Do you have a broken window, a leaky pipe, or another home repair issue and you don’t know what to do? It’s a common predicament. The DIY community has traditionally been where people seek advice and tips to assist them in completing home repairs themselves. However, as time goes on, we learn new skills that make the process easier, quicker, or more efficient. In this blog post, we present 50 hacks for homeowners of all skill levels to use when handling household repairs.
Use superglue to keep screws in place.
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Many people struggle with installing simple screws because they tend to slip, roll, or fall off. The challenge intensifies when you need to install them at an angle. This is where a clever superglue home repair trick comes in handy.
By applying some rubber glue to the tip of the screwdriver, you can eliminate issues with screws slipping. This is one of the simplest hacks to keep the screw securely in place during drilling. Afterwards, you can complete your installation with ease, saving both time and effort.
Toothpaste Can Easily Fill Nail Holes
When moving out, people often take items like pictures, art, and frames off the walls. As a result, when you move in, you might notice numerous holes left behind. There’s no need to fret because there’s a simple home repair trick for this situation.
You can use white toothpaste to fill those holes. Ensure the toothpaste is white to match the wall’s color; otherwise, it won’t blend. This trick can also be useful when moving out to prevent losing your security deposit.
Use Coffee Grounds to Restore Wood Furniture
Our furniture sets the vibe in our homes, so it’s important to maintain it. We’ve all accidentally spilled drinks and other substances on furniture. While some stains can be tough to remove, coffee grounds can be used on unfinished wood furniture to help.
Rubbing coffee grounds on the affected area can quickly restore your furniture’s appearance. The coffee grounds impart a brown hue that matches the furniture, eliminating the need for painting.
An Incredibly Easy Method to Safeguard Your Fingers While Using a Hammer
Are you afraid of hitting your fingers with the hammer instead of the nails in the wall? If so, we have an ideal home repair trick for you that will make things much easier. It will let you hammer anything you want without injuring yourself.
For this trick, you can use bobby pins, clothes pegs, or similar items. For example, if you use a clothes peg, you can hold the nail between the peg and start hammering. This will protect your fingers and ensure you don’t get hurt while nailing and hammering.
Soak Tiles Before Cutting Them
If you plan to cut tiles soon, this home repair tip will quickly make the task easier. It will save you time, effort, and money because you can do it easily at home. Start by creating a rivet or a pre-cut on the tiles.
Then, measure the amount you need and start cutting. Once you’ve finished, soak the tiles in warm water for at least a few hours. After that, it will be easier to cut the tiles with little effort.
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Soap Can Easily Silence Wooden Drawers
Do you have creaky and noisy wooden drawers at home that you’re unsure how to fix? If so, this simple home repair trick could be just what you need. Soap is one of the best solutions for quieting your noisy wooden drawers permanently.
You can use either a bar of soap or liquid soap, as both will work effectively on the drawers. Apply the soap along the rails of the problematic wooden drawers for a few minutes, and you’ll notice the improvement quickly. If the noise returns, simply repeat the process.
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Struggling With Removing Old Stickers? Use A Blow Dryer!
New items often come with stickers, which can be bothersome if you want to keep your objects looking fresh and sleek. Removing stickers by hand is not ideal as it might leave glue residue and damage the surface. That’s why we have the perfect home repair tip for you.
To remove stickers, use a hairdryer to heat the sticker, which will make it easy to peel off. The heat will weaken the adhesive, allowing you to remove the sticker effortlessly. Afterward, your appliances will look brand new.
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Vinegar Can Revitalize Shower-Heads
Showerheads can eventually develop calcification, causing the water flow to slow down. If you dislike a slow showerhead, vinegar can be a great solution. Although it may seem unusual initially, this trick is highly effective.
Simply take a plastic bag and a bottle of vinegar, fill the bag halfway with vinegar, secure it around your showerhead, and leave it overnight. In the morning, remove the bag, and you’ll observe a significant improvement in the water flow.
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Use Baby Powder to Finally Silence Those Noisy Floorboards
Hardwood flooring can produce a lot of noise and creaking sounds, particularly if it has been in place for a long time. Luckily, a small amount of baby powder can solve this issue and quiet your floorboards quickly. If you’re dealing with this noise problem, simply get a bottle of baby powder.
When you have the powder, sprinkle it between the floorboards, which is where the wood rubs together and creates noise. Ensure that all the gaps are filled with baby powder, and your noisy floorboards will no longer be a problem. It’s a simple and effective solution.
Apply Soap to Assist in Inserting Screws into Holes
Have you ever encountered a screw that’s too stubborn to go into a wall? If you have, you know how frustrating and difficult it can be. However, you can easily solve this issue by using soap to help the screws go into the holes.
Take a bar of soap from your home and rub it over the screw. Make sure to cover all sides of the screw with soap, as it acts as a lubricant. Once all the sides are coated, try inserting the screw again, and it will slide in effortlessly.
Tape Can Simplify the Hanging of Predrilled Frames
While many people avoid using pre-drilled frames, there are always exceptions. If you prefer an easy method to frame your pictures and are using pre-drilled frames, this tip is designed for you. It will help you place the nails perfectly to maximize their effectiveness.
Use masking tape or artist’s tape to mark where the holes are. Then, simply apply the tape to the wall to know exactly where each nail should go. This approach will save you time and effort in placing the nails.
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Use Your Microwave to Refresh Tape That Is Not-So-Sticky
If you’ve ever dealt with tape that no longer sticks, you know how annoying it can be to use. It’s normal for tape to lose its stickiness over time. However, there’s a method to restore its stickiness and make the tape usable again.
You can place the tape in your microwave for a few seconds. This will warm up the tape slightly, helping the stickiness return. After using this trick, the tape will be as sticky as new.
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Use Some Ice Cube to Make Your Carpet Dents Even
We all cherish our home decor, particularly our carpets, since a considerable amount of thought and decision-making is involved in selecting the ideal ones. That’s why seeing dents in the carpet caused by furniture can be disheartening. However, there’s no need to worry excessively, as this issue can be effectively resolved.
To eliminate dents in the carpet, place some ice cubes on the dents and allow them to melt. Afterward, blot up the excess water with a cloth and use a toothbrush to smooth out the carpet.
Utilize a Microphone to Detect Concealed Wiring
If you’re doing drilling work at home, be mindful of concealed wires, as they pose a risk of shocks and electrocution. To prevent this danger, there’s an easy trick to detect these hidden wires and avoid any electrical mishaps. All you need is a functional microphone.
To locate hidden wires in a wall, connect your microphone to a tape recorder. If the microphone is positioned near a certain spot and the tape recorder begins to hum, it indicates the presence of hidden wires. This will help you know which areas to avoid when drilling.
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Keep Your Paint Brushes Fresh With a Plastic Bag
If you enjoy painting walls, paintbrushes are your most valuable tools that require maintenance and care. If paint is left on the brush, it can harden, making it difficult to use for future painting. To prevent this, use this home maintenance trick to keep your brushes in excellent condition.
After using your paintbrush, place it in an airtight plastic bag. The next time you take the paintbrush out, it will be wonderfully soft, allowing you to paint effortlessly and with precision.
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A Potato Can Help You Unscrew a Broken Light bulb
If you’ve ever attempted to remove a socket from a broken light bulb, you know how difficult it can be. If not done correctly, it may result in the bulb shattering in your hands and causing injury. This is where our home repair trick using a potato is useful.
Take a potato, cut it in half, and press the soft side into the broken light bulb. To remove the damaged piece, turn the potato counter-clockwise, and it will come out quickly. Indeed, potatoes can be used for more than just eating.
Utilize Kool-Aid to Detect a Toilet Leak
A leaking toilet isn’t an easy problem to fix since you might need to pay a plumber a lot of money or spend hours trying to repair it yourself. However, if you want to save time, effort, and money, you can diagnose the issue yourself. All you need for this is a dark-colored Kool-Aid packet.
Pour the Kool-Aid into your toilet tank and wait for about half an hour. Then, check the toilet bowl. If the water is colored, it indicates a leak; if it’s clear, your toilet is in good condition.
Widen the Gap on a Tight Bolt Using Coins
Whenever we need a bolt for a task, we often can’t find one that fits at home. However, if the bolt is too large, you can adapt it to fit your needs at that moment. All you need are some coins, which you likely have around.
Just take a few coins and insert them into the space between the bolt and the wrench, filling it as needed. This will eliminate the extra space, allowing you to complete your work quickly. It’s one of the best home repair hacks for bolts.
Use magnets to locate nail holes.
We enjoy rearranging things in our home for a bit of variety and change. For instance, you might take down some pictures or artwork, but later you may want to hang them back in the same spot. However, it can be difficult to locate the nail holes again to hang the frame in the exact same place.
If that occurs, you can always use magnets to find the nail holes. Rather than drilling new holes, you can use a magnet to locate the existing holes. When you decide to hang your frames again, you won’t have to spend a lot of time searching for the correct holes.
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Unclog Spray Cans with Gasoline
You may already be aware that companies that manufacture products in large quantities often use a strategy known as planned obsolescence. This limits the lifespan of products, encouraging consumers to buy them repeatedly. A typical example of this strategy is seen with spray cans. You might hear something inside a spray can, yet nothing comes out when you try to use it.
To fix this problem, you can soak the spray can’s nozzle in gasoline for at least fifteen minutes. This will clear the clogged nozzles, allowing you to use your spray can again without any trouble.
Use Tape as Aid for Drilling into Tiles
Drilling is always challenging due to the risk of injury or damage. It becomes even more complicated when drilling on slippery tiles in areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in your home. If you need to drill tiles, here’s the best trick you can use.
To make the drilling process slip-resistant, you’ll need some tape. Start by covering the tile with masking tape before drilling. This will help keep the drill steady and prevent it from slipping out of your hands while working.
Use Cooking Spray to Silence Squeaky Items
If you’ve lived in a place for a long time, you’ve likely encountered squeaking doors, cabinets, windows, or drawers. If this issue keeps happening, there’s a simple DIY solution to fix it. It only takes a few seconds, so there’s no excuse to delay.
You’ll need some cooking spray, which you probably already have at home. Just take the can and spray it on the hinges of the noisy items in your home. The squeaking will disappear instantly, allowing you to use everything without this problem.
Utilize a Pool Noodle to Prevent Bumping Your Car Door in the Garage
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If your home has a garage with limited space, it’s important to know how to park your car without causing damage. This clever trick will help you park without any trouble. You’ll need a pool noodle for this solution.
Simply attach a pool noodle to the wall that is hard to avoid when opening your car door. This will stop the door from hitting the wall and prevent any damage.
Use Nail Polish to Prevent Rust Circles
In our homes, we all have numerous metal containers, such as spray bottles and deodorant cans. Due to the humidity and moisture often present in kitchens and bathrooms, these containers can develop rust on their surfaces. This rust can transfer to the surfaces on which the containers are placed, creating rust rings. To prevent this, apply a layer of clear nail polish to the bottoms of the metal containers. This will help prevent rust from forming on them, eliminating the issue of rust rings on other surfaces.
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Use a Plastic Bottle to Prevent a Mess after Drilling
Drilling projects often lead to a messy area, requiring significant cleanup time afterward. This is particularly true when drilling in high places like ceilings. If you prefer not to cover the drill room with sheets, try this hack.
Take a plastic bottle, cut off the top, and position it on the drill. This will catch any debris that falls during drilling, saving you hours of cleaning later.
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Remove Stubborn Screws with a Rubber Band
Securing a firm hold on a screw can be quite difficult when you are fully absorbed in a DIY project. Although losing grip is a common issue, it doesn’t need to remain one. You can effortlessly solve this problem with our top home repair trick that you’ll appreciate.
Take a rubber band and place it between the screw and the screwdriver, and you’ll achieve the grip necessary for seamless working. This is one of the leading hacks that many individuals employ during DIY tasks. It will save you both time and energy while minimizing the risk of injuries in the long term.
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Remove Old Wallpaper with a Water-Vinegar Mixture
Old wallpapers can become unattractive as they begin to chip and tear in various spots. If you’re looking to refresh your room, you can replace the old wallpaper with a new one. However, many people find it challenging to remove the wallpaper perfectly without harming the wall.
To remove the wallpaper perfectly, mix equal parts vinegar and hot water thoroughly. Dip a roller into the mixture and start applying it to your old wallpaper. This will soften the wallpaper, making it easy to remove without any problems in no time.
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Fix Burst or Broken Pipes with a Sealant
Keep in mind that using a sealant to repair broken pipes is just a short-term fix, but it’s ideal for emergency situations. After addressing the immediate need, you can contact a professional to ensure a permanent fix, preventing any damage to your home system. This quick solution is simple and requires just a few minutes.
Simply obtain some silicone sealant and apply it around the hole in the pipe. This will address your problem until you can seek professional assistance for a permanent resolution.
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Prevent Doors from Slamming With Cabinet Door Bumpers
One of the most irritating things someone can do at home is slam doors, but there’s a simple solution to eliminate this issue permanently. Using cabinet door bumpers, you can quickly and effectively silence door slams.
Just grab a pack of cabinet door bumpers and attach them to the door. That’s all it takes to absorb the impact and fix the problem. This is a great quick fix for preventing doors from slamming.
You Can Eliminate Unwanted Scratches Using Toothpaste
It’s common for anyone with wooden furniture to get scratches on their beautiful pieces occasionally. However, many people resort to costly solutions to fix the problem when it’s unnecessary. You can also address the issue with some toothpaste without spending much money.
Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste on the marks and rub it with a clean cloth in circular motions. This will buff out all the scratches from your wooden furniture, and you won’t have to spend much to fix the problem. It’s an inexpensive, quick, and effective solution.
Use an iron to remove dents from wood.
Begin by taking a washcloth, soaking it, and wringing out the water to ensure it is just damp. Next, lay the washcloth over the dent. The water will seep into the wood, which is normal, so there’s no need to worry. Make sure your iron is preheated to the highest setting before placing the damp washcloth. Start by moving the iron in small circles on the washcloth. Then press it down until all the water has evaporated from the washcloth. Repeat this process until the dent in the wood has fully returned to its original position.
Small Tears in Screens Can Be Fixed with Nail Polish
To repair a small tear in your screen, you’ll only need clear nail polish. Begin by cleaning and drying the area with the tear to ensure it is free from any impurities. Then, using either a thin paintbrush or the nail polish brush, apply a thin layer of clear nail polish over the tear on the screen. Avoid dipping the brush back into the polish to prevent transferring pollen or dirt. Allow the initial coat to dry, using a hairdryer on the lowest setting to speed up the process if desired. Apply a second coat and allow it to dry.
Use Rubber Bands to Keep Doors from Closing
To make this work, you’ll need a thick rubber band instead of the usual thin ones. First, hold the door open and loop the rubber band around the door handle on one side. Then, stretch the rubber band to reach the handle on the other side, using the same technique to loop it. Once the rubber band is stretched from one side to the other, make sure it runs both above and below the door’s latch. This creates a buffer effect that prevents the door from closing. If you don’t have thick rubber bands, you can use multiple thin ones to achieve the same effect.
Create a Sprinkler Using a Plastic Bottle
Take a plastic bottle; the larger, the better, and ensure it is thoroughly clean. To rinse out any remaining liquids, hold the bottle under running tap water. Next, take a sharp tool like a compass or screwdriver and create about 12 to 14 holes in the bottom of the bottle. Then, attach the neck of the bottle to your garden hose and secure it with electrical tape. When you turn the water on, the bottle will fill up, and the pressure will cause the water to spray out of the holes like a sprinkler.
You can use the vegetable peeler in your kitchen as a screwdriver.
There are several tools you might not have considered for multi-functional uses before. One example is the vegetable peeler, which is commonly found in most kitchens. Many vegetable peelers come with screwdriver heads, making them a great substitute for flathead screwdrivers. Just make sure the handle of your vegetable peeler is sturdy to prevent any injuries. So, if you can’t find your flathead screwdriver next time, just check your kitchen.
Sharpen Scissors Using Aluminum Foil
Begin by taking an 8- or 10-inch-long piece of aluminum foil and folding it lengthwise. Then, use your scissors to cut the folded aluminum foil lengthwise as well. Cut thin strips to ensure you can use the same piece of aluminum foil multiple times. If necessary, you can use more than one piece of folded aluminum foil. Ensure that every inch of the scissor blades makes contact with the foil by using full strokes. After completing this process, take a paper towel, dampen it with warm water, and wipe the scissors to remove any debris.
Use a Regular Pencil to Unstick a Jammed Lock
A jammed lock often needs lubrication to get the key to work again. However, you should avoid using any liquids and instead use graphite. Although finding graphite powder in a pinch can be tricky, you can simply use a graphite pencil to lubricate the lock. It is not advisable to insert the pencil directly into the lock, as the tip might break and cause further problems. Instead, rub the graphite pencil on your key and insert the key into the lock. Repeat this process several times, then try to unlock the jammed lock.
Eliminate Snags in Woven Rugs to Restore Their New Look
When taking care of snags in your rug, make sure the piece you plan to cut with scissors is at least half an inch long to prevent damaging the rug. Once you find the snags, hold the scissors parallel to the rug and snip them off. Tuck the ends of the cut portion into the surrounding fibers. You may use a small amount of hot glue to secure the ends and conceal them. For longer snags, apply masking tape on either side of the snag to form a channel, then proceed with snipping and gluing.
Utilize Zip Ties to Clear Clogged Drains
For this task, you’ll need a wire cutter and several zip ties. If you have short zip ties, extend their length by linking two zip ties together. Keep linking them until you have one long tool that can easily reach down to unclog the drain. Use the wire cutter to make diagonal cuts halfway through the zip ties. These cuts should be downward-facing and alternate with each cut. Next, take the slit tip and bend it outward to create a barb. Insert this elongated tool into the drain and move it in circular and vertical motions to extract the debris. Pull it out and repeat the process until all the debris is gone.
Utilize cat litter to eliminate oil stains.
If a new oil stain appears on your driveway, don’t wait for it to set in; quickly grab some cat litter and address it. First, cover the whole oil stain with a layer of cat litter and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If the stain is small, 30 minutes should suffice. For larger stains, consider leaving the cat litter on overnight. Then, sweep up the cat litter and get some detergent and a bristle brush. Begin scrubbing the detergent into the oil stain while applying pressure. Rinse off the detergent with water. Repeat the process if needed.
Use tape to gauge the depth of holes.
To determine the depth of holes using tape, you will need masking tape and a drill bit or machine. Take a long strip of masking tape and wrap it around the drill bit. Make sure to leave room for the drill bit to actually penetrate the material. Ensure the masking tape wrapped around the drill bit is thick enough so you’ll notice when it makes contact with the material. After you’ve drilled the hole, measure the distance from the end of the drill to where the masking tape starts.
Utilize a small magnet to hold nails securely in position.
When hammering nails to hang something, people often find it difficult to hold the hammer and nails simultaneously, which is why you’ll typically see them holding nails in their mouths. This can be quite risky. A great way to keep nails in place is by attaching a small magnet to the bottom of your hammer. This trick works best with hammers that have wooden handles. Begin by drilling a small cavity at the bottom of the hammer, the size of a small magnet. Then, apply a small amount of super glue into the cavity and carefully insert the magnet. Once the magnet is secure, you’re all set.
Use foil to line your trays with paint.
When painting your walls with a roller using a paint tray, a useful tip is to line the tray with aluminum foil. This makes cleanup much simpler, as the paint will dry on the foil instead of the tray itself. Therefore, the foil serves as an excellent and effective protector for the paint tray. Begin by cutting a piece of aluminum foil that is a few inches longer and wider than your tray. Lay it over the tray and press down so that the foil takes the shape of the tray. To keep it in place, fold the excess foil over the outer edge of the tray.
Use a Few Rubber Bands to Remove Excess Paint
When tackling a painting project, ensure you have a few thick, lengthy rubber bands available. These bands assist in removing extra paint from your brush, enabling it to drop straight into the paint can. Take your rubber band and begin to stretch it around the paint can, starting from the top and wrapping it carefully around the bottom. Ensure you perform this step cautiously to prevent the paint can from tipping over. Next, take the brush with excess paint and wipe it against the rubber band.
Turn off the water to quiet noisy pipes.
If you’re someone struggling with noisy and disruptive pipes, we have an effective temporary solution. Noisy pipes can disturb the peace at home, affecting your concentration and attention, and they can be particularly troublesome when you’re trying to sleep. Identifying the exact pipe causing the problem can be challenging, so a good way to address this issue is to turn off your home’s main water supply when you know you won’t need water.
Unclog a Toilet Using Liquid Soap and Water
First, measure a gallon of water and place it on the stove to heat. Before the water reaches a boil, add your liquid soap. Once the water is sufficiently hot, remove it from the heat and carefully pour it into the clogged toilet. Ensure the water is removed from the heat before boiling. Wait for about 10 to 15 minutes for the hot water and soap mixture to soften the clog. Then, flush to make sure the pipe is fully clear.
Arrange Your Gallery Wall Using Newspapers
Using a newspaper, you can easily design the layout of your gallery wall and create a template to ensure you’re pleased with the arrangement. Begin by placing a frame over the newspaper and trace it with a black marker. Remove the frame, cut out the traced shape, and label it with a number assigned to that specific frame. After completing this process for each frame, use painter’s tape to attach the newspaper cutouts to the wall. The painter’s tape will let you remove the newspaper without harming the wall paint.
Utilize plastic tubes to eliminate the noise caused by fan chains.
Whether your fan is perfectly balanced or not doesn’t matter; the air movement generated by the fan can cause the pull chains to touch the fan, resulting in a bothersome noise. You can address this issue and get rid of the noise with a plastic tube. First, switch off your fan and gently remove the fan chains. Take a plastic tube with a diameter of 1/4 inch and slide the fan chains into it. Lastly, reattach the fan chains to the fan and enjoy the quiet airflow.
Use a Rope to Quiet Water Dripping in Gutters
Noisy gutters can quickly become bothersome. These sounds often result from water dripping inside the gutter, but this issue can be easily fixed with a nylon rope. Begin by securing one end of the nylon rope at the top of the gutter’s downspout, allowing it to hang down. The reason is that when the water touches the nylon rope, it will follow the rope as a pathway through the gutter, effectively stopping the noise caused by dripping water. Next, place a sponge in the corners of the downspout to absorb any remaining drips.
Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clear the sink blockage.
Using baking soda and vinegar is an effective method for unclogging a blocked sink, and these items are commonly found in most kitchens. Begin by boiling some water and pouring it down the blocked sink. Next, mix together one cup each of baking soda and vinegar to create a solution. This will give you a total of two cups of solution. Pour this mixture down the drain and block the sink’s drain. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes while you boil some more water. After the waiting period and once the water is boiling, pour it into the drain. This will produce a bubbling reaction that will clear your sink.