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Before Getting Started Before washing a sleeping bag, check the label for care instructions. Sleeping bags with down filling can be washed in the same manner as synthetic-filled sleeping bags, but down filling requires a specialty detergent like Nikwax Down Wash. Down cleaners are formulated to protect the naturally occurring oils that give feathers their water-repellent qualities. Most sleeping bags can be machine-washed at home. However, sleeping bags should not be washed in a top-loading machine with a center agitator, as the fins on the agitator can shred a sleeping bag’s outer lining....

I applied to colleges thousands of miles away. I poured over road atlases (paper maps back in those days) imagining driving west on Route 66, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, camping in the Smoky Mountains, and living in San Francisco. In college, I studied abroad in Cape Town, a program I applied to with an impassioned essay about how important it is to leave our comfort zone. In the four years after college, I moved from West Virginia to Wisconsin to Philadelphia to Washington D....

With so many different brands and flavors out there, the possibilities of sparkling water are endlessly appealing. After all, who can deny that partaking in a coconut-flavored beverage invokes a hint of your last beach vacation? But beyond the flavor selection, here’s what else you should know about your daily fizzy drink habit. It’s a Healthy and Smart Choice Sparkling water is an excellent drink to enjoy on a daily basis....

Lovely as they are, apple trees are not a plant-it-and-forget-it addition to your garden. That’s because many insect pests love them, and these plants are prone to getting several diseases. Years of beauty and juicy fruit can still be yours, but keeping your apple tree healthy and full of fruit takes regular maintenance. Here’s what to watch out for and how to deal with it. Your apple tree has three kinds of enemies: Fungal diseases, bugs, and bacteria....

Home improvement site Porch asked more than 1,000 employees about working from home and how a remote work experience compares to an in-office one. The survey asked questions about job satisfaction, work-from-home perks, and at-home distractions to find out what working remotely is really like. (Honestly, it still sounds pretty dreamy.) The Perks Losing a daily commute came first for work-from-home professionals’ favorite work perk. Next was a flexible schedule, and the ability to stay home with children (or pets) came in third....

One of the best price cuts we’ve seen in the outdoor category is on the Black+Decker Electric Leaf Blower. While leaves are just beginning to change color across the country, now is the time to invest in a product to keep your yard in tip-top shape—not only will you be ready to go when piles of foliage start forming in your yard, but you’ll also score 34 percent off the original price....

The Alo Yoga Airbrush High-Waist Bootcut Leggings are made with what the brand calls its sculpting performance Airbrush material, which is incredibly soft, comfortable, and sculpting thanks to its compressive four-way stretch that holds you in without pinching or squeezing. As someone who owns several pairs of Alo leggings in this fabric, I can attest to this wholeheartedly. But these particular leggings are special because of the bootcut style that creates a slight flare at the ankle, pulling away from the leg unlike typical leggings and giving the illusion of an ultra-flattering hourglass shape....

“The entire home was very 90s before the renovation,” she says. The couple decided to start working on updating their kitchen first, and once they saw the dramatic difference a modernization made, they couldn’t resist a project in the nearby bathroom. “We didn’t actually budget for the bathroom at all until we saw the finished kitchen,” she says. The room was covered in a cream shade, from the countertops to the backsplash, and had a vanity that was punctuated by a large mirror....

Dishwasher detergents are typically offered as pods, tablets, powders, or liquids. Leslie Tam, co-founder of UrbanMop Inc., says to follow the dishwasher manufacturer’s recommendation for the best type of detergent to use. To find the best dishwasher detergent we researched a variety of styles, keeping in mind scent, form, and quantity. We also consulted Tam for additional insight. Overall, the best dishwasher detergent is Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods for their stain-fighting power that comes in convenient pod form....

To find the best shoe racks, we tested 31 models in our Lab, including benches that double as shoe storage and over-the-door options that maximize every square foot. Testers evaluated each rack on its setup, design, stability, ease of cleaning, capacity, and value. For expert guidance on how to select the best shoe rack, we spoke with Brittani Allen, owner of Pinch of Help, a professional home organization service. “Having a shoe rack provides a designated spot so that hopefully you don’t have shoes strewn all around the house,” says Allen....

“I would say the most important thing to consider is how you’ll use your couch and how durable it is,” says interior designer Emily Del Bello of Emily Del Bello Interiors. “You should always start by considering where the sofa is going and what type of durability level will be needed in this specific area. Measuring the area in which the sofa is meant to go is an absolute must!...

The number of fertilizers for indoor plants can seem overwhelming, but shopping is easier if you know a few basic facts. First, fertilizers provide different amounts of essential macronutrients to your plants: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (these are listed as N-P-K ratios on the packaging). Some fertilizers also provide plants with varying amounts of micronutrients and microbes to help the plant take up more of the valuable nutrients in the plant food....

To find the best gingerbread house kits, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind the dimensions, cookie type, and what’s included. Overall, the best gingerbread house kit is the Bakery Bling Gingerbread House Kit because of its easy assembly, delicious cookies, and festive candy accessories. Here are the best gingerbread houses available online now. Keep in Mind: There’s not a ton of room for creativity in the kit, since the decorations are very stylized....

To get the biggest deals on gifts this Black Friday, there’s no need to cut your Thanksgiving short and go camp out in line in front of stores. Shop for deals from the comfort of your home with the best online Black Friday sales. Finding the perfect present for everyone on your gift list can be daunting, but with everything you could possibly need to gift your loved ones this year on sale, you can save time and stress by ordering your gifts now at a discount....

The solution? Investing in a soda maker can save you money, help the environment, and save you some time when you’re looking to add some bubbles to your daily life. “If you’re a sparkling water fan who needs a daily fix, a soda maker is a wise investment,” says Sylvia Fountaine, founder of plant-based kitchen blog Feasting at Home. “Not only will you avoid lugging heavy cases of La Croix or Topo Chico from the grocery store, you will avoid all of the packaging that goes with it, too....

To help you find the best gardening gloves for your gardening needs, we tested 17 gardening gloves in our Lab and assessed them based on quality, comfort, design, durability, and value. Our top pick is the Amazing Stuff For You! Gardening Gloves for their secure and comfortable fit, good grip, and ability to hold up well during various types of yard work. Read on to learn more about our top picks and how to choose the best gardening gloves to use for your home garden....

To come up with this list of the best fire pits, we looked at a variety of options and narrowed down the list based on price, size, style, and fuel type. We made sure to include various types of fire pits that can be used in small spaces, on tables, and even as tables. We also spoke to Rupa Mehta, a home expert at Angi, who recommends considering your neighborhood before choosing a fire pit....

To find the best nonstick cookware sets, we researched the sets that make both cooking and cleanup a cinch. We evaluated each cookware set based on its quality, variety of pieces in the set, ease of use, ease of cleanup, versatility, and value. For expert tips on buying and using nonstick cookware, we tapped Genevieve LaMonaca, chef and owner of Finesse Catering and Events in Las Vegas, as well as Alison Cayne, founder and CEO of Haven’s Kitchen....

Unlike regular bed bases, adjustable beds allow you to raise the head and foot of your bed in order to put you in a different sleeping position. They’re typically operated by a remote control motor, and they’re perfect for individuals who may prefer an angled or elevated sleeping position. “Elevating the head of the bed can also help make sure your spine is properly aligned to lessen aches and pains, while raising the bottom part of the bed can help regulate circulation and allow your blood to flow from your feet back up to your heart," says Kelly Murray, a certified adult sleep coach....

When looking for the best closet systems for your home, the top consideration has to be size—too big and it won’t fit, too small and it won’t be effective. You’ll also want to consider the number of drawers and shelves you’d like. Before hitting “add to cart” on any organization products, Margaret Ellison of Sunday Plans recommends measuring your space and taking stock of your wardrobe. To find the best closet systems, we researched a variety of styles, keeping in mind each closet system’s size, closet height range, number of shelves and drawers, and mount type....