Repairing the inside of your home can feel daunting, and the costs are so high if you only leave things to the professionals. But you can solve many common household problems smartly and for cheap—DIY hacks! Most repairs don’t require advanced skills and expensive tools. With creative resourcefulness, you can solve everyday problems and upgrade your home much more than you thought you could.
With DIY projects, not only do you save money, but if you do it yourself, you take control of how your home works and how your home looks. Realizing you did that repair or upgrade yourself, whether big or little, it feels so good in the sense that there’s a sense of accomplishment that you had to do it, it was your hands on it.
Fix a Squeaky Door With Olive Oil
While squeaky doors can be really annoying, you have a quick and natural fix that uses olive oil. To distribute the oil evenly, simply apply a few drops of olive oil onto the door hinges, then move the door back and forth. It will reduce the squeak, and your door will slide smoothly.
To get rid of stubborn squeaks, repeat the whole process to make sure the oil will penetrate deep inside the hinges, and they will last you for a very long time.
Use Toothpaste to Fill Nail Holes
White toothpaste is a handy wall nail hole filler. Put a small amount of toothpaste in the hole and spread it over with a putty knife or your finger. All you have to do is wipe away the excess, and you’re good to go: your walls look just as good as new.
To ensure you have a perfect finish, repaint the patched area, this time matching the rest of the wall to ensure the repair blends in with the rest of the wall.
Remove Carpet Dents With Ice Cubes
Using ice cubes, you can easily remove indentations left on carpets by furniture. Put an ice cube on the dent, then melt it all the way through. The carpet fibers take up the moisture and dry with the fork, which will fluff them up so they will be like they were.
If your dent is larger than that, then you can speed up the process with dry ice and a hair dryer, getting the best results possible.
Baking Soda and Vinegar to Unclog Drains
Drain clogs and slow-moving drains are a pain, but clearing them requires a simple baking soda and vinegar mixture. Down the drain pour a half cup of baking soda, then half a cup of vinegar. The clog is cleared after waiting 15 minutes and rinsing the ear with hot water.
If you are dealing with a persistent blockage, repeat it, and with a plunger, it has more clearing power.
Use a rubber band to Unstrip Screws
Frustrating stripped screw heads can be dealt with using a rubber band, with the grip necessary to remove them. Put the screw head under a wide rubber band and then use a screwdriver to turn.
Traction can be easier to get with the rubber band. One way to get even more leverage is to use a manual screwdriver instead of a power drill.
Clean Blinds With a Sock and Vinegar
An old sock with a homemade solution will clean dusty blinds easily. Put some vinegar and water together into a bowl. Put an old sock on your hand, dip the sock in the solution, and wipe down each slat efficiently.
Dry the slats after cleaning them with a microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine.
Baby Powder to Silence a Squeaky Floor
Squeaky wooden floors have a solution: a simple application of baby powder. Sprinkle the powder on the floorboards and sweep it into the cracks. It reduces friction, so now you have no squeak and no insanity in your home.
Add more powder, or if you have loose nails that need tightening when the squeak comes back.
DIY Lemon Oil Polish for Polish Furniture
That DIY lemon oil polish can brighten dull wood surfaces. To rub it, mix two parts olive oil and one part lemon juice in a clean cloth. Using this natural solution will leave your furniture shiny.
Buff the surface with a soft cloth after applying the polish to add depth and luster.
Hold Nails With a Clothespin
Although it’s tough hammering nails, a clothespin can make it safer and easier. Hammer the nail into place in your clothespin, keeping your fingers away from the hammer.
This simple trick will prevent accidental injuries. Pull off the clothespin and drive the nail way up when you have the nail set.
Deodorize Garbage Disposals With Citrus Peels
Citrus peels neutralize foul odors from the garbage disposal. Freshen the area by throwing a few lemon or orange peels in the disposal, turning the disposal on, and running cold water.
The method is natural and will leave your kitchen smelling nice. Repeat process weekly, or as needed to maintain freshness.
Wine Cork to Fix Wobbly Furniture
One way to keep an uneven table or chair legs is to simply stick a wine cork between them. To prevent wobbling, cut a slice from the cork and glue it to the shorter leg. It’s a simple fix that will keep your furniture steady.
Shape the cork slice to fit the contour of the leg before attaching.
Turn a Towel Rack into a Lid Organizer
A towel rack can help you neatly organize cluttered pots and pans. To keep lids organized, you can mount the rack inside the door of a cabinet. This will keep your kitchen neat, and you will find lids easily.
Adjust the rack height to accommodate a variety of lid sizes for best organization.
Vinegar Resuscitates Old Paintbrushes
Vinegar can restore old paintbrushes with stiff bristles. Put the brush in vinegar and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, rinse it in hot water. The bristles will go soft and pliable and be ready to use again.
Be sure to clean it thoroughly after each painting session to maintain the quality of the brush.
Toilet Paper Rolls as Organizers of Cords
Clutter can be made of tangled cords and cables, but when unplugged, the empty toilet paper rolls are your friends and can help tame your mess. Roll each one and label them so you have them ready to put away in rows. This keeps your drawer organized and your cords easy to find.
Even if you don’t have time to make your own dough, you could consider your rolls somewhat personality and color if so inclined.
Coffee Grounds Can Freshen Up a Room
Coffee grounds can absorb unpleasant odors in a room. Keep a bowl of coffee grounds in a room to get rid of odors as well as leave behind a fresh scent. It’s a natural deodorizer that will not only keep your space nice and smelling, but also won’t have any strong chemical smell to put you off.
Replace the grounds every few weeks to keep your room fresh.
