Home repairs have a way of piling up. A faucet that keeps dripping, a closet door that sticks, or a rug that refuses to stay put may seem like small annoyances, but they can get old fast.
The good news is that some everyday household items can make these little fixes much easier. From rubber bands and toothpaste to pool noodles and ice cubes, here are a few home repair tricks worth keeping in your back pocket.
Use a Rubber Band on a Screwdriver
A stripped or stubborn screw can turn a quick repair into a frustrating chore. Place a rubber band over the screw head before pressing the screwdriver into it, and the extra grip can help the screwdriver stay in place.
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Protect Door Knobs With Aluminum Foil
Painting around door knobs and handles can be messy, especially when you’re trying to avoid getting paint on the hardware. Wrap the knobs in aluminum foil before you start, then remove it when you’re finished for an easy cleanup.
Clean Grout With Toothpaste and Baking Soda
Dirty grout can make an otherwise clean bathroom or kitchen look dingy. Mix baking soda with toothpaste, then scrub the grout with an old toothbrush to help loosen built-up grime.
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Use Pool Noodles to Protect Your Car in the Garage
A cramped garage leaves little room for car doors, especially when the vehicle is parked close to a wall. Cut a pool noodle lengthwise and secure it to the wall where the door opens to give the door a soft cushion if it swings too far.
Use a Squeegee to Remove Pet Hair From Carpets
Vacuuming doesn’t always pick up the pet hair buried in carpet fibers. Run a window squeegee across the carpet, and the rubber edge can pull loose fur into little piles that are much easier to collect.
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Fix a Loose Shower Head With Thread Tape
A loose shower head can wobble and may allow water to leak around the connection. According to The Spruce, wrapping plumber’s thread tape around the pipe threads before reinstalling the shower head can help create a tighter connection.
Quiet Squeaky Door Hinges With Soap
A squeaky door can be irritating every time someone opens or closes it. Rub a dry bar of soap along the hinge and move the door back and forth a few times to help quiet the noise.
Remove Carpet Dents With Ice Cubes
Furniture can leave deep dents in carpet that stick around long after the furniture has moved. Place an ice cube over the dent and let it melt, then fluff the damp carpet fibers with your fingers once the area has dried.
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Patch Small Wall Holes With Toothpaste
Tiny nail and screw holes don’t always call for a trip to the hardware store. As Farmersalmanac.com advises, fill a small hole with regular white toothpaste, smooth the surface, let it dry, and touch it up with paint.
Stop Sliding Rugs With Hot Glue
A rug that slides every time you walk across it can be both annoying and unsafe. Flip the rug over and add small dots of hot glue along the edges, then let them dry before putting the rug back down.
