We've all been in the spot where something needs to be fixed or tweaked, and we don't have the tools to do so. It's always helpful, especially now with store closures and lock down restrictions, to know a workaround to fix something or at last fix it well enough until you can really address the issue.
We've identified 10 'life hacks' every homeowner should know, that can be done with things every homeowner *probably* has in their home.
1. Fix a Squeaky Cabinet
This is something that could drive anyone bonkers. A little squeak may not be so bad, but what if it's the cabinet where you keep the cookies or coffee? If you don’t have a can of WD-40 handy, cooking spray will also work wonders on those squeaky doors or cabinets. All it takes is a little spray on the hinges!
2. Fix Squeaky Floors
One of the causes of squeaky floors can be two pieces of wood rubbing together. For a quick fix, fill a small squeeze bottle with baby powder- or work it in with your hands- and squeeze it between the boards in question. Then use a makeup brush or soft paint brush to push the powder down in the crack. Add a little at a time and test the boards to see if the squeak has been fixed.
3. Fix Nail Holes
Maybe you don't colour anymore, but don't we all have that one random crayon in the junk drawer? Choose a crayon that closely matches the color of the wall you’re repairing and rub the crayon over the nail hole with firm pressure.
4. Repair Dented Wood
Maybe you've hit the dining table legs too many times with vacuum, or dropped your phone pretty consistently on the floor. Remove *small* dents from your furniture or wood flooring with an iron. Use a small amount of water to wet the indentation and then place a moist towel over it. Run the iron over the area in a circular motion and continuously check on how the dent is reacting.
5. Locate a Toilet Leak
If you think you have a leaky toilet but aren't sure where the leak could be coming from, use some Kool-Aid (or any drink crystals) to help you figure it out! Remove the toilet tank lid and pour the Kool-Aid in and leave it for 30 minutes. After that time, check the inside of your toilet bowl. If the water in the bowl is the colour of the Kool-Aid, then it confirms that you have a leak.
6. Unclog a Drain
This is a part of life. But it doesn't have to be a huge deal! Coffee grounds can be mixed with dish soap and boiling water to unclog drains. Mix the grounds with soap and pour it down the drain and follow it with a large, continuous pour of boiling water.
7. Remove a Broken Lightbulb
You're having one of those days. Now you've gone to switch out the lightbulb and it's broken while still in the socket. Not only does that make it much harder to remove, but it makes it very easy to cut yourself. It's time to grab a potato! (And to cut the power!) Cut the potato in half, push the inside of the potato into the broken bulb and turn it counterclockwise until the broken glass is embedded into the potato.
8. Remove Stripped Screws
Don't attack the wall to try and get this out. Very calmly grab a rubber band and place it over the head of the screw before trying to remove it with a screwdriver. That will add extra friction, allowing you to remove that stubborn stripped screw with ease.
9. Fix a Torn Screen
A small tear in a screen doesn't mean it's time to replace it! A quick and easy fix is using a few drops of clear nail polish as a way to 'glue' the edges of the tear together.
10. Fix Carpet Dents
Ah, the carpet dents. Sometimes only noticeable when you move furniture to clean- but if you're not putting the furniture back in the same place, they can be very obvious (especially in new carpets.) Place an ice cube on the dented area of your carpet and let it melt. As the water is absorbed into the carpet, it should start to spring back to normal.
