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What Is Cleaning Vinegar? All kinds of vinegar contain acid that brings brightness to foods or helps in food preservation. Distilled white vinegar is often used for cleaning because it is colorless and contains about 5 percent acetic acid. Cleaning vinegar and distilled white vinegar are made in the same way—by fermenting alcohols distilled from corn or grains. Microorganisms (bacteria) process the alcohol into acetic acid and water, or vinegar. Cleaning vinegar contains around 6 percent acid, which actually makes it 20 percent stronger than distilled white vinegar....

And there are plenty of other reasons to wear a helmet—not least of all to model good behavior to younger bikers who may also be resistant to wearing one. Depending on where you live, you may even have a legal obligation: According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute website helmets.org, 22 states and the District of Columbia have state-wide laws mandating bike helmets for young riders, and some states and localities have laws for older riders, too....

My curiosity peaked when I tried the JLo Beauty Hydrafacial in Los Angeles this year (Lopez launched the JLo Beauty Booster, which was designed to supplement the traditional hydrafacial with added hydration). What resulted was four days of an unbelievably dewy, clear complexion (or that J. Lo glow, as they say)—and a desire to learn more about the rest of her line. After hearing J. Lo herself hype up the collection’s hero ingredient—the JLo Beauty Olive Complex (a four-part blend of squalane, fermented oil, extra virgin oil and leaf extract)—I had to try it for myself....

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Just as certain paint colors can make your home look dirtier and different paint brands offer varying color quality and durability, certain paint finishes can ruin the spotless (or close to it) look of your home, while others can actually help your home look cleaner. Picking the right paint finish could mean the difference between daily cleaning stress and a cleaner-looking home with less effort. Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors says the general rule of thumb when selecting a paint finish is that the higher the gloss (or shine), the greater the durability and the easier it is to clean....

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The experts we spoke to all agreed that there are major benefits to pre-planning and even pre-paying for a funeral now, no matter what your age or health status is. Here’s what individuals and families need to know to plan ahead and make the best decisions, financial and otherwise. The benefits of pre-planning Most deathcare professionals agree that funeral pre-payment has valuable benefits for people of all ages and health statuses....

You wish. Finding kitchen cabinets that fulfill all these requirements and are relatively affordable—a 2017 study found that most people budget and spend between $25,001 and $50,000 on their kitchen renovations. It can be daunting, and doubly so when you consider how quickly kitchen design styles shift. So when it’s time to update your kitchen, whether for functional or aesthetic purposes, you have to decide: Will you refinish or replace your kitchen cabinets?...

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“This home was built in 1907, and had historic details like wainscoting, high ceilings, and white paneling,” Gutierrez says. “It also had lots of windows that let plenty of light into the home.” The owners had lived in San Francisco for over a decade when they called Gutierrez and Richardson for help, and they envisioned this Bernal Heights address as the place where they would eventually start a family. The couple wanted to hold onto its longstanding charms, but hoped to integrate that history into a modern design of striking yet approachable style....

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Discover our favorite storage ideas from every room in the 2022 Real Simple Home, below. Then go ahead and borrow these ideas for your own home. Under-the-Stairs Credenza The space underneath the stairs is often underutilized—and understandably so. It’s an awkwardly shaped area that’s typically too small to treat like a standalone room, but too big to ignore. On the second-floor landing of the Real Simple Home, our senior home editor Leslie Corona gave the under-the-stairs area special attention, converting it from wasted space to a functional and attractive nook....

But scientifically speaking, there aren’t many studies to confirm the alleged benefits of lying under a weighted blanket. That’s why researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden conducted a small study to find out whether using a weighted blanket—compared to using a light blanket—can actually help boost sleep-promoting chemicals, such as melatonin and oxytocin, and decrease stress-related mechanisms, such as cortisol production and sympathetic nervous system activity, which can harm healthy sleep patterns....

To find the best laundry stain removers, we tested 30 options—including foams, sprays, sticks, and gels—in our Lab and evaluated them on ease of use, effectiveness, scent, and value. We evaluated each product on its ability to remove common stains, like red wine, grass, chocolate syrup, and olive oil. For expert insight on stain removal, we spoke with Beatrice Flores, cleaning expert at Living Pristine. “A stick is great for smaller and more localized stains, but can be a bit messier and difficult to use on widespread stains,” Flores says....

To find the best outdoor Christmas lights, we spent hours researching the options on the market while considering factors like bulb type, power source, safety testing, and length. We also received tips from Stefan Bucur, home decor expert and founder of Rhythm of the Home, on how to shop for outdoor lights. “Outdoor Christmas lights are generally more durable and waterproof so they can be considered better, especially if the manufacturer confirms that they can be also safely used indoors,” says Bucur....

While you might be tempted to go with a gag gift, it’s always better to spend money on something useful. To give you some ideas, we spent hours researching and compiling a variety of fun and clever gifts. We also consulted Jodi R. R. Smith, etiquette expert and author at Mannersmith, for more advice on how to choose the perfect white elephant gift. “There [are] some things that you can’t go wrong with in general: beeswax candle sticks, pretty stationery, a box of chocolates, lottery tickets, a small bottle of rum if it’s the right crowd to give alcohol to,” says Smith....

To come up with these recommendations, we tested 27 percale sheets in our Lab and evaluated them based on quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value. For expert tips and insight on what to look for in percale sheets, we spoke to Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association. Kambak says percale sheets are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, however, many consumers still don’t know what to look for when shopping for them: “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” says Kambak....

To really go above and beyond on your pie baking, be sure to keep your butter ice cold, use fresh spices, and crimp the piecrust edges carefully using the thumb and forefingers of your opposite hand all the way around the rim. Serve your pie a la mode—or, for a savory twist, sprinkle a half cup of grated cheddar cheese over the top crust about 20 minutes before you remove it from the oven....