Big Questions Answered, How and Why

Your sheets need to be washed on a regular basis.

Bedsheets may look clean, but they harbor a variety of nasty things—from dust mites to, yes, even poop.

These seemingly random digits can tell you a lot.

Barcode scanners don’t need to register the number below the barcode, but it can tell you a lot about a product.

Fabric softener acts as a lubricant for your laundry.

Fabric softener is supposed to reduce friction and wrinkles and prolong the life of your clothing. But there are some downsides to using it.

Pharmacists are happy to help. But only after you've walked through the entire store.

There's an excellent reason why pharmacy locations like CVS and Walgreens make you walk all the way through the store before picking up your antibiotics.

Your cat's habit of sleeping all day isn't a sign of laziness—it's a survival instinct that's baked into their genes.

The name "Jim Crow" appears throughout many U.S. history books, but he was a caricature—not a real person.

Four actual brothers formed the Brooks Brothers clothing brand after their father had started the menswear business in 1818. It survived scandal and changing styles—but the current economic downturn may be a different story.

Putting metal in the microwave is never a good idea—especially if you're inspired by a viral social media hoax.

The phrase was around long before Kevin Malone dropped his famous chili in season five of ‘The Office.’

The IAAF has required Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya to take medication to lower her testosterone levels—a demand she has actively fought against.

Though 'sex' and 'gender' are often used interchangeably, each word has its own distinct meaning and applications.

Barack Obama walks on the colonnade after leaving the Oval Office for the last time as President on January 20, 2017.

The Former Presidents Act, which was passed by Dwight Eisenhower in 1958—largely to help Harry Truman, who struggled financially after leaving the Oval Office—entitles ex-presidents to a handful of benefits.

If you always respond to your tail-chasing dog with laughter and belly rubs, he might just be in it for the attention.

Cloth face masks can help slow the spread of coronavirus. But do they need filters, too?

A growing number of cloth face masks for sale online are offering a carbon or other type of filter. Do they help?

Cats are not sleeping in sinks solely to annoy you. That's just a bonus.

The joy of pet ownership can decline when a cat refuses to budge from the place where you'd like to wash your face.

Attempting to decode cat behavior can lead to madness. But we do have some idea of why cats like blinking at us.

If you're looking for a caffeine fix, you know that orange pot isn't going to help.

Both decaf and regular coffee drinkers know what the orange spout and handle on a carafe means, but they may not know why the color was chosen.

If you ever find yourself in a Mac and Me-type situation, it's best to know what to do.

We've all seen 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.' But if you find an alien in your backyard—who you gonna call?

This woman is going to make a quick stop at Whole Foods' bakery section before book club.

Don’t blame yourself for those bone-dry brownies you made in Aspen—blame the air pressure (or lack thereof).

Plenty of musicians complain when a political candidate uses their work as part of a campaign event. How did they manage to play it in the first place?