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Carbon monoxide poisoning is no joke—so if your home doesn’t come equipped with a CO alarm, you should install one immediately. The Kidde Nighthawk CO alarm plugs right into most outlets, making it exceptionally easy to protect yourself and loved ones from the odorless, colorless gas. It’s not just the alarm’s plug-and-play design that makes a great option, though; keep reading to see how the Kidde Nighthawk meets almost every criterion for a great carbon monoxide alarm....

In recent years, though, linoleum is making a comeback due to consumer preference for natural “green” materials over chemical products. Linoleum is a naturally renewable material that does not pollute, and, unlike vinyl, it breaks down over time when discarded in landfills. Linoleum is a relatively good choice for flooring in below-grade basement locations. While it is all-natural, it has many of the virtues of man-made vinyl, with decent resistance to moisture and humidity....

Light When grown outdoors, macho ferns should be placed in a shady or partly shaded location. They are frequently grown in large planters under covered porches or in the shade of an outdoor patio. Avoid placing these ferns in spots that receive direct sunlight throughout the day, especially the intense afternoon sun, as the delicate fronds can get easily burnt. Indoors, macho ferns do best in medium to bright indirect light, but can also tolerate low light locations....

Though different species of slow-growing Furcraea vary in size, slow-growing F. foetida is a fairly manageable size for container cultivation, standing at nearly 5-feet tall and up to 8-feet wide. The F. foetida is also commonly referred to as Mauritius hemp or green aloe. Most Furcraea species, including the F. foetida, are of interest for the natural fique fibers they produce. Native to tropical regions like the Caribbean and northern South America, Furcraea grows in warm, wet environments....

How to Spot Mold and Mildew on Herbs Most herbs thrive in fairly dry conditions. They need proper ventilation and sunlight to prevent the kind of environment that produces molds and mildews. One common mistake many beginning gardeners make is overplanting. As the plants grow larger, they crowd each other and receive less air circulation and sunlight, which is vital for evaporation. Too much moisture on the leaves and stems leads to mold and mildew....

The failure to bloom can have several reasons. The tree needs to be suitable for your local climate, a location too warm can be just as detrimental as too cold. It requires a certain type of soil, the right amount of light, sufficient fertilizer with the right nutrient content, and correct pruning at the right time. Each tree species is different so when determining the cause of why your tree isn’t blooming, it’s important to familiarize yourself with its specific needs....

The component is the priming step, which comes before the paint itself. A type of paint called paint and primer in one, or self-priming paint, just might be what you need to hand you back that free time you’re owed. Increasingly, paint manufacturers are advertising self-priming paint as a way to lift the burden of priming from homeowners’ shoulders. What Is Paint and Primer in One? When you paint a house and need to prime in advance, usually it is a two-part step....

The Original PeachSkinSheets knows hot nights—the company is based in humid Atlanta, Georgia. The sheets the brand has created, dubbed The Original PeachSkinSheets Breathable Sheet Set, are made for hot sleepers—but the sheets aren’t designed to stop you from getting hot in the first place. Instead, they simply manage the symptoms, such as excessive sweating, through their breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. We wanted to see if the sheets would stand up to the arguably hotter Miami nights, so we tested a set for weeks....

Plastic deck lumber is one of the best alternatives to traditional wood decking, along with composite and aluminum decking. If you’re looking for deck material that’s durable, low-maintenance, and never needs to be finished, plastic lumber may be right for your deck. What Is Plastic Deck Lumber? PVC Decking The type of deck lumber often called plastic lumber is made from either recycled plastic or from new materials, typically single resin polyethylene (HDPE and LPDE), polystyrene, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)....

Polar Trailer is a North American company that specializes in tow-behind off-road utility carts. To see if the brand’s promise of rugged performance translated from its heavy-duty carts to a more entry-level wheelbarrow cart, the Trailer Utility Cart, we tested it for two weeks at our Colorado home as we worked on our garden beds. We assessed its durability, stability, and maneuverability, as well as the overall value compared to similar products....

Glass shower doors require special treatment to prevent things like hard water stains and soap scum. However, products like the Rain-X Shower Door Water Repellent can help with this by creating a clear, protective barrier that minimizes damage. We took this formula home and put it to the test ourselves to see if it could help keep our shower doors clean and clear. Keep reading for our take on whether or not you should add this product to your list of bathroom cleaners....

Remodeling contractors bear more than their share of complaints on online contractor referral sites. Sometimes, these complaints are legitimate. Yet the majority of remodeling contractors are honest, competent, and diplomatic—and they feel that the process could only be improved if clients knew a few important things before signing the contract. The contractor is a facilitator at the center of a vast group of subcontractors (subs). The contractor has go-to people, and has others in mind as back-ups....

Is rolled roofing too good to be true? While rolled roofing is cheap and easy to install, its resale value is perilously low when it is used to roof-occupied structures. Rolled roofing is best installed on unoccupied structures, such as sheds, shops, garages, and other outbuildings. Before you dash down to the home improvement store and pick up a few rolls, you should be aware of the significant disadvantages that come along with the advantages of this product....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Arenaria interpresCommon Name: Ruddy Turnstone, TurnstoneLifespan: 8-10 yearsSize: 6.3-8.3 inchesWeight: 3-6.5 ouncesWingspan: 19-22 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Ruddy Turnstone Identification These birds have a stocky build and short legs. The relatively short, black bill is stout and sharply pointed, with a very slight upturn at the tip. Males and females are similar, though females tend to be slightly duller overall. In breeding plumage, these birds have a black and white face with fine dark streaking on the crown....

Playing with my kids on the floor, I get a better view of all the crumbs, dirt, and general debris that they track in and leave behind. Our dark grey cat also sheds her fair share of fur, which stands out on our white rugs. Getting a full-sized vacuum out every time I want to clean up quickly isn’t always practical or easy. A stick vacuum is my favorite solution for day-to-day cleaning....

The genus name breaks down as “misshapened penis” (Amorpho + phallus). Besides “snake lily,” one of its common names is “devil’s tongue.” This is a family site, so we’ll stick with “snake lily”: compared to the X-rated and satanic images evoked by these other names, it seems rather tame. Classifying a Snake Lily Enough about the name for now, as interesting as it may be. Exactly what type of plant is snake lily?...