in this issue
gh design hack hang a shelf with rope
Using a few simple supplies, you can give a plain wall purpose and style. Designer Megan Pflug created this hanging storage for The Woodhouse Lodge (thewoodhouselodge.com), a hotel she and her husband own in Greenville, NY, but it could easily work in a kids’ room or a casual kitchen. Pflug offers these easy instructions: 1. Install a Shaker rail with rounded pegs (or use preexisting coat hooks). 2. Drill a hole through each corner of a piece of painted lumber. 3. Cut two pieces of a gritty rope like jute into equal lengths and hang from the pegs. 4. String the rope ends through the lumber and knot at the bottom. For a finished look, make sure your lumber is extremely smooth. “It’s good to give lumber a nice sanding,…
easy diy gratitude wreath
SUPPLIES • 26 squares each (3" x 3") of white and dark brown construction paper• 26 squares (4" x 4") of light brown construction paper• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks• 26 squares (2" x 2") of white construction paper• One 14" metal wreath base ($13, amazon.com)• 52 stalks of wheat ($11 for 100, amazon.com)• Gold spray paint• 26 gold balls• Strips of paper WREATH HOW-TO 1. Hot-glue the 3" x 3" white squares onto the top corners of the 4" x 4" light brown ones, lining them up so a sliver of brown is visible at the edges. Shape the glued-together squares into cones and hot-glue to seal. 2. Repeat with the 3" x 3" dark brown and the 2" x 2" white squares. 3. Fold the points of the larger cones up and over the…
inside the gh cleaning lab
CAROLYN FORTÉ GH HOME CARE LAB DIRECTOR @fortecarolyn GH CLEANING LAB Q What is laundry stripping? I’ve seen it all over social media.—RACHEL L. A: The technique involves soaking items like towels, bedding and even clothing in the bathtub in a mix of hot water, detergent, borax and washing soda for a few hours to remove hard water and other residues that can make fabrics dingy. It’s popular on social media because seeing how much grime comes out in the water is slightly shocking! We do a version of laundry stripping in the GH Cleaning Lab when we test laundry products and washing machines. Keep in mind that some of what you’re seeing on social media may be color leaching from fabric. You shouldn’t have to strip fabrics if you’re using a good detergent,…
good grief groups
OPTION B Founded by Sheryl Sandberg following the death of her husband, this group helps people build resilience, both in the face of adversity and in their everyday lives. optionb.org GRIEF RESOURCE NETWORK Both those who have lost a loved one and professionals serving the bereaved can get help finding government resources as well as crisisrelief services and more. griefresourcenetwork.com MODERN LOSS Connect through personal stories exploring the complex experience of grief, and find events, resources and logistical help to cope with the various facets of loss. modernloss.com…
8 sneaky ways germs invade your home (and body)
Between COVID-19 and the flu, we’re all desperate to prevent a bug from worming its way into our households. Fortunately, you don’t need to wipe down every single surface to protect your family. Checking off the items below can substantially lower the risk that a pathogen will make itself comfy and cozy in your home this winter. ☑ Wash your thumbs You’re already scouring your hands for 20 seconds, but a lot of people somehow skip their thumbs, says Carolyn Forté, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. As these digits touch some pretty germy surfaces (like your cell phone keypad and remote control buttons), make sure they get scrubbed too. ☑ Shed your shoes We don’t do this much in the U.S., but other cultures are wise to kick off footwear before…
inside the gh textiles lab
LEXIE SACHS TEXTILES DIRECTOR Q Why do my sweaters get fuzz balls? — AMANDA B. A: Those unsightly little balls are called pills, and they form when fabrics rub together, causing fibers to break off and tangle. Luckily, even heavily pilled sweaters can be saved: The GH Home Care Lab recommends using a special trimmer like the Evercare Fabric Shaver ($6, amazon.com) to remove fuzz balls without damaging the fabric. When shopping, look for sweaters made of a single fiber (like 100% cashmere or merino) instead of a blend. Yarns that mix natural and synthetic fibers, like wool and acrylic, are less expensive, but they’re more prone to pilling. Also make sure new sweaters look smooth; one with a fuzzy surface will likely pill. Q How can I be sure my leggings aren’t…
