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Motor Oil Recycling Used motor oil recycling is the law in most cities and states. Though the federal government doesn’t regulate used motor oil as a hazardous waste, some states do because of the environmental risks and health hazards that oil presents. Once oil gets into a drinking water supply, for example, it’s very difficult, time-consuming and expensive to remove. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the oil from just one oil change could contaminate 1 million gallons of water....

If you need a pressure washer for small messes or to keep up with everyday dirt and debris, the Ryobi 1,600 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer will do the trick. Nothing boosts curb appeal like a quality exterior pressure wash. By simply washing away the season’s dirt and debris, your home can look brand new again. Some pressure washers are made to tackle months or even years of dirt, cobwebs, and built-up gunk....

Marissa Johnson, a Mississippi-based event and party planner, is fully on board with eschewing New Year’s Eve excitement in favor of a calmer, more meaningful gathering on New Year’s Day. “Planning an event on New Year’s Day rather than Eve can offer a much more unique experience without the hangover and sore feet from wearing heels all night,” she says. “It’s also the perfect opportunity to start working on your New Year’s resolutions in a peaceful and safe environment, just as your year should be....

Smoke bush has an upright, multi-stemmed habit. The leaves are waxy green except for those cultivars with purple leaves. Ovate-shaped leaves grow up to 3 inches long, turning yellow, orange, or purplish-red in fall, depending on the variety. The name “smoke bush” derives from billowy hairs attached to the flower clusters, which remain in place through the summer, turning a smoky pink to purplish-pink as the weeks progress. Plant the bush outdoors in the spring or the fall....

About the Snood The snood’s color ranges from pale white, gray, or ice blue to a richer blue, pink, red, or purple. Stronger, bolder colors typically indicate heightened emotions, such as aggression or mating readiness. The snood can also have a few fine, dark hairs protruding from it. Because the snood is fleshy and blood-filled, it can change length quickly. A short, compact snood can indicate an agitated bird, and turkey hunters have noted the snood shortening and withdrawing when a bird feels trapped or threatened....

A basic home tool kit should have the essentials you need to hang a picture, change batteries in your devices, and maybe even replace a doorknob or lock. The mid-priced Stanley 65-piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit has the tools and quality to cover basic home tasks. Kits usually come in a handy case that makes it easy to keep everything organized while keeping the tools protected during storage. We put the Stanley through basic household jobs to see how it held up....

Steel Stud Basics Not long ago, it was rare to see steel studs in residential buildings. Builders or home remodeling professionals purchased them from specialty building supply outlets. Now steel studs are found more often at home improvement centers, though wood studs remain more popular. Standard Sizes of Steel Studs Local big-box retailers will usually stock the steel studs in dimensions matching 2x4 wood studs and in lengths ranging from 8 feet to 12 feet....

How a Subpanel Works In modern larger homes, you may sometimes find two main panels, each drawing power from the main utility. These are typically homes with 300-amp or 400-amp service, where there is one 200-amp main panel, plus a second 100-amp or 200-amp panel. In this case, though, neither panel can be described as a subpanel—they both are main panels, and both have their own main shutoff breaker. A true subpanel is a smaller circuit panel breaker with four to 24 slots that is fed from a 240-volt circuit breaker in the main panel, known as a feeder breaker....

Swallow Identification Equipment To properly identify swallows, swifts, and martins, the proper equipment is necessary. Binoculars: High-quality birding binoculars that offer a wide field of view are best for swallow identification. Lenses that resist or eliminate glare are also recommended so birders can follow the action of swallows in the air without being blinded by changing lighting in bright skies. Strong binocular magnification can help bring these birds much closer to see the subtle details that distinguish similar species....

With the exception of permanent filter furnaces, you need to regularly replace the filter. Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert and founder of the non-profit organization HomeCleanse, points out that factors such as the home’s location, the age of the HVAC system, and the state of the air quality can influence how often air filters need to be replaced. “A few signs to look out for,” Michael says, “include discoloration of the filter, odd odors, higher electricity bills, a decrease in airflow, or dust around the vents or condenser coils....

The common skin irritants you can find in laundry detergents include: fragrances, dyes, surfactants, and preservatives. Gentle detergents are formulated to avoid these common skin irritants, but it is also recommended by the National Eczema Association to make use of an extra rinse cycle, just to be sure that all irritants are washed and drained away. Now, when selecting a detergent, you’ll need to keep in mind that some formulas are made of plant-based ingredients and very eco-friendly, and others are specially designed with newborns or little ones in mind....

Ahead, find the best pot racks to help keep your kitchen organized. The Old Dutch Wall-Mount Bookshelf Pot Rack is our top pick because it is a high-quality rack at an affordable price. The frame is made from steel, so it’s quite durable, and installation is simple since it hangs from the wall via two brackets. The material and design make for an exceptionally heavy-duty rack that can accommodate up to 80 pounds of cookware....

We’ve researched and tested tool chests from the top brands, evaluating durability, quality, storage capacity, and value. Our top pick is the Husky 52-Inch Heavy-Duty Rolling Combination Tool Chest, a sturdy steel beast with enough room to store a massive tool collection. Here are the best tool chests available online. The Husky 52-Inch Heavy-Duty Rolling Combination Tool Chest is your best option if you need serious tool storage. This 18-gauge-steel-framed master of organization has 15 drawers, each with a heavy-duty soft-close drawer slide that can support up to 120 pounds....

Our top overall pick is the 40-inch-Tall Outdoor 4-Tier Rock Water Fountain from Alpine Corporation, which sets up easily and brings your outdoor space the look of real stone and the sound of a mountain stream for season after season. Here are our selections for the best water fountains. Alpine Corporation’s 40-inch-tall outdoor water fountain brings the sight and sound of a mountain waterfall to your home, and combines the look of carefully carved stone with the durability of resin, stone powder, and fiberglass....

The key is to look at the material. As Todd Saunders, CEO of FlooringStores, tells The Spruce, “Synthetic rugs are much more affordable and often much more durable [than natural materials]." Unless materials or origin are extremely important to you, it’s easy to find a rug that’s the size and style you really want. We researched affordable rugs, evaluating them on material, size options, color choices, and cleanability. Our top pick, the Jonathan Adler Inkdrop Rug, is a stain- and water-resistant piece with a geometric pattern that livens up a room....

We researched the best options, considering the recommended age, number of players, and content themes of each. Our favorite picks include a London-based mystery game from Ravensburger, an escape room suitable for the living room from Professor Puzzle, and a kid-friendly option featuring a sneaky fox from Gamewright. Here, the best mystery board games available online for kids and adults. Travel by tube, bus, and foot to try to block Mr....

According to Deane Biermeier, a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board, you should “always keep safety at the top of the list when purchasing and using a space heater. After that, the size of the room you’re heating and the power consumption of the heater are the next most important factors. A heater that’s too small is a waste of money, and one that is too large may trip circuit breakers or cycle too often, which shortens its lifespan and reduces efficiency....

The good news is there are tons of retailers with excellent selections of high-quality beds. Having said that, we realize the sheer amount of choices the internet presents can be overwhelming. To make things a little easier for you, we researched the best places to buy a bed. Check them out below. You’ll find several different brands, including Everly Quinn, Mercer41, Red Barrel Studio, Alcott Hills, Zipcode Design, and the site’s own Wayfair Custom Upholstery....

We researched today’s top retailers for prints, canvases, customizations, and one-of-a-kind pieces. Among the panel of big and small brands, we are especially impressed with Society6, which has excellent tools for filtering through its expansive selection. Wayfair is another solid choice, with hundreds of thousands of options and fast turnarounds for custom sizes. For more guidance, we also tapped in Alex Epstein, lead interior designer at Purple Cherry Architects. She shared her own personal favorite retailers along with some artwork shopping tips: “Buying pre-framed art is a great way to save money and not have to source a matching frame,” she advises....

We researched the best gardening gifts for him, considering categories like practicality, ergonomics, sustainability, and more. Our list includes protective, machine-washable gloves from Atlas Glove, the handy Fiskars Garden Tool Set, and a seed saving kit from Uncommon Goods to help him stay organized. Here are the best gardening gifts for men. These gloves are available in four sizes and five colors to fit every gardener. The wrist is elasticized, so the gloves will stay on easily without being too tight or uncomfortable....