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Latest by Erika Rawes

how to make slime glue

How to make slime: Which recipes are safest to use?

Slime is a fun do-it-yourself craft for kids and adults. With so many different ways to make slime and so many different types of homemade slime, it's hard to know which recipes are safe and effective. Which slime recipes should you and your kids use, and which should you stay away from? Here we break down all you need to know about making your own slime.
An Instant Pot on a kitchen counter.

How to cook an entire Thanksgiving dinner in an Instant Pot

With the holiday season approaching, you may be starting to make plans for Thanksgiving. Did you know you can cook an entire Thanksgiving dinner in an Instant Pot? This means you can forget the oven. Just sit back, relax, and spend time with your loved ones while the Instant Pot does most of the work for you.
Anova Nano review

Anova Precision Cooker Nano review

In the past, sous vide cooking was primarily reserved for fine dining restaurants and commercial food businesses. Over the last few years, home sous vide cooking has become more popular, as precision cooking devices like immersion circulators have become more affordable and accessible to consumers. Anova recently came out with the Nano, a home sous vide machine that costs $99. Here's what happened when we took it for a spin.
TaoTronics 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker review

TaoTronics 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker review

In the market for a pressure cooker? TaoTronics’ multi-functional 10-in-1 pressure cooker comes in 6-quart and 8-quart sizes. We tested out the TaoTronics 6-quart pressure cooker to find out how it compares to other models, including the Instant Pot, on the market.
how to clean a dryer vent interior

How to clean a dryer vent

To reduce the risk of fire and optimize your dryer's performance, you should clean your dryer's vent anywhere between every three months and once a year. You don’t have to hire a professional to clean your dryer vent. Using an inexpensive duct cleaning brush, you can do it yourself. Here’s how.
Shark ION Robot Vacuum Cleaning System S87 review

Shark ION Robot Vacuum Cleaning System S87 review

Robot vacuums are awesome, but they can’t clean curtains, walls, and high places. The Shark S87 solves that problem by giving you a handheld vacuum and robot vacuum all in one system, so you can clean everything in your home. You can even use it to clean your car. Read more in our Shark ION Robot Vacuum Cleaning System S87 with Hand Vacuum review.
cast iron skillet how to 39969484  on rustic wood background top view

How to season a cast-iron skillet

A raw cast iron pan doesn’t automatically come with a non-stick coating. You have to season your cast iron. While the process seems easy, it's also easy to mess up. Here's how to season a cast iron skillet, along with some seasoning tips and tricks, to get you getting the most out of your iron cookware.
naked labs 3d scanning mirror inhome1

We got naked with the Naked Labs 3D Body Scanner. Here’s how it went

Want to sculpt a specific part of your body? This 3D body scanner uses four million data points to create a 3D model of your body. It measures each part of your body, so you can hone in on your problem areas and measure the exact impact of your diet and workout routines.
airbnb sued hidden camera

Is it illegal to put hidden cameras in an Airbnb rental?

A couple recently found cameras in their Airbnb rental in Toronto, and other guests have reported finding hidden cameras during their stay in an Airbnb. The company has strict a policy against putting cameras in a rental without the guest’s knowledge. Are these filmmakers breaking laws by filming with hidden cameras?
google home beauty beast 2

How to make your Google Home bilingual

Want to make your Google Home speak two languages? More than half of the world's population can speak more than one language, and now your Google Home device, can, too. Whether you have a bilingual household or are learning a new language, here's how to make your Google Home bilingual.
cast-iron skillet

How to clean a cast-iron skillet and prevent rust

Because of the seasoning on cast-iron, and because the material is also prone to rust, you have to be careful when cleaning your cookware. Here's how to clean a cast-iron skillet with a soft brush, water, and oil.
iLife A7 Vacuum Robot

iLife A7 Robot Vacuum review

iLife recently released the A7 robot vacuum. The A7 has a variety of cool features you want to see in a robot vac like multiple cleaning modes, different cleaning brushes, and WiFi connectivity. We decided to test out the iLife A7 and see how it compares to other robot vacuums.
Momentum Cori HD

Momentum Cori HD review

Affordable and practical, the Momentum Cori HD Smart Home Security Camera comes in a two-pack and does a great job of protecting your home.
best home security cameras under 200

The best home security cameras under $200 you can buy

Want a home security camera, but don't want to spend a ton of cash? No problem. Here are some of the best home security cameras you can buy at prices ranging from $20 to $200. Some of the models on the list can be used outdoors.
Amazon Echo Look review

Amazon Echo Look Review

The Amazon Echo Look is a combination of a virtual assistant and a style assistant. It gives you style advice, organizes your closet, shows you how you look from all angles, and provides feedback on what types of clothes fit your style. We got a chance to test out the device to see if it really helped our fashion game.
gourmia gpc400 pressure cooker

Gourmia GPC400 Smart Pot Pressure Cooker review

When you’ve had a long day, a pressure cooker can be a huge help because you can just chuck a few ingredients in the machine and have dinner ready a little while later. In this Gourmia GPC400 review, we test a pressure cooker that could be the next Instant Pot.
black stainless steel appliances trend dual door range

Four things that are dumb about so-called “smart” appliances

Do you have smart appliances? Although smart appliances can make life much easier in many ways, some of their features seem dumb. From delayed starts to putting form over functionality, here are some complaints I have about so-called "smart" appliances.
Amazon Echo Plus review aux plugged in

How to play ‘Skyrim: Very Special Edition’ on your Alexa device

At E3 2018, most people thought the trailer for 'Skyrim: A Very Special Edition' on Alexa was a joke. Surprisingly, however, you can actually play the game. Here's how to play the barebones titles on an Alexa-enabled device, in case you want to venture into the world of Skyrim hands-free.
bacteria in kitchen sears feat

The most bacteria-ridden places in your kitchen? Check your appliances

How clean is your kitchen? You may be surprised to find out the types of bacteria that can hide in a kitchen that looks clean on the surface. Time to break out the disinfectant and check those spots on your appliances that you wouldn't normally think to clean.
Walmart Grocery Pickup

Walmart’s grocery pickup is free, but how is the service?

Walmart offers delivery, pickup, or both delivery and pickup options in many markets across the country. We decided to try out Walmart's Grocery Pickup service to see if we could get the same quality food and determine whether it was in fact a timesaver.
tiny homes on amazon avalon2 house

Looking for a tiny home? You can buy one on Amazon. No, really.

Did you know you can actually buy a house on Amazon? They have quite a few different tiny house options available that range in cost from a few thousand bucks to tens of thousands of dollars. Here are a few currently for sale.
Install a Garbage Disposal

Do it yourself: How to buy and install a garbage disposal in your home

Our guide includes instructions on how to install a garbage disposal yourself, and our picks for some of the best garbage disposals you can buy in 2018.
best-pet-hair-remover

Dog hair everywhere? These pet hair products actually work

Looking for a pet hair product that actually works? From vacuums to air purifiers, these are some of the best pet hair remover products you can buy right now. Pretty soon, your pet hair problem could be drastically reduced.
most luxurious airbnb rentals 16715bda 4aba 41f3 b73c a7366c863c96

The most luxurious Airbnb rentals on Earth let you live the high life for awhile

Do you want to live like you're on 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' for a few days? Well, there's more to Airbnb than you might think. Check out some of the most lavish Airbnb rentals in existence, whether you're into renting your own private island or a Swedish castle.
alexa-cant-do

Amazon Alexa is great. But what if she could do more?

Although Amazon's Alexa has a lot of skills, there may be a few AI features the virtual assistant is still missing.
replace-bathroom-faucet

DIY guide: How to replace a bathroom faucet

Before you go flooding your bathroom, check out this guide that can help you replace that nasty old bathroom faucet.
Alexa Questions

Here are some Alexa answers that prove the AI is smarter than you think

"Alexa, make humans seem smart." You can ask the voice assistant all kinds of questions. Some answers will prove the AI is a smarty pants.
pressure cooker corned beef

Why you should avoid cooking these foods in a pressure cooker

Certain foods don't belong in a pressure cooker. You could ruin your machine, ruin your meal, risk fire or injury, or make someone sick.
Clean granite countertop

How to clean your granite countertops to keep them shiny and new-looking

Have granite countertops? Maybe you're considering installing granite? This guide explains how to clean granite countertops.
how to make candles final

How to make candles in your microwave

Like DIY projects? You can make candles using a few random items that most people already have lying around the house.
how to upgrade playstation 4 xbox one external hard drive header

What you should know before using an external hard drive on Xbox One or PS4

Increasing your console's storage is easy. Here's everything you need to know, including instructions on how to choose the proper hard drive.
safetech lawsuit password safety quicklock

New York attorney general settles with Quicklock maker amid password concerns

The New York attorney general's office took legal action against a security company for failing to encrypt and protect consumer passwords.
startup eliminate need for real estate agents home sale sold sign

For sale by owner: This startup could eliminate the need for real estate agents

A startup company called Houzeo wants to use technology to make it easier and cheaper for people to sell their own homes.
smart home tech failures spinning ice cream cone

Tech fails: 5 smart home products that failed miserably

The evolution of the "smart home" brought with it a window of opportunity for entrepreneurs -- some of which were less than successful.