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“When evaluating [the best stick vacuums], it needs to be lightweight, and be able to transform into a hand vac,” says Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council. “If it’s a battery-powered stick vacuum, you want one with a high-powered, replaceable lithium-ion battery, as this drives suction.” Functionality, accessories, battery life, storage, and ease of cleaning are also important factors to consider. To narrow your search for the best stick vacuums, we extensively researched the most important features, accessories, and designs available on the market from top brands like Dyson, Shark, Samsung, and more....

A few years ago, Orkin—a worldwide pest control company—published a list of the country’s worst offenders. The brand updates its Top 50 Mosquito Cities list each year and just released the areas they predict will have the highest concentration in 2020. The Mosquito Cities lists are created based on Orkin’s data from the previous year; areas that had extremely high numbers of mosquito-related services performed in the previous year will land near the top of the list....

“Try not to spray on too much cleaner as too much water and moisture can damage your hardwood floors," Samson says. To find the best hardwood floor cleaners we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each pick’s scent and application method. In addition to Samson, we also consulted with Kathy Cohoon, an area representative of Two Maids & A Mop, for additional advice on choosing the right hardwood food cleaners....

To find the best zero-gravity chairs for your space, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each chair’s weight capacity, size, material, and features. We also consulted Andrew Porwol, who has worked in the gardening industry for 30 years and is the owner of Garden Centre Shopping, as well as Beril Yilmaz, architect and contributor to Garden Furniture Sales. “A high-quality zero-gravity chair is an investment and should be built to last,” Porwol says....

Heather Goerzen, design editor at online interior design company Havenly says it’s all about balance. “The designer rule of thumb is that every space should have two to four additional sources of light beyond overhead can lights. We call it ambiance,” says Goerzen. “They add visual interest to a space, helping draw the eye upward.” To find the best floor lamps we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind dimensions, material, switch styles, and maximum wattage....

To find out what all these terms mean and what users might need in a light bulb, as well as some of the factors to consider when choosing the best light bulb for every part of the home, we reached out to several lighting experts. Dan Mock, vice president of operations at Mister Sparky, recommends opting for LED bulbs. “Not only do they last much longer than incandescent bulbs, but they also use more than 80% less electricity,” he says....

When choosing the best portable fire pit for you, first think about how you plan to use it. “Are you going to use it as a table, as something to set your drink on, or just something to roast marshmallows with?” asks Kristen Whitehead, owner of Helios Landscape Design. From there, you can decide what size you need, if you want to use wood or propane for fuel, and what material you prefer for the design....

“Always read the reviews when shopping online. [An item may seem great], but reading the reviews and looking at pictures is so important,” said Lindsay Roberts Schey, creator of the gift recommendation website The Gift Insider. Quality is another vital aspect to consider, even more so when working with smaller budgets. To ensure you’ve picked out one of the best cheap Christmas gifts, you’ll want to research it beforehand. “Holiday shopping isn’t the time to test out a [brand or retailer] you’ve never used before,” Schey says....

If your shower water contains high levels of certain minerals, namely calcium and magnesium, it’s considered hard water—and it can have an impact on your skin and hair. Studies have shown showering in hard water can decrease your hair’s thickness and strength, increasing breakage—something to keep in mind if you already have fine hair or hair that’s damaged or dyed. It’s also a potential risk factor for eczema, a key consideration for those with sensitive skin....

“While ‘drip coffee’ and ‘brewed coffee’ are often used synonymously, it is a half-truth,” says Bob Fish, co-founder and co-CEO at Biggby Coffee. “In short, any coffee beverage is ‘brewed coffee,’ but there are many different brewing methods like French press, pour over, and even espresso—but the drip brew method is a standard in most households.” We researched and tested dozens of drip coffee makers to determine the best of the best, evaluating each on design, performance, features, and ease of use....

“While I have both glass and plastic containers, I always reach for the glass,” says Carolyn Truett, the founder and recipe developer behind Caramel and Cashews. “Not only can I microwave leftovers right in the container, but I also don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into my food.” With so many glass food container choices out there, it can be challenging to choose the best glass food containers for your home....

To find out which styles are the best, we purchased 22 office chairs and put them to the test at our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Over the course of two days, testers evaluated each option based on seven categories: setup, comfort, lumbar support, adjustability, design, durability, and overall value. We also consulted Dr. Matthew Devoe, DC, owner of Empire City Chiropractic. Overall, we recommend the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair....

Before you race to the local lumberyard or home improvement store, attend to the following details first. You need to make some decisions before you even pull out the tape measure. Where will I locate my deck? Most decks are attached to the rear or side of the house, often just off the kitchen or dining area. For a small house or a first deck, this location makes the most sense because it extends your eating and entertaining area....

Foods High in Iron There are two types of iron found in foods: heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron (found in meat, fish, and poultry) is most readily absorbed by our bodies. However, there are plenty of plant-based (non-heme) sources for vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians to obtain iron—the only difference is making sure you’re also adding proper vitamins (more on this later) to help your body absorb the iron. Animal-Based Iron Food Sources Animal sources with the highest amount of iron include:...

The homemade version is also more environmentally friendly. You’ll save bottles from the landfill as well as the fuel that would’ve been used to get those bottles to the store. Plus, a glass cleaner made with natural ingredients, such as distilled white vinegar, is much gentler on the earth than most premixed cleaners. Another benefit comes from the ability to adjust the recipe as needed. You have total control over the quality and ratios of ingredients in a homemade window cleaning solution....

BH&G Test Kitchen Tip: This technique works best with small potatoes that can be cooked whole in boiling water; large potatoes are best cut into pieces before boiling to reduce the time it takes to cook them. How to Peel Potatoes Boiled with the Skin On Step 1: Score Potatoes Around the Middle Gather small Yukon Gold Potatoes, Fingerling Potatoes, or New Potatoes. Rinse and brush away any dirt and blemishes, then use a knife to carefully slice through the peel around the circumference of each potato....

The drawer is a nifty, adjustable bin that readily hooks onto your fridge’s existing shelf to create more usable space underneath it, and a pack of two costs just $35. The kitchen organizer is made with BPA-free food-grade plastic, and it will fit shelves that measure in at 0.6 inches thick or less. They are 11.8 inches long, 7.4 inches wide, and 3 inches deep, and the rails can extend up to 16....

The Nisaku Hori Hori Weeding and Digging Knife is a multi-purpose gardening tool with a near-perfect rating from more than 5,600 shoppers. The knife can be used for weeding, digging, seeding, transferring bulbs, and even cutting branches. Thanks to its sharp stainless steel blade, the knife can dive deep into the soil to pull weeds from their roots. In fact, the blade has a sharp edge for slicing through soil and a serrated edge to cut through wood....

The coffee chain teased the launch on Monday by posting a Pumpkin Love O’ Meter quiz on Instagram and then confirmed speculations in a news release the same day. The company even sent out an email revealing the news to certain rewards members, according to the Starbucks Facebook fan page, Leaf Rakers Society. The email called each recipient a Pumpkin Pal thanks to the number of pumpkin drinks the individual ordered in the past year....

Made of acacia hardwood, the stylish loveseat has a beautiful grained appearance with a classic slatted wood design. Not only do the slats look nice, but they’re also highly functional, allowing a breeze to filter through on warmer days. Additionally, the solid wood frame is weather-resistant, so it won’t rot after a drizzle, making it perfect for a porch or front entryway. Reviewers say the bench is “easy on the eyes,” with a slightly arched back and curved armrests that make it extremely comfortable to sit on....