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If you already know the magic of your trusty slow cooker, but you’re not sure how to return the love by way of a thorough cleaning, don’t fret. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your slow cooker so it’s prepped and ready for making those delicious meals. How to Clean a Slow Cooker You might be tempted to treat stuck-on stains with harsh cleaners, but all it takes to clean a slow cooker are a few simple household ingredients that you likely already have on hand....

Use our tips to learn how long to boil crab legs, so they’re cooked to perfection and sure to impress. Because they’re almost always precooked, boiling crab legs is a cinch for your next fancy dinner. All you need to do is serve them with melted butter (always, butter!). How to Boil Crab Legs Thawing crab legs is the first step when there aren’t fresh crab legs available (yay for you if you can get them fresh!...

What are Mussels? Mussels are marine bivalve mollusks that are sold live with tightly closed shells. The creamy-tan meat is tougher than the meat of the oyster or clam and has a delicious, slightly sweet flavor. The most abundant type of mussel is the blue (or common) mussel found along the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts. Known for its dark blue shell that is 2 to 3 inches long, mussels are generally available year-round....

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee Before you begin making cold brew, you’ll need the following materials: Coarsely ground coffee beansCold waterCreamer or milk (optional)2-qt. pitcher or glass jarFine-mesh sieveCheesecloth or coffee filter Our base cold brew recipe uses 1 pound coffee (about 1-1/2 cups) and fills a 2-quart container (six 6-ounce servings). Test Kitchen Tip: Ground coffee can be added in any ratio you like for cold brew coffee, but we like to use 1 to 2 Tbsp....

Legginess is not just an awkward phrase some plants go through before they blossom. It’s a sign the plant is straining to position its leaves in the sunlight, enabling it to produce enough energy to stay alive. Reaching in the direction of available rays, stems grow longer and thinner and drop leaves that the plant can’t support with its limited food reserves. Fortunately, with a few smart interventions, you can help your houseplant regain its lushness....

How to Hang String Lights Outdoors Follow our step-by-step instructions for mounting string lights along your deck, porch, or patio. What You Need String lights and bulbsLadderPencilDrillWood-bearing drill bit slightly smaller than your screw eyesScrew eyesMini metal carabinersOutdoor extension cordOutlet timer, if desired Step 1: Select Anchor Points Lay string lights around the perimeter of your deck. Visualize where you want each strand to hang, and adjust lights until they’re in the desired position....

True board-and-batten is made with vertically installed wide boards and narrow battens fastened over the gaps between the boards. In appearance, board-and-batten siding can look rustic or modern, depending on how rough the lumber is and its finish. The most common arrangement uses 1x10 boards and 1x2 or 1x3 batten. You can also use 1x8 or 1x12 boards and 1x4 battens. To seal out moisture, the boards should be in sound condition and free of open knots, and the battens should lap at least 3/4 inch onto the boards on both sides....

Consult with your inspector to see whether you need to tear off the old roofing or if you can reroof over the existing roofing. Use flashings approved by your building department. Modified-bitumen roofing may have a granular surface as shown here or it may be smooth. If you install the smooth product, cover it with aluminum coating. These steps show a “torch-down” method, which looks a bit scary but actually is not too difficult....

Thanks to our Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen’s years of practice in the cookie-making department, we’ve got some easy tips you should always follow. We’ll help you determine whether you need to bake your cookies on a greased or ungreased cookie sheet and share how to let them cool long enough so they won’t break. Then, come Christmastime, you’ll have dozens of chocolate chip cookies, layer bars, and more flying off the pans....

There are plenty of benefits to composting, such as enriching the soil we use for gardening. You also can reduce up to 30 percent of the things you normally throw in the trash by composting food scraps and yard waste instead. When composting at home, it’s important to sift your compost to separate the organic material that’s suitable for gardening and the stuff that still needs some time to decompose....

A serene scheme of soft blue and white makes this spacious living room feel calm, cool, and collected–a gracious setting for elegant gatherings. A light tan carpet underfoot warms the space and keeps the cool tones in balance. The walls in this room are wallpapered with a chic print. The effect brings warmth and texture to the walls and gives them a look of antiquity. Projecting lintels over the door and windows, a deep cornice, and a paneled and beamed vaulted ceiling combine to give this white-washed living room a sense of place....

Teal Front Door With wood siding, trim, and flooring, this home’s all-neutral exterior demanded some contrasting color. A bright shade of teal on the front door stands out against the rich wood tones and beckons visitors inside. Containers with bright pink blooms flank the entrance for an extra dose of color. Suggested Paint Color: Teal Tone 663, Benjamin Moore Coral Entrance A happy hit of color draws the eye and makes the front door a focal point on this asymmetrical exterior....

Buy It: Nordic Ware Naturals Baker’s Half Sheet ($13, Target) Buy It: PowerXL 5-Quart Single Basket Air Fryer ($60, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: Use a potato masher ($16, OXO) to smash your potatoes for an easy, even press that won’t risk burning your hands. Buy It: Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs ($2, Target)

In the south, on the other hand, avoid fertilizing dormant warm-season grasses, unless they’ve been overseeded with winter ryegrass. Test Garden Tip: Power raking and vertical mowing can damage centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, and others that spread by surface runners. Use a machine that has knives correctly spaced for these grasses.

And don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns for an elevated, designer-style look. An oversize lumbar pillow features the same print as the wallpaper and contrasts the patterns on the nightstands, wall sconces, and accent chair for added visual interest.