Julie Christensen

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Hunker uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding home improvement and design, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.

As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Julie Christensen

  • Why Is My Sweet Potato Vine Brown?

    A sweet potato vine can turn brown for a variety of reasons, including frost damage, root knot nematodes, fungal diseases and pest infestations that damage the plants.

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  • What Is The Standard Width For A Chest Of Drawers?

    Standard furniture widths may vary slightly, from manufacturer to manufacturer, and when it comes to a chest of drawers, you may find furniture as narrow as 10 inches, or 46 inches or wider. The height of each drawer within the chest also varies, from 3 to 4 inches to as wide as 12 inches.

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  • Can You Varnish Over Oiled Wood?

    Oil finishes give a soft, natural look to wood but can attract dirt and grease, which can impede a varnish's ability to adhere well. If you choose to apply a coat of varnish to oiled wood, clean the wood well first. Most varnishes are compatible with oil finishes and will give the wood a hard, protective coating.

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  • Detergents That Are Recommended For Use In LG Dishwashers

    LG dishwashers have a lot of bells and whistles, such as a steam option, a child lock and low noise operation, but they are not much different than other dishwashers when it comes to the basics. Any commercial brand of dishwasher detergent is safe for an LG dishwasher, although some clean better than others.

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  • The Best Type Of Flooring Choice For A Shifting Foundation

    A shifting foundation typically occurs when a home is built on clay soil. When the clay gets wet, it expands; when it dries out, it contracts. These changes cause the concrete floor to heave, resulting in an uneven and changing surface. The best floor types for shifting foundations are those with some flexibility.

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  • Can Liquid Nails Be Used On Floor Tile?

    Liquid Nails is to a contractor what a glue gun is to a crafter. It can cure a number of problems quickly and easily, and may seem like the solution to just about every home improvement challenge. However, this solvent-based, rubber adhesive has its limitations.

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  • Standard Sizes Of The Steps For A Front Porch

    Porch steps serve a practical purpose, but they can also be a decorative element. Although you could build to the minimum required width, you could also consider building your staircase much wider. Wide porch steps are inviting and allow several guests to enter the porch together.

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  • Are Carpet Shampooers Safe To Use On Mattresses?

    Commercial carpet shampooers, available for rental at some grocery and hardware stores, usually come with an upholstery tool kit that allows you to clean mattresses, sofas and rugs. Use this attachment to clean mattresses, but don't overwet the mattress and dry it quickly to prevent mildew growth.

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  • What Causes Rust Stains On A Mattress?

    A rust stain on a mattress is probably caused by moisture reaching the inner coils, but consider other possibilities, as well. When removing stains, keep the mattress as dry as possible to avoid further rust stains. Vacuum the mattress monthly to remove dust and dirt, and air it out in the sun annually, if possible.

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  • How Long Does Wisteria Bloom?

    Wisteria is a vigorous, extravagant vine, producing clusters of blue, purple, pink or white flowers 12 inches or more in length. The plant has a short bloom period, but its corky bark, velvet seed pods and yellow fall foliage make up for flowers the rest of the year.

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  • My Dill Plant Is Drooping

    Dill is one of the easiest garden herbs to grow. A drooping plant rarely indicates disease, but rather improper growing conditions or even a normal part of the plant's life cycle. Remedy both problems by planting dill seed throughout the summer.

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  • How To Get Paint Out Of Polyester

    Polyester fabrics are durable and resist many stains, but they wrinkle easily and are damaged by heat. Some stains can prove difficult on polyester, however, including stains from oil point, which may be difficult or even impossible to remove, according to Ohio State University.

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  • How To Remove Melted Plastic From The Dryer

    A plastic coated bib or zip top bag gone astray probably won't melt in a dryer unless you're using the high heat setting, but if it does, it won't cause serious damage. Today's dryers are painted with a synthetic enamel coating that holds up well to heat and wear.

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  • How Fast Do Bean Seeds Grow

    Green beans are a popular vegetable for the home garden. They grow quickly and require only sun and water. Pole varieties grow between 5 and 10 feet high, according to Cornell University, and require staking. Bush beans are compact and need no support.

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  • How To Remove Saliva Stains From Fabric

    Saliva stains from a young child or pet leave ringed marks on fabric. Saliva contains protein, so you'll want to handle stain removal as you would for other protein stains such as blood, egg and urine. The most important thing to remember when removing saliva stains is to avoid using hot water.

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  • How To Remove Permanent Marker From Concrete

    Concrete is porous and stains readily. The longer a permanent marker stain remains on the concrete, the more likely the concrete is to absorb it, making removal difficult or impossible. With prompt attention, though, you can likely remove most of the marker.

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