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You can prepare bell pepper seeds for planting from your current year's harvest to use next year. You need to dry the seeds and store them properly so they're ready to start the following spring. Here's how.
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Improper growing conditions, certain diseases, premature harvesting and improper storage can cause carrots to be bitter. Proper care can improve the flavor of your carrot crop.
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Rosemary is an aromatic herb that is often used in cooking and body care. Keeping a rosemary plant in your home or yard can provide fresh herbs at your fingertips, but sometimes, plants can become ill. If your rosemary plant is turning black, look out for a few culprits, like pests or overwatering.
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If your new toaster smells like burning plastic you may have left some packaging materials in there. But there are other reasons your toaster oven might smell.
Read MoreLooking for ways to make your tile shine? When your floor starts to dull, it's natural to look for ways to bring back the gloss. You probably already have several natural options around your house that can help remove the dirt, stain and other gunk that makes them look dull for an affordable option.
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Over-the-oven microwaves are convenient because they give you more counter space and help ventilate the kitchen. Microwaves are generally noisy when you use them under normal operation but they can sometimes emit hums and thumps that are alarming.
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Odors linger in a home and can spread to different rooms if you do not remove them. Pet, garbage and food odors often become unbearable, and opening a window may not be an option. Masking the household odors with an air freshener may only temporarily relieve your nose of the smell.
Read MoreA homemade cleaning solution using bleach effectively sanitizes floors after you clean them. Sanitizing with bleach instead of purchasing commercial products saves you money and works just as well. Bleach can also kill mold or mildew growing on floors, which will protect your health from the harmful spores.
Read MoreBrown stains on shower flowers are often indicative of rust, hard water or mineral stains. The brown stains can cause the shower to look dirty and the stains may continue to spread if you do not tend to them. Treating the stains immediately will keep the shower attractive.
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Fiberglass bathtubs are durable and attractive, but they often become stained easily. Hard water stains form on the tubs due to a buildup of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These mineral deposits make the bathtubs appear unattractive and dirty.
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A black ring around the toilet rim makes your toilet look unsanitary. You may end up scrubbing the black stuff off the toilet, only to find that it has returned two to three days later. The black discoloration that forms often indicates a problem with the water, such as mold spores, bacteria or minerals.
Read MoreA couch can develop a smelly odor once you begin to use it. When the couch smells bad, no one enjoys sitting on the furniture. Instead of applying an odor masking spray, remove the smell with distilled white vinegar. Vinegar neutralizes odors and it disinfects surfaces.
Read MoreBurns on cookware happen often, but they will not ruin your pots and pans if you treat them properly. When food and grease burn onto pans, they leave behind unpleasant discolored stains. The stains will continue to burn on the pans when you use them and can cause an unpleasant odor in your kitchen.
Read MoreWhen antifreeze spills onto carpet, it will leave behind a stain and an unpleasant smell. Antifreeze often spills or leaks onto automotive carpet, but it can also find its way onto the carpet inside homes and garages.
Read MoreWhen stuffed animals are stored in warm and moist environments, they can develop a musty odor. The odor often is a result of mildew, but it can also be from dust. A musty odor needs to be treated to remove anything harmful that may irritate the skin or lead to allergies.
Read MoreA ballpoint pen contains viscous ink that comes in a variety of colors. The ink can easily leak out of the pen when it cracks or breaks. Ballpoint pens often stain most surfaces that they encounter. The ink stain can transfer to wooden surfaces and it will soak into unprotected wood.
Read MorePainted and stained fences need to be cleaned to remove mold, mildew and dirt. If you do not clean your fence, it can become stained permanently due to the buildup. Instead of buying a cleaner at a home improvement store, you can make your own at home with items that you already have.
Read MoreMineral deposits will collect inside a teakettle over time. When the water boils and sets in the teakettle, the minerals often collect on the bottom. Hard water deposits can make the water inside the teakettle have a bad taste.
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Petunias are annual flowers that blossom in the spring until the first frost in the fall. Petunias grow in flowerbeds and pots and range in a wide variety of colors. Deadheading a petunia extends the time that the flowers will grow blooms.
Read MoreCeramic tile needs proper cleaning to ensure that it remains in good condition. The tile is durable and can make a room look beautiful. Commercial cleaning products can contain harsh, toxic chemicals that can irritate the skin and harm the tile if not used properly.
Read MoreIf you have noticed that cats have been using your houseplants as a place to relieve themselves, you will need to take precautions to save your plants. Cat urine can ruin the soil in your plants by altering the pH balance, and it leaves behind an unpleasant odor in your house.
Read MoreFlower stains can permanently set in clothes if not attended to immediately. The leaves and stems of the flowers can leave behind green stains, while pollen can leave behind a bright yellow stain.
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Sprouting lima beans in a plastic bag creates an exciting experiment for young children. Lima beans can easily begin growing roots and shoots when supplied with the right growing conditions.
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