Because Grandma’s flatware should always be clean and sparkly. Had you ever thought to use yourgood silverwareevery day? She assured me that it was perfectly safe to clean herflatware in the dishwasherwith the rest of my dishes. Credit: Getty Images Admittedly, I was hesitant to use it at first. Silver was, in my mind, one of the things that you only pulled out for special occasions. Innumerable dishwasher horror stories ran through my head, but I followed my grandma’s advice....

The answer may surprise you. That is, when you’re in a pinch. Probably the dirtiest place to clean in the home isthe bathroom,particularly the toilet. Credit: vladans/Getty Images The carbonation of Coke can work its magic on filthy rings, lime buildup, and water stains. Toilets really are a germ magnet, especially if you have a large household. Can You Clean Toilets With Coca-Cola? Credit: Getty/Peter Dazeley Why Does Coca-Cola Work? Coca-Cola contains carbonic, citric, and phosphoric acids so it’s great for tough stains and dissolving rust....

Too much Cheddar on your hands? Here’s what to do. Extra cheese is a good problem to have. Especially because you canfreezeit to use latersome cheeses, anyway. In general, harder cheeses usually freeze best, but how you store them is a factor too. With an aged cheddar or blue, that may be just what you’re looking for on your salad. Use the thawed cheese as quickly as possible. Because of their high moisture content, chevre, ricotta, or fresh mozzarella can become gritty from freezing....

A little safety reminder. Save it, of course. If you store them properly, of course. Credit: Devrim_PINAR/Getty Images Read on for why you shouldn’t rewarm food with your slow cooker. The wrong way is the easy way. No storage containers or additional pots and pans to wash. Don’t do this, experts say. This is a bad idea for two reasons. (Never store a slow cooker in the freezer, which can damage the insert....

Learn how to reuse potting soil effectively. Getty Images One of the major components to see any throw in of outdoor garden flourish is the pottingsoil. And as any gardener knows, potting soil is not cheap. Credit:Getty Images Especially when you have to use several bags for your outdoor setup. This made us wonder… can you reuse potting soil? The first thing to assess is the nutrients. Steps To Reuse Potting Soil Is your potting soil looking compact or at a loss of nutrients?...

Can you and should you are two different questions. So, can you reuse tea bags? Alabama-based registered dietitian Chelsea Edwards tellsSouthern Livingthat it really depends on your own personal palate. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Can you and should you reuse tea bags are two different questions, Edwards says. Does The throw in Of Tea Bag Matter? Green and white teas work better for multiple brewings than black teas....

June Marie Sobrito / Getty Images Zip-top bags are so handy in the kitchen. Are Zip-Top Bags Reusable? Yes, zip-top bags like those sold by Ziploc can be reused. Credit:June Marie Sobrito / Getty Images However, Ziploc doesn’t recommend reusing bags that contained foods that could cause a safety issue. If you used your zip-top bag for raw meat or fish, toss it out. The company also advises against reusing bags that contained an allergen (like nuts, for instance)....

Here’s the not-so-festive truth. Its an unfortunate situation to say the least. Can a dying Christmas tree be revived? Credit:Getty Images Heres what the experts say. Can You Revive A Dying Christmas Tree? Were sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but the short answer is no. Once the tree has been cut on the farm it begins dying much like a cut flower. There are best practices that will extend its shelf life, but eventually it will be done....

A crunchy delight or digestive dilemma? Theirnatural sweetnessand versatility make them a staple in kitchens worldwide. But what about raw sweet potatoes? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox While we usuallyenjoy them cooked, can sweet potatoes be eaten raw? What Does A Raw Sweet Potato Taste Like? Raw Vs. Cooked Sweet Potatoes It’s incredible how much cooking transforms sweet potatoes. Credit: GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH...

Pito Fotos/Getty Images Winter and early spring blooming plants are some of our favorites. They’re a reminder that warm weather is on the way. How Does Frost Affect Blooming Plants? Credit:Pito Fotos/Getty Images Freezing temperatures may zap buds, newly opened foliage, and flowers. Some or all of the damaged tissues may turn an ugly black or brown. Blooming plants that sustain frost damage may have fewer flowers in spring or even none at all....

Canned foods are a convenient way to prepare a variety of meals quickly. But what if you only need to use part of the can’s contents? Properly storing an opened can is crucial to maintaining safety, quality, and flavor. Credit: Emily Laurae These same items can last for months in the freezer if stored properly, preventingfreezer burnor loss of quality. Liquid from canned chickpeas can be used in many recipes as a substitute for egg whites....

Understanding when to make substitutions can help you maintain flavor and quality. So can you substitute one throw in of oil for another? Specifically, is it possible to replace vegetable oil with olive oil and vice versa? Credit:Getty Images / Valentyna Yeltsova Olive oil is celebrated for its fruity flavor and is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. Extra-virgin olive oilis the highest quality, boasting a robust flavor and lower percentage of free fatty acids....

Learn how to keep your slow cooker mess-free. Fromstews and soupsto barbecue and red beans and rice, this handy appliance does it all. What Is Parchment Paper? Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett Parchment paper is treated with silicone to make it non-stick. Alternatives To Parchment Paper Several companies sell disposable slow-cooker liners that are made of plastic or nylon. Aluminum foilcan be used to line a slow cooker and is an ideal choice for certain dishes....