Blog Posts by Good Housekeeping

Avoid spending countless hours in the laundry room and put these 7 helpful tricks to work.

1. Maximize spin.
Once your top load washing machine has finished, run another spin cycle. This will extract even more water so your dryer won't have to work as long. If you have a front loader, send the clothes through the drain and spin cycle on the highest setting.
Laundry Tip: How Much Detergent Is Too Much?

2. Don't forget to vent.
In addition to the lint filter, be sure your exhaust vent is clean. If your dryer isn't adequately vented, it has to work harder and longer. Plus, a clogged vent can cause lint and dust to catch fire.
Laundry Tip: Will the Dryer Shrink Your Sweater? How to Decode Clothing Care Symbols

3. Follow the rule of succession.
Toss loads in back to back to capitalize on residual heat.
Laundry Tip: 6 Clothing Care Dilemmas Solved

4. Load size matters.
Stuffing the dryer to capacity doesn't allow the wet load to tumble so the hot air can do its job. On the other hand,

You may think you have the cold that just won't quit (if so try these remedies that really work). But if you've been rubbing your eyes or suffering from congestion for more than two weeks, it's time to consider a different diagnosis: allergies. A survey of more than 10,000 households found they seem to be on the rise, and not just among kids - you can develop a nasal allergy for the first time as a grown-up. In fact, adults between the ages of 35 and 49 are the group most likely to suffer, according to the survey. Beyond the annoying sneezing and drippy nose, people with allergies often have trouble sleeping. Worse, an out-of-control allergy ups the chances you'll develop asthma - an inflammatory disease of the lower airways.

The only surefire way to protect yourself is to try to avoid the offending allergens. Reducing your exposure to them "can make your symptoms milder - and make it easier for you to get good relief from allergy medicines, at lower doses," says Beth Corn, M.D.,

We discovered some startling news this school year: Of the 43 lunchboxes we evaluated for our "Back to School Guide," not one kept food safely chilled until the time a child eats lunch...

From the time your child leaves the house the temperature of his or her lunch begins to rise. Once perishable foods reach temperatures of 40°F or above, they should be eaten within 2 hours to minimize the risk of food-borne illness. While it may not be an issue if your child eats an early lunch or leaves the house late, kids who leave at 7 a.m. may eat a lunch that's been out of refrigeration 5 or 6 hours. Here are three strategies for ensuring that your child eats a safe lunch every day.

1. Freeze the sandwich: In our tests, a sandwich pulled straight from the fridge didn't stay safely chilled for two hours, even when packed with an ice pack. By freezing the sandwich the night before, including an ice pack, and refrigerating everything else (like fruit or juice boxes) we found a sandwich can

A dollar-stretching mother and daughter design duo show how to create rooms that are as stylish as they are cost-savvy. Clutter-free but never cold, these rooms have longevity and livability. Plus, see these great decorating ideas under $125!

For proof that the decorating gene can be inherited, just step into the front hall of this colonial in Rye, NY. Like all the effortlessly elegant rooms in the 1920s home, the robin's-egg blue entryway is a cross-generational collaboration between Suzanne Grua McGrath, an interior designer, and her 25-year-old daughter, Lauren, a blogger for the pair's style site, goodbonesgreatpieces.com.

Related: Decorate Your Rooms with Color




Foyer
To mimic pricey original trim, the McGraths added squares of pre-mitered molding to the wood paneling, painting it to match. See more foyer ideas.

Related: DIY Decorating Ideas







Dining Room
Use greenery as inexpensive decoration: This space-filling fern invigorates a quiet corner.
On the $300 set of dining

Summer is not over yet! And there's no better way to spend the long weekend than with a classic American road trip. Get the car trip-ready, pack the kids up, and hit the road. Need destination ideas? We've got some great ones!

Before you go, though, there are certain essentials that will help along the way, or at least make the trip a lot more fun...

GPS Navigator
Preventing frayed nerves and avoiding getting lost aren't the only benefits of having a Global Positioning System when you travel. Many of the newest models also make life easier with features like traffic, weather, and gas station info. We tested 12 units under $400 for ease of use and their ability to direct us: Check out our faves!






Cooler
Save money (and calories) on fast food joints by packing some yummy road-trip snacks. We tested 27 hard- and soft-sided coolers to see which stayed below 40 degrees longest; how easy they were to pack and load, carry, and clean; and how well they handled wear and tear. We like to

The end of summer is just around the corner! Before the temperature starts dropping, try to fit in these eight fun activities.

1. Hit the Beach
Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to squeeze in one last trip to the beach. Check out the best affordable beach gear, coolers, and snacks for your day in the sun.

Helpful Hint: While sand and surf are fun, the aftermath (i.e., sand tracked all over your house and car) is not so much. At the end of the day before the family piles into the car, have everyone sprinkle themselves with baby powder, which makes it easier to brush off sand from sweaty, SPF-slathered skin. Also bring along old towels to cover car seats.



2. Go on a Picnic
Picnics are a summer ritual that cannot be missed. If you haven't enjoyed one yet this season, head to your local park or even your backyard with your favorite picnic eats. Also check out these smart picnic must-haves.

Helpful Hint: If you're headed outdoors for an entire afternoon, double-check that your cooler

When life's got you down, turn to these 14 easy, inexpensive, and positive ways to free your mind.

1. Add yoga to downtime. When volunteers alternated between yoga practice and rest (lying on their backs in the corpse pose) for a total of 22 minutes, they reduced their anxiety more than those who took part only in resting sessions.

Related: Check Out 14 Simple Ways to Drop Pounds Right Now

2. Hold hand with your hubby. Researchers have found that snuggling, kissing, and sex reduce levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone.

3. Apply rose oil. In a controlled study, the application of rose oil calmed the mind and body, lowering blood pressure and breathing rate.

4. Volunteer - even if your stress is out of control.

5. Bring your insurance cards - and your iPod. Even in tension-filled settings like emergency rooms, music reduces stress and anxiety, numerous studies have shown.

Related: 27 Easy Ways to Avoid Getting Sick and Feel Your Very Best

6. Go fishing. Omega-3 fats from fish (

Alas, summer is nearing its end. But that doesn't mean you can't squeeze in a little more fun. Even if you don't have the time to fly to Hawaii or the cash to get to Europe, you can still have a fun and memorable family getaway. Try one of these weekend adventures before the colder climes roll in.

EAST


Mystic, Connecticut
For an adventurous weekend, head to Mystic, Connecticut's re-created 19th-century seafaring village, where all activities are marine-themed and geared toward children. Climb on a whaling ship at the popular Mystic Seaport and grab a slice at the famed Mystic Pizza.

Related: The Best Travel Planning Websites





Manchester, Vermont
For a classic Vermont getaway, head to one of Manchester's cozy country inns tucked in the heart of the Green Mountains. Take in the breathtaking landscape as you learn how to fly-fish - this town's favorite pastime.

Related: Road Trips Made Easy




WEST


Prescott, Arizona
Just two hours north of Phoenix, Prescott has maintained both its