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Making a house into a home is no easy (or cheap) task. There's an awful lot of work to get done, so why not do it in the most cost-efficient and effective ways possible? These awesome repairman-approved home hacks will help save you some money and some headaches...
Hooked In
Command hooks are basically one of the best innovations of the 21st century. They've seriously got an endless list of uses. When it comes to your trash can, command hooks come in handy for keeping the bag secure. Place the hooks on the sides of the cans and loop the ties around them, that way the bag won't slide down into the can, and it's super easy to tie and remove.
Just a Little Olive Oil
Sure, you could use WD-40 to oil hinges, but why waste the money on that product when you could use something you already have in the cupboard? You can simply take a small amount of olive oil and drip it into the hinges to fix that squeaky cabinet instead.
Supercharged Superglue
We can't explain the science behind it, but if you mix baking soda and super glue, it will turn into superglue's plastic-form brother. This handy little concoction can be used to plug holes and seal gaps as well as repair collectibles and other odds and ends. Just put a small dab of superglue on the surface, add a bit of baking soda and press it on with a cloth. After just a few seconds, it's good as new!
Dent Repair
Small dents on wooden floors seem like a huge expense to repair, but with this handy hack, it's actually quite a simple fix. With a clothing iron and some water, those small dents can be removed in a flash. Just wet the dent in the floor, place a moist towel over it, and then use an iron on top running it in circular motions over the area. Easy!
Liquid Tape to the Rescue
Phone chargers are a pest when it comes to durability. There's nothing worse than plugging in your device to charge only to realize that the wires in the charging cord are frayed and exposed. Instead of purchasing another charger, liquid electrical tape provides the perfect fix.
Glue Grip
You can skip on the purchase of a no-slide rug mat with the help of a little tool you probably already have at home. Just turn the rug upside-down and use a hot glue gun to add some strips of glue. Once the glue dries flip it back over and the glue will act as grips.
A Better Flush
Water pressure might be to blame if your toilet seems to always need a second flush. If the tank is refilling slowly you also could have a pressure issue. To remedy this, you just need to locate the water valve behind the toilet. Turn the valve counterclockwise until your hand stops, and your toilet should be back in business.
Loosen Up Your Drawers
After a lot of use, sometimes sets of drawers don't function quite like they used to. The wood warps or overuse makes the drawers difficult to slide. One hack for this is to use a little wax, either a candle, some soap, or even a clear crayon, and rub them along the runners of the drawers for a little lubrication. Your drawers will no longer stick and your furniture will feel like new again.
Nailed It!
This hack is a dream for renters. When it comes time to move out, you might be asked to repair holes in walls from where you'd hung photos and frames. Instead of having to repair the holes and repaint the wall, a crayon might be just the answer you need. Choose a crayon color that's closest to the wall colors and rub it into the nail holes. use your fingers to rub it in, too, as the heat from your hands will help the crayon wax mesh into the wall better.
Scuff Be Gone
This should take you back in time to the good ol' days in grade school. To clear up scuffs on your hardwood flooring, simply take a tennis ball and put it on the end of a broom or mop handle. Use that end of the ball to buff out scuffs on the floor. The material that the tennis ball is made from helps pick up any rubber transfer that is on the ground.
Loosed Up Your Locks
If you have a lock that is a bit sticky or difficult to turn, graphite might be the solution. Oil in locks often clogs up the lock and can actually make things worse, but using a spare pencil tip to put some graphite in the lock is a great alternative. Graphite works as a great lubricant for these mechanisms without clogging them.
A Stripped Solution
During your DIY projects, there's probably been a time that you dealt with a stripped or stubborn screw. To loosen these difficult ones, place a rubber band on the surface of the screw. This will help your screwdriver or drill have more grip and will eventually loosen the screw from its place.
A Clean Slate
Wooden cutting boards are cesspools for bacteria and food buildup. Because of the tiny nooks and crannies on a piece of wood, particularly one used for cutting, they need a different approach to cleaning. To get rid of stains and bacteria in a wooden cutting board, place coarse salt over the board and use half of a lemon to rub it into the board. The lemon will act as a disinfectant and the salt will clean the crevices of the wood.
Noodle Use
There are endless uses for foam pool noodles. If you often lose a sock or two along the side of your washing machine, a pool noodle can fill the gap between the washer and the wall so you'll never have to dig into the abyss for a lost sock again.
Fresh and Clean
When you're starting a new home project, more often than not, you'll need some screws handy. When you're digging into the bottom of your toolbox for a few spare screws, you might have experienced a situation where the old screws are rusted. For a quick fix, place the rusted screws in a vinegar bath for a day in a tightly enclosed bottle or jar. The rust will loosen up and you'll be back in business.
Buff the Scuffs
While you don't necessarily stare at your skirting boards often, they can really make or break the overall presentation of a room. To keep them looking good, fill in the nail holes and buff out scuffs that have appeared over time. The best product for nail holes is wood putty because it allows you to skip having to repaint the entire board.
Freeze It Out
If you have carpet in your home you know the struggle of when you move your furniture and find the carpets are dented. There's an easy hack, however, to get rid of the dents. Place ice cubes in the dented spots and leave them to melt overnight. The carpet will absorb the water and restore the fibers to their original glory.
Water Stains Be Gone
Water stains can be a pest to get rid of, but there's a trusty little secret to cleaning up the mess. Before simply painting over the stain, make a mixture of one cup bleach to three cups of warm water and apply it to the stained area. This will help clear up the stain and get rid of any remaining mildew or dirt left behind. Then paint over it once it's dry and you're all set!
Garbage Stink
After just a few uses, your outdoor garbage cans always develop a nasty odor. To combat this stench, soak a slice of bread in vinegar and place the slice in the bottom of the can on a paper towel. Leave the bread in there overnight and remove it in the morning and the odors will all be eliminated!
Old Window Hack
Old homes typically mean old windows. Oftentimes, these windows haven't been opened in a while and get stuck. This also happens when windows have been painted and aren't allowed enough time to dry and so when the window is shut, it essentially seals them closed. To get those windows opened back up you just need a chisel and a hammer. The chisel can be placed between the window and the frame and with some light tapping with the hammer, the seal should come loose.
Washing Machine Cleaner
One home chore that not many are keen on is cleaning the washing machine. If you skip on this, the dirt from your washing cycles will get stuck in the washer, and the rubber seals around the door. To give your washer a deep clean, add two cups of baking soda and run a long hot cycle. After this is finished, add 2 cups of white vinegar and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil, which will act as a disinfectant and remove any lingering smells.
Cat Litter to the Rescue
OIl spills in your garage are pretty difficult to clean up. Something you can use to help you with the task is cat litter. The litter will absorb the oil from the cement. Once it has absorbed the oil, you just have to sweep up the litter and your space will be good as new.
Tin Can Planter
If you're one of the many folks who got into plants last year, this is a creative method to use your recycling to help your plants thrive. Use empty, clean, tin cans at the bottom of a planter to not only fill some of the empty space but to also create better drainage for your plant's root system. Drainage helps prevent root rot and the cans actually help keep some oxygen in the soil.
Walnut Wood Trick
If you find some scratches in your wood flooring or furniture, something in your pantry might help you repair them. Take a walnut and rub it over the scratches, and then use your finger over the scratched area to help the oil from the walnut absorb into the wood. To finish, buff the area using a cloth.
Easy Off for Ice
We all know that scraping the ice off your car in the morning during a cold winter day is quite a chore. If you don't have a de-icer handy, you can use WD-40 on your windows and windshield before you head to bed that night. Spread it across the windows using a clean, dry cloth and in the morning, you won't have ice to scrape.
A Penny for Your Shims
If your toilet is a little off-balance, there's a quick and inexpensive way to make it level. You can skip buying toilet shims and simply use a penny underneath the foot of the toilet to stop it from wobbling. Once the penny is secure, just use a silicone gun to secure it in place.
A Pop of Art
This handy little hack will help you spruce up your living space with some artwork in a jiffy. You can use a soda can tab to easily hang up and picture frame. Just drill a screw into the bottom half of the tab into the frame and use the top half to attach to any hook or nail onto the wall.
Hard Water Solution
Hard water buildup is such a nuisance for homeowners, and sometimes even the most pricey commercial products don't seem to do the trick. Instead of putting out lots of dough for a plumber, just use a lemon! That's right, the citric acid in lemon helps break down the build-up if you let the lemon sit on the faucet for a few hours.
Keep It Fresh
Baking soda is an essential tool to have around the house. It's versatile enough for so many cleaning jobs, specifically, it's quite handy for cleaning larger furniture pieces. Just sprinkle some baking soda all over the couch and vacuum it up to restore your couch back to its former glory.
No More Creaking in the Night
Talcum powder is another handy substance to keep around the house. It's useful for creaky floorboards and stairs. Just shake some onto the area that is making the most noise, rub it in, and you won't hear a peep.
Toilet Kool-Aid
Worried about a leaky toilet? Of course, it seems like it's the worst-case scenario! Ease your mind by putting some Kool-Aid or other colored dye in the water. Just keep yourself from flushing for about 30 minutes, and if colored water shows up in the toilet bowl, there’s a leak!
Slamming Doors
Who doesn't hate the sound of a slamming door? That's why placing a small foam door bumper like the one above can be especially helpful. These things are pretty cheap online or in major retailers, and they help with protecting your doorways from the abuse over time.
Loose Screws
If you're buying furniture on the cheap, you might have an issue with craftsmanship. To fix a loose screw in your work, try coating the screw in a thin layer of clear nailpolish. It can be just the thing you need to stop that screw from moving around and stay tight and secure.
Broken Lightbulb
Potatoes might have more uses in the home than just making some fries. If you ever have a lightbulb break in its spot, you can use a potato to clean it up. Make sure the switch is turned to "off" first! After that, full steam ahead with your clever hack to cleaning up!
Caulk Edge
If you need to get the perfect edge to updated caulk, you should seriously grab a roll of painter's tape. It won't damage your walls, and it will be perfect for making a clean line. For the perfectionist in all of us, this invention is a must-have.
Soap Hole
Don't have any white crayons laying around? Another option for filling the holes left behind by a nail is using soap bars. Rub a little white bar overtop the hole left in the wall and it should cover up quickly. An added bonus is that your walls smell great too!
WD-40 Crayola
kids can be pretty terrible for house care, so don't be shocked when their crayon drawings end up on the wall. If you want a quick clean-up for this situation, just rub it off using WD-40. The paint stays on but the wax vanishes right in front of you.
Screen Saver
If you have a tear in your screens, you might be inviting in bugs and tiny critters who can pass through. Stop the scurry with this clever hack, all you need is some clear nail polish. Put a little bit on over top of the tear, and it should be able to hold a little while longer!
Clean Showerhead
If you have an old showerhead, it's time to ask when the last time you cleaned it was...a while right? The hack for this is easy. Just fill a plastic bucket with vinegar and soak the appliance in it for a few hours or overnight. Once you wash off the vinegar, it should be good as new!
Potato Screwer
If you've misplaced your screwdriver, don't worry, there's a hack for that! Another option is using the pointed tip of a vegetable peeler. It won't be as quick, that's for sure, but it'll work just the same. Make sure to clean it before using it for veggies again though...
Not Cutting It
Are your old scissors just not cutting it anymore? Well, there's a way to fix that quickly and cheaply. Just pull out about 6 to 8 sheets of aluminum. Cut through with your dulled scissors to sharpen them up! You'll have some scraps left over, but your tools will be good as new!
Particleboard Parts
Particleboards are rarely built to last. They chip and break easily, but they don't have to. You can suspend its lifespan by adding on some regular school glue to any issues. Using plastic wrap, smooth the glue over the flaws. Color to match the board, and ta da!
Sprinkler System
Don't have a sprinkler in your shed? Don't worry, as long as you have a water bottle and a hose, this hack is easy enough to figure out. Poke some holes in the top and let Mother Nature do the rest of the work. Your yard will be looking good in no time!
Frayed Fix
If you've got a frayed carpet causing you trouble, trim off the excess, squeeze a little bit of fabric glue into the carpet base, and wait for it to dry. Once it has had some time to relax. The old snag will be unnoticeable in no time at all!
Duct Does it
This isn't so much a hack as it is a glowing endorsement. Duct tape is a household staple for a reason. It can fix everything from a torn tent to a burst pipe to trash cans. If you've got a problem, there's a high chance duct tape can solve it!
Bumbling Bed Frame
If you've got a bed frame that likes to be a little loud with squeaks and creaks, there's a way to fix that. Move the mattress so you can find the source of the sound. Once you have it, rub a candle over the point, making sure the candle is wax. It should stop the noise!
Coffee Draino
If you don't feel like shelling out for some Draino, another way to keep drains from clogging is to mix ground coffee with dish soap and boiling water. Mix it up, pour it down the issue drain, and watch as your sink fixes itself with this cheap hack.
Tub Ring
If your tub has that icky ring around it, you can use your breakfast cup of joe to fix it! Use some leftover grounds from your coffee to scrub the soap scum ring. Use a little soap to give it a cleaner feel. Easy to do and you'll smell lovely!
Fresh Furniture
If you can't use polish on your wood, another great option is using essential oils. They revitalize your furniture while also making them smell incredible. According to Jane Wilson of Fantastic Cleaners Melbourne, "You can use lemon essential oil to quickly polish any dark wood and effectively clean stains and spots."
Waxy Furniture
If you've accidentally let your candle melt to the very bottom and get some wax on your furniture, there is a way to save it! Simply use some ice cubes to get the waxy residue off your items. Don't risk scraping it off, just freeze it off!
Candle Carpet
If you somehow get some candle wax melted into your carpet, there's a way to get it out, but it won't be easy. First, you need to put a paper bag on top of the wax. Next, you should go over the area lightly with a steam iron. The wax will cling to the bag instead!
Hair Dryer Hack
If you've got a hairdryer at home, there's another hack at your fingertips. Hairdryers can be used to pull crayon designs off the wall, meaning you don't have to worry about ruined decor. Just heat and wipe, no big deal at all on your wall!
Cooking Oil Labels
If you like to reuse jars and bottles, the one thing standing in your way might be the sticky label on the front. They can be hard to peel off, and their leftover residue is gross! Instead of breaking your nails, use some cooking oil to loosen up the gunk and wipe away the residue.
Microsmells
Vinegar is a magic elixir for a lot of home cleaning remedies, including this one. Put a bowl of vinegar into the microwave and heat it up for about 5 minutes. After that, wipe the inside of the device. All the bad smells in your microwave will disappear!
Streak-Free Mirrors
Mirrors are hard to clean because you can see all the mistakes super clearly. One way to avoid a streaky mirror is to use the magical ingredient (vinegar, again) to wipe them down. White vinegar works best, and make sure to mix it with some water!
Cleaning Blinds
If you have the need to clean your blinds, a simple wipe down won't get the job done. In order to get an overall shine, you should try rubber bands and towels wrapped around a pair of kitchen tongs. Talk about easy access!
Toilet Mouthwash
Don't worry, this hack is actually pretty clever! If you're out of toilet cleaner, there's another option for you...mouthwash! Put a few capfuls in and let it sit for a half-hour. Once you scrub the bowl, any icky grime will come right off without any issue!
Clothespin Saver
Doesn't it seem gross to put your toothbrush right on the counter? One way to separate your brush from the porcelain is by attaching a clothespin to the head of it. It'll keep it aloft enough that you can sleep easy at night (and brush cleanly in the morning!)
Rubber Band Ties
If you want to avoid soapy overuse, there's a hack for that! All it takes is one rubber band tied around the center of a spout. This will be able to slow the flow of the soap, meaning you won't have to worry about being too soapy.
Magic Eraser
If you have a ceramic stovetop, you've got some pretty good taste! However, those kinds of counters can be hard to clean. Thankfully, all it takes is a magic eraser to get things back on track. No caked-on messes can withstand that incredible force!
Spiced Magnets
True or false: your spice drawer could likely use a makeover. Thankfully, a magnetic spice rack will help to organize your spices as well as give your fridge a modern feel (aside from the notes and calendars). It's both functional and fashionable!
Clean Pan Problems
If you have a pan that just won't get clean, it might be due to the cleanser you're using. Maybe try medicine instead! That's right, an Alka-seltzer tablet can be just the thing you need to cut through stubborn grime. Drop it in with hot water and let sit for 15 minutes.
Blender Blues
There's nothing more annoying to clean than a blender. The juices are so stubborn, but maybe you're just not thinking the right way. Instead of scrubbing, just add some water and dish soap to the center. Turn it on and watch as your blender gets a personal dishwashing treatment!
Silverware Porcelain
If you can't seem to organize your bathroom, there might be another way. Use instead, a silverware organizer in one of your drawers. You'll have everything from toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, floss, and anything else always in place.
Fitted Suspenders
If you have a flimsy fitted sheet, the edges flying off is no new problem, but it is a solvable one. Just attached some suspenders underneath the mattress to have a sure-fire way to keep the sheets on. Easy fix!
Trash Holes
Ever have trash bags sticking to the bottom of your cans? There's an easy fix for that, obviously. Just drill a few holes into the bottom of your trash cans. Anything sticky will seep out onto the street, not into the center of your bins.
Old News!
If you have a problem with leaky garbage bags, old news might be the best news for you! Throw in some old newspapers when you put a new trash bag in. It will absorb any leaky liquids that would have otherwise been spilling out of the bottom. Easy!
Wiped Bags
If you have an old container for plastic wipes, you also have a container for grocery bags! Just roll them up and stick them inside the empty container. Feel free to decorate it to make it better for your own styles.
Straw Flowers
Have flowers wilted in your house? Don't worry, there's an easy fix for this common issue. Just surround the tired stems with straws! They will help the flowers to stand up straight a little longer!
Pot Lids
A pot lid can get lost in the shuffle, but it doesn't have to. Use a magazine organizer on the wall to keep your lids organized and in the most reachable spot. Never worry about losing your lid over a lid ever again!
Broken Locks
Have a bedroom door that should never be locked? Use a rubber band for peace of mind! Just loop the rubber band around a doorknob, covering the latch bolt so that it is closed into the door. Loop the other end of the rubber band over the opposite doorknob. Done!
Tight Garage
If you have a door that jumps out, this hack is for you. In your garage, cut a pool noodle in half. Attach each side to the wall with adhesive of some kind. Whenever you open the door now, your car is protected from dings and dents!
Covered Collectible
Alarm systems can be pretty ugly to look at...so don't! USe a piece of artwork on hinges to cover the unsightly system. After all, who wants to show off how well protected their house is when they could show off some nice painting!
Plaster Nails
Before nailing into a plaster wall, make sure you're taking proper precautions. In this case, that means putting down some painter's tape! This way, you can prevent flaking, dust, and an unsightly wall. All it takes is tape!
Magnetic Tape
Hammering a nail seems easy enough, but they're also easy enough to lose. Fix this problem by adding some magnetic tape to your hammer. This way, you'll never be looking around for those pesky nails again!
Mason Jar Paints
Excess paint shouldn't go to waste, so make sure you store yours! The best way to keep paint fresh is by concealing it well, so mason jars are the perfect solution. These jars are air-tight and very cute, so your decor won't suffer.
Remove Excess Paint
Need to remove excess paint. Yep, there's a hack for that, and yes, it does involve another rubber band. Wrap a rubber band around a paint can or paint tray. Use it to wipe off excess paint back into the receptacle. Simple!
Furry Friends
Have any furry friends in your house? That means you also have fur all over, sorry. One way to get that pesky hair up and out is by using a squeegee. It works better than the countless lint rollers and is almost half the cost!
Cat Claws
If you have a cat, you know the claws they wield. Protect your furniture with aluminum foil! If your kitty won't stop clawing at one piece of your chair or a part of the rug, cover it in foil and they should lose interest ASAP.
Steady Rug
Have a rug that just won't sit still? Add some caulk to the bottom! It won't move at all and won't damage the rug. The slip in your carpeting won't be able to withstand this incredible life hack!