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How to Clean Your AirPods Without Ruining Them

Whether you’re trying to find one of them, worrying that your pet ate them, or actually wearing them, you probably aren’t thinking about cleaning your AirPods. For some of us, it’s only when we take them out and find a particularly gory glob of earwax stuck to them that it even occurs to us that, much like our sheets or shower curtains, our beloved wireless earbuds should probably have their own cleaning schedule. In addition to avoiding the jarring visual described above, it’s also in the interest of our health to do so.

“The ear canal is a dark, warm, moist, closed space and is prone to infection,” explains Erich P. Voight, MD, associate professor of otolaryngology—head and neck surgery—at NYU Langone Health. “Blocking it off with anything can cause the environment to get infected. If the object placed inside is ‘dirty’ then an infection is likely.” He adds that ear infections are usually indicated by pain, swelling, itchiness, and even hearing loss or fever. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, regardless of your AirPods’ cleanliness, get in touch with your healthcare provider.

Why Brown Is the Bold Neutral Your Walls Need

When it came time to convince my family that I wanted to paint the dining room brown, I decided the word “chocolate” would be my secret weapon. In fact, I had the specifics in mind: I would add that it was the paint equivalent of my favorite Valrhona G…

What I didn’t tell them was that I’d already found the paint, and that it was arriving via FedEx from Dorset, England, the very next day.

We’re Calling It: This Is the Golden Age of Candles

I grew up in a house pretty much devoid of candles, unacquainted with their simple pleasures until I flew the nest. My mother is very scent-sensitive (seriously, the woman can catch a whiff of a Reese’s peanut butter cup from 15 feet away) and is an insurance adjuster who’s seen too many house fires start from unattended candles. So, I discovered the charm of a nighttime candle only in college, at which point they were banned in dorm rooms (understandably so), and were all the more precious since they were at constant risk of confiscation.

Fast forward to my adult life, and boy do I still love the evening ambience. I’ve got multiple candles in every room, set up with little jars of matches for whenever the mood strikes. I’m far from alone in this, as well, according to the explosion of candle content to be found on the internet in the past year. We’ve seen people of all ages reshaping, making, reviewing, and caring for their beloved candles like never before, and it’s really a pretty wholesome hobby to indulge.

How to Make Your Cleaning Routine Way More Efficient

We’ve teamed up with Miele to share smart tips and tricks for making your cleaning routine more productive. But before you get started, you’ll need the right tools—check out Miele’s HomeCare collection to find out which of their vacuum cleaners is righ…

There are two types of people in this world: those precious few that thrive on the before-and-after thrill of deep-cleaning a toilet and...the rest of us. For many (raises hand), cleaning remains something to avoid or procrastinate through creative clutter shuffling. But what if cleaning could become the most productive part of your day—where you not only get the living room rug fluffy and clean, but you also catch up on that true-crime podcast episode you’ve been meaning to listen to.

The Essential Gardening Step You’re Probably Skipping

When I started my first vegetable garden, I drew everything out on graph paper, much to the amusement of my husband. As it turns out, I had the right idea. A few years later, when I became a Master Gardener, I learned that record-keeping is an indispensable first step. Because, while we think we remember, the reality is that we forget things (did I fertilize that tomato plant two weeks ago?) in the course of a gardening season, let alone from one gardening year to the next.

How you keep track of what you grow—with a garden app, notebook, monthly planner, index cards, or on spreadsheets—doesn’t matter, as long as it works for you and you record things while they’re still fresh in your memory. As with anything else, record-keeping takes the guesswork out of gardening so you can focus your efforts on making your plants thrive.

16 Fresh, Floral, and Fruity Summer Wreaths to Make or Buy

Now that spring is here, our eyes are on summer. With just a taste of warm weather, we’re already dreaming of the shining sun, glistening pools, abundant produce—and stunning, colorful flowers. And while a bouquet in a vase is a classic way to showcase…

The wreath, which may be filed away in your mind as a holiday season-only decoration, is a beautiful, dynamic way to celebrate nature’s bounty any time of year. With sunflowers, hydrangeas, and lavender blooming during the hotter months, we encourage you to either buy a summer wreath or craft one yourself to spread summery joy around your home.

15 Very Doable Tweaks to Reduce Kitchen Waste

A Full Plate is a column about family life and the home by contributing writer Laura Fenton, who explores the intersection of sustainable living and home design through a mother’s eyes.

Quick, where’s the biggest garbage can inside your home? Bet yo…

A Full Plate is a column about family life and the home by contributing writer Laura Fenton, who explores the intersection of sustainable living and home design through a mother’s eyes.

Quick, where’s the biggest garbage can inside your home? Bet you said the kitchen, right? Our kitchens are the source of so much of the waste that flows into—and out of—our homes. From food packaging to forgotten leftovers, the trash fills up quickly.

The Chrissy Teigen-Approved Method to Organize Your Fridge

There are countless ways to organize your fridge. On this site alone, we’ve suggested bins and baskets and plastic tubs for storing greens. I’ve spent many a moment lamenting the calamity that is my cluttered icebox, wondering if there was some method …

Well, perhaps this Chrissy Teigen video can offer some advice. A few weeks ago, she partnered with organizing expert Krystal Guinn (who she met on Instagram) to make an informational video about fridge organization. The video, uploaded to Teigen’s YouTube channel, clocks in at just over four minutes and offers a foolproof, easy-to-follow method to fill your fridge in a way that makes sense.

20 Under-$25 Gifts That’re Totally Priceless

Believe it or not, a big budget is not the only path to a great gift. Sometimes, the very best presents are inexpensive—about the thought and not the price tag. Even if it costs under $25.

Your self-care enthusiast of a sister will appreciate a set of…

Believe it or not, a big budget is not the only path to a great gift. Sometimes, the very best presents are inexpensive—about the thought and not the price tag. Even if it costs under $25.

Your self-care enthusiast of a sister will appreciate a set of eye masks that recreate spa vibes in the home, while your wine-loving bestie will graciously accept a cute bottle tote for all her on-the-go drinking needs. As long as you get personal, the meaning and usefulness of a gift transcends its cost. For your inspiration, we gathered 20 incredibly thoughtful gifts under $25 that are sure to delight and surprise.

The Ultimate Laundry Stripping Recipe

I remember the first time “laundry stripping” went viral. I was just out of college, and all of a sudden, my Facebook timeline was filled with videos of people swirling towels around in their bathtubs, leaving behind murky brown water. That was a few y…

It’s no secret that #CleaningTikTok loves a good laundry hack, so it was only a matter of time before they got everyone interested in laundry stripping. After all, it’s sooo satisfying to watch all the dirt and grime come out of (seemingly) clean clothes or, in the case of TikTok user @emmast_john’s viral video, used couch covers. Ick! If you’re ready to try the trend out for yourself and see what gunk is hiding in your linens, here’s the best laundry stripping recipe and some insights into the process.