Being a homeowner can be fantastic, but it also entails a lot of maintenance. Some maintenance tasks may be simple, but others require lots of time.
If you want to save both time and money in the future, use these tips and tricks to fix things around the house. Have a look at our list!
1. Salt in the drain
This is one of the most basic hacks. Although salt will not clear hard blockages in your drain, it will neutralize unpleasant odors. Pour four teaspoons of salt down the drain and wait 30 minutes to one hour for the salt to do its job, then rinse with cold water.
2. Painting perfect edges
Straight margins are difficult to achieve when painting walls. To obtain precise edges while painting with caulk, you can use painter’s tape. It will make a significant impact. Remove the tape when the paint is still wet, or it will chip and leave you with uneven edges.
Try it, it will really make your life easier!
3. Holding the door lock open
If you want to keep your door from locking, do this. Loop a strong rubber band through the doorknobs on both sides of the door.
This way, the band will keep the door from locking as you bring in your grocery shopping from the car, and you won’t risk locking yourself out!
4. The potato bulb screw
Lightbulbs shutter more very often. If the other end of the light bulb is still caught in the socket, using a potato can help protect your fingers from cuts. Cut a potato in half and press one end into the shattered bulb and slowly unscrew the bulb from its socket.
5. Unscrewing old screws using a rubber band
Old and worn-out screws can be a headache to unscrew. You can use a rubber band, which we all have at home, to unscrew old screws. Place the rubber band on the screw head and press into it with the screwdriver.
The rubber band will improve the grip and enable you to unscrew it.
6. Placing a plastic bag over your side mirror
When it’s winter, and you don’t have a closed garage to park your car, snow can wear out your side mirrors quickly. Use ziplock bags to cover your side mirrors when it snows and protect them from the ice.
This trick will make your mirrors last longer. Moreover, you won’t waste time to remove the ice in the morning, before driving to work.
7. Soap bar for filling holes
If you’re wondering how to fill up the holes on your wall, a bar of soap can solve your problem. Cut a piece of soap and rub it over the hole’s surface until the hole is adequately filled.
Use a damp cloth to get rid of any residue. You can even paint over it, it will look as good as new.
8. Squeaky floorboards vs. baby powder
Some houses have wooden floorboards that squeak when you walk on them. This noise can be very irritating. Using a bottle, dab some baby powder in between the floorboards.
This prevents the boards from rubbing against each other, reducing their squeakiness. It might seem hard to believe, but it does work!
9. Using heat to remove dents on wood
Over time, wooden floors and furniture develop minor dents on their surfaces. Slight heating with an iron box can straighten out the dents.
Ensure to wet the area with a towel first before going over the surface with an iron box in circular movements. The dents caused by furniture or heels will go away.
10. Remove wall writings with WD-40
If you have kids, you understand the pain of dealing with the marking and writing on walls. One way to get rid of the scribbles is by using WD-40 on sheen walls. You can also try a magic eraser to remove the scribbles.
The next tip is also very helpful, keep reading!
11. Cleaning tile grout with toilet cleaner
Grout can be tough to clean using traditional methods. This method will get your tile grout to look as good as new.
Dab some toilet cleaner onto the floor and rub it into the grout using an old toothbrush. After about 15 minutes, mop your floor as you would usually do.
12. Detecting a cistern leak with Kool-Aid
Cistern leaks can significantly increase your water bill if not detected early. But they can be easily overlooked.
Pour a packet of Kool-Aid into your cistern and wait for about 30 minutes. If the color of water in your toilet bowl matches the color of the water in the cistern, then your cistern is leaking.
13. Using your phone during winter
This is more of a life hack than a repair tip. If you find it hard to use your phone outside in winter with your gloves on, try wrapping aluminum foil around your fingertips. This way, you can still use your phone while keeping warm. Otherwise, you can also purchase gloves especially designed for this use.
14. Cleaning the oven using dishwasher tablet
You might agree that cleaning the oven always is very difficult. Well here is a tip for you.
Aside from cleaning the dishes, dishwasher tablets can also be used to clean ovens. Put on a pair of gloves and soak the tablet and then apply it to the stains inside your oven. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before cleaning it away.
15. Cleaning utensils using tea bags
This is an excellent way to repurpose used tea bags. Tannins in tea are effective in removing stains on dishes. Immerse oily dishes in boiling water with a few tea bags. The tannins will aid in the removal of grease. It is also effective on pots and other kitchen utensils.
16. Unblocking a clogged drain
A blocked sink can occur frequently, and it can be inconvenient. You can fix this using this simple hack. Flush your drain with boiling water and then pour baking soda into the drain, followed by some vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse with more boiling water.
17. Using ice cubes to clean your garbage disposal
Cleaning your garbage disposal is both challenging and risky, mainly if you use your bare hands. Instead, you can do this: Grind some ice cubes in the garbage disposal and then flush the sink with hot water. You can also grind some citrus peels to keep it smelling clean and fresh.
18. Freshening up your garbage bin with bread and vinegar
Leaking trash cans are a menace, especially when they stink. To remove the odor, soak a slice of bread in vinegar and place it inside the garbage can overnight. You could also line the trash bag with a piece of paper to absorb any leaks. You’ll see this tip really is life-changing.
19. Using dish soap to clean the bathtub
Dish soap is helpful for a variety of cleaning tasks. It can remove grease, mildew, and scum from surfaces other than the kitchen. Use it in conjunction with your broom to clean your bathtub by scrubbing it clean for excellent results. If needed, add some vinegar to the soap, the result will be excellent.
20. Poke a hole in your trash bags
Poking a hole in the side of your trash can liner can come in handy when you’re taking out the trash. It enables you to remove the trash can liner from the bin by eliminating suction in the trash can. Hence, the liner doesn’t break. Who would have thought about it?
21. Finding studs with measuring tape
The studs in most homes are spaced at a specific distance. If you can’t access a stud finder, you can measure the distance between the studs with a simple measuring tape. The tape measure’s red numbers are 16 inches apart, which is the standard distance between studs in most walls.
22. DIY Funnel using foil
A funnel is just one of those kitchen items that you never really think you need until you need one. The good thing is, you can improvise a quick and easy funnel using just aluminum foil. It only takes a few seconds to shape it into whatever shape you require.
23. Polishing your chrome tools
Tools made out of iron are prone to rust over time. And in time, this could damage the tool.
You can use aluminum foil to get rid of this rust. First, clean the device with some soap and water. Then dip some aluminum foil into clean water. Use aluminum-infused water to clean out the rust.
24. Prevent your old door from rattling
The noise from a rattling door can be pretty irritating. Unlike squeaking doors, old rattling doors can’t be fixed just by applying some WD-40. You can use cabinet door bumpers on your door jamb to prevent your door from moving around. This will get rid of the annoying rattling noise.
25. Use a magic eraser to clean utensils
You can use magic erasers to clean more than just dirt on walls. They can remove stains from more than just stainless steel utensils.
If there are any stains left on your utensils after washing them by hand or in the dishwasher, just use a magic eraser to remove them.
26. Magic eraser on walls
You probably know this already, but a magic eraser can also be used to clean tough stains on walls.
Just wet the eraser with some water and scrub on the stain on your wall. It will leave your wall looking fresh and flawless in no time. If you don’t own one yet, we really recommend buying one!
27. Get rid of oil in your pool with a tennis ball
If you own a pool, you know how stressful it can be to remove the oil left on the water’s surface. This oil comes from people who use sunscreen on their bodies. Throw a tennis ball into your pool and let the felt on the ball soak up the oil from the water surface.
28. Fix screen doors with Nail polish
Screen doors are good bug deterrents but can easily tear if placed on frequently used doors. You can fix the tears by applying some nail polish to the torn bits.
The nail polish will hold the mesh together like glue while still being invisible. The screen doors will last much longer this way!
29. Removing dents from your carpet
Heavy furniture will most likely cause a dented area on your carpet. You can quickly get rid of this dent using some ice cubes.
Melt an ice cube over the dented spot on your carpet, and then let it dry. Once dry, scrub the area with a stiff brush to fluff up the dented area.
30. Cleaning your shower heads with vinegar
Shower heads usually clog up with mineral deposits and grime over time, which interferes with the water pressure. You can fix this by soaking your shower head in an equal part mixture of water and vinegar for 8 hours. After soaking the shower head, lightly scrub it with a soft brush.
31. Safeguarding your car door in a small garage
If you have a tiny or cramped up garage, you know how likely it is to hit your car door on the wall as you try to open it up. You can prevent this by using a piece of a pool noodle. Just stick the pool noodle on the wall where the car door is likely to hit, and it will cushion it.
32. Removing dog hair with a squeegee
If you have a pet, it can be a hell of a task to get rid of their fur since it sticks to surfaces. Pet hair sticks on rubber; therefore, you can use either a squeegee or a rubber glove to remove the fur. Try this hack and tell us the results.
33. Save money with your fan
Your ceiling fan can help you maintain a low electricity bill depending on what setting you put it on. During winter, keep your fan’s speed low and set it to turn clockwise. During summer, you want it to turn anti-clockwise to cool the room.
And you can switch it off when you don’t need it, this will keep your electricity bill low.
34. Removing dirt from grout
When grout becomes dirty, it’s not easy to bring it back to its original color by regular cleaning. Luckily, you can use some kitchen ingredients to clean out the dirt and restore its color.
To a mixture of ½ cup baking soda and ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, add half a tablespoon of dish soap. This mixture can be used to clean the discolored grout. Apply the solution on the grout and let it sit for a while, then scrub it out with a brush.
35. Saving heat and electricity with bubble wrap
During winter, windows lose heat fast; hence the electricity bill increases due to constant heating. Using bubble wrap on the windows insulates the heat from escaping.
Wet your window panes and then stick some bubble wrap on them. It probably won’t look the best, but you’ll save some money by doing this hack.
36. Bye-bye clogged drains
We definitely recommend having one of these tools at home!
By spending just a few extra dollars on this tool, you can prevent your drains from ever clogging again. It collects all the dirt from the drain, so your sink always stays clean. Moreover, it might avoid you an expensive plumber-bill.
37. Get rid of the squeaking of doors
A squeaking door can be inconvenient. Although it is easily fixable with a bit of WD-40, you may not always have it on hand. You can substitute with some cooking spray. Just spray some on the door hinges to stop the squeaking.
It will work just as good, and a lot of us already own a cooking spray.
38. Spray your plants with aspirin solution
We all have old medicines at home, that is too old to be consumed. Do this to keep pests away from your plants. Spray your garden plants with aspirin dissolved in water.
It will keep pests at bay and keep your plants healthy. This trick also works with expired tablets, so don’t throw them away.
39. Keep your screws tighter for longer
Screws on furniture always loosen up after some time. Apply some nail polish on screws when screwing them in place. The nail polish has glue properties, so that will hold the screw for longer.
Since it’s not as sticky as glue, the screw isn’t permanently stuck in place. Just use the rubber band trick when you want to remove it.
40. Protect your garden with hydrogen peroxide
Bugs are always an issue in the garden. Bugs dislike the smell of hydrogen peroxide; therefore, you can use it to keep them at bay.
Spray your plants and soil with a 3 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which you most likely have at home. Be careful to not use a stronger concentration, as it might damage your plants.
41. Organize your closet with pot lid shelves
Pot lid shelves are great for organizing more than just the kitchen. You can use them to store items such as wallets and small purses. Pot lid shelves are great organizational fixtures for small items.
You might even place one in your dressing room to store your shoes, in case you own many of them.
42. Freeze your Herbs
If you love fresh herbs, then you will love this trick. Once you harvest your fresh herbs from the garden or buy them from the grocery shop, cut them up into tiny pieces and freeze them in some olive oil.
This will maintain their freshness for longer, and you can cook with fresh herbs regardless of the season.
43. Spaghetti in pringle cans
Once you’re done eating pringles, please don’t dispose of their long cans. Clean the pringle cans and use them to store your unused spaghetti.
Their length makes them the best suited for storing spaghetti noodles. You might as well paint the boxes or personalize them to match your kitchen decor.
44. Freeze your ground beef flat
If you’ve frozen ground beef before, you know just how long it takes for them to thaw out. This trick will save you some time with frozen ground beef.
Flatten out your ground beef in freezer bags before freezing them. This will significantly reduce their thawing-out time. You can now take it out of the freezer right before cooking!
45. Hack for sharpening knives
A sharp knife is essential when cooking. You may not have a knife sharpener close by at times, but you can use another utensil that’s on your kitchen shelf.
You can use the lower end of a ceramic bowl or mug to sharpen your knife. Try it, and you’ll see it works really well.
46. Erasing a permanent marker
Did you know you could use toothpaste to erase a permanent marker stain? Just dab a little toothpaste on a cloth and rub over the permanent marker stain in circular motions.
If the mark persists, add a little water to the cloth and repeat the process, even many times if needed.
47. Get a perfect sealing edge
Painter’s tape is an excellent complement for sealing showers, bathtubs, and sinks. To get a lovely sealed edge, apply painter’s tape on the two sides of the area you intend to fill and then use the sealant.
You can then peel off the tape to get pretty edges. But do it while the paint is still wet, you will get cleaner edges.
48. Vacuum cleaner getting smelly? Do this.
Vacuum cleaners can get quite smelly after some time. You can quickly get rid of the stench by vacuuming some ground cinnamon. The cinnamon will absorb the smell inside your cleaner.
If the smell persists, repeat the process with baking soda, it will also process the bacteria and dissolve the smell.
49. Filling up your mop bucket
Filling up your mop bucket can be quite troublesome if you have a small sink. To solve this problem, you can use a pool noodle to fill up the bucket with water.
The pool noodle will function like a hose. Would you have thought of using a pool noodle this way?
50. Shower curtain hangs tightly
The shower curtain is stuck on the rod? Try this. Apart from just baking in the kitchen, baking paper can also be used to release a shower curtain that is stuck on its rod.
Roll some baking paper onto the rod to allow the curtain to glide on it more easily.
51. Remove drain clogs with used coffee grounds
We mentionned a few tricks against clogged drains, here is another one: Did you know coffee grounds can be used to unclog blocked sinks?
Mix the coffee grounds with some dish soap and pour it inside the sink drain. Next, flush the drain with lots of boiling water to dissolve the clog and open the drain.
52. A hack for cleaning your cutting board
This method will show you how to clean your dirty cutting board naturally with just two ingredients. First, coat your cutting board using some table salt.
Cut a lemon into two and use one half to scrub the salt-coated board to make it clean. Both ingredients will get rid of dirt, as well as bacteria.
53. Cleaning with Kool-Aid
Who knew you could use Kool-Aid to clean your toilet? Kool-Aid contains citric acid, which makes it a great cleaning agent. Fill the toilet bowl with a pack of Kool-Aid. Using a brush, scrub it all around the toilet bowl. Allow it to sit overnight to dissolve the mineral deposits.
54. Cleaning wine stains
It can be troublesome to try and remove a wine stain on a white carpet. When it happens next time, do this: pour a cup of milk over the stain and let it sit for about an hour.
Rather than the carpet, the wine will be absorbed by the milk. Soak up any remaining milk and clean the area.
55. Protect your knobs from paint
When painting, you don’t want the paint to spill on your paint knobs. To prevent this from happening, use some aluminum foil to cover your doorknobs.
The foil is easier to use than painter’s tape and will keep the knobs clean. It is very easy to use, and surely all of us have aluminum paper at home.