Being a homeowner isn’t easy. While in theory, it sounds luxurious, houses always need some kind of repairing as well as a lot of regular care in reality. One day, there may be a leak, and then the next, another plumbing issue. It can feel like a full-time job in itself to stay on top of everything and ensure the house is well-kept. Of course, when you’re still not sure of what to do, this can be rather overwhelming at first. Don’t be afraid. We have some great tips and tricks to help you take the best possible care for your house. Not to mention that these tricks aren’t going to cost you a lot of cash or time. They simply require ordinary items around the house that you have.
Super Easy Tips And Tricks To Improve And Fix Anything And Everything Around The Home For Those Who Aren’t Handy
1. Cooking Spray Can Be Used As Grease For Any Squeaks
Do not stress if you don’t happen to have any grease at home. Cooking spray is going to do the trick. Cooking spray will fix that problem in just an instant if you find your doors are irritating you by squeaking and making noises. Just spray the hinges a little to make sounds on any door and they’ll be noise-free. This works on doors as well as on cabinet doors. Just make sure you don’t overdo it so that you don’t end up in a greasy mess.
Cooking Spray Can Be Used As Grease For Any Squeaks
2. Painting Your Screws With Nail Polish Will Keep Them Tightened
It’s amazing how it can make such a difference with one coat of clear nail polish. Prior to using it, brush a nail or screw with some nail polish. Doing so will guarantee that it stays in place. The reason for this is that the nail polish, which binds the screw to the place you put it in, acts as a kind of glue. It’s a simple and inexpensive trick that is going to make a world of difference. Thanks to this handy little hack, things will be less likely to break or wear out over time.
Painting Your Screws With Nail Polish Will Keep Them Tightened
3. Filling In Holes With Crayon
This is a tactic that takes all of us back to our days in college. Get a crayon that meets your wall’s color. Use this crayon when you have a small hole in the wall you want to fill in. All you need to do is apply some pressure over the hole while coloring. Soon, you’ll begin to see it filling up, blending seamlessly into the wall. To cover up the harm, just rub the crayon over nail holes and small scratches.
3. Filling In Holes With Crayon
4. Use Tape To Ensure Your Edges Are Even And Straight
You know the struggle to make everything look symmetrical and straight if you’ve ever tried to caulk your own skirts and edges. Use that hack to your advantage next time you’re going to caulk. Pick up some tape from the store for builders and put it under the area that you’re going to caulk. Lay it as straight as you can. Peel the tape off as soon as you’re done with the caulk – while it’s still wet. If you take the tape off when the caulk has dried, everything you’ve done might break or chip.
4. Use Tape To Ensure Your Edges Are Even And Straight
5. Using A Potato To Change A Lightbulb
Trying to change a fractured lightbulb with the glass shards threatening to cut your skin can be dangerous. When the bulb is still in the socket, this is particularly true. This key is for that purpose only. Slice a potato in half to prevent any injuries. In a socket, push the soft side into the bulb. This will create a makeshift handle to unscrew the lightbulb for you to use. When doing so just be sure to have the power off and wear gloves for extra security.
5. Using A Potato To Change A Lightbulb
6. Rubber Bands Can Help Remove Screws
These days, rubber bands are so underappreciated. For so many different things, they are so helpful to have in the house. A fantastic example is this trick. Rubber bands can be used to create extra friction when coming into contact with metal. For example, use a rubber band if you’re trying to unscrew a screw that’s holding tight. Prior to using your screwdriver to unscrew it, place it over the top of the screw. This will greatly ease the process.
6. Rubber Bands Can Help Remove Screws
7. White Soap Can Fill Up And Patch Nail Holes
Maybe this trick is one of the many best choices here. Use soap if you do not have the time or patience to fill in unwanted gaps in the walls. Maybe it sounds odd, but it works great. Take a soap bar and scrape it across the wall where the hole is located. You can cut and sculpt tiny bits of soap into the wall instead if this doesn’t work. Just make sure to go over it to smooth it all out with a card afterward. To wipe it away, use a warm slightly damp cloth for any residue left behind.
7. White Soap Can Fill Up And Patch Nail Holes
8. Using A Cabinet Door Bumper To Prevent Any Irritating Rattling Or Banging
The biggest solutions to problems can be created by even the smallest items and gadgets. All you need to do is head to the hardware store and buy one simple little item for all those cabinet doors that bang and rattle when shut too forcefully. Get cheap bumpers for cabinet doors and place them inside each door’s corner. Since they are typically made of rubber, when they are shut, they will silence any sounds that the doors used to make, leaving you in the kitchen with some peace and quiet.
8. Using A Cabinet Door Bumper To Prevent Any Irritating Rattling Or Banging
9. Silence Squeaky Floors
Squeaky floorboards are almost never something that you would like to hear or have. The reason this occurs is because of two pieces of wood rubbing against each other. Luckily, for that, there’s a quick and simple fix. Fill up a small bottle with some baby powder – preferably one that squeezes. After that, all you need to do is dust the powder that causes the problem between the floorboards. To spread the powder and push it into the wood, use some type of makeup brush or any small brush.
9. Silence Squeaky Floors
10. Fix Carpet Indentations With Ice
Having small dents in the carpet can be somewhat annoying. They’re somehow making everything look worse. The great thing is that there’s a fix for it. From the freezer, grab an ice cube and put it on the dent you would like to repair. The carpet will obviously absorb it as the ice cube melts, triggering it to eventually return back to shape and endurance. Allow the carpet to dry completely once the ice has melted. Then, take a brush with a hard bristle and tease any locations that are still dented or damaged. They’ll bring the fluff back to usual.
10. Fix Carpet Indentations With Ice
11. Clean Marked Walls, Scratched Walls With WD-40
Depending on what kind of paint is on your wall, this hack is a brilliant one. If you happen to have paint that has a sheen to it, it will work. Use some WD-40 to wipe away any marks or scribbles left on the wall by your kids. The paint will look as good as new! However, don’t use this if you’ve used matte paint on the walls. Using WD-40 on them will leave a stain on the paint. In this case, you’re better off using a Magic Eraser instead.
11. Clean Marked Walls, Scratched Walls With WD-40
12. Rid Grout With Toilet Cleaner
Grout is never something that anyone wants anywhere. To get rid of it, squeeze and spread some toilet bowl cleaner in the grout and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, scrub the area with a bristled cleaning brush or a toothbrush. After that, wipe away the cleaner and clean the entire surface, You’ll be absolutely amazed by the results you’ll get. The multi-use item is vital to have in the house for all those stubborn areas with grout.
12. Rid Grout With Toilet Cleaner
13. Aluminum Foil Can Be Made Into A Funnel
If you find yourself in need of a funnel but you don’t have one, don’t fret. Once again, aluminum foil will save the day. Just shape some foil into a funnel – a cone shape. And voila! You have a DIY funnel. The foil is rather strong, meaning it has less of a chance to change its shape or be flimsy. When you’re done using it, you can simply throw it away, saving you the cleanup in the process as well.
13. Aluminum Foil Can Be Made Into A Funnel
14. Tape Measures Will Find Studs For You
Have you ever noticed how some numbers on measuring tape are black while the rest are red? Depending on the make, some might have little black diamonds on the tape. These are markings placed to help you find the space between studs on the walls. This depends on the way your home was built and the studs are 16 inches apart. Then, the red should match the placement of the studs on the walls. The black diamonds are 19.2 inches apart and will help you find the area between said studs.
14. Tape Measures Will Find Studs For You
15. Locate A Toilet Leak Using Kool-Aid
Who doesn’t want to hear about a hack that costs just 20 cents? Take off the lid of the toilet tank in your bathroom and pour some Kool-Aid powder into it. It needs to be a dark-colored Kool-Aid for it to work. Let it sit for 30 minutes. When coming back, if you see the inside of the toilet bowl is the same color as the Kool-Aid, it means you have a leak. Make sure not to flush in the duration it sits.
15. Locate A Toilet Leak Using Kool-Aid
16. Wearing Foil On Your Fingers Will Help You Use Your Phone With Gloves
The winter months come with their own sets of challenges, that’s for sure. However, this particular problem has a solution that’s simple and doable. Wearing gloves while using your phone can present a challenge in itself, but there’s an easy way to solve the problem. Wrap some foil around each fingertip before putting on your gloves. This will allow you to use your phone with no problem! Just don’t overdo it – a little goes a long way with the foil.
16. Wearing Foil On Your Fingers Will Help You Use Your Phone With Gloves
17. Unclog Your Blocked Drain WIth Simple Ingredients From Your Cabinet
If you notice your sink is draining slower than usual, it normally means a clog is on its way. This is true for the shower, bathtub, and any kind of drainage in the house. The worst part is all that residue left behind. To avoid using any harsh chemicals, pour some boiling down the drain. Then, pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down the drain before allowing it to sit for 10 minutes. After that, pour boiling water again. Just like that, the problem will be solved!
17. Unclog Your Blocked Drain WIth Simple Ingredients From Your Cabinet
18. Renew Rusty Chrome Objects With Aluminium Foil
Here we have another brilliant use for aluminum foil. For any surfaces that are covered in rust, all you’ll have to do is get some aluminum foil. The first thing you need to do is clean off the rusty surface with water and soap using a microfiber towel. After that, splash the aluminum foil with some water and rub it over the rusted surface. Doing so will clear it all up in no time at all, saving your chrome items.
18. Renew Rusty Chrome Objects With Aluminium Foil
19. Prevent Your Door From Banging With A Rubber Band
Going shopping alone can have its own set of challenges. The most significant one in our eyes is getting all the groceries inside the house from the car. If you’re making multiple trips, the door closing on you makes things worlds harder. To solve this little problem, loop a rubber band over both sides of the door handle or knob to keep it from locking or shutting on you. You won’t have to put everything down to get the door open again.
19. Prevent Your Door From Banging With A Rubber Band
20. A Tear Can Be Mended With Clear Nail Polish
It’s rather common for screens to tear a little here and there. However, this doesn’t mean you have to buy an entirely new screen. All you need is some clear nail polish. Apply some to the torn area for a quick fix. Aside from binding it back together, it will prevent the tear from getting worse with time. The nail polish simply acts as a clear glue of sorts. Additionally, this trick can be used for stockings as well when they tear. It will prevent the tear from lengthening.
20. A Tear Can Be Mended With Clear Nail Polish
21. Ridding Stubborn Dirt From Your Shower Head Using Vinegar
All kinds of nasty things tend to build up inside your shower head, from grime to dirt. These things can make it moldy and create a breeding ground for bacteria. To get rid of all this, soak your shower head in a tub of vinegar overnight. Doing so will remove all the bad things. Not to mention, it will kill the germs, leaving your shower head as good as new – both in the way it looks and its cleanliness.
21. Ridding Stubborn Dirt From Your Shower Head Using Vinegar
22. A Pool Noodle Can Be Used As A Buffer Between A Car And A Wall
It seems like everyone bangs the side of their car door against the garage wall at some point or another. It’s almost inevitable. Key word being almost. This can be easily prevented. Get a pool noodle you don’t need and cut it in half vertically along its side. You’ll be left with a strip you can hang on the walls of your garage at the height the car door is. This will keep the door from getting scratched and also scratching the wall.
22. A Pool Noodle Can Be Used As A Buffer Between A Car And A Wall
23. Remove Stubborn Pet Hair From Your Carpet With Just One Tool
Pets are really the best. What isn’t so great is all the hair and fur they shed on a regular basis. It truly gets everywhere and it’s nearly impossible to get rid of. This is especially true for carpets and fabric furniture. Well, to solve this problem, get your squeegee. Brush it over the rug or couch and watch all the hair come out easily! The rubber will do wonders for your furniture and overall cleanliness in the house.
23. Remove Stubborn Pet Hair From Your Carpet With Just One Tool
24. The Right Rotation For Your Air Flow
By switching the direction of your ceiling fan, you’ll save on cooling and heating bills. In the winter, the fan should be spinning clockwise at a very low speed. This will generate warmer air inside the room since heat rises. In the summer, the opposite is true: have the fan spin counterclockwise. This will push the warm air down, cooling off the room. A fan doesn’t change the temperature in the room, rather it rotates the air.
24. The Right Rotation For Your Air Flow
25. Make Your Windows Winter Proof With Bubble Wrap
In the winter, every little crack in the window can make the difference between being freezing cold and being toasty warm. To avoid any cold drafts, wet your window with some water before placing bubble wrap on each piece of glass. This will act as insulation, keeping the heat in and the cold out. While it doesn’t look all that great, it is a great hack for desperate times when you have no other option.
25. Make Your Windows Winter Proof With Bubble Wrap