Welcome to Domestic Disasters, where we examine some of the worst household mishaps and the grossest finds, then consult experts to assess how serious they are and what they cost to fix. Last month, after filling the bathtub for his young daughter, Ethan discovered the water wasn’t hot. When he opened the utility closet to … Read more

If you’ve ever stood at a gas pump and wondered whether your car truly needs the button labeled “Premium,” you’re not alone. Gasoline nozzles typically offer a small range of octane numbers—commonly from 85 to 93—and that choice can cost you a few cents to a dollar or more per gallon. Those numbers are octane … Read more

Whether you’re a professional tradesperson, a savvy DIYer, or just starting out, navigating a hardware store’s paint aisle can be overwhelming. Rows of similar-looking cans make it hard to spot the finish or intended use at a glance. A recent viral tip from a hardware store highlighted a simple visual shortcut on certain paint cans … Read more

What Is the Anker Solix Tri-Fuel Generator? The Anker Solix Smart Generator 5500 is a 224cc four-stroke portable inverter generator that runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas. It delivers up to 4,500 watts of DC charging power on gasoline or propane and 4,000 watts on natural gas. For conventional 120V AC use it provides … Read more

Pretty much everyone has heard of a company called ACME. Whether it’s the cartoon supplier that fuels Wile E. Coyote’s endless attempts to catch the Road Runner or the name of real businesses in towns across America, ACME is widely recognizable. The label appears on actual U.S. companies and has a history that reaches back … Read more

Winter is coming, and one of the most important preparations you can make is ensuring your home is properly insulated. Even with good insulation, air leaks can undermine its effectiveness. As Andre Kazimierski of HomeHero Roofing points out, sealing gaps dramatically improves overall performance, but you also need the right materials to slow heat transfer … Read more

Don’t Eat or Drink in the Car Eating and drinking inside a vehicle is a leading cause of crumbs, sticky stains and unpleasant odors. Leftover food particles attract insects and rodents, while spills can seep into upholstery and carpet fibers, creating long-term stains and smells. Making your car a no-food zone or limiting snacks to … Read more

Seattle Bans Surveillance Pricing for Grocery Shoppers Over the past decade, consumers have grown used to dynamic pricing across many services — rideshares, delivery apps, hotels and airline tickets all change prices with demand. More recently, similar techniques have begun appearing in brick-and-mortar retail. Major U.S. grocery chains and big-box stores have experimented with so-called … Read more

Garages often become the busiest—and messiest—spaces in a home. That was the case for Head of Editorial Kirsten Schrader, whose family’s garage had become the staging area for everything from barbecues to bike rides, but lacked the organization to keep up. “No one ever told me how much time you spend in your driveway once … Read more

We hate to say it, but it feels like summer is drawing to a close. At Lilac and Lily, our thoughts are already turning to autumn blooms and fresh seasonal colour palettes that suit cooler air and softer light. When people think of autumn wedding flowers, orange often springs to mind — rich russet tones, … Read more