Articles

how to empty a shark vacuumcleaner

How to Empty a Shark Vacuum (Without Making a Mess)

Shark vacuums are well-loved for their affordability, quality, and ease of use. If you are new to canister-style vacuums, learning to empty a Shark vacuum without a mess might be daunting, but the process is easier than you think. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to empty a Shark vacuum for each type […]

how to unclog a vacuum hose

How to Unclog a Vacuum Hose

When your vacuum suddenly loses its suction and refuses to pick up debris from the floor, the cleaner’s hose may have a clog. Correcting this situation is easy once you know exactly how to unclog a vacuum cleaner hose. Try these following tips and tricks for getting clogs out of your vacuum’s hose. How to […]

how to vacuum a wet carpet

Can You Vacuum a Wet Carpet?

It’s tempting to vacuum a wet carpet after a spill, but is it wise? Whether from an untimely spill, a burst pipe, or a flooding from a storm, it’s essential to dry carpets quickly. Whatever the source, you want to quickly remove moisture from your carpets to prevent mold development, which can ruin your flooring […]

how to clean a dirty vacuum filter

How to Clean a Vacuum Filter

To keep your vacuum in good working order, you must regularly maintain its filters. So it’s important to know how to clean a vacuum filter. If you, like me, have noticed your vacuum kicking back dust to the floor or working less effectively, one likely culprit is a clogged filter. Understanding what kind of filter […]

how to vacuum the floor

How to Vacuum the Floor Properly

Vacuuming does more than keep your floors looking clean. The cleanliness of your carpets also plays a role in your home’s air quality. Effective vacuuming eliminates dust, debris, and mites that contribute to allergies and asthma and helps reduce infection risks overall. How can you do an effective, efficient job of vacuuming your home? Learn […]

5 year old girl helping to wash dishes with her mom as part of her chores

7 Chores for 5 Year Olds

Any mom or dad will know the unique highs and lows that come with parenting a 5 year old child. It’s a special age for a number of reasons. 5 year olds are bundles of energy who will let you know exactly what’s on their minds. They’re old enough to be able to handle some […]

8 year old girl cleaning the living room as part of her chores

7 Chores for 8 Year Olds

As a parent to an 8 year old, you’ll no doubt catch yourself wondering how they grew up so fast. Gone are the days when you needed to do practically every single task for them—or at least heavily assist them. Your 8 year old has progressed in leaps and bounds in terms of their cognitive, […]

7 year old girl doing chores with her mom

7 Chores for 7 Year Olds

Do you want your 7 year old to develop skills like responsibility, respect, and work ethic? Assigning them age-appropriate chores will give them the opportunity to work on these life skills and more. Chores are a time-proven way to support children to develop a range of positive behaviors, skills, and habits, all of which will […]

6 year old girl loading the laundry machine as part of her chores

7 Chores for 6 Year Olds

6 years old is a wonderful age to be. Your child will be relishing in their newfound abilities, self-confidence, and knowledge. While at five, they required a lot of hand-holding—both literally and figuratively, your 6 year old will be able to do many more things by themselves. So how does this translate into the types […]

easy house plants for kids to grow

11 Easy House Plants for Kids to Grow

When it comes to plants for kids, children find great magic in watching a plant grow. When they help that growth with their own hands, it can also give them a sense of accomplishment and confidence, along with a household responsibility. A houseplant that’s easy to care for can give kids their first taste of […]

6 best exercises for seniors

6 Best Exercises for Seniors (and 4 to Avoid)

Everyone benefits from physical movement, and the older we get, the more we need to exercise to stay fit and active. The best exercises for seniors – and those to avoid – range from a general physical activity such as walking to more deliberate moves for targeted muscle groups such as bicep curls. Whether you’re […]

Vacuuming Rugs The Right Way

How to Vacuum Rugs the Right Way

Rugs are a great way to increase comfort and improve the look of your home. But when it comes to vacuuming rugs, they can be a royal pain. If, like me, you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with your rugs bunching, fraying, and generally misbehaving under the vacuum or are dissatisfied with a lackluster job, then […]

expert tips for flying with a baby

15 Must-Read Tips for Flying with a Baby

Tips for flying with a baby are invaluable for that first or second or even your third trip with a little one. Preparation is your friend. From packing to preboarding, there are many ways you can ease stress to keep your baby happy and you calm. 1. Book a Direct Flight Photo by Octav Cado […]

better to dust or vacuum first?

Should You Dust or Vacuum First When Cleaning?

Keeping your house dust free can feel like an endless job. When learning to keep my home tidy, I struggled with whether I should vacuum first or dust first. Vacuuming first seemed to send dust into the air to settle on surfaces, but I’d also heard that dusting first allowed the particles in the air […]

health benefits of trampoline

8 Amazing Health Benefits of Exercising on a Trampoline

Exercising on a trampoline is an excellent way to improve your overall health. The simple rhythmic motion of jumping up and down has many health benefits. You might think that trampolines are only for children. However, the benefits of exercising on a trampoline might surprise adults. Read more to learn about the amazing health benefits […]

Kitchen Safety Tips When Cooking with Kids:

7 Kitchen Safety Tips When Cooking with Kids

Cooking with kids in the kitchen creates bonding moments for you and your child while teaching life skills. It’s also a really fun family activity. Though cooking is often enjoyable and rewarding, it’s also an educational opportunity. Kids have a lot to learn when it comes to cooking and kitchen safety is important. Contact with […]

great gift ideas for 13 year old boys

7 Can’t Miss Gift Ideas for 13 Year Old Boys

13-year-old boys are tough to buy gifts for. They’re a little old for most things designed for kids, but they’re not quite old enough for a lot of things designed for teens. Plus, they’re notoriously rough on their belongings, so you want to get them gifts that they won’t destroy within a week. And, of course, […]

backyard oasis ideas

25 Ideas to Turn Your Backyard into an Oasis

Whether you live in the suburbs, city, or country, turning your backyard into an oasis transforms even the smallest amount of space into an inviting haven. From simple setups like adding colorful potted plants and privacy screens to more elaborate designs such as garden gazebos and fishponds, your backyard oasis can help you make the […]

Newborn baby items

6 Must-Haves for Your Newborn Baby Shopping List

You’ve read all the books, listened to all the podcasts, and absorbed as much knowledge as you can to know what to expect when you’re, well, expecting. Now’s the time to go shopping for all the things you’ve just learned about, but where should you start? We’ve compiled a convenient must-have baby shopping list for […]

Family Cooking Together

Ways to Get Your Family Cooking Together

For many of us, cooking is a chore, not a pleasure. It’s not something we want to do, it’s something we have to do. But when you have a family, cooking a meal can be a labor of love. Still, you don’t have to do it alone. So many families have busy schedules, between careers, schools, […]

Air Quality Monitor

How to Test the Air Quality in Your Home

Unfortunately, air pollutants are everywhere. From mold to allergens to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and more, these substances are all around us, even in our homes, where they can make us sick and even be life-threatening, either in the short term or with long-term exposure. To prevent this, you may need to test the air […]

Newborn and Mom

11 Best Essentials for New Moms

Giving birth is tough, and that’s just the beginning. The time after a child is born is very special, but it can also be very hard, and to top it off, most people focus on the new baby, not the stressed-out new mom. However, a few of the right supplies can make things easier for […]

Guilty Puppy & Carpet Stain

How to Clean Vomit from a Carpet

Vomit is probably one of the grossest messes to clean up. It’s even worse when it happens on something soft like your carpet. Unfortunately, it’s also one of those messes most of us will have to deal with at some point, especially if there are kids or pets in your home. Fortunately, having to clean […]

Baby looking over the top of a pack and play

The Best Pack and Plays

When you have kids, getting a pack and play has become a must-do. You can take your baby with you wherever you go, and when you want to ensure your baby stays near you, a pack and play allows that to happen. Whether you want to make sure they sleep with you in your bedroom […]

Diaper bag packed with supplies for twins

The Best Diaper Bags for Twins

When you have twins, everything you thought you knew about babies gets turned on its head. It isn’t that the experience you have with other kids is rendered useless, but you have to look at everything through the lens of double. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you need two diaper bags. – You just need the right […]

Cute baby looking up from a baby playpen

The Best Baby Playpens

When your little one is on the move, a playpen is an invaluable tool. Not only can you ensure your child’s safety in a playpen, but you will give them an area that is just theirs, to create and explore freely. You’ll encourage imagination and independent play, while also giving yourself the opportunity to complete […]

how often should you vacuum your home

How Often Should You Vacuum Really?

When it comes to cleaning, vacuuming is one of those things we all have to do, but no one really likes. It’s not glamorous and you can’t skip it, so how often should you really vacuum? We’ve got the answer for you here! Vacuuming floors and tile can be a bit of a pain, but […]

People warming hands around a propane fire pit

The Best Propane Fire Pits

Propane fire pits do more than just deliver heat, they deliver good times and memories, too. Imagine coming home after a long day, lounging on your patio, drink in hand. The sun is beginning to set and you’re waiting for dinner to be delivered. What’s missing? A nice, warm fire, to add glow and a […]

Kids jumping on a trampoline

The Best Trampolines for Kids

Trampolines are a great way to get some low-impact exercise while enjoying the outdoors. Trampolines for kids, and adults alike, teach balance and coordination, along with the basics of gravity and physics. After all, what goes up must come down. And if you’re on a trampoline, you go up and down quite frequently. Though the trampoline […]

Cruiser Skateboard

The Best Cruiser Skateboards

If you’re planning to pick one of the best cruiser skateboards on the market, one thing is for sure- you’re in for loads of fun. In the past few years, the traditional cruiser-style boards have made a comeback. Anyone looking for a smooth and comfortable cruise for short distances will find the cruiser a safe […]

Scooters for Teenagers

The Best Scooters for Teenagers

Are you looking for the best scooters for teenagers? Whether you want to surprise your teen with a scooter for their birthday gift or you’re helping them choose something with their hard-earned money, you want a scooter that’s safe, durable, and good value. These scooters were all chosen by our advisor Richard Bartlett. His top pick […]

Kids Karaoke Machines

The Best Karaoke Machines for Kids

Karaoke machines for kids are perfect for children who love to sing. While they can help to nurture and encourage talent, they’re also plain fun to play with, either alone or with family or friends. Our top products were chosen by our home and family advisor, Richard Bartlett. He chose the Singing Machine SML625BTBKD Bluetooth […]

Air Fryer Microwave

The Best Air Fryer Microwave Combos

Are you looking for the best air fryer microwave combos for your kitchen? If you’ve got limited counter space or you just want to save on appliances, a microwave air fryer combo is a great option. Many of these also offer convention oven features, giving you a wide range of cooking options. Our home and […]

8 Person Tent

The Best 8 Person Tents

If you’re looking to buy the best 8 person tent for your next camping trip, you’ve likely put some thought into what kind of tent would work best. Are you planning a trip with the crew or a special bonding experience with the family? Either way, you need to understand the features and components that […]

Nursery Dresser

The Best Nursery Dressers

Nursery dressers are the perfect pieces of furniture to keep your baby’s clothes stored and organized. What’s more, they can keep holding your little one’s clothes well into their childhood, so it’s worth choosing a quality piece that can last for years to come. Our home and family advisor, Richard Bartlett chose our best nursery […]

Beach cooler

The Best Beach Coolers

Are you looking for the best beach coolers to take on a family trip to the beach or on a camping trip? If you want to enjoy chilled drinks hours after setting off, or you want chilled food to stay safe to eat, you need a good-quality cooler. Our advisor, Richard Bartlett, looked at a […]