compare it to the snug feeling of a hug. If you enjoy this type of cozy blanket, whether you use it night after night or occasionally, eventually you’ll find it needs a good washing. However, these blankets can be tricky to wash because they are heavier than regular comforters (some weighted blankets can weigh up to 30 pounds!). To learn how to wash a weighted blanket, we turned to our experts in both the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab and the Apparel and Textiles Lab to get their best advice on how to wash these heavy items. Read on for how — and how often — to wash a weighted blanket and expert tips on how to care for one.How to wash a weighted blanketBefore washing a weighted blanket, it’s important to check the care instructions. “In our weighted blankets tests, we’ve noticed that the care instructions vary greatly,” says Lexie Sachs, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. Some weighted blankets are machine washable, and others have an outer cover that is machine washable whereas the inner blanket is not. Finally, there are weighted blankets that are spot clean only. Below is our expert advice on how to wash a weighted blanket. ✔️ Machine washableIf the care label on your weighted blanket states that it’s machine washable, beyond following the wash instructions, you’ll also want to consider the size and capacity of your washer. Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab, says that while extra-large home washers and dryers can often handle mixed loads of 22 to 24 pounds, a solid mass of a single 20-pound item can put undue strain on your machine. Even if your washer can handle a 20-pound weighted blanket, our experts recommend not washing a weighted blanket of more than 15 pounds because of the large mass. Sachs also recommends selecting the lowest spin speed when washing a weighted blanket because of the extra weight. For all washing machines, and especially for top-loading washers that have an agitator, you’ll want to make sure the weight of the blanket is evenly distributed to keep the machine balanced. It may be necessary to pause the cycle periodically to reposition the blanket if the machine goes off balance.Finally, if your blanket can’t move freely in the washer because of its size, it won’t get thoroughly clean. When Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab Analyst, washed her Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket at home, the blanket’s bulkiness prevented adequate movement in the wash cycle, and she questioned whether it actually got clean. If you have to force the blanket to fit into the washer, it’s best to use a commercial machine.GH Lab tip: When we tested weighted blankets in the Textiles lab, we found that the weight of a 15-pound blanket caused our top-loading agitator-style machine to make odd noises during the spin cycle. So if your blanket is 15 pounds or heavier, consider using a commercial washer. ✔️ Machine washable coverFor blankets that have an inner layer with an outer cover, the outer cover can generally be washed like any other duvet cover, but be sure to check the care instructions for confirmation as well as for water temperature and cycle.✔️ Spot clean onlyIf the blanket, outer cover or inner layer are spot clean only, Forté advises using a sudsy mix of a mild dish soap and water. “Use a cloth dipped in the suds to blot the stain, and then rinse it with a cloth dipped in clear water,” she says. Repeat this blotting process if necessary, then let it air dry.GH Lab tip: If your weighted blanket is spot clean only, our experts recommend purchasing a machine-washable cover for it to help keep it clean and to protect it from dirt and stains.Is it safe to put a weighted blanket in the dryer?When reading the care instructions before washing a weighted blanket, note the instructions for drying as well. Some blankets can be tumbled dry on low, and some require air drying. If tumble drying, ensure that your dryer has enough room so air can circulate freely around the blanket. You may also have to stop the dryer occasionally to fluff the blanket and then repeat until it is fully dry. When air drying, you’ll want to spread out the blanket as much as possible so that air can flow through and around it. You can also hang the weighted blanket over something like a shower door; however, be sure that whatever you hang or lay the blanket on can handle the weight. Take note: In our experience, weighted blankets take a long time to air dry. How often should you wash a weighted blanket?Our experts recommend washing a weighted blanket once mid-season and then again before storing. Keep in mind you may need to wash it more or less depending on how often it’s used and how dirty it gets. It’s best to take care of spills or stains right away so they don’t set in. For the occasional spot of dirt or two, it may require only a good spot clean. GH Lab tip: Allergy sufferers and those with pets who sleep on the weighted blanket may need to wash every other month or so, depending on how dirty the blanket gets. How to store a weighted blanketWeighted blankets should be cared for like other blankets for your home. Before putting them away for the season, make sure the blanket is freshly laundered. Since these are heavier than a typical blanket, make sure you are storing them on a shelf or in a bin or basket that is strong enough to handle the weight.The takeawayPay close attention to the care tag on any weighted blanket before you wash or dry it. And then be sure to clean it at least mid-season and before storing it at the end of the season. If your washing machine or dryer cannot handle the weight, consider using a commercial machine. Other sites may suggest hand washing, but we don’t. These blankets are just too heavy and cumbersome to handle when wet to be hand washed.

Jamie Kim
Contributing Writer and Analyst
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.

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If you count yourself as a fan of Gap, you’re well acquainted with their wardrobe basics like denim jackets, cotton T-shirts and khakis. But in addition to the fashion staples many of us have grown to love over the years, the brand has worked hard to win over decor enthusiasts with the launch of Gap Home last year, exclusively for Walmart. It includes more than 400 items ranging from dishware to bedding, all boasting its beloved modern-meets-classic-American aesthetic. Now, the brand is building on the success of its home collection with the release of Gap Home Kids that’s available to shop on Walmart.com right now. There are more than 200 lively pieces in the collection, including bedding and bath essentials, rugs, throw pillows and even window treatments. In true Walmart fashion, prices are accessible; items start at just $20 and go up to only $79.

Shop Gap Home Kids, Exclusively at Walmart

Gingham Shower Curtain

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$27.88

Dino Toss Sheet Set

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$29.98

Mixed Stripe Jersey Comforter Set

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$44.98

Oversized Dot Window Curtain

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$24.94

Tiny Hearts Kids Area Rug

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$79.00

Ombre Stripe Towel Set

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$34.98

Ombre Stripe Pillow

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$24.98

Denim Comforter Set

Gap Home Kids
walmart.com

$44.98

“The entire line nods to Gap’s classic chambrays, stripes and washed denim while incorporating on-trend prints and colorways that we think kids will love,” said Anthony Soohoo, executive vice president, home, Walmart U.S., in a press announcement. “Gap Home Kids is one more way we are democratizing style and helping customers create home spaces they love at the affordable prices they can count on at Walmart.”So if your kids’ rooms are in need of a much-needed refresh or simply want to give them a taste of the brand’s classic style that you’ve appreciated for so long, now is your chance to shop Gap Home Kids while items are still in stock.

Monique Valeris
Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital.

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Patterns add character and depth to any space, even your deck or yard. Gone are the days of splashing your umbrella and cushions with the same explosion of floral print though — the modern way is to mix motifs. Picking out a new palette for your patio also means choosing cozy textiles and upholstery that are designed to weather the elements, so the hues won’t fade or fall victim to mold and mildew. Sunbrella fabrics are woven with strong fibers that repel water, making rain, sweat and muddy paw prints a breeze to clean. The colors stay vivid season after season, and Sunbrella offers a slew of hues and patterns so you can fully embrace your creative side. However, there is an art to making masterful combinations. “The key to mixing patterns is having a variety of pattern sizes and textures,” says McCall Dulkys of Interiors By McCall. “In a grouping of three pillows, for instance, I would have one large-style pattern, such as a thick, bold stripe, one smaller pattern, perhaps a small-scale floral, and one solid color, but in a different texture.” To keep things looking visually cohesive, Mary Patton of Houston-based Mary Patton Design suggests picking patterns in the same color family to avoid overwhelming the space. On that note, solid colors have their place in this scenario, too — they are great for grounding the look. Straightforward shades make for a foundation that’s versatile and has longevity, says Nicole Salceda of Bay Area design studio Eye For Pretty. “It’s always a good idea to keep your main outdoor upholstery pieces (sofas, sectionals and club chairs) in a solid fabric,” she adds.Now, to help you play with patterns like a pro, check out (or feel free to completely copy) our mood boards filled with options using the vibrant designs and colors of Sunbrella fabrics.Going Green

Greens are a natural choice for an outdoor space because they “give a nod to the surrounding outdoor landscape,” says Patton. She adds that while shades of green are trending, it’s also a classic color that works “as a chic neutral that is a little bit different and wears well in high-performance fabrics.” Set the scene with a creamy sectional and add oversized palm leaf-printed and wide striped pillows. A subtly striped outdoor rug in a mossy shade grounds the space, while a forest green umbrella adds dimension (and shade). An olive ottoman rounds out the color spectrum.

Sectional Sofa

Teak Warehouse

Calm Laurel

Sunbrella

Palm Leaf Pillow

Pottery Barn

Principle Lagoon

Sunbrella

Reign Jungle

Sunbrella

Drakes Pillow

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Cast Oasis

Sunbrella

The Ottoman

Neighbor

Sunbrella Border Stripes Rug

Frontgate

Martinique Fabric

CW Stockwell

Grove Series Umbrella

California Umbrella

Relate Ivy

Sunbrella

Citrus Splash

An outdoor space is ripe for fresh hues inspired by fruits. A loveseat and chair in solid terracotta sets the scene for colorful pillows adorned with diamonds, berries and stripes, which play well together thanks to a similar color vibe.When using different shades, create unity with colors grouped as a vignette, like these patterned pillows. “Thick stripes look great when paired with smaller patterns,” Salceda says. Tangerine chair cushions nestled in a geometric metal frame and a lemon-hued pouf are vibrant without going over the top.

The Loveseat

Neighbor

Infused Gem

Sunbrella

Diamond Block Outdoor Pillow

Terrain

Spectrum Daffodil

Sunbrella

Canvas Persimmon

Sunbrella

Impression Pillow by Elaine Smith

Perigold

Principle Tropics

Sunbrella

Peacock Seat Cushions

Perigold

Canvas Pouf

West Elm

Detail Persimmon

Sunbrella

The Chair

Neighbor

Surround Sunrise

Sunbrella

True Blue

For a beach bungalow or poolside retreat, shades of blue complement the surroundings. “Blues are the easiest shades to mix and match,” says Dulkys, who draws on waterfront views as inspiration for many of her clients in South Florida. “They tend to complement one another, so for an easy color combo, blues are hard to mess up.” A navy sofa with white piping and multi-striped pouf set a nautical tone, made a little more eclectic by subtle palm-embroidered pillows in a chambray shade. A baby blue striped rug contains thin opposing stripes, lending extra dimension.

Outdoor Pouf

Ballard Designs

Canvas Haze

Sunbrella

Outdoor Curtains

Pottery Barn

Direction Dew

Sunbrella

Context Indigo

Sunbrella

Nisswa Porch Swing

Loll Designs

Sensibility II Harbor

Sunbrella

Sunbrella Channel Stripe Rug

Frontgate

Veracruz Pillow Cover

Serena & Lily

Spectrum Denim

Sunbrella

Miles Redd Bermuda Sofa

Ballard Designs

Model Harbor

Sunbrella

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In a competitive real estate market, the chances of having your offer accepted on your dream home are, unfortunately, pretty slim. However, this wasn’t the case for Charleston-based interior designer Megan Molten. After coming across a fixer-upper property with potential in the popular Mount Pleasant neighborhood in spring 2019, she and her husband, Hugh, took a leap of faith and submitted a full-price offer that same day. To their delight, it was accepted. “We knew it was our match made in heaven and we just felt so lucky,” Molten says with content.

The home, which was built in 1980, is located in Charleston’s desirable Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
Margaret Wright

To say that the mid-century modern home required work is an understatement. “It had popcorn ceilings, carpet throughout, blue bathrooms, yellow bathrooms…it could not be more untouched,” she says of the three-bedroom, three-bathroom property that was built in 1980. “It was a blank canvas we could work with.” So much so that the couple’s family and friends jokingly nicknamed it “Mod Pod.” Molten made the decision to stick with the home’s existing footprint, from the eight-foot ceilings in the living room to the ensuite bedroom, complete with a porch and outdoor tub. “I wanted a tub so bad, but since we didn’t have room to include it in our bathroom renovation, my husband thought of putting it on the porch and I love it,” she says, noting that he even handled the plumbing and installation.

Thanks to her husband, the primary bedroom’s porch features a freestanding tub.
Margaret Wright

The living room presented the perfect opportunity to put her design skills to the test. Most of Molten’s clients gravitate towards rooms painted in all white, which can “feel sterile,” she says if the right accessories aren’t in place. While this neutral was also perfect for her living area, she introduced contrast with built-ins decked out in Sherwin-Williams’ Iron Ore — “the perfect palette to make everything else really pop.” Layers of lighting, including a 96-inch wide chandelier, textured rugs and a fireplace decked out in charcoal-colored cement chevron tile finish the design scheme.

The living room’s original fireplace was updated with chevron tiles, which balance the predominantly white space.
Margaret Wright

Another highlight is the hallway featuring a face mural by artist Carrie Beth Wagner. “I thought she was just going to paint five to 10 faces going down the hallway, but she came at about 8:30 a.m. one day, and when I came home after work at 6 p.m., she was still painting faces,” Molten says. “I was blown away and had no idea that she was going to do that many faces. It’s amazing, but I’m always scared because they can’t take it with us if we ever move. It’s our prized possession in our own way.”

The hallway features a mural by Carrie Beth Wagner. “It’s unique and different,” Molten says. “Everyone comments on it when they come to our house.”
Margaret Wright

The kitchen’s waterfall island is also a favorite of Molten’s. During a trip to a local fabricator with her husband, Molten discovered the perfect marble slabs. “Our fabricator was able to stretch three slabs to cover every single surface throughout our entire home, from the kitchen to the bathrooms,” she says. It was a win-win all around. Installing open shelving, as opposed to only relying on closed cabinetry, keeps the kitchen light and airy. “I just love the clean aesthetic, but one thing I tell my clients about floating shelves is everything you choose to display has to be pretty.”

For balance, Molten installed floating shelves and reused the existing kitchen cabinetry.
Margaret Wright

Megan worked closely with her husband, Hugh, to revamp the family home they purchased in 2019. 
Margaret Wright

In the end, all the hard work paid off for Molten, especially considering that she was pregnant and living in the house during the construction phase. But looking back now, she wouldn’t change a thing. “It was so much fun and an honor being that it’s my personal home,” she says. “It’s been special to me.”

Monique Valeris
Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital.

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If you clicked on this article, chances are you’ve spent many hours scrolling through cleaning videos on TikTok. And if you frequent the #CleanTok side of the app (the hashtag where TikTok’s cleaning influencers post their content), there’s one woman who probably has a resident spot on your For You Page — and who’s tips you’ve already used around your home: Vanesa Amaro, a.k.a. TikTok’s “Queen of Cleaning.”Amaro is a housekeeper and cleaning expert based in Texas who started posting cleaning videos when the pandemic hit. Her household cleaning tips and tricks are so helpful and easy to replicate that her videos started going viral almost instantly. Fast forward a couple short years, and she’s one of the biggest cleaning influencers on the internet (at the time of writing, Amaro has 5.4 million followers on her English TikTok alone) and an official spokesperson for Clorox, one of the biggest cleaning companies in the world. If you keep a dish brush in your shower for routine cleaning, you have Amaro to thank. She posted a video explaining the trick last spring, and it’s now racked up over 35 million views and become one of the post popular TikTok cleaning hacks.
This content is imported from TikTok. 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.

Naturally, we can’t get enough of viral TikTok finds, so we caught up with Amaro to hear from the queen herself on what we should be adding to our cart next. Read on for the four cleaning products that Amaro can’t live without, plus her tips on how to use them. Lucky for us, all of her favorite products are available to shop on Amazon.

Scrub Daddy Sponge Set

Scrub Daddy
amazon.com

$27.99

“There are so many TikTok cleaning products, but one that really took over is Scrub Daddy sponges,” says Amaro. “The sponges have so many cool features, but the most important one is that it changes texture depending on your water temperature. No other sponge has that technology. When you use it with cold water, it becomes firm almost like a fiber so you can scrub things down.” “When cleaning the oven, I use a Scrub Daddy in very cold water to scrape away crusty burnt-on food and grease. When you use it with warm or hot water it becomes soft, perfect for cleaning wine glasses, porcelain, or grandmother’s china. And whether it’s used with warm water and is super-soft or cold water and is super-coarse, it will never scratch.”

OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Dish Brush

OXO
amazon.com

$11.95

Get ready for Amaro’s number one cleaning tip: “You should move a dish brush from your sink—the dispensing kind that you fill with soap—to your shower,” she says. “Fill it with the soap of your choice and a little bit of vinegar, and then you can clean your shower while showering. I don’t have any mold, hard water, grime, or mildew because I am constantly cleaning my shower every time I do a hair mask or am standing in the shower for a few minutes. I haven’t needed to deep clean in a couple months because there’s been no need for it. You don’t even have to worry about getting wet or dirty this way because you’re already in the shower. This is not just something that I recommend or talk about—there is a dish wand in my shower at home right now. This is one of the cleaning tricks that I absolutely swear by.”

Swiffer Dusters 6 ft. Heavy Duty Starter Kit

Swiffer
amazon.com

$12.63

One of Amaro’s greatest pearls of cleaning wisdom is that “we don’t clean what we don’t see.” Whether that means it’s too high up to reach, or it’s on top of something, or it’s below something—if we can’t see it, we tend to not clean it, she says. “When deep cleaning, I love to get to those things that I’m not always seeing with a Swiffer duster. They make a few different sizes and my favorite is definitely the 6-foot version because you can get to your ceiling, walls, light fixtures, ceiling fans, tops of cabinets, and all sorts of other hard-to-reach places.” (P.S. The Swiffer 6-foot Duster carries the Good Housekeeping Institute Seal).”

Clorox Scentiva Multi-Surface Cleaner, 3-Pack

Clorox
amazon.com

$21.29

$16.79 (21% off)

Amaro says that simplifying your cleaning routine is a surefire way to make cleaning more enjoyable. “Find a multi-surface cleaner that you love and clean a bunch of things with it. It makes cleaning so much easier: grab a couple towels, grab one cleaner, and you’re ready to tackle many different areas in your house at once. Don’t over-complicate things for yourself or your family,” she says. “Clorox has a new line of Scentiva disinfecting cleaners which make cleaning so much more enjoyable because they don’t smell like a cleaner—and in the best possible way. I am a coconut girl and the Pacific Breeze & Coconut smells so good. It makes me feel like I’m in Bora Bora. Cleaning doesn’t have to be miserable or a hassle. Just put some music on, grab a cleaner that smells great, and have fun with it.”

Heath Owens
Heath Owens is a Commerce Editor and Writer at Hearst Magazines, where he covers fashion, home, tech, gifts, and more. 

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When warm weather arrives, the race is on to fit in as much time outdoors as possible. You’re no doubt filling your calendar with BBQs, picnics and other alfresco fetes, but plein air parties can be plagued by all kinds of issues, from mosquitoes nipping at your ankles to rain sending your guests running for shelter. Happily, hoping for the best but planning for the worst can sidestep common snags. We’ve anticipated some of the most stressful summer party challenges and paired them with simple solutions — including bug-banishing help from Thermacell — so you can kick back and have some fun. Challenge: Pesky mosquitoesSolution: Scent-free, no-mess protection that actually works [image id=’3653469d-2ca4-4d4d-8f39-eba913f50a06′ mediaId=’d38c8461-16c1-4bd3-a133-0c1563daaadc’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]Mosquitoes are bound to try to crash the party — and nothing kills the mood faster than guests itching, scratching, and slapping away tiny biters. The Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller is an easy solution to keep away unwanted pests without resorting to candles or unsightly fly traps.The device creates a 20-foot zone of protection for up to 12 hours — without strong scents like citronella, potentially harmful chemicals like DEET, or precarious flames. Dubbed a “magic machine” by happy reviewers, it gently warms up an included cartridge that then releases an EPA-approved bug-repelling chemical that’s undetectable (to you!).It’s powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so it works even if you don’t have access to an outdoor plug. Plus, you can buy cartridge refills to use it season after season.Challenge: Guests awkwardly standing while eatingSolution: Cleverly deployed blankets and cushions[image id=’57b680dd-4c4d-4b0e-b628-363293c32a1f’ mediaId=’9a636e26-52a1-4598-b2ba-04f61794df5a’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]Not enough seating? Renting chairs will come at a premium, and they might not match your cottagecore outdoor spread. And it’s always a hassle to try to round up extras from the neighbors.For a ‘gram-worthy solution that requires zero heavy lifting, set up cozy places to perch throughout the yard by spreading picnic blankets underneath ottomans, poufs, and throw pillows. Borrow pieces from your interior and throw on outdoor covers to protect them from dirt and spills. These novel spaces are bound to draw in kids and teens, leaving chairs and tables for adults.To avoid the dreaded lap spill, focus on a menu of easy-to-eat foods and bring out a few small coffee tables or even overturned milk crates to add dinings surfaces. If you’ve cobbled together some mismatched low tables of a similar height, drape a tablecloth over them to create the illusion of a long, low table. The result is surprisingly elegant. Challenge: BBQ sides getting spoiledSolution: Clever cold storage to preserve temperature-sensitive foodsAnyone who has ever brought macaroni salad or deviled eggs to a picnic knows the fear of spoiled food. According to the FDA, cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees or below, but that can be tricky with old-school coolers. Upgrading to double-walled serving trays that come with concealed compartments for ice will keep your famous onion dip chilled without sweating all over your table. Another tip: If you’re entertaining at home, keep the colder snacks inside and temperature-stable nibbles like chips or bruschetta outside. Challenge: Unpredictable weatherSolution: A (temporary) roof over your head[image id=’cbfd84d6-c05c-4873-bb5c-6b90cd5fa1bf’ mediaId=’e646a3d4-b55f-4896-8aef-bee5c20dcb11′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]You can’t control the forecast, but you can plan for the unexpected. For a major event like an outdoor wedding or graduation party, reserve a tent from local rental company, which can provide a large shelter for some reprieve from rain or harsh overhead sun. Many charge reserve-only fees if you end up not needing it.If you’re planning a casual backyard hang and don’t need a full-size tent, you can opt for a small one to cover just your food spread and a few guests. Or, go with a sturdy pop-up tent, a more permanent pergola, or a retractable sunshade that will offer protection for seasons to come. This way, even if the majority of the party has to move inside, you can still take advantage of the protected outdoor space. Challenge: Icky, overflowing trashSolution: Get creative with trash and recycling options Even the most polite guests will abandon trash on random surfaces when they don’t see an obvious home for it, but who wants to mar their aesthetic with plastic tubs or, worse, eyesore black bags? Opt for a lined wicker trash basket that blends in with the natural surroundings, or lean into a theme.For example, if you’re hosting a 4th of July picnic, wrap your bins in star-spangled tablecloths for a clever disguise. This way, you don’t have to banish your waste bins behind the garage where no one will ever find or use them. For bonus points, print out a quick guide to what’s recyclable and display it on a decorated sign board in a nice frame.

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The weather is getting warmer, which means it’s time to take advantage of your outdoor space and find budget-friendly ways to make your entertaining area stand out from your usual decor. Luckily, you can celebrate the season with Shutterfly’s new outdoor home collections, where you can shop a range of curated styles, products and vibrant designs. Shutterfly is a leader when it comes to personalized products and services, so it’s no surprise that their collections are showstoppers. Their assortment is made up of seven new products — from pint glasses and picnic baskets to pillows and serving platters — all uniquely designed in an array of aesthetics by independent artists. We’re talking themes for every occasion (farmhouse, novelty and summer included). And according to Shutterfly’s design expert and Queer Eye designer, Bobby Berk, you can easily bring your own personal vibe into your outdoor tablescape.
Shop Bobby Berk’s Favorite Pieces

Stripe-Navy/Off White Cloth Napkin

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$29.00

Summer Collection Serving Platter

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$29.99

Boho Triangles Outdoor Pillow

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$44.98

Grasscloth in Natural Plates

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$19.99

“Infusing color is always a great way to elevate one’s outdoor tablescape,” Berk tells Good Housekeeping. “From neutral prints to earth tone colors, it’s a simple way to perk up your outdoor dining scene.” Berk suggests adding pillows to each of the dining chairs or using a simple runner to brighten up your outdoor dining table. “Picking can be overwhelming, but when you can narrow down choices and focus on look and feel, it’s easy to gain control of a tablescape.” If you desire a botanical-inspired look, you may love the Painted Daisies salad plates or Bird of Paradise dinner napkins. For a natural splash of color, the Boho Tropical table runners are eye-catching additions, and the Coastal Stars outdoor pillow is just the thing to add a pop of personality to a space. And when it comes to farmhouse style, Berk suggests using plenty of natural plants, flowers and greenery. “A mistake people tend to make when designing their tablescape is choosing items that overpower the space,” Berk says. “You want to make sure your space and your guests don’t feel so crowded and that they actually feel like they are outdoors.” So make sure to shop Shutterfly’s exciting collections to craft a stylish outdoor space your family and friends can’t resist.

Denim Line Mud Cloth Table Runner

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$54.00

Coral Spice Outdoor Pillow

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$49.98

Orange Grove At Night Salad Plate

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$12.99

Outdoor Pint Glass

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$14.99

Unicorns in Nocturnal Forest Salad Plate

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$12.99

Classic Tropical Garden Napkin

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$29.00

Fable Floral Outdoor Pint Glass

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$14.99

Petal Pink Table Runner

Shutterfly
shutterfly.com

$54.00

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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Boxelder bugs have earned a reputation for being a pesky nuisance to homeowners across the United States, tending to burrow themselves in and among properties to survive the winter. But local reports across the U.S. indicate that boxelder bugs, which do not pose risks to gardens or plants found around most homes, have appeared in swarms earlier than usual — and could be, in a roundabout way, invading interior spaces earlier than usual.This spring has seen the rise of boxelder swarms much earlier as temperatures have been historically warm in many regions across the country — which triggers overwintering boxelder bugs to emerge, explains Eric Benson, Ph.D., a Clemson University professor of entomology and Clemson Cooperative Extension entomologist. “If temperatures are warmer [than usual], boxelder bug activity may also be earlier.”Why does it seem like boxelder bugs are seemingly overpowering your porches, gardens, or home exteriors this spring? It all has to do with a widespread drought that affected almost all of the west coast last year — which allowed boxelder bugs to easily find shelter to survive the winter. Now, Benson explains that these bugs, which target seed-bearing boxelder trees and other maple trees, are emerging in clusters to seek out new leaf growth this spring. Is there a reason why boxelder bugs are arriving earlier this year?Usually, boxelder bugs are actively seeking out their namesake tree (and other variations in the maple tree family) by May, Benson says. You may notice these pesky insects more so in 2022 due to historically high spring temperatures across nearly every region of the U.S., which enables boxelder bugs to leave shelters they’ve burrowed in for the winter season.”Boxelder bug adults are about a half-inch and mostly black with several reddish lines, especially along the edge of their bodies, with immature boxelder bugs being smaller and bright red with only patches of black,” he adds. “Boxelder bugs do occasionally bite people, causing some skin irritation, but it is not common. The biggest problem from this insect is the red stain their droppings can cause on carpets and fabrics.”Boxelder bug infestations are common, particularly in the Midwest, as well as regions that are highly concentrated in boxelder trees, maple trees and ash trees, as they feed almost exclusively on seeds found within these tree variations. But last year’s drought triggered an influx of boxelder bugs (which are normally swept away in wet weather) that successfully found plenty of shelter in exterior foundation cracks and other hidden, quiet spaces in your home’s exterior, says Megan Cavanaugh, a pest control specialist, marketing lead and co-owner of Minnesota-based Done Right Pest Solutions.

“They crawl in cracks and crevices 2-3 millimeters in diameter… and most people don’t know these pests have crawled into their exterior wall voids until a warm, sunny day in the early spring comes up, and these bugs start to wake up and come out,” Cavanaugh tells Good Housekeeping. “Boxelder bugs begin looking for a way outside once they come out, though sometimes they awake too early — and this is when many pest control companies get calls asking, ‘Where did all of these fall pests come from?!'”Cavanaugh says while she hasn’t seen official reports of increased boxelder bug populations from agricultural sources, there’s been an influx of calls and reports to her company about boxelder bugs inside homes and businesses this spring.How do you repel and get rid of boxelder bugs? If you’ve discovered a boxelder infestation in an exterior part of your house, it’s likely that these bugs are working their way out towards the woody areas in your vicinity. There’s a smaller chance that boxelder bugs find their way into your home through gaps in foundations, screen coverings, doors and other openings, as they tend to flock to warm, sunny areas in fluctuating temps that we may experience in the spring season. The easiest way to deal with them actually involves a vacuum, both experts say. “Unfortunately, it’s difficult to repel boxelder bugs away from homes. The best way to prevent boxelder bug invasions inside is to caulk exterior cracks and other openings,” Benson advises. “When boxelder bugs are seen clustering outdoors, however, it can be a good time to do a limited, targeted treatment with insecticide.”
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Pest control servicers, just like Cavanaugh’s Minneapolis-Saint Paul operation, can work to prevent boxelder bugs from moving inside your home before summer turns to fall using insecticide and other exterior applications, she says. These products often kill these bugs within 8 to 10 hours, preventing them from burrowing further into any exterior areas of your home, Cavanaugh adds. But if you’re experiencing an out-of-season interior infestation this spring, pest control professionals can help you stop boxelder bugs from free-roaming across your home with what’s known as a “crawling insect treatment.””I would recommend this if you cannot stand [squashing or vacuuming] these invading insects anymore. These bugs are just looking to go back outside and will eventually find their way outside, but it can be quite the nuisance simply waiting for them to do so,” she says.How can I get rid of boxelder bugs naturally?The easiest way to deal with an infestation of boxelder bugs on your own is to reach for a vacuum, particularly a shop vacuum that can stand up to the task. But because Benson and other insect experts know all too well that boxelder bugs can leave near impossible-to-remove red stains on many different surfaces in your home, it’s best to be extremely careful and use a soft brush attachment or an open-suction hose option to neatly collect them. And Benson says it’s crucial to dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag in your outdoor trash, or you’ll run the risk that the bugs will escape again.”Some folks will simply keep vacuuming them up while live, where others choose to have pest control come and treat, and then vacuum up dead bugs,” Cavanaugh adds. “Homeowners and tenants will need to clean them up either way, but it’s often easier to vacuum up dead bugs than live bugs.” Another option? Try spraying surfaces that are attracting the bugs with a mix of water and one-to-two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid of your choice, as highlighted by the Utah State University video embedded above. If you’ve noticed that boxelder bugs are continually plaguing your property annually, Benson adds that you may consider targeting any boxelder or maple trees around you, though this should be a last resort for a particularly bad infestation only.What does a boxelder tree look like?Identifying a boxelder tree is easy if you know what to look for — as they have unique flowers that many would identify as “propeller” like, according to materials published by the University of Minnesota. They’re often found along lakeshores, streams, and in close proximity to river floodplains, experts maintain, but also grow among greenery and forest areas that are home to younger hardwood trees. Boxelders grow in a variety of soils and can spread quickly in unmaintained lands, which makes clearing them out entirely a bit of a challenge.
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When do boxelder bugs go away for the season?If you’re wondering when boxelder bugs will stop swarming your home’s exterior, remember that they’re overwintering bugs — meaning they’re likely to disappear once cooler temperatures return in the fall.”The life cycle and activity of boxelder bugs is closely tied to seed production and new leaf growth on boxelder and maple trees in the spring… they typically move into structures during fall when temperatures start to drop,” Benson explains. “In the fall, they become gregarious and will fly and congregate often on the sunny side of structures, and look for cracks and crevices to get into shelter areas for the winter.” Between now and then, you’ll decide if you forcibly remove them from swarming any areas around your home, or if you tap a local pest control specialist to help remove an infestation from the interior of your home. But remember that boxelder bugs are very unlikely to cause any serious harm to yourself or to any of your possessions, including your home’s foundation.”Ultimately, try to relax! Boxelder bugs are harmless, if a nuisance,” Cavanaugh adds. “Simply take the measures you can, let a pest control company work, or wait it out; it should only last a season.”

Zee Krstic
Health Editor
Zee Krstic is the health editor for GoodHousekeeping.com, where he covers health and nutrition news, decodes diet and fitness trends, and reviews the best products in the wellness aisle.

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