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Air Dry or Air Fluff Cycle On this cycle, there is no added heat. The dryer simply pulls in fresh room temperature air and the drum turns and tosses your clothes to help them “fluff-up.” The cycle does help remove dust, lint, and pet hair from fabrics by drawing them into the dryer filter screen. Air dry is particularly useful for fluffing pillows or down-filled items like coats and comforters. You’ll get the best results by adding a few wool dryer balls to provide a beating action....

When You Need a Hickey When mounting a standard ceiling light fixture, you typically install the mounting screws on the fixture into small threaded screw holes on the overhead electrical box. But with drop light fixtures, such as a chandelier, the heavy fixture is supported by a threaded nipple—a small length of metal tubing with threads on both ends. One end threads into a female-threaded opening on the ceiling box mounting strap, while the other end threads into a similar fitting on the base of the light fixture....

Ammonia, a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, is often touted as a “natural cleaner,” but this is one instance when natural isn’t always best. Ammonia is known for its very pungent odor. The smell alone can be overpowering, and your eyes may begin to tear up as soon as you smell it, even in the low concentrations that are usually reserved for household cleaning. It’s that strong. Many people get turned off by the smell and wonder how something that stinks so heavily can clean so effectively....

Properly preparing your vegetable patch for the off-season can have a significant impact on your next growing season. Taking steps to winterize is a good garden practice and a task to put on your to do list every year. Most DIY projects include a clean-up phase and a vegetable garden is no different whether you work in raised beds, or directly in the ground. If you want to improve your soil, discourage disease and pests, and get a head-start for next year, here are a few steps for success....

Hulled Sunflower Seeds All sunflower seeds are from the sunflower plant, Helianthus annus, and hulled seeds are the same as striped or black oil sunflower seeds, just without the hard, inedible shell. Also called sunflower hearts or cracked sunflower seeds, these seeds are a superior source of fat, fiber, protein, and vitamins, providing excellent nutrition for all backyard birds. In addition to whole hulled sunflower seeds, these seeds are often available in chips or pieces: broken or semi-crushed seeds that are even easier for small birds to eat....

As Michael Rolland, interiors expert and MD at The Paint Shed, explains, “The Dark Academia aesthetic draws inspiration from European gothic architecture, such as Oxford and Cambridge University, late 19th-century literature influences such as Sherlock Holmes, and a dark, moody color palette—think Hogwarts at home.” “It’s a Harry Potter meets Indiana Jones aesthetic,” says Peti Lau, trend expert for used furniture marketplace Kaiyo. “I would describe it as very collegiate and gothic-inspired....

At The Spruce, we love finding creative ways to make our homes more green, which is why we can’t wait to dedicate an entire week to share these tips with you. And we’ve partnered with our sister site, Treehugger, to ensure you’re getting the best information to make your home greener, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly. What Is Green Week? Making a greener, cleaner home is nothing new, but it’s becoming more accessible than ever....