This Homemade Slime Actually Cleans Your Car — Here’s How to Make It

Prepare the mixture

In a medium glass mixing bowl, pour:

• An entire 4-oz. bottle of Elmer’s white glue.
• 2-tsp of baking soda.
• A few drops of food coloring (If you wish to color it).
• 1-2 tbsp of contact lens solution

Using a glass bowl ensures easy cleanup and prevents the mixture from sticking to the container. Use a plastic spoon to stir the mixture thoroughly after adding each component. Ensure all clumps are eliminated, and the mixture is smooth and consistent before adding the contact lens solution.

Note: Use a contact lens solution that contains boric acid or sodium borate—these ingredients are what activate the car cleaning gel.

Mix and knead

The contact lens solution is what transforms the liquid into a gel or slime consistency. The mixture will immediately begin to thicken on contact. Use the spoon to fold the slime over itself (like bread dough) in the bowl to incorporate all ingredients.

Once the mixture has thickened into a cohesive ball of gel, remove the spoon and begin kneading it by hand. You may have excess contact solution at the bottom of the bowl when mixing, and that is normal. Once you start kneading and stretching the gel over it, the gel will soak up the excess. At first, the gel may stick to your hands and fingers, but after a few minutes of kneading, folding and stretching, the gel will become smooth and elastic. That means it’s ready to use.

Note: Some people may be sensitive to glue or boric acid. Wash your hands thoroughly after mixing or handling the slime.

Use the car cleaning gel

Before you do a full cleaning of your car, test a small, inconspicuous area first. Use the car cleaning gel on hard plastic surfaces such as cup holders, air vents, buttons, etc. Avoid using it on upholstery or other porous surfaces, as it could leave residue or get stuck. If the gel leaves some residue or is too soft, add a little more contact solution to firm it up.

To use, push it onto the hard plastic surfaces to pick up any hair, crumbs or debris. When you need to pick up more, fold the car cleaning gel over to reveal a new, clean side and repeat.

To store it, put it into a small glass container or a zip-lock bag in a cool location. Don’t leave it in your car! Depending on where you live, the heat will melt it.

FAQ

Is car cleaning gel reusable?

Car cleaning slime/gel is totally reusable. Fold over the used parts of your slime/gel and bring forth a nice, clean side to continue cleaning.

How long does car cleaning gel last?

Once your gel stops picking up dirt and debris, it is time to replace it. Meaning, it could last one use if your car is extremely dirty, or four or more uses. The frequency with which you clean your car and how dirty it is will determine how long it lasts. What’s great is that it is so simple to make in so little time.

How often should I clean my car interior?

Every two to four weeks, when you wash the exterior of your vehicle, it is a good idea to pick up all the trash and debris and shake out the floor mats. Deep cleaning of your vehicle’s interior only needs to be done every 3 to 4 months.

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Why Tire Rotations Are Non-Negotiable, and What Happens If You Skip Them

It’s easy to put off rotating your tires. What’s not as easy is stomaching the financial consequences once they fall short of their expected lifespan by thousands of miles — or worse — if they cause a dangerous flat, an accident or damage to your drivetrain.

But, luckily, tire rotation is a simple maintenance task. “It benefits tire longevity and safety, plus can prevent future repairs,” says mechanic Alan Gelfand.

Here’s everything to know about tire rotations, including how often to get them done, whether to DIY the task and what pattern of rotation is right for your vehicle.

What Is a Tire Rotation?

A tire rotation involves moving each tire/wheel on your vehicle from one location to another, like from the front to the back or from side to side. This helps distribute the tread wear evenly, so your tires will last longer and your car will handle better.

“This is extra relevant for front-wheel-drive cars, as the front tires are put under much more stress than the rears, having to drive and turn all at the same time,” says automotive specialist Matt Clamp.

It’s also vital to protect the drivetrain on all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles. “Because of the immense stress that uneven tire wear can cause to these systems, failing to rotate the tires can lead to very costly repairs,” says Gelfand.

Why Are Tire Rotations Important?

Tire rotations are necessary because uneven tire wear can reduce your car’s traction. Not rotating tires also decreases their lifespan.

How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

A tire rotation is standard every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. “This roughly equates to every six months,” says Clamp. “A good rule of thumb is to get your tires rotated every time you have an oil change.” Also, check your owners manual for your vehicle’s specific needs.

Tire Rotation Patterns

How you rotate your tires depends on your vehicle’s drivetrain, plus other manufacturer recommendations, but here are the general rules.

Front-Wheel-Drive

Front-wheel-drive vehicles use a “forward cross pattern,” where the front tires are moved directly to the rear (staying on the same side). The rears are then moved to the front, but in a diagonal pattern, with the left moved to the right side and vice versa.

“This is because the front tires are subjected to the most wear,” says mechanic Dominic Adriano. “Most of the load of steering, braking and power is placed on them.”

Rear-wheel-drive

Rear-wheel-drive vehicles use a “rearward cross pattern,” where the front tires are rotated diagonally to the rear (moved to the opposite side), and the rear tires are brought directly forward (kept on the same side). “This is because rear-wheel-drive has more load on the rear-tires, causing them to wear faster,” says Adriano.

All-Wheel-Drive and Four-Wheel-Drive

These vehicles use a “cross-pattern” or “X rotation,” where the front tires are rotated diagonally rearward, and the rear tires are rotated diagonally to the front.

Directional Tires

If you have tires designed to travel in one direction, such as some wet-weather treads, they must be kept on the same side when rotated front to rear.

Staggered Tires

Some cars have differently sized front and rear tires. These should only be rotated from side to side, never front to back.

How Much Does it Cost to Have Tires Rotated?

Typically, tire rotation costs between $20 and $50, though many tire shops will do it for free if you’ve bought your tires from them. Some shops also offer free rotations when you’re having other services done.

Can You Rotate Tires Yourself?

Yes, many people rotate their own tires. (Here’s the proper way to do it.) However, if you don’t feel completely comfortable doing the task yourself, it probably isn’t worth the safety risk.

Signs Your Tires Are Overdue for Rotation

• Uneven tire tread wear;
• Vibrations coming through the steering wheel or seat while driving at high speeds;
• Increased road noise; and
• The car pulls to one side while driving.

“If your car is experiencing any of the above, it’s worth checking out,” says Clamp. “While it may be a sign that your tires need rotating, it could also be a sign of something bigger.”

FAQ

Is tire rotation the same as tire balancing?

No. Rotation involves moving tires to different locations on the car to maintain even tread wear. Tire balancing involves adding weights to the rims to prevent vibrations. “While separate tasks, both are often carried out together to improve drivability,” says Clamp.

Should I rotate tires before or after buying new ones?

If you buy four new tires, there’s no need to rotate them immediately. But if you’ve only replaced two tires, they should be rotated to the positions under the most load, says Adriano. “For a front-wheel drive, this would be the front tires,” he says. Note, on AWD vehicles, it’s important to always replace all four tires, to prevent drivetrain damage.

Does tire rotation improve gas mileage?

It can because evenly worn tires drive more smoothly, and thus create less drag. Still, you probably won’t notice a dramatic difference. A more significant gas mileage booster is keeping your tires properly inflated.

About the Experts

• Alan Gelfand has been the owner of German Car Depot for more than 30 years. His business is an independent automotive service center in Hollywood, Florida, specializing in the service and repair of German vehicles.
• Dominic Adriano is a mechanic and the director of AutoTech Workshop Solutions. He specializes in diagnostics, and works closely with workshops worldwide, which use and maintain professional-grade tools, including tire fitters and wheel balancers.
• Matt Clamp is an automotive specialist at Scrap Car Comparison, an end-of-life vehicle valuation and inspection service.

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If You See a Heart With Horns Hanging On a Car, Here’s What It Means

Whether you’re a member of an automotive modification community or just happen to live near people in the scene, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble across odd accessories from time to time. Some of them are obviously purely decorative, like lights, while others, like custom spoilers, do ostensibly have a practical benefit as well. But recently, someone on Reddit came across an automotive accessory that they just couldn’t figure out. Fortunately, there were plenty of people on hand to explain exactly what the accessory was. And more importantly, what it wasn’t.

In their post, Reddit user Vee4Victory shared an image of a black strap attached to the front of a car. The bottom of the strap features what appears to be a black metal heart with horns. In their post, they said it reminded them of pointy key chains (they most likely meant the style sold as self-defense tools). But they couldn’t figure out why one would be on a car.

The Reddit community was quick to answer. First and foremost, many respondents had a warning. Despite the fact that this strap looks like it could be a tow point, it absolutely is not. Trying to use this strap while towing will be an expensive headache. But once they cleared up what the strap wasn’t, Reddit focused on what it actually was. According to the community, these straps are called tsurikawa.

What Is Tsurikawa?

Tsurikawa is part of the Japanese Domestic Market car culture. Originally, these straps hung in train cars to give passengers something to hold onto while the train was in motion. JDM Tsurikawa explains that the name “describes objects, usually suspended, that help standing passengers to keep their balance while the vehicle is in motion.” Its name comes from the words “tsuri,” meaning “hang,” and “kawa,” meaning “leather,” the material these straps were originally made of.

The first tsurikawa were likely stolen from trains, but today there’s an entire market around purchasing them. Like many subcultures, they were a symbol of rebellion against the status quo and a pushback against established norms. JDM Performance defines it as “a mix of rebellion against conventional norms and a passion for automotive style, particularly in the JDM community.”

Source

• The Tsurikawa Story, JDM Tsurikawa.
• Tsurikawa Meaning: Discover the Significance of Tsurikawa in JDM Car Culture, JDM Performance, 2025.

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How to Turn a Single Sheet of Plywood Into a Stunning Floor Lamp

Make a leg template

Use the drawing below to draw and cut out a leg template. This can be made from cardboard or any other random scrap sheet lying around your shop. You’ll need a substrate at least 10 x 56-1/2 inches to fit the leg on there, but a little bigger is better.

Divide the 4×8 sheet

Using the table saw:

• Cross-cut your 1/2-inch thick 4×8 plywood sheet at 56-1/2 inches. Take the 39-3/8 x 48-inch drop piece and set it aside.
• Rip the 56-1/2-in.-long piece down the center so you’re left with two 23-15/16 x 56-1/2-in. pieces.

Glue up the leg panel

• Apply a generous amount of wood glue to one of the 23-15/16 x 56-1/2-in. pieces. Use scrap wood as a spreader to ensure even coverage across the entire surface.
• Place the second dry piece on top of the glued 23-15/16 x 56-1/2-in. piece to create a single 1-in.-thick panel. Ensure the edges are flush with one another.
• Use clamps and 3/4-in. 23-gauge headless pin nails to secure the two pieces together. Drive pin nails along all four sides and throughout the center, using your leg template to make sure pins aren’t in the way of your approximate cut lines.
• Wipe away any glue squeeze out along the edges with a damp cloth.

Cut the Legs

• Once the glued-up one-inch panel has had some time to dry, use your leg template to trace out three legs on the panel.
• Before cutting, drive pin nails inside the traced outlines of each leg and around the small notches.
• Use a track saw to cut the straight sides of each leg and a jigsaw for the smaller detail cuts, including the 9/16-in. notches.
• Round over the edges with a wood router and 1/4-in. round-over bit. Rotate and flip the pieces until all the edges of the three legs are smooth.

Build the connectors

• Retrieve the 39-3/8-in. x 48-in. plywood section set aside earlier. Use a 6-in. hole saw to cut the 5-3/4-in. bottom connector disc and a 4 1/4 inch hole saw to cut the 4-in. top connector disc. Sand the outside edges with 220-grit sandpaper until smooth.
• On the bottom of both connector discs, mark three lines at 120-degree intervals from the center as a visual center point for each leg.  Mark 1/2-in. offsets on both sides of these lines to create the outlines for the small triangular leg guides to attach to the top connector and the larger triangular leg guides on the bottom connector.
• Cut the small and large triangular guides from one-inch-thick scraps from the legs using a miter saw.
• Align the triangular guides with your marks. Secure them to the circular bases using 23-gauge pin nails and wood glue.
• For the top and bottom connectors, drill a slightly larger 3/8-in. hole for the electrical cable to slide through.

Assemble the legs

Slide the notch in the legs into the spaces between the triangular guides on the bottom connector. The notch on each leg should seat snugly against the bottom connector. Repeat for the top connector, ensuring the outside face of each leg is flush with the outside edge of the top connector circle. Glue and pin nail the triangular guides directly into the legs from the sides, then drive nails through the top/bottom of the connector discs into the leg ends for maximum stability.

Machine the lamp shade components

• Use a table saw to cut two, 15 x 15 inch squares and 28 1 x 10-in. strips out of the remaining 1/2-in. plywood.
• On one of the 15-in. x 15-in. squares, lay out and cut 4 x 4-inch squares in all four corners of the piece using a jigsaw. Inset the squares one inch in from the outside edges of the 15 x 15-inch squares. Drill a 3/8-in. hole centered on the piece, too, to accommodate the threaded pipe of the light fixture. This will be the bottom of your lamp shade.
• To make the top of the lamp shade, take the second 15-in. x 15-in. square and mark an internal square, inset 1 in. from all edges. Cut it with the miter saw, stopping short of the corners, then finish the cuts with a jigsaw.
• Sand all the lamp shade pieces smooth to 220-grit.
• Round over all the edges on the slats and top and bottom lamp shade using a router and 1/4-in. round-over bit.

Assemble the lamp shade

• Draw a 45-degree diagonal line from corner to corner on the 15 x 15 inch bottom piece of your lamp shade, with the 4 inch squares cut in the corners.
• Center your first two slats centered on a 45-degree diagonal line in opposite corners.
• Use wood glue and 23-gauge pin nails to attach them to the bottom of your lamp shade.
• Install the slats one by one around the circumference of the lamp shade’s bottom. Space them two inches apart from center-to-center, maintaining the 45-degree diagonal angle from the edge›.
• Once you have a handful of slats attached to the bottom of the lamp shade in opposite corners, attach the 15 x 15 in. lamp shade top to the top of the slats, keeping the same 45-degree angle and 2-in. spacing between each.
• Work around the shade, maintaining uniform spacing and angle until all the slats are secured to the top and bottom lamp shade squares.

Poly the project

• Apply wood filler to any deep pin nail holes. Wipe away the excess filler with a damp shop rag.
• Some might call it overkill, but on every project I build that incorporates any electrical, I always add a fire-retardant additive to the finish for peace of mind. This project was no different. Mix the manufacturer’s recommended ratio into a water-based polyurethane and apply two coats to all plywood components. Lightly sand with 220-grit sandpaper between each coat.

Final Assembly

• Apply CA glue to the coupler and insert it into the center hole on top of the base. Allow to dry completely.
• To mount the lamp shade, thread the threaded pipe from the lamp kit through the center hole of the lamp shade’s bottom and top connectors. Use the included nuts and washers on each end to secure it tight.
• Secure the lamp shade to the base by driving four, one-inch screws through the inside of the lamp shade’s bottom into the top connector disc at the top of the legs. Use a countersink drill bit to ensure the screws are flush with the surface.

Electrical Installation & Testing

Not all floor lamp wiring kits are identical, so follow your kit’s instructions, though most will be something like this:

• Secure the electrical neck to the top side of the threaded pipe inside the lamp shade.
• Snake the electrical cord from the bottom connector up through the top of the lamp base and out the electrical neck.
• Following the kit’s schematic, connect the wires to the socket/switch assembly.
• Gently pull the slack out of the cord to seat the socket/switch firmly into the neck.
• Attach the insulation sleeve and the socket shell.
• To test, insert a light bulb and plug the lamp into an outlet. If it illuminates, you are finished! If it fails to light up, double-check all your wire connections

FAQ

What is the distance a light bulb needs to be from the lamp shade?

The distance is based on the wattage of the light bulb you plan to use. If you are planning to use 40-60-watt incandescent light bulbs, one to two inches between the bulb and the lamp shade is fine. If you plan to use higher wattage bulbs, the distance increases by another inch or two. LED lights don’t produce a lot of heat so one to two inches in between is plenty.

What is the best fire-retardant paint additive?

Flamecheck M-111 PS and RDR Flame Stop III are both great products and are considered class A fire retardants. I used RDR Flame Stop III for this project because it is approved for use with latex-based paints and can be added to clear water-based polyurethane coatings.

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How to Store Your Snowblower the Right Way So It’s Ready Next Winter

Drain the fuel or add stabilizer

If there’s only one thing you do to your snowblower before putting it away for the year, make it this step. Either drain the fuel by running the machine until it dies, or add fuel stabilizer to prevent any remaining gas from degrading.

Gas will begin to break down after about a month of sitting, creating residue and solids that can damage the engine, clog the carburetor and make starts more difficult. The stabilizer will keep it usable for up to two years.

Use Sta-bil or a similar product and add enough for your fuel tank capacity. Run the snowblower for a few minutes to distribute the treated fuel through the engine and carburetor. Ideally the gas tank is full if you choose this method, to reduce moisture issues.

Perform an oil change

It’s best to store a snowblower with fresh oil. Run it for a few minutes to warm up the oil, then turn it off and disconnect the spark plug wire. Locate the drain plug and loosen it with a wrench. Have a pan ready to catch the oil, and lean the machine toward it to help facilitate drainage. Once it’s drained, replace the drain plug, carefully pour 5W-30 oil into the machine, and check the level with the provided dipstick. Replace the spark plug wire and run the engine for a few minutes to distribute the clean oil throughout the engine. Dispose of used oil in accordance with local laws and ordinances.

Replace any worn or damaged parts

Visually inspect drive and auger belts. Look for frays, tears, burns or slack and replace if needed. Manually rotate the auger blade to ensure it moves freely, and remove any debris that may have accumulated over the season. Inspect shear pins and replace any that are broken or missing.

Lubricate any moving parts

“You’ll want to add a lubricant to any of the moving parts to keep those protected,” Steve Corcoran from Lawn Love says. These include the auger shaft, drive gears, cables and wheels. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to grease the auger shaft to keep it turning smoothly. Apply grease to wheel axles and the gear box, then apply spray lubricant to cables. This prevents rust, corrosion and parts seizing up while in storage.

Remove the spark plug

While it’s not necessary to replace the spark plug each season, you should at least remove and inspect it. Each snowblower is different, so consult the owner’s manual for the spark plug location on your particular machine. Once it’s located, pull away the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug with a deep-well socket wrench. Look for signs of a bad spark plug, such as charring or visible damage, and replace it if needed.

While it is removed, add a bit of fogging oil to the cylinder head while pulling the starter rope to prevent rust and corrosion while in storage. Replace the spark plug and wire when finished.

Adjust scraper blade and skid shoes

Set the skid shoes to the appropriate height for your driveway to keep the auger blade from scraping the surface. This is especially important if you have a gravel or pea-stove driveway. Inspect the scraper blade for damage, and replace if necessary. Check that it’s at an optimal level to remove snow without scraping the driveway, which could cause damage.

Clean the exterior

While snowblowers don’t do the dirty, dusty work of a lawn mower, it’s still important to give them a thorough cleaning before off-season storage. Snowblowers can collect sand, leaves and debris, as well as salt, which can accelerate paint breakdown and rust. “To clean it before storing it, start by using a brush or cloth to completely wipe it down and remove all debris buildup,” Corcoran says. “Then, use soap and water to clean it, and allow that to fully dry.” Finally, spray any exposed metal parts with engine storage spray to protect against corrosion and rust.

Store properly

“Storing a snowblower for the offseason is similar to storing your lawn mower,” Corcoran says. “Store it in either your garage or shed, and make sure it always stays upright and is properly covered.”

About the Expert

• Steve Corcoran is CEO at Lawn Love, an online platform connecting homeowners with local lawn care professionals.

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If Your Car Battery Keeps Dying, Here’s How to Find Out Why

Like tires and brakes, car batteries also wear down over time and require replacement. But what if you have a newer battery that’s losing its charge? It could be defective, or it could be getting drained by a malfunctioning or improperly wired element of the vehicle. Fixing this issue is crucial to avoid frustrating jump starts or being stranded with a car that won’t start. Ahead, learn how to figure out what’s draining your car battery — and how to fix it — with car expert Justin Dugan of American Muscle.

Signs Your Car Battery Is Being Drained

The main sign that your battery is draining rather than dying is “a car that has difficulty starting after sitting for a relatively short period of time, although the battery appeared to be functioning well prior to this,” Dugan says. For example, if you park your car on Friday and need to jump-start it on Monday, then again a few days later, this is a pattern that indicates a draining battery, which can have several causes.

While you may also notice dimmer-than-normal interior lights and a slow engine crank, these signs alone do not indicate a drained battery. It’s a battery that keeps dying and needs repeated jump-starts, likely paired with these signs that point to a drained battery. “Repeated dead-battery failures are typically indicative of either a problem with the vehicle’s charging system or the wiring configuration, and not solely due to a weak battery,” Dugan says.

Common Causes of a Draining Car Battery

Accidental

Leaving headlights, interior lights or the radio on while the engine is off is a common cause of a drained car battery. A simple jump start should solve the problem.

Parasitic draws

A more complex cause is parasitic draw, where an element of the car continues to draw power from the battery even when the engine is off. “The actual cause of battery drain is not necessarily the battery itself, but rather a component that has failed within the car and is continuing to draw power, or an accessory that was wired continuously to the battery instead of being tied into a keyed ignition circuit,” Dugan says.

Accessories like dash cams, sound systems and custom lighting can lead to drain if connected directly to the battery. Alternatively, a faulty ignition switch, door sensor or relays can fail to disconnect electrical components from the battery when the ignition turns off.

Alternator issues

A faulty alternator will fail to charge the battery while driving, leading to repeated jump starts. Also, failing alternator diodes can lead to alternator backfeed, where electricity flows backward from the battery, also causing drain.

How To Diagnose What’s Draining the Battery

Parasitic draws

“The diagnostic process is primarily about being systematic and deliberate in eliminating potential sources of the drain, versus making random guesses,” Dugan says. “Eliminate all the obvious expected draws, such as clock memory or courtesy lights, and then systematically go through the remainder of the system.”

Use a multimeter to identify the circuit draining your battery, then focus on the components in that circuit.

• Turn the car off and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes with the doors closed and lights off.
• Remove the negative charge cable from the battery.
• With your multimeter set to DC, connect the black multimeter lead to the battery’s negative charge cable and the red multimeter lead to the negative post on the battery.
• With the multimeter in place, remove fuses one at a time until the amp reading drops, indicating the source of the drain.

“This will give you information regarding whether you are dealing with a defective component, an alternator backfeed or a device that has been improperly wired to a wrong source of power,” Dugan says.

Alternator

If you did not find any sources of parasitic draws, consider alternator issues next. Signs to look for include:

• A screeching or grinding sound occurs when the engine is running.
• Flickering headlights or multiple electrical issues, like slow power windows or malfunctioning power door locks.
• Over 100,000 miles on your vehicle, which could indicate the alternator is nearing the end of its life.

Fixes for Common Battery Drain Problems

How to fix battery-drain issues depends on the cause. For parasitic draws, replace any malfunctioning aftermarket parts and re-wire any accessories connected directly to battery power. “Remove the component from the constant battery source and provide it with a proper keyed ignition or accessory circuit so that it no longer drains the battery when the vehicle is parked,” Dugan says.

Replace a defective alternator if this is deemed the source of battery drain.

FAQ

How long should a car battery last?

Car batteries can last three to seven years, depending on your driving habits and climate.

Can short drives drain a car battery?

Yes, frequent, short drives can drain a car battery and shorten its life span.

About the Experts

• Justin Dugan is a car expert and brand ambassador at American Muscle, an aftermarket parts provider for performance vehicles.

Related

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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2026’s Biggest Retail Closings — And the Surprising Brands Still Growing

When it comes to keeping an eye on the economy, you’re most likely focused on where you can get your basics for the best price. But another good metric to look at is which retailers are opening new stores versus which ones are closing stores. Coresight Research (via CNBC) recently announced its list of retailers with the most new openings and closings, so we broke down the numbers for you.

Which Retailers Have the Most New Openings?

Per CNBC, the top ten retailers opening new stores span a variety of sectors. The spread varies from budget stores to specialty candle stores. It’s not limited by retailer size either; the largest retailer has over 20,000 stores open at the moment, while the smallest one on this top ten list currently has just 64 stores open. The complete top ten list is as follows:

Store	Stores Open	Stores Opening
Dollar General	20,901	483
Aldi	2,624	168
Tractor Supply	2,364	100
Barnes & Noble	667	60
Target	1,995	43
Dollar Tree	9,269	33
Casey’s	2,921	27
7-Eleven	12,912	21
Pop Mart	64	20
Yankee Candle	223	20

Which Retailers Have the Most New Closings?

Much like the openings, the closings span industries and chain sizes. Perhaps most jarring is the Amazon Fresh closures; the company seems to be shutting down every single Amazon Fresh location it has.

Store	Stores Open	Stores Closing
Gamestop	2,100	467
Francesca’s	457	402
Walgreens	7,960	350
American Signature	122	94
Carter’s	808	61
7-Eleven	12,912	57
Amazon Fresh	57	57
Kroger	2,694	40
Dollar General	20,901	34
Torrid	560	20

How Does This Compare to 2025?

These numbers do differ from the top retailers’ openings and closings for 2025. Closings overall are trending down compared to last year, while openings have stayed roughly on par.

The openings for 2025 include:

• Dollar General: 611 stores
• Dollar Tree: 442 stores
• Alimentation Couche-Tard (Cirkle K): 342 stores
• Aldi: 225 stores
• 7-Eleven: 198 stores
• Five Below: 146 stores
• Casey’s: 145 stores
• Burlington: 141 stores
• Ace Hardware: 132 stores
• The TJX family (e.g. TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, etc): 93 stores

Meanwhile, the closures for 2025 include:

• Rite Aid: 1,292 stores
• Joann’s: 815 stores
• Party City: 738 stores
• Big Lots: 682 stores
• Gamestop: 671 stores
• Claire’s: 485 stores
• Walgreens: 479 stores
• 7-Eleven: 426 stores
• Forever 21: 375 stores
• CVS: 271 stores

Source

Here are the retailers with the most store openings and closures planned for 2026, CNBC, February 2026.

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