This is one of the most common and expensive appliance mistakes. It often results in a worn out rear bearing or a broken spider bracket. When that happens, you’ll need a new washer. It’s a $700 to $1,500 mistake.
Avoid washing weighted blankets. They destroy your washer faster than any other item.
Avoid washing rugs, dog blankets, sleeping bags, comforters and all other bulky items. Like mats and weighted blankets, they’re heavy when wet and will quickly cause trouble.
Coffee tables are as integral to any comfortable living room as chairs and lamps. Their flat surfaces easily hold food and beverages during movie nights or sporting events, as well as board games to play with the family. And, of course, they’re a comfortable place for your cup of Joe in the morning as you welcome the new day.
This project focuses on creating a simple yet elegant coffee table with storage space to get stuff out of the way.
Cutting List
3/4″ Plywood
KEY
QTY.
DIMENSIONS
A – Top
1
48″ x 24″
B – Casework Sides
2
22-1/8″ x 13″
C – Casework Top / Bottom
2
46-3/4″ x 22-1/8″
D – Casework Dividers
2
22-1/8″ x 11-1/4″
Solid Wood
KEY
QTY.
DIMENSIONS
THICKNESS
E – Top Edge (Short)**
2
25-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
3/4″
F – Top Edge (Long)**
2
49-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
3/4″
G – Face Frame Stiles
4
13″ x 1-1/2″
3/4″
H – Face Frame Rails
4
43-3/4″ x 1-1/2″
3/4″
J – Face Frame Mullions
4
10″ x 1-1/2″
3/4″
K – Base Sides (Short)
2
19″ x 2″
3/4″
L – Base Sides (Long)
2
43″ x 2″
3/4″
M – Braces**
4
13-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
3/4″
N – Legs
4
5″ x 1-1/2″
1-1/2″
** – Miters Required
Cut the Parts
Once you’ve selected a wood species, cut the parts above from a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood and solid lumber. Notice that parts E, F, and M require mitered ends, which I suggest cutting while dry-fitting them to their surrounding components.
For this project, the base, casework and top should be constructed separately, then assembled. Let’s start from the base and work our way up.
Woodworking power tools like miter saws are great for getting lots of work done fast, but with the massive increase in productivity comes a corresponding increase in danger. You’re not likely to lose a finger crosscutting wood with a hand saw, but when using a power miter saw the possibility is very real. That’s why learning miter saw basics is vital.
It’s also why tool manufacturers have been focusing for many years on design innovations to improve safety. These innovations make it much easier to use woodworking power tools with confidence, trusting that the manufacturer has done their homework when it comes to parts like blades and blade guards. Trouble is, sometimes safety innovations prove unreliable. When this happens, responsible tool manufacturers recall their defective products, redesign parts as needed, then supply their customers with the new version for free. That’s what Harbor Freight Tools has done recently with a certain part on some of its 12-inch Chicago Electric Miter Saws.
What Harbor Freight Tools Product Has Been Recalled, and Why?
On Feb. 23, 2023, Harbor Freight Tools officially recalled 7,175 lower blade guards from its Chicago Electric line of 12-inch miter saws. Made of clear and grey plastic, the blade guards have no model or serial numbers marked on them but are stamped with the words “Chicago Electric” in the grey area.
According to the manufacturer, they received one report of this blade guard breaking during use. The guards also don’t cover the saw blades fully, putting the user at risk of serious injury. No one has been injured to date, but the blade guard has proven unreliable.
How Do I Know If I Have a Recalled Blade Guard?
According to Harbor Freight Tools, blade guards bought for Chicago Electric miter saws with item number 61970 and a serial number lower than 370331931 are included in the recall.
Check the bottom of your saw’s warning label for these numbers. If you have a Chicago Electric blade guard you think may be included, check the date of purchase. Only blade guards bought between August 2019 and September 2022 have been recalled.
What Should I Do If Have a Recalled Blade Guard?
If you determine that you own a saw with a blade guard included in this recall, the first and most important step is to stop using your saw immediately. Even if you’re in the middle of a project and just need to make a few more cuts, the risk outweighs any benefits.
According to Harbor Freight Tools, all customers who bought a recalled blade guard will be contacted directly, and sent a new, safe blade guard for free. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Harbor Freight Tools directly at (800)-444-3353, or email recall@harborfreight.com.
I used to live near a 30-foot-tall bat house that a developer named Richter Perky built in 1929. He owned a resort in the Florida Keys, and figured if there were ample bats to eat the swarms of mosquitoes, it would make the place the paradise he envisioned.
Although he did everything right, the bats didn’t stick around. Sometimes that’s what happens with bats. But just because it didn’t work for old Perky doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. Lots of people successfully attract bats to bat houses.
Why Do I Want Bats Around?
Besides being awe-inspiring as they come out at dusk, bats are key pollinators and ecosystem protectors. They eat harmful beetles and other crop-decimating insects, and their guano (poop) makes good fertilizer. But there’s one overriding reason to have them in your yard — their appetite for mosquitos.
“If you have an overabundance of mosquitos in your garden, you definitely want to encourage bats to set up housekeeping in your yard,” says Peggy Doyle, CEO of Gardening Know How. “One bat can eat more than 600 mosquitoes in a single hour!”
By encouraging them into your yard, you’re also helping them out. Many species are increasingly threatened by loss of habitat and water sources, improper exclusions, and extreme temperatures and diseases exacerbated by climate change.
“People additionally endanger bats by simply failing to educate themselves,” says Danielle Cordani, program coordinator for Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation. “Fear is the number one cause of violence towards bats, which is driven by misunderstanding.”
Does Where I Live Determine My Success in Attracting Bats?
A little. Bats prefer areas with reasonable access to food, water and shelter. Because they’re native to nearly everywhere, as long as those needs are met, they very well could take up residence in your bat house.
“It really is just a matter of a proper bat house, time and a little luck,” says Addison McCool, executive director of Bat World Sanctuary. “In many areas, bats are very accustomed to the sounds of traffic and people, and many colonies even roost in extremely urban areas, such as downtown Austin, Texas.”
So is it easy to attract bats? Yes and no. “We’ve seen bat houses become occupied in a number of days, and some in a number of years,” says Cordani. Here’s how to maximize your chances:
Buy or Make a Quality Bat House
A well-constructed bat house is a must. If you purchase one, make sure it’s Bat Conservation International (BCI) certified. And the more the merrier. If you have the time and money, install a variety of house options.
“Size your bat box on the larger side if you don’t currently see any evidence of bats in your environment and are hoping to attract them to the area,” says Doyle. “If there’s an existing colony, a variety of bat box sizes will work well in your environment.
There are a variety of DIY options. I built this one. So far we haven’t had bats take up roost there, but I’m hopeful they will come soon. I’d love to have them around.
Choose a High Place to Mount It
Bat houses should be 15 to 20 feet off the ground. That makes bats feel safer from predators like owls, snakes and raccoons. Bat houses mounted on freestanding poles or on buildings have a higher success rate.
“Houses mounted on trees rarely work, and mounting in this fashion also allows for easy access to the bats by predators,” says McCool.
Also, avoid installing bat houses over common walkways. “This will allow people to avoid guano in unwanted areas,” says Cordani. “Speaking of guano, it should be harvested and handled carefully enough to not breathe in any dust — that same care you would take when handling any animal feces.”
Keep It Warm
Bats prefer warmth, so place your bat house in a sunny spot. Installing it on the side of a building can also help keep it warmer. But depending on your climate, bats may prefer varying amounts of sun and shade.
“Many bat lovers find success in double boxes either side by side or back to back, one side dark and one side light,” says Doyle.”This method allows the bats to relocate within the structure according to their needs.”
Just Add Water
Ideally, your bat house will be within a quarter mile of a freshwater source like a pond or stream. That makes life easier for mother bats when caring for their young.
A lack of water won’t make or break your success. But if you don’t have water nearby, you can try adding some. A bird bath is probably too small because bats fly low and skim the surface of the water to drink.
“Natural water sources not only provide drinking areas but are typically rich habitats full of diverse insect prey for bats to eat,” says Cordani. “Having said that, bats have been known to visit swimming pools to get a drink.”
Plant a Bat Garden
Plants that attract nocturnally-active insects may also attract bats. Some bats like night-blooming flowers, especially those with white or pale-colored blooms. When possible, plant native vegetation, which helps the whole ecosystem.
Put the Cat Indoors
Cats will take advantage of a roost if they can access it. Any predators will scare bats away from roosting in your bat house. “It’s important to limit any disturbance to your bat house while bats are present,” says Cordani.
Be Patient
Despite all your best efforts, it can take weeks, months or even years to attract bats.
“Bats are very stubborn about their roosting spots, so they will not abandon a roosting site in favor of a brand new bat house,” says McCool. “Something has to disturb them from that area, whether it be human interference or predator activity.”
Stay Au Natural
Unfortunately, there are no easy ways to attract bats to a bat house.
“There are sprays and other attractants on the market, but those do not have any proven track record of actually working,” McCool says. “Some bat hormone attractants will actually have the opposite effect, as some species are territorial and will avoid houses that have used these sprays.”
Start a Maintenance Routine
Check your bat house periodically to make sure wasps haven’t moved in, and remove them if they have. Then, once bats begin roosting, observe their behavior to learn how you can best accommodate them. “It’s important to remember that installing a bat house is a commitment, and it requires patience and maintenance!” says Cordani.
Motor oil is an engine’s lifeblood. It cleans, lubricates, cools, cushions, and protects engine and other mechanical parts. Synthetic oil, a composite blend of base oils and complex artificial additives, was first produced in the late 1880s.
To meet the need for jet aircraft during World War II, the automotive industry believed expensive synthetic oil was unnecessary for passenger cars. Then in 1974, Mobil Oil brought the first full-synthetic oil, Mobil 1, to the consumer market. However, it took until the early 1990s for the automotive industry to recognize the many benefits of synthetic motor oil.
Today, synthetic oil is used in mainstream vehicles, as well as high-performance and turbo-charged cars and trucks.
However, there are some caveats. Based on my research and personal experience, I don’t recommend full-synthetic oils for pre-1990 models or any vehicle made to operate on conventional oil.
Full-synthetic in a well-maintained engine rarely causes problems. But in neglected engines, the same exceptional qualities that make full synthetic so beneficial for your engine can worsen already failing oil seals and gaskets. Refiners now remove nitrogen-containing compounds and other additives found to harm older engines.
Pros and Cons of Switching to Synthetic Oil
Compare for yourself.
Pros
Synthetic oil starts from a higher quality base than conventional oil, then goes through extensive refining processes.
State-of-the-art compound additives (antioxidants, corrosion and foam inhibitors, friction modifiers, anti-wear agents, detergents and water dispersants) are added to the super purified oil, producing a product far superior at protecting an engine than conventional motor oil.
Synthetic oil protects by:
Preventing deposits from forming on internal engine parts.
These may stop you from switching to synthetic oil:
Cost. According to Kelley Blue Book, expect to pay $65 to $125 for a full-synthetic oil change. Conventional oil changes run $35 to $75.
It may harm older, neglected engines by washing away deposits.
The pros clearly outweigh the cons. The extra cost of synthetic oil is a worthwhile investment to extend the life of your engine and reduce repair costs.
Can I switch back to conventional oil?
Yes, but why would you want to?
The old myth that you can’t switch back to conventional oil after using synthetic is just that — a myth. Both oils start out as base crude pumped from the ground. The refining process and additives give synthetic oil its exceptional lubricating and wear protection features.
Although you can mix conventional and synthetic oil, don’t. Once mixed, the oil takes on the properties of conventional motor oil, without the advantages of full synthetic.
What About Synthetic Blended Motor Oil?
If the high cost of synthetic oil is holding you back from switching, consider a synthetic blended motor oil. A mixture of synthetic and conventional base oils, synthetic blended comes with comparable additives found in full synthetic oils.
It’s more durable with excellent low-temperature properties. It can go longer than conventional oil between changes, at a lower cost. Although more expensive than conventional motor oil, synthetic blended is worth the price if you plan to keep your vehicle for many years to come.
The bees that frequent my garden love my two lavender plants, which grow and flower with abandon. My secret? I give them a light trim in early spring as new growth emerges, then leave them alone. When they flower, bees flock to them.
French lavender generally refers to Lavendula dentata, hardy in Zones 8 through 11. Look for it by its botanical name to avoid confusion; some Spanish lavender is called French lavender.
Hybrid lavender
Many hybrids carry the botanical name Lavendula x intermedia and are sometimes referred to as Lavadin. They vary in hardiness, but most grow in Zones 5 through 9. Examples of hybrid lavenders include ‘Grosso,‘ ‘Phenomenal‘ and ‘Provence.‘
Where To Plant Lavender
All lavenders have the same basic requirements, derived from their native Mediterranean climate. They like to grow in drier, slightly alkaline soil in full sun.
Plant your lavender in a location where soil drains quickly after rain and strong morning sun quickly dries off dew. Give it room to grow so air can move freely around it. Many varieties grow up to two feet tall and wide.
Can you grow lavender in containers?
Lavenders can be grown in containers as long as you place them in full sun and don’t overwater. It’s is a great option for growing the less hardy Spanish lavender in colder climates.
Always use potting soil that drains quickly, and only water when the soil is dry. Adding sand to your potting soil mix can help with drainage.
Can you grow lavender indoors?
According to Susan Betz, author of Herbal Houseplants: Grow Beautiful Herbs — Indoors, lavender can be grown indoors with “plenty of light, excellent air circulation and space.” She recommends five to six hours of direct sunlight daily from a south-facing window.
Two other tips from Betz: Keep water off the leaves to avoid mold and pest problems, and allow the soil to dry out before watering.
When To Plant Lavender
In most climates, plant lavender in the spring. It won’t mind the hotter days of summer.
How To Plant Lavender
Planting lavender transplants (aka starts)
Most of us will purchase lavender plants instead of starting with seeds. Sizes can vary from tiny starts in three-inch pots to more mature plants in larger containers.
If you have time to wait, smaller plants cost less and will catch up to larger plants within a season or two. Plant the lavender at the same depth it was in its container.
When planting, be sure the soil is well-draining. If it’s not, build a small mound and plant your lavender on top of it. Many growers advise against adding a layer of mulch around lavender because it can retain too much moisture above the roots.
Planting lavender seeds
Bring your patience if growing lavender from seeds. Start seeds indoors six to 10 weeks before your expected last frost date.
Sow the tiny seeds in a container with a seed starting mix, cover lightly, then place the container under grow lights. Keep it covered with a clear plastic lid so the soil doesn’t dry out. It can take 14 to 28 days for the seeds to germinate. Placing the container on a heat mat may speed germination.
Once seedlings emerge with two sets of true leaves, carefully transplant them to individual containers and return them under grow lights. Before transplanting outdoors, harden off your seedlings by taking them outside a few hours a day when temperatures are above freezing. Then gradually increase the time outside each day.
How To Care for Lavender Plants
Watering
Only water lavender when completely dry. Overwatering is a sure way to kill it.
Generally, fertilizing isn’t necessary. It thrives in poor soils.
How To Dry Lavender
To pick lavender for drying, cut stems of flowers just as the bottom ones begin to open, down to the first set of leaves just after the dew dries in the morning. Tie the stems in small bundles and hang them to dry out of sunlight. In a few weeks, the lavender should be dry enough for potpourri mixes or other craft projects.
Does Lavender Have Superpowers?
According to this TikTok hack, you can use lavender to rid your home of cockroaches!
I may be less particular than other vehicle owners, but I find one product cleans all the vinyl of my Toyota Rav4. I’ve used this interior cleaner from Detail King for years. It easily removes the dust, dirt and fingerprints from all my vinyl with just a few swipes of a microfiber cloth.
Even more impressive is how well it combats oily residue. Once a year, I spray the underside and doors with protective oil to prevent rust. Inevitably, there’s always a little overspray on the vinyl. To my surprise, this stuff is all I need to make it good as new.
In her 610-sq.-ft. home, @shoebox.designs knew choosing right-sized furniture was essential. This small sofa in the living room is only 62 inches wide, but deep enough so there’s no sacrifice on comfort.
The other elements in the room, including the orange armchair, dark wood accents and stunning gallery wall, prove that even a small living room can be brimming with rich, vintage style.
We chose Hayward’s The PoolCleaner automatic pool vacuum as our best all-around pick for several reasons, not the least of which is its mid-range price (currently $449 on Amazon). That puts it within reach of many pool owners.
It drew mostly five-star reviews on Amazon, including from consumers who say their pool services recommended The PoolCleaner. The device attaches to your existing pool pump and filter and sucka debris into the skimmer. Programmed to turn every eight to 10 feet, it’s recommended for pools up to 16×32 feet.
A few negative reviews say The PoolCleaner will not climb stairs and is too bulky to get into corners.
No one likes fees. The word evokes vague charges and too much fine print. Even when the fees are totally legit, like Airbnb cleaning fees — you want a clean place to stay, right? — it’s annoying when there’s no consistency or standardization.
Kirsty Vitarelli, owner of this Berkshires retreat, likens Airbnb cleaning fees to booking a flight. “It gives you a certain price, and then they add on taxes and fees and baggage and all the extra bits,” Vitarelli says. “What you see at the very beginning isn’t necessarily what you end up with at the end of the transaction.”
That can be frustrating for guests and hosts alike. Guests can’t reliably search by price, and, as Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky says, hosts don’t always know the fees Airbnb adds. Sometimes, Chesky says, “hosts tell us that they’re not aware of what guests are paying because as you know, we add a guest service fee on top of the price that hosts charge.”
Recently, Airbnb instituted changes to their search function to address the confusion over cleaning fees. Here’s what you need to know.
What Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees?
Airbnb cleaning fees pay for readying the property for the next guest after you leave. Unless hosts clean their property themselves, which the Vitarellis tried but quickly decided against, this fee goes to the cleaning service hired by the owner.
Renee Brandon, who owns this Texas beach escape with her husband Russell, says her service launders the sheets and towels, wipes down surfaces and cleans the floors, showers and countertops. Airbnb’s enhanced five-step cleaning process, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, also includes sanitizing all surfaces with approved disinfectants.
According to AirDNA, a website that compiles data and analytics on the short-term rental market, the 2022 average cleaning fee for a one-room shared space in the U.S. was $47. A five-bedroom (and up) house cost $333.
How To Set Airbnb Cleaning Fees
Airbnb hosts completely control what they charge for cleaning services. “We pay $200 and charge the guest $200,” Brandon says. “We do not make anything in the cleaning process.”
Brandon says that while guests have so far been happy to pay the fee, she requires a two-night minimum stay so it doesn’t take such a bite.
Vitarelli offers a similar perspective. “We have a flat fee for every stay,” Vitarelli says. “Our cleaner sets the price. That’s how much it costs to clean the house, top to bottom, and get it ready for the next guest.” Whether you stay 10 days or one night, all guests pay the same $75 fee.
What’s New with Airbnb Cleaning Fees?
Cleaning fees have taken a beating recently. Stories of exorbitant, or at least perplexing, charges, sometimes higher than the nightly rate, have fueled social media trends about Airbnb’s fees in particular.
Even when hosts established straightforward cleaning fees, until recently potential guests perusing Airbnb listings would only see the nightly rate on the main page and map search. So let’s say you found a place within your budget per night and clicked to reserve. Only then did you see the total cost, including cleaning and service fees. In some cases it added several hundred dollars, busting your budget.
In response to this frustration, Airbnb launched a toggle on their search bar that allows potential guests to filter searches by total price (before taxes), including all fees. Chesky announced the change on Twitter last year, and the new setup deployed shortly after. For guests, the update provides a complete breakdown, including all fees. For hosts, it allows more flexibility to give incentives and discounts.
What About No Cleaning Fee?
Most Airbnb properties in the U.S. — nearly 85% — charge cleaning fees, according to AirDNA, so they’re not likely to suddenly disappear. Someone has to clean the property before the next guest, and hosts will not eat that cost. Vitarelli says if they didn’t charge a cleaning fee, they’d add some or all of it to the nightly rate.
Though most U.S. hosts charge cleaning fees as a separate expense, anecdotal evidence of increased bookings after nixing the cleaning fee and raising the nightly rate exists. Chesky said last year Airbnb’s algorithm favors all-in pricing, so expect more hosts to move in this direction.
Burning out the clutch and stalling as you roll back down a hill used to be part of learning how to drive in America. But these days, fewer and fewer people in the U.S. are driving cars with stick shifts. According to CarMax, 96 percent of Americans drive automatics.
And, unsurprisingly, people just aren’t buying cars with manual transmissions in the U.S. According to Edmunds.com, in 2018 they made up just two percent of all vehicles sold.
“For automakers, it will be simpler when the manual dies,” Ivan Drury, a senior analyst for Edmunds.com, told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s kind of a hassle for them to offer both, same with dealers. Given market forces, it’s going to go away.”
Contrast that with Europe, where almost everyone learns to drive a stick shift. Here are some of the reasons why.
Why More Americans Drive Automatics
Automatics are much more utilitarian vehicles that get people from point A to point B, says Lauren Fix, the Car Coach. As such, Americans are much more likely to be doing several things at once on the road. That’s not the case in the rest of the world.
“Americans eat while they drive and they multitask while they drive,” Fix says. “Europeans do not.”
Europeans are also more likely to own higher-end cars. You would never see a manual Porsche Cayenne in the U.S., but you will in Europe.
Why Europeans Like Manual Transmissions
The preference starts early. In Europe, 15- and 16-year-olds learn to drive on Microcars with stick shifts. Fix says she doesn’t know anyone in Europe who doesn’t know how to drive one. In addition, driving a car with manual transmission forces people to be more engaged with their car and what’s going on around them.
“They pay attention to the road much more so than we do here in the United States,” Fix says. “I have been all over Europe and nobody’s on the phone while driving. Not even on speakerphone. They just don’t. That’s just not part of their culture.”
That’s not to say that the Europeans don’t have fun on the road. Germany is also home to the Autobahn, where there’s no speed limit and drivers are often going well over 100 mph.
Europeans also prefer cars with manual transmissions because they use less fuel. Thaty’s an important consideration when people in Norway pay an average of $7.82 for a gallon of gas, according to Sixt.com.
Who Still Drives Manual Cars in America?
Most carmakers in the United States have stopped making cars with manual transmissions, and pricing doesn’t really seem to matter. The idea that cars with manual transmissions are less expensive than automatics isn’t really true, according to Edmunds.com.
A few brands do still make them, including Volkswagen, Mini, and Mazda, Fix says. Porsche has also gone back to manual transmissions after switching to a PDK, or a paddle-shift, Fix says. Sports cars known for their loyal fans like Mustangs, Corvettes and Camaros are also still made with stick shifts.
“You find them to be manual because it is a joy and a thrill to drive them,” Fix says.
Though the number of people driving manual transmissions in the United States is on the wane, there are pockets of enthusiasm. CarMax customers who live in Maine, New Hampshire, and New Mexico are twice as likely to buy a car with a manual transmission than the average CarMax customer.
This is the “top of the list” no-no for interior designer and TikTok user Phoenix Grey (@phoenixgrey). In one particular video, he rails glass mosaic backsplashes for being “too busy” aesthetically and explains that “the extra amount of grout means that they’re grimier and much harder to clean.” Yikes!
Whether you want to head for the mountains, beach, or an exciting new city for your vacation, Airbnb provides a great way to live amongst the locals and enjoy the comforts of a home (and kitchen!).
However, as the Airbnb business has gotten more and more popular with travelers, it has also gotten more popular with scammers. Airbnb scams can take many forms, from last-minute listing switches due to “plumbing problems,” to photos bearing no resemblance to the room when you arrive.
Fortunately, in November of 2019, Airbnb rolled out a security update and guest guarantee to verify guests and hosts and try to limit the possibility that their users could have a bad experience. But with over seven million listings on Airbnb worldwide, even if you think you know the signs you’re about to fall for a bad Airbnb listing, you can’t be too careful.
Before you leave for a vacation, it’s important to know we’ve outlined the most common indications of Airbnb scams below, and the actions you can take when you feel like something just isn’t right.
Pictures Look too Good to Be True
Sometimes it’s obvious that photos have been manipulated (think: Photoshopped, flipped, or digitally furnished, with edges that don’t match up or bizarre perspectives or shadows) and sometimes it’s not. Using fake photos is a classic Airbnb scam.
If the details of the listing—say, a reasonable price and a central location—seem too good to be true when combined with photos that look like they could be on the cover of Architectural Digest, it’s worth taking a minute to reverse-Google-image-search to make sure they’re not stock photos or stolen from somewhere else before renting a property on Airbnb.
To do so, go to images.google.com and click the camera icon on the right-hand side to upload one of the listing’s photos (or simply drag it into the search bar). If the photos can be found on any other website, they will show up, and you may have dodged a bullet—or scored a bargain!
The Reviews Are Bad (or Missing)
If a listing seems nice and has no reviews, don’t despair: new listings are not uncommon, and it takes time to build up a good hosting reputation on a site like Airbnb. So a review-less listing isn’t necessarily an Airbnb scam.
Clicking the price button at the top of the search results will tell you the average nightly price for properties in that location on the dates you’re searching for, so you can see if the price is right. You can also check to see if the host’s identity has been verified by Airbnb (click on their profile to find out). Scammers are unlikely to submit their real government IDs, email addresses, and phone numbers, so if someone’s been verified it’s a good sign. If you still have suspicions, it’s always worth Googling a host if you can.
However, if reviews are present, it’s always worth reading a page or three. Bad reviews or even just reviews that mention personal dealbreakers (such as being in a busy nightlife area) are important information to have.
The Reviews Are too Good
Conversely, there’s the situation where multiple good reviews appear in a row, all with similar wording or less-than-perfect English. While it could simply be international travelers leaving their multi-lingual thoughts, several identical glowing reviews could also be an indication of a classic Airbnb scam listing with fake reviews.
However, if the reviews are nothing but positive and the hosts’ profile has a Superhost badge, it’s a listing you can trust. To maintain Superhost status, hosts have to have had a minimum of 10 stays in the past year, a cancellation rate of less than 1 percent, consistently high ratings (over 4.8 out of 5 stars), and have a 90 percent response rate to new messages within 24 hours. Trust your intuition, and carry out the other action steps (such as checking the photos) to keep yourself safe.
Host Wants You to Communicate or Pay Outside of Airbnb
Airbnb themselves strongly advise that all communication and payments happen through their own website or app, as they can only protect transactions that occur within their system. This means you should never, ever, EVER pay in cash! Scammers might offer you a lower rate if you pay in cash or by bank transfer, or give them credit card details.
Another classic Airbnb scam involves them sending you links to “other listings” they have. Keep it within the Airbnb website. Just make sure you check the website URL!
The Website Looks Like Airbnb, but It Isn’t
Make sure that the website you’ve landed on is the real Airbnb website and not one of the very similar-looking fake websites out there that want to steal your vacation budget! Airbnb scams will truly put in the effort.
The URL should either be https://www.airbnb.com or one of the country-specific ones like https://it.airbnb.com (if you’re lucky enough to be searching in Italy). The easiest way to prevent this is to use the Airbnb app on your phone or tablet, where Airbnb blocks other links.
Airbnb Plus or Airbnb Luxe Listings Have Been Vetted
These listings are definitely more budget-blowing than budget-conscious, but if you can afford a private island vacay in French Polynesia or a penthouse stay in Manhattan, know that you can book in confidence. Both Plus and Luxe are thoroughly vetted by Airbnb according to a 100-point in-person inspection process, and with the average Plus price hovering around $250, it might not even be as much of a bank account breaker as you think.
The Listing Seemed Perfect… Until You Arrived
If you’re unlucky enough to book an Airbnb that turns out to be a complete dud, here’s what to do. Airbnb implemented a Guest Guarantee in December of 2019, which protects guests from last-minute Airbnb scams.
If your stay is less than stellar, Airbnb will rebook you to a new listing of the same or better value, or offer you a full refund if you notify them within 24 hours after check-in. Qualifying circumstances include an unresponsive host (or one who cancels on you during your trip), an unclean or unsafe space, an inaccurate listing description, or missing important amenities.
Over 2020, Airbnb added support team members and undertook a project to review and verify 100 percent of their listings worldwide. The aim was to better support guests and hosts with complaints and to minimize and hopefully eliminate scams.
There’s no doubt that Airbnb is safer now than it was a few years ago, but there are always people looking to take advantage of any gaps in a system to pull an Airbnb scam. The good news is, with a little information in hand you can go ahead and book your much-needed next vacation with confidence.
Large, luxurious laundry rooms are the envy of homeowners and renters with small spaces. Sadly, not every home comes complete with a designated laundry room, and you may be among the people who have to make do with a tiny laundry space or a closet washer and dryer setup that isn’t a room at all.
So how do you make the most of it? You can (and should!) try some DIY home storage solutions, but until you see other laundry spaces, it may be hard to visualize the hidden potential of your own. For some, all a transformation takes is some out-of-the-box thinking, paint and a few materials to bring a laundry area from drab to modern glam.
How Did This Woman Hide Her Laundry Room?
In this TikTok video, shared by DIY and interior stylist Julie Sousa (@the_avantgarde), you can see a laundry room space metamorphose from boring and inconvenient to stylish and functional.
In the clip, Sousa introduces the laundry space, which isn’t a separate room, by saying the high-traffic area “cannot look like a dedicated laundry space because it’s out in the open.” The space is in a small alcove area of the house, bracketed by two doors—one of which contains a stacked washer and dryer hidden behind it. Before the makeover, the space didn’t resemble a laundry area and was nonfunctional because there were no shelves to fold or stack laundry on.
To solve the design dilemma, Sousa created a “camouflaged laundry nook.” The TikTok creator first transforms the space by painting a third of the back wall a dark gray and adding a sheet of slat wood paneling painted the same shade for texture. Next, Sousa painted the remaining two-thirds of the wall a khaki green. Then, to make the space serviceable, Sousa attached two gray shelves to the wall and added two laundry hampers that could pass for decorative cabinets underneath the shelves.
The finished look also includes a modern black-and-white painting with an overhead light fixture, moody under-shelf lighting and some vases with a splash of greenery. When the space is used for laundry, the shelves come in handy, but when laundry isn’t in progress, the alcove looks like a beautiful, decorative passageway.
To hide your own laundry room, consider your space and design aesthetic first, then decide on your budget. If your budget is small, you may benefit from looking at these cheap laundry room updates you can DIY.
Here are some more tips for creating your own hidden laundry room:
Hide extra shelves behind a door or use a decorative armoire or cabinet to hide your laundry items away.
For front-loading washers and dryers on the floor, create a faux counter on top of the appliances and hang some half curtains in front of the appliances. That way, you can move the drapes to hide them when they’re not in use.
If your appliances are in a room that isn’t a designated laundry area and are stacked on each other, try installing faux cabinet doors. Your appliances will stay hidden behind the cabinet facade whenever they aren’t in use.
Install a collapsible ironing board in the wall, hidden behind a cabinet door.
Opt for a decorative, sliding barn door system to conceal your small laundry space.
Look for hampers that aren’t conspicuous in their purpose.
Install decorative pocket doors to conceal a laundry space the size of a small closet.
Fake plants come with a lot of convenience. You don’t have to water them, and they don’t die, so you don’t have to replace them as you might with real plants. But there’s a downside to using faux plants—it’s hard to make them look real. Most fake plants are made of a type of plastic or silk, and camouflaging them isn’t easy.
Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to elevate their appearance. Here’s how to make fake plants look real without spending too much effort or time.
How to Make Fake Plants Look Real
Some ideas that’ll help you transform the look of your fake houseplants come from TikTok creator @amyepeters. In the TikTok video, Peters shares how to make your houseplants look real with a few materials. If you’re new to the world of faux greenery, you may want to know how to pick fake plants before you try these hacks. If you already have a few fake plants at home, you can use these tricks together (or separately).
Find a larger pot for your plants. It can be slightly or significantly larger, but the point is to make it possible to elevate your fake houseplant to a higher level. You can find a variety of pots at any home improvement store, like Lowe’s or The Home Depot, and chain or local garden centers.
You may also want to consider a wall planter for specific plants, like fake begonias or ferns. If so, try one of these wall planters for your home.
Elevate Your Plant to Make It Look Taller
To elevate your plant inside the large pot, put a plastic bucket or something similar inside the pot. Try to center it for the best results. Next, fill in the gaps of the pot with bubble wrap or a towel and place your fake plant on top of the bucket, so it sits higher. If you don’t have a bucket at home, you can buy a plastic paint bucket at a home improvement store.
Use Fake or Preserved Moss
One of the best touches you can add to a fake plant is moss. In the video, the TikTok creator uses a ring of cardboard to place around the base of the plant to keep the soil, rocks and moss elements isolated. You can buy fake or preserved moss online from retailers like SuperMoss or Amazon. You can also find fake or preserved moss at craft stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.
Add Soil and Rocks
Adding fresh soil and rocks can take a fake houseplant from drab to the next level. When you put in these earthy touches, your faux plants will look more realistic—and prettier! The human eye is used to seeing real soil in potted plants, so when you place some soil in your faux greenery, it’ll look much more natural.
If you want to add some fresh greenery to your home but don’t know where to start, try placing an indoor herb garden planter in your kitchen. Herbs are low maintenance as long as you make sure you’ve bought the best indoor herb garden plants and have them in the ideal conditions.
