Initial Rinse

The cycle starts with filling and rinsing. The dishwasher has several spigots that shoot water up. These spigots are on multiple arms that rotate to ensure that the water doesn’t miss any portion of the dishwasher. This initial rinse helps spray the dishes from multiple angles, ensuring no food gets left behind. The first rinse is similar to what you might do if you were handwashing. It scrapes off the large chunks of food and gives a quick first rinse so that the soap can reach down to the sauce and oils and break them down properly.

Soap Dispenser

Once the dishes are decently rinsed, the dishwasher dispenses the soap. Then, it continues to rinse with water, but with much more water and more intense water pressure. The footage looks similar to what you might see during a heavy rainstorm. As you watch the video, this is perhaps the most satisfying part: you can see the bulk of the mess come off the plates. Everything that the first rinse loosened but didn’t remove is fair game for the soap rinse.

Draining

The dishwasher drains a few times during the cycle. Doing this at multiple points instead of just at the end ensures that miscellaneous food bits and oils aren’t spread to other dishes. It also does a final drain at the end of the cycle. This way, you don’t flood your kitchen when you go to put the clean dishes away.

Final Takeaways

Watching footage of the inside of a dishwasher during its cycle also illuminates why there is a correct way to load the appliance. If you’ve packed your dishes too close together, the water can’t get to them, and food will stay caked on instead. So, if you’ve been noticing that your silverware is coming out dirty or your bowls still have residue on them, reconsider how you load them in and how tightly you cram dishes in.

The post Watch What Happens Inside Your Dishwasher When You Run It appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Is GM Recalling Some of Its Vehicles?

According to the NHTSA brief, some GM vehicles are experiencing malfunctions with the tailgate’s electronic gate-release switch. This switch “may short circuit due to water intrusion,” causing the tailgate to unlatch while in park. This is dangerous because “an unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.”

Which GM Vehicles Have These Tailgate Issues?

Over 130,000 GM vehicles have been recalled due to this tailgate issue, including the:

• 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500
• 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 3500
• GMC Sierra HD 2500
• GMC Sierra HD 3500

GM will mail letters to the affected owners in mid-January 2025. So, if you own one of the vehicles on this list, keep an eye on your mailbox. The owner’s letter will have more information.

What To Do If You Have a Recalled GM Truck

Per the NHTSA brief, GM “dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge.” So don’t delay; get this remedied as soon as you can. If you don’t want to wait for your letter, or if you have further questions, you can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Be sure to clarify that you’re calling about recall number N242469160; it’s an expansion of NHTSA Recall 24V-060.

In the meantime, if you have one of the affected GM vehicles, be sure to double-check your tailgate every time you get into the car until the issue has been remedied. Limit your use of the car as much as possible until then. You don’t want to be the reason for a pileup on the highway or a crash on the way home from the hardware store.

Source

The post GM Recalls Thousands of Trucks to Fix Tailgate Safety Risk appeared first on Family Handyman.

Overall Desires

According to the NAHB survey,there are two overarching trends regarding the features that new home buyers look for most. First, buyers are opting for smaller homes than in previous years. Smaller doesn’t necessarily mean small, however. The survey reports that “home buyers are looking for homes around 2,070 square feet.”

The second thing buyers are looking for is “personalization and authenticity.” Gone are the days of cookie-cutter homes being the big draw. People want to be able to put their own stamp on their home rather than living in a pre-set template.

The post These Features Are What New Home Buyers Wants Most In a House appeared first on Family Handyman.

Classic Elegance

Classic elegance is the first of the interior design trends for 2025 that Fishburne identifies. “This timeless trend emphasizes high-quality, classic decor that feels like a lasting investment and will transcend time,” Fishburne begins. She explains that classic elegance focuses on personal style rather than rapidly changing trends. Homeowners who embrace this often opt for “pieces that reflect their taste by modernizing artisanal and handcrafted pieces with a new color or finish.”

She also notes that “formal dining rooms are making a comeback, aligning with the rise of broken floor plans and the desire for spaces dedicated to family connection.”

If you want to embrace this in your home, Fishburne recommends opting for “warmer, bolder colors that balance the minimalism of the 2010s, or try color drenching a monochromatic approach.” She also suggests “rich textures, tactile fabrics and durable materials like warm or dark complex stones mixed with wood finishes complete the look, growing more beautiful with time.”

The post Design Forward: 4 Must-Know Interior Trends for 2025 appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Are Hyundai Vehicles Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hyundai is recalling vehicles due to “a damaged printed circuit board.” This damage prevents the backup cam footage from displaying, which limits visibility. Parallel parking, three-point turns, and even just basic safety checks are harder to do without the backup cam footage.

The NHTSA brief explains that this failure means that the impacted vehicles do not “comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, ‘Rear Visibility.'” As such, these vehicles are not as safe to drive as they should be. “A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver’s visibility and increases the risk of a crash,” the brief warns.

Which Hyundai Vehicles Are Recalled?

The faulty backup cams have affected over 226,000 Hyundai vehicles so far. If you own any of the following Hyundai vehicles, yours may be one of them:

• 2021 Santa Fe
• 2021 Santa Fe HEV
• 2021 Elantra
• 2021 Elantra HEV
• 2022 Santa Fe
• 2022 Santa Fe HEV
• 2022 Elantra
• 2022 Elantra HEV
• 2022 Elantra N
• 2022 Santa Fe PHEV

Hyundai will send letters to the affected owners in mid-January 2025, so keep an eye on your mailbox just to be safe. If you already know that you have one of the Hyundai vehicles with a faulty backup cam, exercise extra caution when driving it. The limited visibility may have a larger impact than you think.

What’s the Solution?

Hyundai dealers will replace the faulty backup cams free of charge. Once you’ve gotten your letter and know for sure that your vehicle is impacted, you can schedule an appointment for your car to be serviced. If you don’t want to wait for the letter, or still have questions after reading over it, you can call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. The number for this recall is 271. You can also call the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236; this recall is NHTSA campaign number 24V879000.

Source

Rearview Image May Not Display/ FMVSS 111, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2024.

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Christmas Tree Safety

Having a real Christmas tree is an exciting part of the holiday season. It makes your home smell like fresh pine, and there’s a magic to picking out and bringing home your perfect tree. But live trees can also pose some safety risks. The best way to keep your tree fresh is to water it regularly. This slows down the drying-out process and helps to reduce the chances of the tree catching fire.

The problem is that the tree’s water bowl is at the bottom of the tree, buried underneath branches, lights, ornaments, and presents. Trying to water it can be a mess at best and potentially dangerous at worst. And the fuller the tree is at the bottom, the harder this process can be. On

Christmas Tree Watering Hack

In order to simplify the watering process, Richards suggests finding an old cardboard tube that is long enough to reach the bowl in which your tree is mounted. Try to find a thick one, ideally from old wrapping paper. If it’s thin, like the kind that comes inside paper towel rolls, you’ll only be able to use it a couple of times before it gets too soggy and loses all structural integrity. You’ll also want one that’s on the longer side, so you don’t have to bend down. If you can find one long enough to stand upright while it’s in the bowl, that’s the best option.

Once you’ve got your tube, simply stick it between the branches and into the water bowl. Then, you can pour water down the tube and into the bowl. This way, you don’t have to get down on your hands and knees under the tree and risk knocking it over. Nor do you have to risk spilling water on presents, ornaments or even worse, lights. Be sure to keep tabs on the amount of water in the tree bowl, and also check to see how dry your tree is feeling so that you can stay on top of the watering schedule.

The post Struggling to Water Your Christmas Tree? Try This Simple Trick appeared first on Family Handyman.

We’ve broken down the meaning behind the symbol, what systems in your car may be affected, and what to do if you have this light come on on your dashboard.

What Does the Lightning Bolt Symbol on My Car Mean?

The lightning bolt symbol on your dashboard is a warning about your electronic throttle control system (ETC). As the name suggests, the ETC system controls your throttle. This is important because there are several features in your car that are governed by your throttle. As Damiaan Domiv writes in Controlling an Automatic Valve, the ETC system “make[s] it possible to integrate a cruise control system, to do traction control, or it can even be used for pre-crash systems or other systems that require torque control.”

Essentially, this system gives you more precise control over the different features that utilize the throttle than you would get from the gas pedal alone. This is great when it functions properly, but when it’s damaged, it’s a big problem. If you see a lightning bolt on your dashboard, stop driving your car as soon as possible. If the ETC system isn’t working, those aforementioned features probably won’t work either. This can be dangerous, so this is the kind of problem that should be repaired sooner rather than later.

What’s the Best Way to Fix My ETC System?

You may be tempted to try to repair your ETC yourself, but that may not be wise. As frustrating as it is, this is the kind of fix that is best left to the professionals. Because the ETC works with multiple features of your car, the indicator light doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong. Rather, it alerts you that there’s a problem somewhere in the system.

Unless you have a lot of hands-on experience in car repair, and the right equipment to diagnose which part of the ETC is failing, you’ll be safer calling your mechanic to diagnose and address the problem.

Source

Controlling an Automotive Valve. Damiaan Dimov. 2024.

The post Why the Lightning Bolt Icon on Your Car Dash Signals Trouble appeared first on Family Handyman.

Which Ford Vehicles Are Recalled?

According to the NHTSA, Ford is recalling almost 2,500 of its “2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine.” If you own one of these vehicles, keep an eye on your mailbox, as Ford will soon mail letters to the impacted owners. You can also plug your VIN into the NHTSA recall listing to check right away.

Why Are These Ford Vehicles Being Recalled?

Ford announced a recall of these vehicles due to “a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.” A leak like this is very dangerous. The NHTSA brief explains that rapid oil leaks “can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.” Furthermore, leaking oil “in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.”

Limit your use of the vehicle as much as possible until you can get it inspected and repaired. Car fires are incredibly dangerous, and driving a car with a rapid oil leak when you don’t need to isn’t worth the risk.

What’s To Do If My Vehicle Is Recalled

Ford will inspect the engine cup plug alignment on the impacted vehicles and, if they find any problems, they will replace the plug free of charge at a Ford dealership. Make sure to get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible; rapid oil leaks are not to be taken lightly. For your own safety, get this repair handled as early as you can.

The owner letters regarding this recall will have more information about the recall and the proposed repair, so be sure to read yours thoroughly. However, if you still have questions or don’t want to wait, you can call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Be sure to mention that you’re calling about recall 24S70. You can also call the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236; their campaign number for this recall is 24V851000.

Source

The post Ford Recalls Thousands of Cars Over Fire and Engine Stall Risks appeared first on Family Handyman.

Fortunately, most of today’s cars have a handy gas tank locator if you know where to look.

What is a Gas Tank Locator?

In short, a gas tank locator is a symbol or icon that shows you what side of the car your gas tank is on. This way, you know which pump at the gas station is the right one to park at and fuel up. Sure, you can usually work around it if you make a mistake, but it’s so much easier to line yourself up hassle-free if you remember the correct side from the start.

Where is My Gas Tank Locator?

Your gas tank locator is on your dash. The exact placement varies from car to car, depending on where your fuel gauge is. But it will always be right next to the gas pump icon.

You’re looking for a small arrow next to that pump. Once you find it, it’s fairly straightforward to read. The direction the arrow points tells you what side of the car your tank is on. So if it points to the passenger side, like in my Subaru, your gas tank is on the right. Conversely, if it points to the driver’s side, your tank is on the left.

Troubleshooting

Some of the newer cars on the market have a lot of information you can cycle through on your dash, including an estimate of how many miles are left in your tank. If you’re looking at this display and you see an arrow, ignore it. That’s not your fuel gauge, and therefore, it is not the gas tank locator. It is simply the car estimating how far you can go until you absolutely need to fuel up again.

Once you know where to look, you’ll never have to worry about ever again pulling into the gas station the wrong way. Whether you’re driving a new car or a rental, you’ll be set for easy fuel-ups.

The post The Gas Tank Locator Trick You Might Be Missing appeared first on Family Handyman.

What Hyundai Vehicles Are Being Recalled?

Hyundai is recalling roughly 35,000 vehicles this time around. If you own a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid, then your vehicle is probably included in this recall. Keep an eye on your mailbox, as owners impacted by the recall will recieve a letter from Hyundai in the next couple of months confirming that your vehicle is in need of repair.

Why Are These Hyundai Vehicles Being Recalled?

According to the NHTSA brief, the impacted vehicles are having electrical issues. Specifically, “the overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not be fully recessed.” This is a problem because faulty switch knobs “can result in unintentional closing of the sunshade.” This problem means that the impacted Hyundai vehicles “fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, ‘Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems.'”

Until you can get this issue repaired, exercise caution when using your sunshade. The NHTSA warns that “a sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.” Encourage any children you have to avoid playing with the switches and to keep their hands well clear of the sunshade at all times. It’s best to minimize use of the sunshade entirely until you can get your vehicle repaired.

What To Do if You Own a Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai says that dealers will replace the faulty switches free of charge. The company will mail letters out to affected owners in early January 2025 further explaining the problem as well as the proposed repair.

If you don’t want to wait to receive your letter, or if you have further questions about this recall, you can also call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. If you call in, be sure to mention that you’re asking about Hyundai recall number 270. You can also check with the NHTSA for more information. Their safety hotline number is 1-888-327-4236, and the campaign number for this issue is 24V843000.

Source

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Most people who complain that Adirondack chairs are uncomfortable are just using them wrong.

What Are Adirondack Chairs?

Adirondack chairs are a distinct style of outdoor chair. They have tall backs and wide arms, so they look like a fantastic choice for lounging in your yard. What separates them from other lawn chairs out there, however, is the legs. On an Adirondack chair, the rear legs are much shorter than the front legs. They also attach to the seat at an obtuse angle, whereas the front legs form a right angle. This means that when the chair is sitting on flat ground, the seat pitches back

Watch on TikTok

Why Are Adirondack Chairs So Uncomfortable?

To put it bluntly, if your Adirondack chairs are particularly uncomfortable, it’s most likely because you’re using them wrong.

As TikToker Autumn (@watchautumn) explains in her video above, the design of the legs pushes the seat up at an awkward angle. And it’s exactly this odd angle that makes so many people write off these chairs as uncomfortable. But fear not! It’s very easy to use these chairs the right way. And once you do, you’ll understand why they’ve been a staple of yards for such a long time.

How to Properly Sit on Adirondack Chairs

Autumn begins her video by explaining that she bought some Adirondack chairs and immediately found them uncomfortable. She says that her backyard is flat, and so the shorter back legs left her sitting in a very uncomfortable position. But then someone alerted her to the fact that Adirondack chairs get their name from the Adirondack range in New York, a famously mountainous and hilly part of the country. These chairs are designed to accommodate hills and mountains, letting people still sit out and enjoy the scenery.

Autumn then explains that when she moved her Adirondack chair to the hill in her backyard, with the rear legs higher up on the hill, the design choices suddenly became clear. Now, those shorter legs balance out the slope of the hill, leaving you sitting upright at a right angle, just like other lawn chairs do.

So, if your Adirondack chairs have been sitting on flat ground, move them onto a slope so they’re angled downward. Suddenly, you’ll find that they’re much more comfortable than you originally thought.

The post Think Adirondack Chairs Are Uncomfortable? You’re Using Them Wrong appeared first on Family Handyman.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released a brief containing more information about the recall and the proposed repair. We’ve parsed the recall brief to make it easy for you to find the important information.

Which GM Trucks Are Being Recalled?

GM is recalling roughly 460,000 of its diesel engine trucks, including the:

• 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
• 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
• 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 2500
• 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 3500
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2021 Suburban
• 2021 GMC Yukon
• 2021 GMC Yukon XL

If you own any of the 24 vehicles listed above, please avoid driving them as much as possible until they’ve been repaired. No errand is worth risking your safety and life, nor the safety and lives of other people on the road.

Why is GM Recalling These Trucks?

According to the NHTSA brief, GM is recalling these trucks because “the transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.” If the rear wheels lock up, you are at a very high risk of being involved in a car accident.

What’s the Solution?

GM dealers will, at no charge to owners, install new transmission control module software. In addition, “GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve.” So you can rest assured that the repairs won’t be a financial burden. Don’t let that concern stop you from getting this repair.

GM will mail letters to impacted owners in early December with more information. If you want clarification after reading the letter or don’t want to wait, you can also call customer service. If you choose to do this, be sure to clarify that you’re calling regarding recall number N242454440.

• GM customer service: 1-888-988-7267
• Cadillac customer service: 1-800-458-8006
• GMC customer service: GMC 1-800-462-8782
• Chevrolet customer service: 1-800-222-1020

Source

The post 400,000 GM Trucks Recalled Over Risk of Wheels Locking Up appeared first on Family Handyman.

Walking on Ice the Right Way

Iowa State University (ISU) includes a tutorial on their Winter Weather guide. You’ll need to adjust almost everything about the way you normally walk, so be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the advice and practice it when you can do so safely.

Clothing

Start by adjusting your wardrobe slightly. While heavy coats with warm pockets might be good for your hands, your center of gravity will be adjusted, and you won’t be able to land as safely. Don’t ditch the coat; just add mittens, hand warmers, or any other option that will keep your hands warm but also out of pockets and at the ready.

Gait

Next, you need to adjust your gait. ISU recommends that you “take short steps or shuffle for stability.” You also need to shift your center of gravity so that your feet are perpendicular to the ground the whole time. To shift your center of gravity, bend slightly forward so that it’s directly over your feet. Instead of walking forward normally, shift a little side to side so that you can keep the bend and keep your feet flatter. If you feel like a penguin, you’re doing it right.

Falling Safely

Sometimes, falling is unavoidable. In these instances, it’s imperative that you understand how to fall safely so you can minimize the likelihood of serious injury or even death. Older people and those with limited mobility should practice fall safety regularly anyway, but everyone should know the basics.

Above all else, protect your head and neck. ISU recommends that you “bend your back and head forward to avoid hitting your head against the ground.” In addition to protecting your head, you should try to land carefully. “If you fall, fall with sequential contacts at your thigh, hip, and shoulder,” according to ISU. And as tempting as it may be, don’t brace with your arms. You’re much more likely to injure your wrists or elbows than you are to spare yourself other injuries.

Source

Winter Weather, Iowa State University

The post The Secret to Walking On Ice Without Slipping Is So Simple appeared first on Family Handyman.

What Caused the Original Honda Vehicles’ Engine Failure?

When Honda recalled vehicles due to engine failure last year, the NHTSA brief warned that “the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.” This problem was due to a manufacturing error. Damaged engines might “run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.”

Sources

The post Is Your Honda at Risk? 1.4 Million Cars Investigated for Engine Problems appeared first on Family Handyman.

Your dishwasher door should have a hatch on it with several compartments. This hatch is the detergent dispenser. Here’s a rundown of what each compartment is for.

Dishwasher Main Compartment

The compartment within the detergent dispenser that you’re probably most familiar with is the main compartment. This is the largest compartment, where you can load your pods or liquid detergent before running the cleaning cycle.

You must fill this compartment each time you run a load. If you use dishwasher pods, then the amount of detergent you’re using is pre-measured. If you prefer liquid detergent, check both your dishwasher manual and the instructions on your detergent of choice to confirm that you’re using the correct amount for each load.

Pre-Rinse Compartment

The pre-rinse compartment is the narrow compartment next to the main compartment. It’s designed to hold extra detergent if you feel that you’re running a particularly heavy load and want to ensure your dishes come out sparkling. This detergent gets dispensed in the beginning of the cycle, before the main compartment detergent is dispensed to prep your dishes.

Just like the main compartment, you need to fill this every time you run a load of dishes. It’s generally only wide enough for liquid detergent, not pods. So if you are a dedicated pod user but don’t want to run a load twice when it’s extra dirty, consider keeping a small bottle of liquid detergent on hand for those rare but heavy loads.

Rinse Aid Compartment

Finally, your detergent dispenser has a rinse aid compartment. Despite the similarity in their names, the pre-rinse and rinse aid compartments do very different jobs. Unlike the pre-rinse compartment, the rinse aid compartment does not hold detergent. Rather, it holds rinse aid, which helps the dishes dry much faster and with far fewer spots.

Also unlike the previous two compartments, the rinse aid compartment does not need to be filled up each load. Simply fill the compartment and it will automatically dispense a little of the rinse aid at a time. Keep an eye on it and top it up when it gets low.

The post Here’s What Each Dishwasher Compartment Is Actually For appeared first on Family Handyman.

We’ve parsed the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) brief about the recall to bring you the details. We’ve also gathered instructions for what to do if you own one of the affected devices. Read on to learn how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during the cold months.

Which Space Heaters Are Recalled?

As of Nov. 7, 2024, over 512,000 GoveeLife and Govee smart electric space heaters have been recalled in the United States. An additional 48,000 in Canada are also included. Recalled unit numbers include H7130 (including the H7130101 variation), H7131, H7132, H7133, H7134, and H7135. These heaters are black and white. They vary in height from nine inches to 26 inches, depending on which model you purchased.

According to the USCPSC, retailers selling these heaters include Amazon, Govee and TikTok Shop. They were available from September 2021 through September 2024 and sold for between $30 and $150.

Why Are These Space Heaters Being Recalled?

The impacted devices pose a fire hazard as they have dangerous overheating issues, which can lead to burns and small fires. So far, there are 113 reports of these space heaters overheating, including seven fires and one minor burn. The USCPSC brief expands on this, saying, “Testing determined the smart electric space heaters do not comply with the voluntary industry safety standard, UL 1278, posing an overheating and fire risk from wireless control features.”

What Do I Do if I Own One of These Space Heaters?

If you have one of the space heaters included in the recall, you must contact the manufacturer. If you submit your information correctly, you’ll receive a refund. The USCPSC brief says to “unplug the electric space heater, cut the power cord, and send an image of the destroyed electric space heater, the manufacturers label and SN Code on the bottom or side of the unit to GoveeLife or Govee through the link https://recall.goveelife.com/heater-recall.”

Source

GoveeLife and Govee Smart Electric Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Imported by Govee, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2024

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What’s the Hack?

The latest CleanTok hack has to do with where you put your dishwasher pods. According to many users, it’s more efficient to toss the pods in the bottom of the dishwasher or in the silverware portion instead of the detergent dispenser.

Their reasoning is that residue from the pods can damage the dispenser. They also fear that the residue will build up and stay on your dishes or cause clogs in the plumbing. By keeping the pods in the center, these TikTokers argue, the pods will dissolve better, and the risk of a clog will be much lower.

Where Is the Best Place for Dishwasher Pods

Individual machines may vary, so it’s always best to double-check your dishwasher’s manual to confirm its instructions about where to put dishwasher pods. But as a general rule, the pods will work best when they’re put in the detergent dispenser. Familiarize yourself with your machine and it’s manual. Unless your machine has a dedicated pod slot, use the detergent dispenser.

Maytag’sinstruction manual explainsthat the pods have a coating that dissolves when it comes into contact with water. By putting them in the detergent dispenser, you can ensure that the pods dissolve at the right point in the dishwasher cycle for maximum efficiency.

The manual even directly addresses some of the TikTokers’ concerns, saying, “Although some believe that throwing a pod in the dishwasher protects your dispenser, pods are designed to dissolve when they touch water and may not work if not properly dispersed via the dispenser.”

We can’t stop you from trying the hack out for yourself. But dishwasher manufacturers, who are the experts on this subject, say that you’ll be making your pods less effective, and your dishes won’t come out as clean as they would if you used the pods correctly.

The post You Should Never Do THIS With Your Dishwasher Pods appeared first on Family Handyman.

What Mazda Vehicles Are Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mazda is issuing a recall of “certain 2024-2025 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 vehicles equipped with a Dash Electrical Supply Unit (ESU).” An estimated 80,915 vehicles have this problem. If you own one of these vehicles, keep an eye out for a letter from Mazda. The manufacturer will be sending out letters to owners in December 2024 with more details as well as further instructions regarding repairs.

Why Is Mazda Recalling These Models?

These Mazda CX-90 and CX-70’s dash electrical supply unit (ESU) is malfunctioning and the issue rears its head when you turn on the car. “During vehicle startup, the defroster, seat belt warning, 360 view monitor functions, and the PHEV high-voltage battery cooling system may not function properly.” In addition to being inconvenient, the NHTSA brief warns that “an ESU that does not function properly increases the risk of a crash.”

Exercise extreme caution around your vehicle until you can get it repaired. Minimize using it as much as you are able. The risk of a crash should not be taken lightly. And don’t delay getting the repair once it’s available. Schedule it for your earliest possible time.

What to Do If Your Mazda Is Recalled

Owners will have to go to their local Mazda dealerships to get this ESU malfunction remedied. According to the NHTSA brief, “Dealers will reprogram the Dash ESU with improved software, free of charge. ” Mazda will mail out letters to affected owners starting Dec. 30, 2024.

If you have further questions about this recall or are uncertain about any of the information contained in the recall brief or the letters, you can call Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 and mention that you are calling about recall number 7124J.

Source

The post Mazda Recalls Nearly 81,000 Cars – Is Yours One of Them? appeared first on Family Handyman.

How to Turn Your Street Into a Dutch Neighborhood

Simply take a picture of your street and then upload it to the website. The generative AI will spit out four images of what your street might look like if it was in the Netherlands. If you’re happy with the images you can take stock of what details catch your eye and then look for garden centers that sell similar materials.

Be realistic about what you can achieve. Unless every single neighbor of yours is on board, you won’t be able to transform your entire neighborhood into one from the Netherlands. But you can certainly bring in Dutch details to make your space feel as though Dutch designers heavily influenced it.

Other Sources of Inspiration

Generative AI requires a lot of power and uses enormous amounts of already limited resources to run. It’s especially greedy when it comes to water, arguably the scarcest resource on the planet. The data centers that power generative AI draw huge amounts of power. In order to prevent themselves from overheating, they need water, cooling towers, and other mechanisms to offset that heat. According to Forbes, this offset causes “up to 9 liters of water to evaporate per kWh of energy used.”

If you’re opposed to using it for inspiration for ethical reasons but still want some reference materials to start with, there are plenty of alternatives. You can start by looking on Instagram to find Dutch street photographers who capture the feel of the neighborhoods that you like. From there, try to isolate what details it is that you like about these neighborhoods. Is it the colors? Does the stonework catch your eye? You’ll want to bring these details to your own yard.

Don’t be shy about looking at magazines as well. It will take a little more time, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the publishing space in the Netherlands. But you can look for popular Dutch home and garden publications to see what trends they’ve highlighted over the years. Save anything you really love to a vision board or a folder with the rest of your inspiration pictures.

Once you’ve picked your materials, you need to decide on the plants for your space. If you’re unsure what plants will work best in your climate, check to see if your state has a garden planning site. Californians, for example, can go to Calscape to learn about native plants that work for their yards.

Source

AI Is Accelerating the Loss of Our Scarcest Natural Resource: Water, Forbes 2024

The post Transform Your Street into a Dutch Masterpiece With This AI Tool appeared first on Family Handyman.

What is the Chelsea Flower Show?

The Chelsea Flower Show is put on every year by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Most awards are judged by a carefully curated panel of gardening experts. According to the RHS, that panel generally includes “horticulturalists, garden designers, landscape architects, contractors, head gardeners, journalists or writers, and lecturers.” However, visitors also get to vote on certain awards. This practice allows all facets of the community to judge the gardens.

What’s Unique This Year?

This year, one entrant is aiming to present a futuristic garden: one that can talk back to you. Designer Tom Massey, working with Microsoft, plans to enter a garden that uses AI to communicate its needs. His goal is to embed soil sensors for as many of the garden’s needs as possible. These sensors will connect to a computer that can translate the soil readings into plain answers about what the garden needs.

He hopes that this technology can soon be used at a wider scale to usher in a new era of eco-conscious gardening. If gardeners can tell exactly how moist the soil is, they can be even more precise in their watering, for example. If enough people can implement something like this, Massey thinks, there could be a significant positive impact on water use.

AI and Resources

It is important to note here that generative AI consumes vast quantities of resources. So, we should not utilize it frivolously. According to Cindy Gorton, a contributor to Forbes, the data centers that power generative AI use “cooling towers and air mechanisms to dissipate heat, causing up to 9 liters of water to evaporate per kWh of energy used.” Water is already a scarce resource. It is our duty to be mindful of how we consume it and what we are doing to safeguard it. After all, you can’t nourish a garden without water.

Sources

AI Is Accelerating the Loss of Our Scarcest Natural Resource: Water, Forbes, 2024

The post The Next Big Thing In Gardening: Talking Plants? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Joanna Gaines Post-Holiday Decor Hack

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A post shared by Joanna Gaines (@joannagaines)

Gaines posted a video of herself putting a large tree branch in a vase to add some decor to the walls. It’s a cheap and easy way to create a statement piece along a wall and prevent your home from feeling bare while you wait for the next decoration-heavy holiday to roll around.

Gaines elaborated a bit on the hack in her caption, including some advice on what NOT to do: “If your home feels a little naked after the holidays, cut a branch and stick it in a vase. Don’t screw it in the wall like I did though. That’s a little too far.”

This hack is perfect if you gravitate toward nature-inspired decor and flowers. It essentially takes that idea one step further and elevates it from some florals in a small vase to an eye-catching statement piece that fills up an otherwise empty wall.

Recreate the Hack at Home

If it’s legal and safe to do so, you can cut and collect a branch from outside. Ideally, you’ve got your own trees that you can pull from, but if you don’t, you can try asking one of your neighbors for a branch instead. This is the cheapest and easiest way to achieve the look.

Gaines picked a branch that still had plenty of leaves on it to really make the piece feel as full as possible. Depending on your climate, you might have to go for an evergreen tree branch or a similar type of tree that still carries its leaves in colder weather. If you live somewhere warm, you’ve probably got many more options available to you.

Either way, ensure the branch you pick fits into your choice of vase. Gaines uses a wide-necked metallic vase in her video. It’s shaped almost like a wine decanter, but it’s still open enough to accommodate the branch she selected. Be sure that your branch isn’t too top-heavy; Gaines screwed hers into the wall but says that you likely won’t need to do that for yours; just keep weight and proportions in mind as you recreate her hack.

The post If Your Walls Feel Naked After the Holidays, Try This Easy Joanna Gaines Hack appeared first on Family Handyman.

Older cars sometimes exhibit electrical issues that render the instrument panel or other portions of the dashboard nonfunctional. That’s a problem because the instrument panel provides you with critical information about your car. You could run into serious trouble if you don’t know how fast you’re going, how much gas is left in your tank or that your check engine light is on.

It’s even more frustrating when this problem occurs in new cars, and that’s what’s happening now. Thousands of Kia vehicles are being recalled because of this issue. We’ve parsed the recall brief to tell you which vehicles are on the list, what the problem is, and what you need to do about it.

Which Kia Vehicles Are Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this recall affects over 14,000 2024-2025 Kia EV9s. The problem is an issue with the electrical system, which is causing parts of the vehicles to fail.

Kia has mailed out letters to the affected owners as of October 25, 2024. You can call customer service at 1-800-333-4542 if you didn’t receive a letter or if you’re uncertain about any of the details they provided. If you call, be sure to mention that you’re asking for more information about Recall SC326.

Why Are These Kia Vehicles Being Recalled?

The impacted Kia EV9s have an issue with the instrument panel that renders them dangerous. More specifically, the recall brief states, “Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail.” Without a functioning instrument panel, ” these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, ‘Controls and Displays.'”

Repairing them quickly is imperative. the NHTSA warns that “an instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.” So, if you own an impacted vehicle, be sure to contact your dealership right away.

What Do I Do If My Vehicle Is on the Recall List

You have two options for receiving the fix: having the software patch done at the dealership or through an over-the-air (OTA) update. Whichever option you choose, the repair will be free of charge. Contact Kia customer service to find out how and when to schedule an appointment.

Source

The post 14,000 Kia Vehicles Recalled Over Failing Instrument Panels appeared first on Family Handyman.

Watch on TikTok

The first video chronicles Nijsse and his team as they discovered just how many stuffed animals were in the walls. Up until this portion of the wall, it appears that they had just been finding the expected insulation, but the final three channels held a surprise. You can see that the team didn’t expect the stuffed animals to go from floor to ceiling. With just the top portion of the wall removed, it almost looks like the toys were hidden in the wall, not serving an actual purpose. But as the team removed more and more of the wall, it became clear what was actually going on.

Once the team discovered the stuffed animals, they knew they had to count them. How many could there possibly be, right? The answer is 110, stuffed into plastic bags.

Why Is Insulation Important?

Insulation helps your home stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Walls and a roof can only do so much to protect you from temperature extremes. You need that extra layer to lock in your climate-controlled air, both for the sake of your wallet and your own comfort.

Can I Use Stuffed Animals As Insulation?

Generally, insulation is light, fluffy and porous, so it makes sense that someone who couldn’t get their hands on enough of the more common kinds might think to try to supplement it with stuffed animals. However, we don’t recommend you do the same. If you’re looking to insulate your walls, stick to one of the more common types you can purchase at building centers:

• Fiberglass
• Cellulose
• Mineral Wool
• Rigid Foam
• Polyurethane Spray Foam
• Pipe Insulation

These materials are designed to be safer and more efficient in your walls, giving you the energy savings you want without posing as much of a fire hazard as stuffed animals.

The post Teddy Bear Insulation? Man Uncovers Unusual Wall Stuffing During Reno appeared first on Family Handyman.

From engine fires to security features, it seems like there’s constantly a new issue with the nation’s most popular vehicles that results in a recall. This week is no exception. Hundreds of thousands of Volvo trucks are being recalled due to a dangerous braking issue that could impact those who drive the trucks and those around them. Read on to learn which trucks are on the recall list, why Volvo is recalling them, and what to do to address the issue with your Volvo.

Which Volvos Are Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall is for “certain 2020-2025 VN, VAH, VHD and VNRE trucks, equipped with Bendix EC-80 Advanced Electronic Control Units.” The recall impacts over 125,000 Volvos with this equipment.

If you own a Volvo truck from 2020-2025, you must check with the manufacturer and confirm whether your vehicle is on the recall list.

Why Is Volvo Recalling These Trucks?

The recall concerns a problem with these Volvos’ electronic control units. According to the NHTSA report, the “electrical noises and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the unit to incorrectly process commands or stop working.”

Unfortunately, the electronic control unit is a component of the antilock braking system (ABS). The ABS helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle during hard braking by preventing the wheels from locking up. The issue impacting the electronic control unit in Volvos could cause an ABS fault, or the ABS could stop operating altogether.

The NHTSA recall notice states that “other functions which strongly interact with ABS such as Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Collison Mitigation System (CMS) may also fault. In extremely rare situations, before the system faults or stops operating, if there is a stability event or an automated braking request, the system may respond incorrectly to the event.” Altogether, this issue increases the likelihood of a crash.

How Do I Know If My Volvo Truck Is Recalled?

You can check to see if your Volvo is recalledin several different ways. If you prefer to check online, you can start by looking up your VIN or license plate on theNHTSA website. Enteringthat information into their search feature will take you to a list of connected recalls.

If you prefer to talk to someone about your questions, you can call Volvo’s customer service number at 1-800-528-6586 instead. If you choose to call in, you must mention recall number RVXX2409. Volvo will also be mailing out letters with more information to affected owners. The letters should be in the mail starting in mid December.

What To Do If My Volvo Is Recalled

Source

• ECU Malfunction May Impact Safety Systems, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 2024
• RACV: “Effectiveness of AVS and Vehicle Stability Control Systems” (2004)

The post Over 125,000 Volvo Trucks Recalled for Potential Brake Malfunction appeared first on Family Handyman.

Which Chrysler Cars Are Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler is recalling Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2022 to 2024 and Jeep Wranglers from 2020 to 2024 due to concerns about the fire risk the battery poses. The recall impacts over 150,000 vehicles.

Why Are These Jeeps Being Recalled?

These Jeep vehicles are being recalled because “the high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving,” according to the NHTSA announcement. This is not the first Jeep recall due to a fire risk; the previous recall of this nature came in November 2023. If you own a Jeep that was included under that recall, this hazard is still an issue for you.

If you own an impacted vehicle, you will need to exercise caution. Follow Chrysler’s guidelines for minimizing the Jeep fire risk (detailed below) until the appropriate remedy for owners becomes available. The company is working on rolling out an appropriate solution and making it readily available to customers as soon as possible.

What To Do If My Jeep Is Recalled

For now, Chrysler is warning Jeep owners to “park outside and away from structures” and “not to recharge their vehicles until they are repaired.”

While a remedy for this issue is not yet ready, Chrysler has promised their dealerships will update the battery pack software and, in some cases, replace the battery entirely to address the fire risk. These repairs will be free of charge, so be sure to schedule them as soon as the remedy is ready.

If, after checking the list of impacted vehicles, you’re still unsure whether or not your Jeep is included in the recall, check your mail. Chrysler has mailed out notices to the affected owners as of October 2024, and they will be sending out a second round of notices when the repair procedure is underway. You can call Chrysler customer service with further questions at 1-800-853-1403. If the service representative asks you for a recall number, it is 95B.

Source

High Voltage Battery May Fail and Cause Fire, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2024

The post Chrysler Issues Recall of Over 150,000 Jeeps Due to Fire Risk appeared first on Family Handyman.

What is the Policy?

According to Bloomberg, which obtained a corporate memo outlining the policy, Home Depot will require all of its corporate employees to work a full eight-hour shift at one of the company’s retail stores once every quarter. That includes everyone from senior management to remote workers. The policy is set to take effect starting in the final quarter of 2024.

If this news feels familiar, that’s because this is not entirely a new move for Home Depot. Despite the policy being billed as “new,” the report explains that the company had this policy in place before 2020 but paused it because of the COVID pandemic. Now, Home Depot is planning to bring it back before the end of the year.

Why Do Home Depot’s Corporate Staff Work Retail Shifts?

The company is dedicated to keeping its corporate staff in touch with the needs and realities of the retail employees. The report quotes an internal memo from CEO Ted Decker: “We need to stay connected to the core of our business so we can truly understand the challenges and opportunities our store associates face every day.”

This move will facilitate better understanding between these two facets of the company. It will also, hopefully, make it easier to resolve any issues that store associates face.

The quarterly requirement should also keep the lessons fresh. Rather than having their corporate staff do this once a year, or one time in the entirety of their service with the company, coming in once a quarter will give these employees a more cohesive view of the way stores are run.

Have Other Companies Done This?

While this move may make a lot of sense to many of us, it’s an unusual one in this industry. According to Forbes, few other large companies have an initiative like this one in place. The only one they mentioned was Doordash, who has been doing something like this since their start. But if this Home Depot initiative succeeds, perhaps other large retailers will take note and implement a similar policy.

Sources

Bloomberg, “Home Depot Orders Corporate Staff to Take 8-Hour Retail Shifts,” 2024.

The post Why Home Depot Is Making Corporate Employees Work Retail Four Times a Year appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why is Toyota Recalling Trucks?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported earlier this year that some Toyota trucks have debris left in the engines from the manufacturing process. This debris can “cause the main bearings to fail, which can result in an engine stall and loss of drive power.” According to a report from CNN, the debris can result in “banging or popping noises, the engine not running smoothly and even stalling altogether while driving.”

Which Trucks Are Included in the Recall?

This recall impacts the 2022 and 2023 models of gas-powered Toyota Tundras and Lexus LX 600s, an estimated 100,000 trucks in total. If you have one, the company will replace the engine at no cost to you. The NHTSA’s release states that Toyota alerted owners back in July 2024 when the problem was discovered and will alert them again once the company starts the process of replacing the engines for free.

How to Get Your Engine Replaced

If you own one of the vehicles affected by the Toyota recalls and you don’t want to wait for the letter, you still have options. The NHTSA says you can call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota has confirmed that the repairs will be done at no cost to the customers.

Sources

CNN, “Toyota will put new engines into 100,000 Tundra trucks and Lexus SUVs,” 2024

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The post Why Toyota Is Recalling 100,000 Trucks and Replacing Engines for Free appeared first on Family Handyman.

Keep Your Plants Cool

For plants in pots, you can use pool noodles standing vertically to fill the container to about 3/4 of the height of the container. That way you won’t need as much soil in your largest containers, and it’ll help with drainage, keeping the soil from getting over saturated.

The post 28 Ingenious Pool Noodle Hacks appeared first on Family Handyman.

Cheaper Gas at the Pump

Amazon has partnered with BP to give Prime customers discounts at many Amco, AM/PM, and BP gas stations. To take advantage of the10 cents-per-gallon discount, customers need to use Earnify, BP’s loyalty program. The program also shows you your local gas stations and which ones are participating in the deal so you can confirm you’re heading to the right one before you even leave your house.

The deal is already active, so you don’t have to wait. As long as you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can take full advantage of these savings immediately. Simply make sure your accounts are correctly set up so that you can enjoy the savings at the pump each time you fill up.

How to Get the Savings

If you’re not already a Prime member, you must sign up for a Prime membership before you do anything else. Once you’ve got your membership all squared away, you can set up your Earnify account and link the two at amazon.com/fuelsavings.

Next time you need to fill up your gas tank, double-check that your local Amco, AM/PM, or BP gas station is participating and head over. If you want to pay the way you normally do, you’ll either need to enter the phone number associated with the account or pay with the saved payment card at the pump. You can also pay within the Earnify app, if that’s easier for you.

Source

Springfield News-Leader: Amazon Prime just added a 10-cent discount on gasoline. Here’s how to get the deal, (2024)

The post Here’s How You Can Get Cheaper Gas Through Amazon Prime appeared first on Family Handyman.

Changes to Video Recording

According to The Verge, Ring plans to introduce continuous video recording (CVR) before the end of 2024. Customers who are subscribed to the highest tier of the Ring Protect plan and have cameras compatible with the update will be able to utilize the new feature starting Nov. 5.

If you aren’t subscribed to the Ring Home Premium plan, you will still see some exciting developments. The company will also add doorbell video calling, video preview alerts (instead of the still photo previews that currently show up) and increase the amount of time you can utilize live viewing from the camera. These other features will be available at different subscription levels so you can decide what features are right for your home security system and budget.

Which Ring Cameras Will Be Updated?

Currently, four Ring camera models are capable of 24/7 recordings: the Stick Up Cam, the Stick Up Cam Pro, the Indoor Cam Second Generation, and the Pan Tilt Indoor Cam. Ring has hinted that it may include this feature on other camera models in the future. But for now, you’ll have to have one of these models to utilize the CVR feature. You’ll also need to ensure that you’re enrolled in the Ring Home Premium tier to take advantage of the new capabilities.

How Is the Video Stored?

If you’re worried about storing all of the video from your Ring camera’s 24/7 recordings, don’t worry. The Verge reports that Ring Home Premium subscription includes cloud storage for the videos on up to ten compatible cameras. So you won’t have to worry about finding extra hard drives to back up all of that data. Instead, you can simply enjoy the new features that your Ring cameras have to offer.

Source

Ring is finally adding 24/7 recording to its security cameras, The Verge, 2024

The post Ring Adding 24/7 Recordings to Premium Plan appeared first on Family Handyman.