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Should You Rake Grass Clippings or Leave Them? Leaving them on a lawn that has healthy grass becomes a problem only if they are too thick (that is, the grass was too high when you mowed it) or the lawn is wet: If you mow the lawn before it gets overly tall, the mass of the grass clippings will not be sufficient to warrant raking (or bagging, if you use a bag attachment on your lawnmower)....

Why You Should Wash New Sheets Unless you buy or make your own bedding that’s explicitly chemical-free, your bed sheets likely contain additives that can irritate your skin, eyes, and airways. Bed sheets are also typically produced in factories where a wide variety of factory workers handle them and introduce their own germs. Even natural fibers, like bamboo, can pick up stray chemicals and irritants as it makes its way to your home....

Before you make that expensive decision for your remodeled kitchen, take a moment to consider soapstone—a unique, beautiful, and widely misunderstood natural stone. As it turns out, many of the supposed limitations of soapstone counters turn out to be myths. For the right homeowner, soapstone countertops just might be the ideal choice. Types of Soapstone Countertops Buyers of soapstone countertops need to know a bit of soapstone’s geology before installing them....

This form of yucca has softer leaves without spines, giving rise to its name. The sword-shaped leaves do not have sharp, hard edges, so it is a bit more user-friendly than other varieties of yucca. However, its leaves do have a pointy end so be careful when walking near it, Brushing against its foliage won’t cut you like other varieties of yuca can. If provided with ideal conditions, the spineless yucca might even bloom....

When spring showers have our lawns and hedges sprouting up faster than we can keep up, a handheld shearer and trimmer is an ideal way to keep the yard maintained—especially if a larger tool can’t get to those hard-to-reach areas. For jobs that require more power and efficiency than garden pruners, a compact option like the Sun Joe HJ604C 2-in-1 Hedge Trimmer (which uses dual-action blades) can shave off time and extra energy on yard work, especially for those with topiaries that require meticulous care....

“You will want a comfortable mattress that can be used for sitting as well as supporting your body when lying down,” says sleep specialist Nicole Shallow. Other features to look for include mattress size and level of assembly. To help you find the best daybed for your home, we researched the top options on the market with these features in mind. Our favorite is the Room & Board Jasper Daybed because it has a customizable design with a hardwood frame and over 250 upholstery options....

With buying tips from Dr. Gibson in mind, we researched options with useful organizational features and tasteful aesthetics. Our favorite is the Skip Hop Light Up Caddy, a thoughtfully designed diaper holder with adjustable compartments and a handy light for middle-of-the-night changes. Here, the best diaper caddies to organize and simplify your changing routine. As the name suggests, this caddy has a touch-activated light on the handle. The soft illumination helps you see what you’re doing during middle-of-the-night diaper changes....

As with anything that involves water safety, you have to be careful when selecting what to use in and around your hot tub. Horseplay is a big no-no, so as tempting as it may be to pick toys and oversized inflatables that are designed for swimming pools or in-ground spas, we omitted these in favor of products that are designed specifically to enhance the hot tubs experience. We especially paid attention to safety concerns, water-resistant materials, and how well products are expected to hold up in a variety of environments and conditions....

Laura Klein, a Consumer Test Kitchen specialist at Hamilton Beach, notes this about how induction cooking differs from the cooking you’re used to: “Induction cooking works through a magnetic field between the induction coils beneath the glass top and the ferrous (iron-containing) material in the cookware. Heat from induction is only produced in the pan itself, not in the glass top.” The result is more even cooking, better browning, and a reduced chance of burning, according to Klein....

Our best overall pick is the LG 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Remote Control, which is energy efficient, easy to use, and quieter than other models. Here are the best air conditioner units. The LG LW6019ER 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner is an unbeatable choice for most homes, as it has a sleek, energy efficient design that’s well-priced. While this particular model is rated at 6,000 BTU, the LW6019ER comes in seven sizes up to 24,500 BTU, which can cool down a space over 1,500 square feet, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your home....

Whitney Thornburg, Design Director at Coyuchi, says that when looking to buy a new pillowcase, one of the most important qualities to consider is whether or not the pillowcase’s fabric will mesh well with your sleeping style. “If you sleep warm, then a smooth, cool percale case will feel great,” she says, “while if you sleep cold, a cozy flannel or jersey might help you feel warmer at night.” After hours of research, we purchased over 30 pillowcases from top-rated brands and tested them both in The Lab and at home, evaluating quality, texture, breathability, durability, and overall value....

Here are the best places to buy budget furniture. On their site, you can find modern styles, more minimalist pieces, mid-century modern, and so much more. There’s also a great selection for DIY additions like knobs and hairpin table legs if you want to upgrade any of your current pieces. To truly narrow down your selection, use the handy filters to refine for price, shipping time, style, and seller location....

To find the best one for your child, we researched the best countdown calendars, considering the price, age range, and delivery time of each. Some of our favorites include one filled with fidgets from JOYIN, a car-themed calendar from Hot Wheels, and one perfect for little artists from Play-Doh. Here are the best toy advent calendars. Each can be used for entertainment or as a stress reliever and can be used by any age, even adults....

We conducted hours of research on the best kegerators, evaluating each model on performance, capacity, and portability. Our best overall pick is the EdgeStar KC1500SS 15" Built-In Stainless Steel Kegerator because it is packed with features like interior LED lighting, a digital display, and it has a slim profile so it can squeeze in a variety of areas. Ahead, find the best kegerators to keep cold beer or soft drinks on tap....

Here are the best lamps for every style and budget. The base is only 11 inches in diameter, so while it can stand alone as a statement piece, it can also fit into tight corners next to chairs, sofas, or dresser. Assembly is easy, although the lamp shade arrives disassembled, which is convenient for shipping purposes but does add a few extra steps when you’re setting up. Price at time of publish: $120 This light offers up to 16 hours of illumination and can be recharged through a USB (included in packaging)....

We evaluated the many products from numerous manufacturers for their ingredients, added nutrients, ease of application, and overall value. Our top choice was Black Gold Organic All Purpose Potting Soil for its unique blend of slow-release organic nutrients and flexibility to use, outdoors as well as in. Here are our recommendations for choosing the best potting soil for your needs. Black Gold adds components, such as earthworm castings, to help make soil nutrient-rich....

Interior designer Brandi Bashcombe always asks her clients what their sleeping preferences are when working on bedrooms: “If they tend to kick off the covers, I go with something lightweight,” she says. “If they snuggle in or keep their house cold at night, a warmer comforter is quite cozy.” Our top pick, the L.L. Bean Permabaffle Box Goose Down Comforter, has multiple warmth options, sizes, and is long-lasting. Here are the best comforters to keep you warm....

He adds, “For most people, a 25-foot option is great because it’s easy to store and long enough to handle most measuring tasks around the house. But if your space is small, a 16-foot tape measure is sufficient for most projects you’d need it for.” We purchased and tested 34 tape measures from several top brands in our product testing lab, evaluating them for accuracy, readability, ease of use, and value....