50 Home Repair Tips We Wish We’d Known Earlier

Obtain some superglue to secure screws in place.

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Many individuals struggle with installing straightforward screws due to them slipping, rolling, or falling. The task becomes even more difficult when you need to install them at a specific angle. This is where this ingenious superglue home repair trick becomes useful.

Simply apply some rubber glue to the tip of the screwdriver to prevent screws from slipping. It’s one of the simplest tricks to stop the screw from slipping off the drill. This way, you can proceed with your installation, saving both time and effort.

You can effortlessly fill nail holes with toothpaste.

When people move out, they take their belongings, including pictures, art, and frames on the walls, leaving behind many holes. However, there’s an easy home repair trick for this. Just use some white toothpaste to fill the holes, making sure it matches your wall color, to help it blend in. You can also do this before moving out to avoid losing your security deposit.

Revitalize Wooden Furniture Using Coffee Grounds

Our furniture sets the mood in our home, so it’s important to maintain it. We’ve all accidentally spilled drinks and other substances on our furniture. Some of these spills might be tough to clean, but if you have unfinished wood furniture, coffee grounds can be a solution.

By rubbing coffee grounds on the affected area, your furniture will look as good as new quickly. The coffee grounds provide a brown color that matches the furniture, eliminating the need to repaint it.

An Incredibly Easy Method to Shield Your Fingers When Using a Hammer

Are you afraid of accidentally hitting your fingers with a hammer instead of the nails in the wall? If so, we have the perfect home repair trick for you that will make things a lot easier. This method will help you hammer whatever you need without injuring yourself.

For this trick, you can use bobby pins, clothespins, or anything similar. For instance, if you use a clothespin, you can hold the nail between the pin and start hammering. This will protect your fingers and ensure you are not injured during the nailing and hammering process.

Soak Tiles Before Cutting

If you plan on cutting tiles soon, this home repair trick will simplify the task quickly. It will save you time, effort, and money in the long run since you can do it at home easily. Start by making a rivet or pre-cut into the tiles.

Next, measure how much you need and start cutting. Once you’re finished, soak the tiles in warm water for at least a few hours. After this, removing the tiles will be easy and require little effort.

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Soap Can Easily Silence Wooden Drawers

Do you have creaky and noisy wooden drawers in your home and are unsure how to resolve the issue? If so, this home repair tip could be perfect for you. Soap is a great item that can permanently silence your noisy wooden drawers.

You can use a bar of soap or liquid soap, as both work well on the drawers. Simply rub the soap along the rails of the problematic wooden drawers for a few minutes, and you’ll notice results quickly. If the noise returns, you can repeat the process.

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Struggling With Removing Old Stickers? Use A Blow Dryer!

Newly purchased items usually come with stickers, which can be frustrating if you want to maintain a neat appearance for your belongings. Trying to peel them off by hand is not advisable, as you might leave adhesive residue and damage the item. That’s why we have a great home repair tip for you.

To remove stickers, you can use a hairdryer to heat the sticker, making it easier to peel off. The heat weakens the adhesive, allowing you to remove the sticker cleanly. Your items will look as good as new once you’re finished.

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Vinegar Can Revitalize Shower-Heads

Over time, showerheads can develop calcification, causing the water flow to slow down. If you dislike this slow flow, you can use vinegar as a solution. It might seem unusual at first, but this trick works remarkably well. 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 see a significant improvement in water flow.

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Use Baby Powder to Finally Silence Those Noisy Floorboards

Hardwood flooring can be quite noisy, especially if it’s been in the house 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, get a bottle of baby powder.

Once you have the powder, sprinkle it between the floorboards where the wood rubs together and makes noise. Ensure all the gaps are filled with baby powder, and you won’t have to deal with noisy floorboards anymore. It’s a simple and quick solution.

Apply soap to assist screws in entering holes

Have you ever encountered a screw that just won’t go into the wall? If so, you know how frustrating and difficult it can be. However, you can resolve this problem easily by using some soap to help the screw go into the hole.

Take a bar of soap you have at home and rub it on the screw. Make sure to rub all sides of the screw with the soap, as it acts as a lubricant. Once all sides are covered in soap, try inserting the screw again, and it will slide in smoothly.

Using tape can simplify hanging frames that are predrilled.

Though many people don’t utilize predrilled frames, there are always exceptions. If you’re looking for an easy method to frame your pictures using predrilled frames, this tip is for you. It will help you position the nails perfectly to maximize their use.

Use masking or artist’s tape to mark the hole locations. Then, simply place the tape on the wall to determine where to position each nail. This approach will save you time and effort when it comes to positioning the nails.

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Use Your Microwave to Refresh Tape That Is Not-So-Sticky

If you’ve ever used tape that has lost its adhesive quality, you know how frustrating it can be. It’s normal for tape to lose its stickiness over time. However, there’s a method you can use to restore the adhesive quality and make the tape usable again.

You can place the tape in the microwave for a few seconds. This will warm the tape slightly and help restore its stickiness. After this trick, you will be able to use the tape as if it were new.

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Use Some Ice Cube to Make Your Carpet Dents Even

We all appreciate our home decor, particularly our carpets, since much thought and decision-making go into selecting the perfect ones. That’s why seeing dents on the carpet from furniture can be disheartening. However, there’s no need to worry too much, as this issue can be resolved easily.

To remove dents from the carpet, place some ice cubes on the dents and let them melt. Once done, blot the excess water with a cloth and use a toothbrush to smooth out the carpet.

Use a Microphone to Detect Concealed Wires

If you’re doing drilling work at home, be careful of hidden wires, as they can lead to shocks and electrocution. To prevent this, there’s an easy trick to detect hidden wires and avoid shocks. All you need is a functional microphone.

Attach your microphone to a tape recorder to locate hidden wires in a wall. Place the microphone near a particular area, and if the tape recorder starts to hum, it indicates the presence of hidden wires. This way, you’ll know where to avoid 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 dries on the brush, it can harden, making it difficult to use again. To prevent this, use this simple home repair tip to keep your brushes in good condition.

After using a paintbrush, place it inside an airtight plastic bag. When you remove the paintbrush from the bag for your next project, it will remain very soft, making it easy to paint smoothly and accurately.

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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 properly, it could cause the bulb to shatter in your hands, resulting in injury. This is where our home repair trick using a potato comes in handy.

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 have uses beyond just being food.

Utilize Kool-Aid to Identify a Toilet Leak

A leaking toilet can be challenging to repair as hiring a plumber can be expensive, and attempting to fix it yourself can be time-consuming. However, you can save time, effort, and money by diagnosing the problem on your own. All you need is a dark-colored Kool-Aid for this task.

Pour the Kool-Aid into your toilet tank and wait for 30 minutes. Then, check the toilet bowl. If the water is colored, you have a leak. If the water is clear, your toilet is in good condition.

Use Coins to Widen a Too-Narrow Bolt

Whenever we need a bolt for a task, we often can’t find one that is the right size at home. However, if the bolt is too large, you can always adjust it to fit your needs at the moment. All you require are some coins, which you likely have lying around.

Simply take a few coins, insert them into the gap between the bolt and the wrench, and fill it as needed. This will eliminate any 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 making changes at home for some variety and novelty. For instance, you may remove some pictures or artwork, but then decide to hang them up again in the same spot. However, finding the nail holes again to hang the frame in the exact location might be tricky.

If that happens, you can use magnets to locate the nail holes. Instead of drilling new holes, you can use a magnet on the existing holes. This way, when you’re ready to hang your frames again, you won’t have to spend hours searching for the right holes.

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Unclog Spray Cans with Gasoline

You may already be aware of this, but companies that mass-produce goods often employ a strategy known as planned obsolescence to shorten the lifespan of products, encouraging continued purchases. A classic example of this strategy is a spray can. You can hear liquid inside, yet nothing is dispensed.

To address this problem, you can soak the spray can’s nozzle in gasoline for at least fifteen minutes. This process will unblock the nozzle, allowing you to use your spray can easily again in no time.

Utilize tape to assist with drilling into tiles.

Drilling can be risky due to the potential for injury or damage. It’s even more challenging when drilling on slippery tiles in places like the kitchen or bathroom. If you need to drill into tiles, here’s a helpful tip.

To prevent slipping while drilling, use some tape. First, apply masking tape over the tile, then drill through the tape. This will help keep the drill steady and prevent slipping as you work.

Use Cooking Spray to Silence Squeaky Objects

If you’ve been in a place for a long time, you’ve likely encountered squeaky doors, cabinets, windows, or drawers. If this issue keeps happening, there’s a simple home repair trick to solve it. It only takes a few seconds to fix, so there’s no excuse to put it off.

You’ll need some cooking spray, which you probably have in your kitchen. Just take the can and spray it on the hinges of the items that are making noise. The squeaking will disappear in seconds, allowing you to use everything without this problem.

Prevent Car Door Bumps in the Garage by Using a Pool Noodle

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If your home’s garage has limited space, you need to park your car properly to avoid any damage. Here’s a simple trick that can help you park without any trouble using a pool noodle.

Simply take a pool noodle and attach it to the wall that makes it hard to open the car door. Once it’s in place, your car door won’t hit the wall. This will prevent any damage.

Use Nail Polish to Prevent Rust Circles

We all have numerous metal containers at home, such as spray bottles and deodorant cans. Due to the humidity and moisture in kitchens and bathrooms, these cans can develop rust on their surfaces. This rust can also leave marks on the surfaces where the cans are placed, so it’s important to remove it.

Apply clear nail polish to the bottom of these metal containers, which will prevent rust from forming on them and stop rust circles from appearing on other surfaces.

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Use a Plastic Bottle to Prevent a Mess after Drilling

Drilling projects can make the area messy, and you’ll need to spend considerable time cleaning up afterward. This is particularly true when drilling high places like ceilings. If you want to avoid spreading sheets all over the drilling space, try this hack.

Take a plastic bottle, cut off the top, and attach it to the drill. This way, any debris that falls during drilling will be caught in the plastic bottle, saving you hours of cleaning later.

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Remove Stubborn Screws with a Rubber Band

Grasping a screw securely can be quite difficult when you are deeply involved in a DIY project. Although losing your grip can occur to anyone, it doesn’t have to remain that way. You can efficiently resolve this issue with our top home repair trick you’ll appreciate.

Simply take a rubber band, place it between the screw and the screwdriver, and you’ll gain the grip necessary to work smoothly. This is one of the best tricks many people use during DIY activities. It will save you time and effort in the long term while also reducing the risk of injury.

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Remove Old Wallpaper with a Water-Vinegar Mixture

Aged wallpapers can become unsightly as they peel and tear in various spots. If you’re looking to refresh your room, consider replacing the old wallpaper with a new one. However, many people find it challenging to remove the wallpaper smoothly without harming the wall.

To remove the wallpaper seamlessly, mix equal parts of vinegar and hot water. Dip a roller into this mixture and roll it over the old wallpaper. This process will soften the wallpaper, allowing it to be removed easily and quickly.

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Fix Burst or Broken Pipes with a Sealant

Keep in mind that repairing broken pipes with a sealant is a temporary solution, but it is the most effective option for an emergency fix. After dealing with the emergency, you can contact a professional to repair it correctly, ensuring your home system remains undamaged. This method is simple and will only take a few minutes to complete.

Simply obtain some silicone sealant and apply it around the hole in the pipe. This will address your issue until you can get professional assistance for a permanent solution.

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Prevent Doors from Slamming With Cabinet Door Bumpers

One of the most bothersome things someone can do in their home is slam doors, but there’s a solution to eliminate this issue permanently. By using cabinet door bumpers, you can quickly and effectively stop doors from slamming.

Simply take a pack of cabinet door bumpers and attach them to the door. That’s all it takes, and it will absorb the impact, solving your problem. This is one of the best quick fixes for preventing door slams.

Toothpaste Can Be Used to Remove Unwanted Scratches

It’s common for anyone with wooden furniture to occasionally find scratches on their lovely pieces. However, many resort to costly solutions when they’re unnecessary. You can solve this problem with a bit of toothpaste without spending much.

Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste to the marks and rub it in circular motions with a clean cloth. This will remove all the scratches from your wooden furniture without needing to spend a lot of money. It’s an inexpensive, fast, and effective solution.

Use an iron to remove dents from wood.

Begin by taking a washcloth, soaking it, and wringing out the water so it is just damp. Next, lay the washcloth over the dent. The water will absorb into the wood, which is normal, so don’t be worried. Make sure your iron is ready and set to its highest heat setting before you place the damp washcloth. Start with small circular motions with your iron 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 expanded back to its original position.

Nail Polish Can Repair Minor Screen Tears

To repair a small tear in your screen, all you need is clear nail polish. Begin by cleaning and drying the area with the small tear to prevent any impurities from getting trapped. Next, use a thin paintbrush or the nail polish brush to apply a thin layer of clear nail polish over the tear in the screen. Avoid double-dipping to prevent transferring pollen or dirt to the nail polish. Allow the first layer to dry; you can use a hairdryer on its lowest setting to speed up the process. Then, apply another layer and let it dry.

Use Rubber Bands to Keep Doors from Closing

To accomplish this, you’ll need a thick rubber band rather than the usual thin ones. Begin by leaving the door open and loop the rubber band around the door handle on one side. Then, stretch the rubber band to the handle on the other side and loop it in the same way. 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 bumper effect, stopping the door from closing. If you don’t have thick rubber bands, you can use several rubber bands to achieve the same effect.

Create a Sprinkler Using a Plastic Bottle

Take a plastic bottle, and the larger, the better. Ensure it is thoroughly clean. Rinse out any contents by holding the bottle under running tap water. Then, take a sharp-pointed tool, like a compass or screwdriver, and make about 12 to 14 holes in the bottom of the bottle. Attach the bottle’s neck to your hose and secure it with electrical tape. When you turn the water on, it will fill the bottle and the holes will function as a sprinkler due to the water pressure.

A vegetable peeler in your kitchen can serve as a screwdriver.

Many tools can be used for multiple functions that you might not have considered before. For instance, the vegetable peeler, which is a common kitchen item, often comes with screwdriver heads. These can be a great alternative to flathead screwdrivers. However, make sure that the handle of your vegetable peeler is strong to prevent any injuries. So, the next time you’re looking for a flathead screwdriver, 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 along its length. Then, use your scissors to cut the folded aluminum foil lengthwise as well. Ensure you cut thin strips so you can reuse the same piece of aluminum foil multiple times. If needed, you can use more than one piece of folded aluminum foil. Make sure the entire length of the scissor blade contacts the foil, so remember to use 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 Standard Pencil to Unstick a Jammed Lock

A stuck lock often needs lubrication for the key to function properly again. However, this should be done using graphite rather than any liquid. In a pinch, graphite powder can be hard to find, but you can easily use a graphite pencil for lubrication. We advise against inserting the pencil directly into the lock, as the tip might break and create a larger problem. Instead, rub the pencil on your key and insert the key into the lock. Repeat this process several times to release the stuck lock.

Eliminate Loose Threads in Woven Rugs to Restore Their New Appearance

When eliminating snags from your rug, make sure that any section you intend to trim with scissors is at least half an inch long to prevent harming the rug. Once you’ve identified the snags, position the scissors exactly parallel to the rug and cut the snag off. Afterwards, tuck the ends of the cut section into the surrounding fibers. You can apply a small dab of hot glue to secure the ends and conceal them from view. For significantly longer snags, place masking tape on either side of the snag to create a trench, then proceed with cutting and gluing.

Unclog Blocked Drains Using Zip Ties

For this task, you will require a wire cutter and several zip ties. If your zip ties are short, you can extend their length by connecting two zip ties. Connect the zip ties until they form a long tool that can easily reach the blockage in the drain. Use the wire cutter to make diagonal cuts halfway through the zip ties. These cuts should face downward and alternate with each cut. Then, grab the cut tip and bend it outward to create a barb. Insert this extended tool into the drain and move it in circular and vertical motions to remove the debris. Pull it out and repeat the process until all the debris is removed.

Use cat litter to eliminate oil stains.

If a new oil stain has appeared on your driveway, don’t delay in treating it; quickly grab some cat litter and get started. First, completely cover the 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. If the stain is substantial, consider leaving the cat litter on overnight. Next, sweep it all up and take some detergent and a bristle brush. Begin scrubbing the detergent onto the oil stain while applying pressure. Rinse off the detergent with water. Repeat the entire process if needed.

Use Tape to Measure the Depth of Holes

To assess the depth of holes with tape, you’ll require masking tape in addition to a drill bit or machine. Tear off a lengthy strip of masking tape and encircle the drill bit with it, ensuring there’s enough room for the drill bit to penetrate the material. Ensure the masking tape wrapped around the drill bit is sufficiently thick so you can detect when it hits the material. After forming the hole, measure the distance from the drill bit’s tip to the start of the masking tape.

Utilize a small magnet to hold nails securely.

When people try to hammer nails to hang something up, they often find it difficult to hold both the hammer and nails simultaneously. This is why many individuals hold nails in their mouths, a practice that can be quite risky. A useful solution for keeping nails in place is to affix a small magnet at the base of the hammer. This method works best with hammers that have wooden handles. Begin by drilling a small cavity at the bottom of the hammer, just large enough for a small magnet. Then, apply a small amount of super glue into the cavity and carefully place the magnet inside. Once the magnet is secure, you’re ready to use it.

Use Foil to Line Your Trays for Painting

To make roller painting your walls easier, try lining your paint tray with aluminum foil. This helps with cleanup because the paint dries on the foil rather than the tray. This method acts as an efficient protector for the paint tray. Begin by cutting a piece of aluminum foil a few inches larger than your tray. Position the foil over the tray, pressing it down to fit the tray’s shape. Secure it by folding the extra foil over the edges of the tray.

Use a Few Rubber Bands to Remove Excess Paint

Ensure you have a few thick, long rubber bands available when undertaking a painting project. These rubber bands are useful for removing excess paint from your paintbrush, allowing it to drip directly back into the paint can. Take a rubber band and stretch it around your paint can, beginning at the top and carefully wrapping it around the bottom. Exercise caution during this step to prevent the paint can from tipping over. Next, take the paintbrush and wipe it across the rubber band to remove the excess paint.

Silence Noisy Pipes by Shutting Off the Water

If you are someone who finds it challenging to handle consistently noisy and loud pipes, we have an excellent temporary solution. Noisy pipes should not be underestimated as they can easily disturb the peace at home, affecting your concentration and focus. Additionally, it can be troublesome to deal with noisy pipes when trying to sleep. The difficulty lies in identifying exactly which pipe is causing the problem. Therefore, an effective way to address the issue is to turn off the main water supply in your home when you know the water won’t be needed.

Utilize liquid soap and water to clear a clogged toilet.

First, measure out a gallon of water and heat it on the stove. While the water is warming up and before it reaches a boil, add your liquid soap. Once the water is sufficiently hot, remove it from the heat and carefully pour it into your clogged toilet. Make sure to take the water off the heat before it boils. Then, wait for about 10 to 15 minutes to let the hot water and liquid soap loosen the blockage in your toilet. Afterward, flush to ensure the pipe is fully cleared.

Use Newspapers to Design Your Gallery Wall

Using a newspaper, you can conveniently design the layout of your gallery wall and create a template to make sure you’re happy with the arrangement. Begin by placing a frame on the newspaper and tracing around it with a black marker. Remove the frame, cut out the traced shape, and label it with a number that corresponds to the specific frame. After finishing this step with each frame, use painter’s tape to attach the newspaper cutouts to the wall. Painter’s tape will let you remove the newspaper without harming the wall’s paint.

Utilize plastic tubes to eliminate the noise produced by fan chains.

Whether or not your fan is perfectly level doesn’t matter; the airflow generated by the fan can make the pull chains hit the fan, creating an irritating noise. To address this problem and stop the noise, you can use a plastic tube. First, turn off your fan and carefully detach the fan chains. Next, take a plastic tube with a quarter-inch diameter and slide the fan chains through it. Finally, reattach the fan chains to the fan and enjoy the quiet, uninterrupted airflow.

Use Rope to Stop Water Drips in Gutters

Noisy gutters can quickly become bothersome. These noises are often due to water dripping inside, and this problem can be easily fixed with a nylon rope. Begin by attaching one end of the nylon rope to the top of the gutter’s downspout and let it hang down. When the water touches the nylon rope, it will flow along the rope, reducing the noise of dripping water. After that, place a sponge in the downspout’s corners to absorb the dripping water.

Unclog the Sink with a Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar

A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is an excellent method for unclogging your sink, with the advantage that these items are typically available in most kitchens. Begin by boiling some water and pouring it down the clogged sink. Next, prepare a mix of one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar, making a total of two cups. Pour this mixture down the drain and stop up the sink drain. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes while you heat more water until it boils. After the waiting period, pour the boiling water into the drain. This will trigger a bubbling reaction that will clear the clog in your sink.