Home Improvement

Folding laundry is no fun. But there really is a proper way to get the job done. We'll tell you how.

By Danielle Fisher

Fibers are fragile and don't last forever. Find out how to wash dark clothes so they maintain their look long after they're first snatched off the rack.

By Natalie Kilgore

Fiberglass is no fun to work with. And it's even less fun trying to wash it out of your clothes. We'll tell you how to do it.

By Terri Briseno

You may assume you know how to wash baby clothes, but for their skin and good health, it's worth taking this refresher course. Washing baby clothes isn't a complicated process, but it is a different process than washing your own load.

By Julia Layton

Stain removal can be tricky business, especially if the garment in question has already been laundered. But you can still salvage those clothes with stubborn stains.

By Alia Hoyt

Bed bugs are quite an annoying pest, but they can be banished from your home and your clothes. We'll tell you how!

By Sara Elliott

Strong, well-enforced building codes can save lives and reduce property damage in the event of a natural disaster. But who sets these standards? And how are they enforced?

By Chris Warren

Worried about getting burned on your upcoming home construction project? Here are some golden ways to save money.

By Becky Striepe

When you see a fire burning buildings on TV, do you ever wonder why some remain standing and others fold? Concrete has a lot to do with it.

By Colleen Cancio

If you're tempted to choose a countertop for its form, stop to consider its function, too -- or it may not look nice for long. What surfaces do best?

By Laurie L. Dove

Looking for a DIY project? Prebuilt cabinets aren't quite endlessly useful, but there's no need to confine these storage solutions to kitchens alone.

By Laurie L. Dove

It's tough to read house plans when they're thick with seemingly cryptic symbols. How can you interpret their mysterious language?

By Garth Sundem

Pretty much anyone can learn to paint drywall. However, to get the best results, you should follow a specific process -- which includes a certain amount of prep work. What steps should you take before starting your paint job?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning your basement, moving cross-country or even getting your electronic life in order? Professional organizers help tackle all types of projects in both the home and office. How do you know if it's worth hiring one?

By Jessika Toothman

To many of us, spring cleaning simply entails scouring our house from top to bottom. But in some cultures, this seasonal cleaning ritual has a deeper meaning than just cleaning away dust bunnies.

By Shanna Freeman

You've emerged from your winter stupor, dazzled by spring's greenery and energized by an inexplicable urge to scrub things. Yep, it's spring cleaning time, but where to start?

By Shanna Freeman

Renovating your home is a big job. But making a mistake before or during construction can make the job even bigger. Here are 10 to avoid.

By Becky Striepe

Table topped with junk? Car packed with papers? Clean clothes MIA? There's a point where "messy" turns into "mess," making life unnecessarily difficult and stressful. Time to find out if your life fits the bill.

By Jessika Toothman

Are springtime birdies and budding leaves awakening your primordial urge to clean? More power to you! But before you go dusting up a storm, we suggest you sort through your stuff (and read this article).

By Shanna Freeman

It's easy to rail against the new big thing, but prefab homes aren't that new or (in the U.S.) widely popular. So how have they affected the industry?

By Allison Wachtel

How are cities coping with population increases and construction demands? We've got 10 of the most environmentally conscious urban spaces for you to consider.

By Jeff Harder

What if your thermostat could gather information about your climate and lifestyle, and then program itself to maximize your comfort and save energy? The Nest aims to do just that, but is it worth the cost?

By Stephanie Crawford & Bernadette Johnson

Concrete may seem dull and gray. But the superplasticizers in fluid concrete are actually pretty intriguing. How do these little buggers make wet concrete flow like a river?

By Clint Pumphrey

Building permits are the way counties, towns and municipalities enforce their codes to ensure that all buildings meet minimum safety and structural standards. When do you need one, and what does the process of getting one entail?

By John Kelly

Green homes have been trendy for some time, but now commercial buildings are getting in on the eco-building act. From living walls to mushroom bricks, check out 10 of the raddest advances in the field.

By Shanna Freeman