Emilie Sennebogen has written over 350 articles for HowStuffWorks on topics ranging from safe ways to disinfect your home to New Year's Eve toasts. She also freelanced in the film industry and currently owns her own business selling handmade soaps and body products.
Recent Contributions
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can make you dizzy and give you a headache. How long will these gross gasses hang out after you're done painting?
In our list of five uses for lemon juice in laundry and clothing care, you'll find simple solutions for treating rust and mildew stains and even an at-home shoe shining kit.
By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd., Emilie Sennebogen & Samantha Stallard
An informed consumer is a happy consumer. Here's the information to help you decide between a stacked or side-by-side washer-dryer and keep you smiling.
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Wool carpets are ideal for high-traffic areas, and they're relatively easy to clean. But that doesn't mean they won't stain. So, what do you do?
The law of laundry states that certain colors are washed in certain temperatures. If you decide to be a laundry outlaw, though, will all of your clothes shrink?
It's either too cold or too hot in your house. So, you turn a dial, press a button or move a lever -- do you know what happens after that? Look inside a home thermostat and see how it controls your indoor climate.
By Karim Nice, Patrick Brothers & Emilie Sennebogen
Wouldn't you love to know the secrets of how your house came to be? What did the original owners do for a living? How much the house cost to build in 1932? It only takes a little research to find out.
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If you live on planet Earth, it's pretty much guaranteed you've had a run-in with a cockroach. Here's how to prevent it from happening frequently.
Have some paint around your house you just love, but aren't sure how to match paint color effectively? When paint chips fall short, a spectrophotometer can save the day! Read on to match colors without error.
Furniture restorers all have one thing in common - the desire to pluck a piece of furniture off the side of the road and restore it to its former glory. But you don't have to be a pro to get the job done.
Trees are living, breathing things, and tree disease can take down even the mightiest oak or redwood. But how can you tell if your tree is sick and can recover, or if your tree is dead and past hope?
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What do a man named Stingy Jack, the devil and a cross have to do with carving Halloween pumpkins? Everything, it turns out. This long-standing tradition is steeped in folklore and superstition.
Keeping a clean grill is the secret to great barbecue. After all, yesterday's steak marinade won't taste good on today's lime-grilled tilapia.
Mold is a creepy fungus that can pop up anywhere there's moisture, and that includes on your clothes. But you can kill the mold and save your favorite fabrics from the trash. We'll show you how.
A fire can destroy a home -- and a life -- in seconds. It's imperative to be ready if that day ever comes. Find out what you need to do to prepare for a fire in your home.
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If you're a movie buff that can't bear to part with an old-school videotape collection, then you've probably got a VCR somewhere in your house. But to keep those tapes in good condition, you'll need to clean your player -- the right way.
Pasta is a great base to use for a main dinner dish or for a light lunchtime salad. But you may be tired of the same old boring pasta recipes. Don't worry; there's lots you can do to spice it up.
It seems like granite countertops are all the rage these days, but there are so many other, less expensive options to choose from. Formica is one of those, and the best part? It's oh, so easy to clean.
Depending on how you look at it, the practice of genetically engineering crops is either a boon for civilization and the greatest hope to feed a hungry world, or a dangerous interference with nature that threatens both our health and our ecosystem.
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You would think that a simple solution for vegetarians would be to use a meat substitute in their diet that provides the same amount of protein without the use of animals. But is it appetizing -- or even safe to eat?
Auctions are standard fare for fundraising events, but if you want to spice it up a bit, hold a Chinese auction. It's a unique and exciting way to bring in the cash.
The words "health" and "cake" aren't often uttered in the same sentence. Ingredients like butter and heavy cream make the cake taste great but can end up forever on the hips. A few substitutions can change that.
You want to disinfect your home, but don't want to use harsh chemicals. The good news is you don't need them to keep your house clean and germ-free.
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A well-stocked kitchen pantry is important so you can be prepared to cook at home and save money. So what food items should you always have on hand?
Getting your first tattoo is a rite of passage. But before you get your guitar gently inked on your bicep, it's important to do your research and know what you're getting into. Here are 10 tips for the tattoo virgin.