Home Improvement

Metal locks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and are made of various materials. Some locks have the words "Case Hardened" stamped on it. What does "Case Hardened" mean?

Clothes moths can be a real problem in clothes made from natural fibers (especially wool). To combat this, use moth balls. But first, read this article to find out what moth balls are made of and whether they are harmful to your health.

How can motion-sensing lights detect your presence, and what prevents them from seeing you when you're standing still? It all comes down to the movement of light.

What is this bumpy stuff on my ceiling that looks like popcorn or cottage cheese?

I have an electronic stud finder, and I am amazed at how well it works. How does it know where the studs are?

How does pressure-treated lumber work and can it be harmful to humans? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this helpful home improvement article.

Have you ever noticed that paper is listed in weights? What does this mean and how can a piece of paper weigh twenty pounds? Find out the answers in this article.

Circular saws can be so loud that a person may have to wear hearing protectors whenever using it. Vacuum cleaners are also as loud as a jet engine. How can a 30-inch table saw be so much quieter than a circular saw?

A lot of tools, like saw blades and drill bits, come with "carbide tips" that can be used for various purposes. But what is carbide and how does it enhance a tool? Find out about carbide and its many uses in this article.

Each time you flush the toilet or wash something down the sink's drain, you create sewage (also known in polite society as wastewater). Find out where it goes and how it's treated before it flows into a river near you!

By Marshall Brain

As the saying goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Smoke detectors are amazing: They're pretty inexpensive, but they save thousands of lives each year. Learn all about nuclear and light-sensing smoke detectors.

By Marshall Brain

Most of us are entirely dependent on electricity, so a power outage can become seriously annoying. Learn about the generators and inverters that can put an end to home power failures.

By Marshall Brain

A fascinating look inside a combination lock!

By Marshall Brain

Electric screwdrivers combine batteries, motors, gears and a switch into one extremely compact package. How can such a lightweight, handheld tool drill through tough wood or even metal?

By Marshall Brain

In places where uranium is common in the soil, radon is a popular topic of discussion. Even though radon is "completely natural," it can be a real health hazard. Learn how radon forms and why it is so dangerous.

By Marshall Brain & Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

Repairing driveway cracks is a simple and rewarding project. Find out the keys to repairing driveway cracks to stop a smaller problem from becoming a larger one.

Dirty bathrooms are gross. Really gross. Your bathroom should be cleaned at least once a week to keep it sanitary, as well as sparkling. Learn how to eliminate the dirt and scum from your bathroom.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Whatever happened to good ol' polyester? If all the different synthetic fabrics have you confused, read this article for tips and guidelines on how to clean many of the bunch.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

There are different ways to control mosquitoes, but what if you wanted to get rid of mosquitoes for good? You would need to devise the world's best mosquito trap. Learn about how the Mosquito Magnet' works.

By Marshall Brain

A spud gun can hurl potatoes hundreds of feet at close to 400 miles per hour. But why is this staple of the dinner table such a popular projectile? Learn the science of spud guns and how they can be customized.

By Tracy V. Wilson

People use safes to keep their valuables, well, safe. But in movies, thieves can open one using a little concentration and a good ear. Could you crack a safe that easily?

By Robert Valdes

If you've ever missed the nail and hit your thumb with a hammer, you understand the draw of a nail gun. And the raw power is a nice perk too. Some nail guns can launch nails at 1,400 feet per second.

By Tom Harris

Whether it's a kitchen sink full of murky water or an overflowing lavatory, you've probably experienced a clogged drain before and reached for the drain cleaner. But how do drain cleaners work?

By Linda C. Brinson

Pepper spray is a common law enforcement and self-defense tool -- it's easy to carry and easy to use, and although it's extremely irritating and debilitating, it generally doesn't cause any problems in the long run. How does this spicy weapon work?

By Caitlin Uttley

If you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done, you might need a new way of organizing your tasks. Try these tips for setting a schedule and staying on track.

By Rebecca Regan