Breaking, chipping, and dulling are more likely to happen when your knife is stored freely. If you store your knives in a drawer, invest in a set of knife blade covers to minimize contact with other utensils. This is the most common storage choice. Many knife sets will come with a block, but you can also purchase an empty knife block to store your knives in. This option is safe, allows you to keep all of your knives in one place, and also can help knives keep their edge longer. If you get your knife block separately from your knife set, you may discover that many of your knives don’t fit in the pre-sized slots. Mount a magnetic knife rack on a wall in your kitchen and store your knives vertically. This method keeps your knives easily accessible while being safely off the counter. Most importantly, magnetic knife racks keep your knife blades stable. Magnetic knife racks aren’t a possible storage option if your knives are ceramic.

Summary: Don’t keep your knife in a drawer with other utensils. Store your knives in a kitchen knife block. Keep your knife on a magnetic strip.


Fine scratches can usually be rubbed out with a cleaning product or an abrasive pad. However, very deep scratches that are obvious to see require scratch removes. You can find scratch removers for stainless steel sinks online or at local hardware stores. Check your sink's manufacturer's instructions if you still have them. This may suggest a scratch remover that works for your sink. If you have the manufacturer's instructions, these should tell you the direction of your stainless steel sink's grain. You can also look at the sink closely to see which direction the lines of the sink run. Stain removers should come with grit pads. Refer to the product's instructions and spray on the appropriate amount of scratch remover to the pad. Apply the remover to the scratch, moving in the direction of your sink's grain. Apply a light amount of pressure. Apply enough pressure that the scratch comes off the sink, but not so much that you end up damaging the sink by rubbing the grit in too deep. The scratch remover kit should contain a second, lighter pad. After most of the scratch is out, switch to the lighter pad. Use this to buff out the remainder of the scratch. If the kit calls for water, add water as you buff out the remaining scratch. Your kit should provide more specific instructions on how to buff out the scratch and when to switch the pads you're using. After you've buffed out the scratch, use a microfiber cloth to buff out the remainder of the remover. Wipe down the surface to rinse out the remainder of the scratch remover. Use water as necessary to completely remove the scratch remover.

Summary: Use a scratch remover for deeper scratches. Identify the direction of your sink's grain. Apply the remover to the scratch. Buff out the remainder of the scratch with a softer cloth. Rinse out the remover.


Black widow spiders are found across the U.S and Canada, and in other temperate regions around the world. They are the most venomous spiders in North America. The female is the easiest to recognize -- and the most dangerous. She is coal-black, with a spherical abdomen and a red hourglass-shaped mark on her belly. Her body is approximately half an inch long, but she has a total length of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) with her legs extended.  The male is about half the size of the female and is brown or grey. He usually has several red dots on his abdomen and may have a yellow or red band across his back. Male black widow spiders are not venomous. Young black widows, known as spiderlings, are white or yellow-white when they first hatch. They become darker as they grow. They may have yellow or red patches across their backs, resembling the adult male. It is impossible to tell male and female spiderlings apart. At this stage, both are harmless to humans. The black widow spider is timid and reclusive, preferring to make its home in dark, protected areas, such as in boxes, among firewood and under ledges. It is nocturnal, actively hunting at night.  The black widow spider's web is usually located within a foot of the ground. It is slightly erratic in appearance and made with stronger silk than most other spider webs. The web is used to catch prey and to hang the female's cocoon of eggs. Black widows are usually found in dark corners of the house or around the edges of a yard or garage where their webs will have a lesser chance of being disturbed. They may also be found under vehicles, even those that are being driven periodically. Check for webs near the tires, or under/around the engine. Black Widows are territorial, so their webs are often spaced about a foot apart. Female Black Widow spiders have very powerful venom -- in fact, it is said to be15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. The venom is a neurotoxin. Symptoms include muscle aches, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties and nausea. The majority of Black Widow bites are easily treated. However, if medical treatment cannot be administered on time, a Black Widow bite can lead to convulsions and death.  Black Widow spiders are not aggressive and will only bite as a defense mechanism. Most bites occur when the spider is accidentally disturbed or injured, and feels threatened. Small children, the elderly and the infirm are much more susceptible to adverse reactions when bitten by a Black Widow. Medical treatment should be sought immediately. . Another venomous spider which is slightly more common than the Black Widow is the Brown Recluse spider. These are harder to identify because they look like many other spider species, ranging in color from dark cream to brown. They are similar in size to the black widow and have a dark violin shaped mark on their back.  The venom of the Brown Recluse spider is not as strong as the Black Widow's, but their bite can lead to death. The methods for getting rid of Brown Recluse spiders are the same as for the Black Widow, so you can target both species at once.
Summary: Recognize a black widow spider. Know its habits. Understand the dangers. Watch out for Brown Recluse spiders too